So, both of the criticals Console Fire (roll to take damage) and Disabled Power Regulator (recieve an ion token until ionized) trigger "Before you engage."

I have seen it played where people are like "I do not roll for console fire because I had no available targets" or "If I do not shoot while I have Disabled Power Regulator, I will not get ionized."

It kind of makes sense, however I believe these criticals trigger whether you have targets or not, or whether you shoot or not. Page 10 of the Rules Reference says "During [the Engagement Phase], each ships engages, one at a time[.]" And "When a ship engages, it may perform an attack[.]"

So basically, each ship engages no matter what, whether they shoot or not. Thus, these crits would trigger the next time that ship engages (whether that round or preceeding rounds).

Correct? Just tryna get used to all the Second Edition lingo XD

PS Also interesting that "Disarmed ships still engage even though they cannot perform attacks"

Sounds like that would be correct. If it says each ship engages and may shoot. So a ships turn is its engagement. Might be wrong but sounds right

Correct. Engaging is 'activating in the shooting phase' which every ship does. CHoosing whether or not to attack is part of engaging, but you don't even get the choice until you're about halfway through.

Yep. You are considered to have engaged before you decide if you can attack or not.

This feels a little like the "check pilot stress" thing from 1.0 where the base wording choice was perhaps a bit confusing.

I would agree with the others that you "engage" when your turn comes up in the initiative order. Whether you actually have an attack or are able to do anything is beside the point.

"Engage" is literally the "Activate" term for that phase. You do it whether you attack or not so the cards trigger.

You engage and may perform an attack. Not the other way around.