If i lose a claim 1 mil challenge while i own the bastard's elite, can i kill it for the claim before it changes control to my opponent?

based on answers I've had to similar questions, I would say yes.

I can't remember the details of why though.

Claim comes first is the reason for it I believe.

I also believe that's the case: first you resolve the claim, then passives, then responses. It can be advantageous to let the opponent get The Bastard's Elite if you have Abandoned Fort in play and The Bastard of Bolton in your hand. Maybe there are other situations, this is the one I could think of, for the moment.

cool, that makes them much more appealing to me in my siege deck. I looked at the flowchart in the FAQ but its a bit daunting. Anyone have a link to kotm or someone with a difinitive answer explaining the order of events in a challenge?

RyanSD said:

Is it really daunting?

1. Determine winner of challenge
2. Challenge result is implemented
3. Reward for unopposed challenge is awarded
4. Renown is awarded

Then there are passives and responses (as usual). The Bastard's Elite is a passive ability.

Read more if you are interested Dubious loyalties