Hi All,

Here's some further clarification of what happens between combat proposal and conclusion:

* You can propose a combat any time you have priority in your action phase and the chain is empty. This puts a proposal effect on the chain.

* You then get priority to add to the chain (which you rarely will). If you pass, other players get their chance to add to the chain. This is their chance to disrupt your proposal by exhausting your proposed attacker, or playing something like Frost Nova.

* If the proposal is no longer legal as it resolves, nothing happens and you get priority in your action phase. If the proposal is still legal as it resolves, a combat step starts and your attacker exhausts. This does not use the chain.

*** The first of two priority windows opens - the "attacker window". Any effects that triggered when the attacker attacked go on the chain, then you get priority. Non-instant cards (like Fireball) can't be played during a combat step. A priority window closes after all players pass in succession.

* After the attacker window closes, the defending player has the chance to exhaust a ready protector to make it the proposed defender. Then the proposed defender becomes the defender. None of this uses the chain.

*** The second of two priority windows opens - the "defender window". Any effects that triggered when the defender protected or defended go on the chain, then you get priority. Non-instant cards (like Fireball) can't be played during a combat step. A priority window closes after all players pass in succession.

* After the defender window closes, the combat concludes. During conclusion, no player can put anything on the chain. Only if both attacker and defender are still in play do they deal combat damage to each other. As usual, armor can be exhausted to prevent damage to heroes. None of this uses the chain. Finally, the combat step ends, and you get priority in your action phase.

Thanks,
PR