Hi!

I'm quite troubled with the difference between "Actions" and "Combat Actions". There are some actions that can only be played during the Combat phase, that usually go like this:

Action: During Combat Phase, blah blah

Also, there are cards like the Catachan Outpost that says "Combat Action".

Is it the same? Are they just Actions that can be played during any Action Window during the Combat phase?

I suspect, and correct me if I'm wrong, that "Combat Actions" replace your normal combat turn, so, you either attack with a unit or take a Combat Action.

There's a big difference:

Case 1. Combat Actions are Actions played in the Action Windows in Combat Phase:

- AM player attacks with Unit A

- Opponent attacks with Unit B

- Action Window: AM player uses Catachan Outpost to boost Unit C's attack

- AM player attacks with Unit C

Case 2. Combat Actions are played instead of an attack:

- AM player uses Catachan Outpost to boost Unit A's attack

- Opponent attacks Unit A with Unit B and kills it

- AM player raises his/her fist in a sign of rage and uses another "non-boosted" unit to Attack

This doubt comes from Eldar card Doom that says "Deploy Action". Deployment doesn't have any Action Windows, therefore Deploy Actions are played instead of playing a card from your hand.

Thanks in advance =)

Action: During Combat Phase, blah blah

Also, there are cards like the Catachan Outpost that says "Combat Action".

Is it the same? Are they just Actions that can be played during any Action Window during the Combat phase?

This is correct. A "combat action" is an action that can be played during any action window during the combat phase only. This is specified in the definition of "Action" on p.3 of the RRG:

"Some Action effects have a phase name as a precursor to the word “Action.” Such effects are still considered Action effects , with the restriction that they can only be initiated during an action window in the specified phase."

So a "combat action" does not replace your combat turn. The are played in any action window during the combat phase -- including the ones between combat turns.

This doubt comes from Eldar card Doom that says "Deploy Action". Deployment doesn't have any Action Windows, therefore Deploy Actions are played instead of playing a card from your hand.

The difference is described in the RRG's description of the Deployment Phase on p.23. There, is specifically says that during a player's "Deployment Turn," they can either play a card from hand, trigger an action (which would include "Deploy Action"s), or pass.

Compare this the the RRG's description of a "Combat Turn" on p.26, which says that a player can either attack or pass during a combat turn. So while the fact that the different "turns' treat actions differently may be confusing at first, the rules give a pretty solid description of those differences.

Can you give an example of a card which says

'Action: during the combat phase'

as I can't think of any off-hand.

To answer the main question:

Case 1 is correct. Action Windows are normally the only time that any Action can be played. The Deployment Phase is an exception to this (as per the RR entry) where taking an Action uses up your Deployment turn.

You do NOT lose your Combat Turn by taking a Combat Action. Check the timing chart. It should be pretty clear, but I understand this is tripping a LOT of people up.

EVERY Action Window is an opportunity for BOTH players to take actions, beginning with the player who has Initiative. The Window does not close until BOTH players decline to take actions consecutively. So you could have a sequence such as:

Player A attacks

ACTION WINDOW OPENS

Player A uses a Combat Action

Player B passes in the Action Window

Player A uses a Combat Action

Player B uses a Combat Action

Player A passes in the Action Window

Player B passes in the Action Window

ACTION WINDOW CLOSES

Player B attacks

ACTION WINDOW OPENS

etc.

Also check out this thread at CardgameDB.

EDIT

Thanks for the explanations, noted them down =)

Btw, CommissarFeesh, I couldn't find the card I was thinking on, maybe I missread it =P

Nice to see it is all clear now, I do have to say I was confused on this matter also at first, however looking at the steps that are taken within each phases it all becomes clear.

The only real thing I forget from time to time is that Actions in the Deployment Phase also cause your "turn to pass".