Insight: Resolving Attacks

Much like how the Preparation Phase and Action Phase separate the "planning" from the "doing", an attack action is separated into proper steps.

When a card declares an attack, the attack must be resolved even if the attacker is destroyed before the attack is resolved (the only exception being if another card effect specifically "negates" or "nullifies" the attack). The target of an attack must also be designated at the time an attack is declared.

The "finalize your move" rule allows you to apply any modifiers to your instigating action at the moment of instigation. For example, the when your vessel declares an attack and the target has been announced to other players you have one opportunity to increase its damage with what ever means are at your disposal, such as with the card "Direct Hit."

After declaring your modifiers to your action, other players have an opportunity to respond. Other players may modify the amount of damage inflicted (such as with armor).

Calculating damage occurs after all modifiers (and responses) have been declared. Some other game events (such as another player's response) may cause an attack to miss, thus damage is not calculated. The card "Evasive Maneuvers" is a common example of causing an attack to miss the target, thereby inflicting zero damage.

The resolution of the attack follows this basic sequence of steps:

1. play the effect (instigating action)
2. declare attack, select target (instigating action)
3. apply modifiers

Once the initiating player is finished with his instigating action, the targeted player has the chance to respond. All responses the targeted player wish to play must be played at this time, according to the "finalize your move" rule.

After the targeted player responds, other players may respond as well. 

Once all responses are declared, resolving them occurs in the same order. In resolving damage, there is also an order of resolution for built in defenses. Damage may be mitigated in this order:

1. Shields
2. Armor
3. Anything else absorbing damage
4. Hull

A cheat sheet card keeps this simple summary handy.