Last Updated: 2026-03-30
459.2. When Combat opens, it either opens with a Combat Showdown, or the current Showdown becomes a Combat Showdown.
459.2.a. The following Tasks become Outstanding, in the order described:
459.2.b. 1. Establish who is Attacker and who is Defender.
459.2.b.1. The Attacker is the player whose unit(s) applied the Contested status to the Battlefield. They gain the Attacker designation now.
459.2.b.2. The Defender is the player who did not apply the Contested status to the Battlefield. They gain the Defender designation now.
459.2.b.3. Units at the Contested Battlefield controlled by the Attacker gain the Attacker designation now.
459.2.b.4. Units at the Contested Battlefield controlled by the Defender gain the Defender designation now.
459.2.c. 2. The Attacker gains Focus.
459.2.d. 3. Add items to the Combat Chain if establishing Attacker and Defender has caused Triggered Abilities to become Pending.
459.2.d.1. The Attacking player, who has Focus, places Triggered Abilities on the Chain first, followed by all non-Defender players in Turn Order, followed by the Defending Player.
459.2.e. The State Closes if a Combat Chain was created.
459.2.e.1. Otherwise the Combat Showdown continues, with the State Open as normal.