Since the card says ACTION does that mean I have to declare its use in the action phase and not the combat phase?

Yes.

Any card that has "action" in bold means that its cost to activate the rest of the card text is your action (normally during the activation phase). This is covered in the core set rule book. Other cards like this include expose, expert handling and daredevil.

For reference Expert handling and Expose are actions as well. Plus many crew members from Leebo to Fleet officer. These take place of your normal action. Look at experimental interface, it'll allow you to take a regular action from your action bar and then take a special Action from an upgrade card.

Since the card says ACTION does that mean I have to declare its use in the action phase and not the combat phase?

Normally, yes, but it can be triggered anytime you're allowed to take an action. For instance, after Airen Cracken attacks, he can allow another pilot to take an action, which can be Marksmanship.

and the Marksmanship action can not be used for a focus as defense correct? i never use it....

and the Marksmanship action can not be used for a focus as defense correct? i never use it....

and the Marksmanship action can not be used for a focus as defense correct? i never use it....

Im taking that as a No.....

You are correct. It cannot be used for defense. Marksmanship itself isn't terribly good, unless you can assure that you aren't being fired upon, and even then it's only marginally better than a focus token, which can be used on defense and doesn't cost 3 points.

You are correct. It cannot be used for defense. Marksmanship itself isn't terribly good, unless you can assure that you aren't being fired upon, and even then it's only marginally better than a focus token, which can be used on defense and doesn't cost 3 points.

that's why I never use it.

You are correct. It cannot be used for defense. Marksmanship itself isn't terribly good, unless you can assure that you aren't being fired upon, and even then it's only marginally better than a focus token, which can be used on defense and doesn't cost 3 points.

Unless you're bossk with a gunner! Cause its for the whole round!

You are correct. It cannot be used for defense. Marksmanship itself isn't terribly good, unless you can assure that you aren't being fired upon, and even then it's only marginally better than a focus token, which can be used on defense and doesn't cost 3 points.

But Marksmanship IS good for ships that often attack more than once. Say, using a TLT, or a Y-wing with BTL-A4.

You are correct. It cannot be used for defense. Marksmanship itself isn't terribly good, unless you can assure that you aren't being fired upon, and even then it's only marginally better than a focus token, which can be used on defense and doesn't cost 3 points.

Unless you're bossk with a gunner! Cause its for the whole round!

that's a good point, It is good with Bossk

You are correct. It cannot be used for defense. Marksmanship itself isn't terribly good, unless you can assure that you aren't being fired upon, and even then it's only marginally better than a focus token, which can be used on defense and doesn't cost 3 points.

Unless you're bossk with a gunner! Cause its for the whole round!

that's a good point, It is good with Bossk

As is Calculation at only 1 point!

Corran Horn could get some mileage out of it, but is usually played with other options.

One of my favorite ships lately is:

Horton Salm

R2-D6

Marksmanship

Twin Laser Turret

As much as I dislike the current deluge of TLTs, I've been dying to fly Salm since I got into this game. Rerolling blanks and focusing both shots is ridiculously consistent. Bummer to waste the crit on each shot, but so it goes.

Marksmanship is a curious thing, as Focus and Calculation are both in the game.

Yes, Marksmanship requires an action to activate.

• For most attacks, its functionally identical to having a Focus Token, except for when you get that critical on Hull, or have another ability that requires a Crit to activate (e.g. Bossk)
• For when Criticality is important, Calculation allows you to use the more versatile Focus token to generate the crit against foes with low damage mitigation. Calculation is a full 2 points cheaper.
• Marksmanship cannot be used defensively, while the Focus Token can save your life.

What then is Marksmanship's last refuge? The fact that it modifies EVERY attack that ship makes in the round. If you've got a Gunner or a double-attack ability, it's suddenly worth considering again.

Of course, in these instances, a Fire-Control System is often better, as it fills a different slot, and doesn't require the action to activate (though it does require that both attacks be against the same person)....

Thank you everyone.

Since the card says ACTION does that mean I have to declare its use in the action phase and not the combat phase?

You have to declare its use during the Action Phase is most cases.

Note that it is then active during the combat phase so you don't need to do anything more to use it.