Darth Vader's Force Choke ability doesn't use the 'Attack" keyword, though it is an action. Does this mean Vader could do force choke and then attack the same figure during his activation? Or does causing damage mean it is an attack?

While I'm at it, am I right that there is no defense against a force choke? So even if a figure like Luke Skywalker has +1 Defense, it doesn't matter because no defense dials are read.

yes. you can attack and then force choke. or brutality, and force choke.

you will find it in rules RRG page 6 "an ability that does not involve an attack but causes a figure to suffer damage (such as Darth Vader's Force choke) is not considered to be an attack"

direct damage like force choke, or blast, cleave.... can't be prevented by damage reductions like Luke's ability

RRG page 10 "if a figure suffers damage outside an attack, the damage is not prevented by block, and the figure does not roll defense die"

What about abilities that gives Vader an attack, e.g. an elite officer, he would not be able to use brutality there will he? As brutality is not an attack, not a seperate ability

an elite officer would give Vader a normal attack. Brutality is an action. elite officer gives a move or an attack so Vader wouldn't be able to use his actions.

Thanks! Wow. Vader is a BEAST. As he should be.

yes. you can attack and then force choke. or brutality, and force choke.

you will find it in rules RRG page 6 "an ability that does not involve an attack but causes a figure to suffer damage (such as Darth Vader's Force choke) is not considered to be an attack"

direct damage like force choke, or blast, cleave.... can't be prevented by damage reductions like Luke's ability

RRG page 10 "if a figure suffers damage outside an attack, the damage is not prevented by block, and the figure does not roll defense die"

It's not ucommon for Vader to deal about 7dmg+3pierce in attack on two targets with brutality, and in early missions the rebels have a really hard time damaging him.

SPOILERS:

We played Temptation as our first side quest. In a bad planned out move they opened Vader as the last action of their spawning him and then Vader taking his turn in charging out, wounding a hero and damaging another. It was the end of round 5 and Diala was down to 1 token so she had to claim another and make Vader attack again. Just brutal.

I lost Under Siege, But Vader managed to get in 12 damage in one turn, that made me very happy.

Thanks! Wow. Vader is a BEAST. As he should be.

Not if you keep him perma stunned. In campaign Dialla with her staff can very reliably do it while preventing vader from rolling black die to ensure at least 1 dmg gets in to apply surge for stun. I lost dark obsession badly and when vader appeared in temptation he was very quickly knocked out. Dialla stunned him every round and luke with pierce 3 and hit and run tactics finished him quickly.