http://starwars-armada.wikia.com/wiki/Instigator

http://starwars-armada.wikia.com/wiki/Valen_Rudor_TIE_Fighter_Squadron

If you have a squadron within 1 range of lone instigator and Valen, does that mean Valen can never be attacked because instigator says "Enemy squadrons at distance 1 are treated as if they are engaged by 2 additional squadrons, even if they are not currently engaged."

Technically the card says to act as if there are two other squadrons, and Valen can't be attacked if there are other squadrons. But they are not really there. Are you allowed to shoot Valen?

There was a discussion about this here . Mostly, the consensus seemed to be that yes, Instigator protects Valen.

However, the crucial point is that if that's true, then Instigator itself can be attacked, because the engagement rules say you must attack a squadron if possible , which it in that case isn't.

And not just Instigator.

ANY ship in Range.

This is absolutely the case.

Attacking Squadrons is not “possible”, so the engagement restriction on having to shoot squadrons if possible cannot be fulfilled - you may shoot st something other than squadrons.

Yep valen is not a great choice for an instigator glue mob.