Newcomers playing Basic Set for first time - some confusion about how to play some cards, such as Events

eg: (AH22) [Event: Evidence! Cost 1, Intel 2] Insight. Fast. Play after you defeat an enemy. Discover 1 clue at your location.

If i can play this card (by paying one resource?) immediately after i "defeat an enemy", why does the card show two intellect "skill test icons" in the upper left? The "Discover" implies that this is automatic and does not require a skill test - otherwise it should say something like, "do a bonus investigate action"?

Likewise: (AH23) [Event: Dodge. Cost 1, Willpower 1, Agility 1] Tactic. Fast. Play when an enemy attacks an investigator at your location. Cancel that attack.

This does not imply a skill test, so why the Willpower and Agility?

Are those Skill Test Icons applicable to other uses of the card? Where is this stated?

Skill cards in your hand can be committed to a skill test for their icons. In this case, you also execute the card's effect (text at the bottom of the card) and discard the card after use.

Asset cards in your hand can be used in two ways: you can play the card or commit the card to a skill test. If you play the card, you pay its cost, put into play area, and then you can execute the card's effect as per the text on the card but you cannot use the skill icons. If you commit the card, you do not need to pay its cost, you receive the icons but do not execute the card's text and discard the card after use.

Similarly, Event cards in your hand can be used in two ways: you can play the card or commit the card to a skill test. If you play the card, you pay its cost and execute the card's effect as per the text on the card but you cannot use the skill icons and discard the card after use. If you commit the card, you do not pay its cost, receive the icons, but do not execute the card's text and discard the card after use.

Thanks - succinct answers are always appreciated!

Finally found under Skill Test Timing (RRpg26) that the active investigator can "commit any number of cards with an appropriate skill icon" (without paying the cost), while the other players may commit one each.

On reviewing our initial decks, it appears that this would mean almost all cards in the deck can be used in that way, as an alternative to playing them. We're a bit surprised that such an ability (dual uses) doesn't appear explicitly in the rules - this changes the game entirely for us, thanks.

If there is a clear statement of this somewhere in the publications, we'd like to read it.

26 minutes ago, Giddy Gamer said:

If there is a clear statement of this somewhere in the publications, we'd like to read it.

You aren't the first to miss it. Probably the place they expected you to see it was page 8 of the Learn to Play booklet under Modifying Skill Values for Skill Tests. It probably would have been worthwhile for them to call out the fact that Assets and Events are eligible cards provided they have the correct icons, or if they had specified a particular card in their Skill Test Example so that you could see that the committed card was not necessarily a Skill card.

I think you've nailed it - thanks.

It’s on page 8 of your Learn to Play Guide. The section that explains how skill tests work.

Most cards have skill icons, they can be commited to skill tests for the relevant icon type granting the indicated bonus.

Skill cards are made exclusively for this mechanic and come with perks like extra icons or effects on the skill test.

Icons on cards have no mechanical application outside of this use. Evidence for example can be used for that bonus clue, or to buff an intellect test, thus still help you get clues without enemies or pass a key test, such as a parlay.

This game is so fascinating. Some cards have 3 uses. Commit them to a test, play them to use their ability, play them to use as soak.

12 hours ago, Villefere said:

This game is so fascinating. Some cards have 3 uses. Commit them to a test, play them to use their ability, play them to use as soak.

Some investigators can use them other ways, too, such as Wendy using them to redraw a token, or Pete to ready an exhausted asset.