In this episode of ask a1bert, what happens when a Rebel chooses a melee attack targeting a Leader when this card is played, and the pawn that runs next to the defender is in line of sight, but not a valid target of the melee attack?

R = rebel hero
L = imperial leader
P = poor sob

 x  x  x
 R  L  x
 x  x  P

In this case, P becomes the target of the attack, but it is not a invalid target. Does the attack automatically miss?

The Declare Target step fails and the attack aborts. (If the melee attack has reach it would proceed.)

Perfect 😈