Very early on I believe it was agreed that combat started as soon as an attack was declared in step 1. (Shrine to Nurgle kicked in for example) I am not sure if it was stated when combat stopped. Is it after damage is assigned step 5 or after the action window allowed after that? The rulebook clearly states that the battlefield phase ends after the actions after step 5 have finished, but doesn't state combat.

A problem occured with an attacking unit with 'scout' keyword. Rule book page 10 states ability occurs after damage is assigned but doesn't mention the action window after. A 'scout' unit survived combat damage, but not an action afterwards - hit by 'Call of Blood'. What is the verdict?

I have been playing that if no attack is declared in step 1, then the battlefield phase ends ie no actions playable. If a player wishes to do actions in this phase an attack must be declared. Hopefully right so far. Step 2 states declare attackers IF ANY. Implying you may declare 0 attackers. If so does the so called attack continue? Can defenders be declared like those with 'Scout' ability? I have been allowing this but still would like an official ruling on 'combat ending' - see above.

Still enjoying this game - can't wait for the elves to officially appear - despite the very near civil war that broke out after Abandoned Mine appeared. My opinion was that there were too many 'at start of turn' actions to allow only 1 while allowing unlimited 'forced' ones. Limiting Abandoned Mine to just once per turn seems a good balence to stop it becoming ridiculously powerfull.

Thanks for your help and Cheers!

I'd say the ability triggers if the scout is still alive after combat damage assigns, but I'd have to read the book again to be sure and it's late. Instinct says he triggers and then gets killed if they still have the card.

According to the so-far unofficial Flowchart, combat ends after the Action window after the Apply Damage step.

www.boardgamegeek.com/article/4290705#4290705

Also, even if the chart isn't fully accurate (though it should be), I do differ from Rakshasa's answer. Scout should definately survive the Apply Damage step at least before its ability can kick in. No Units are killed during the Assign Damage step (barring removal in the Action window of that step).

Agree with Dam, Scouts ability does not apply until the Scout survives having damage assigned to it. If it receives enough damage to kill it then its ability would not apply as it did not survive the combat.

OK, no - I misread "assign" as "apply". Kind of a big difference. I thought he was referring to the window after the application of damage when the card was used.

Thanks for the responses, but due to the confusion between 'assign' and 'apply' damage, I don't think the question has been answered fully. The question was "When does 'combat' end?" Is it after the 'action window' that occurs after 'applying damage'? A 'Scout' unit was 'damaged' during 'apply damage' but not destroyed. In the action window afterwards it was hit by 'Call of Blood' which destroys a damaged unit. Did the 'Scout' survive the actual combat?

Cheers!

Rashley said:

It kinda was answered, but you didn't look carefully enough .

"According to the so-far unofficial Flowchart, combat ends after the Action window after the Apply Damage step." (Dam quoting Dam )

So Apply Damage Step

Action Window

Combat ends.

If the Scout got destroyed in the Action window, then it didn't survive.

That was how I had been playing the end of combat. Thanks for that, but what about the other query about declaring a combat or not? I have been playing that :- not declaring a combat ie no step 1, stops the 'battlefield phase'. That means no actions playable. Declaring a combat obviously starts one, but would allow an opponent to declare defenders step 3 even if no attackers were declared in step 2. Have I got this correct?

Cheers

Yes you do have it right.

I'd like to state for the record that despite my having authored the unofficial flowchart, I believe that Scout kicks in immediately after the Apply damage step, before any player action. You might want to send the question to Nate for clarification.