Combat sequence and prevention

Ankha wrote:

Bloodartist wrote:

Ankha wrote:

Step 4 is: "4. Strike: Announce and resolve strikes."

Step 5. Damage Resolution: Prevent and mend damage.

The issue here is that in the combat sequence damage resolution is given as a separate step from strike resolution. Yet the actual text speaks of damage as if damage resolution is part of strike resolution.

Please quote the relevant part.

Combat Sequence

Combat occurs in a series of one or more rounds. Each round of combat has seven steps:

1. Before Range: Play cards before range is chosen.

2. Determine Range: Use maneuvers to change the range to close or long.

3. Before Strikes: Play cards before strikes are chosen.

4. Strike: Announce and resolve strikes.

5. Damage Resolution: Prevent and mend damage.

6. Press: Use presses to continue into another round or to end combat.

7. End of Round: End of round cards and effects are played here.

HOW TO RESOLVE A COMBAT [6.4]
NOTE: Combat cannot occur between two minions with the same controller. [6.4]
NOTE: Combat can only occur between two ready minions. [6.4]
NOTE: If either of the combatants is burned or goes to torpor during the course of combat, combat ends (go to step VI.E). [6.4.3]
NOTE: The only minion cards that can be played during combat are combat cards, and those can be played only by the minions involved in the combat.

    Round begins.
    NOTE: "As combat is entered" and "before range is determined" effects can only be used in this step (the former only in the first round).
    Determine (set) range. Each round begins at close range. [6.4.2]
        Either minion may maneuver to change the range. Acting minion gets the first opportunity, as always.
        A minion cannot use maneuvers to go to long range and to go to close range in the same round (that is, the minion cannot "cancel" his own maneuvers).
        A strike card that has an optional maneuver may be played during this step.
        If a weapon or a strike card is used to maneuver, the minion using the maneuver must use that card for his first strike of the round. [6.4.3.1]
        NOTE: Only one weapon/strike card may be used to maneuver by a minion.
    Strike. [6.4.3]
        Minions announce their strikes (and targets, if applicable). [6.4.3.1]
            Acting minion announces strike and target first. [6.4.3]
            A ranged strike can target the opposing minion's retainer if the range is long. [6.4.7]
            Strike modifiers must be played now (or earlier) to be effective. [RTR]
        Resolve strikes. [6.4.3.2]
            Strikes resolve in the following order. If both strikes are in the same class, then they resolve simultaneously.
            NOTE: Dodge doesn't resolve; it cancels the effect of the opposing strike on the dodging minion and non-retainer cards on him. [6.4.5]
                Strike: Combat Ends. [6.4.5] (go to step E). Any other effect from this strike is applied after combat ends (except unlocking, which is normally done before combat ends by card text).
                Any strike done with first strike. (resolve steps b,c before moving on to step iii). [6.4.5]
                Any other strikes. (resolve steps b,c)
            Apply effects of strike(s). Effects are applied simultaneously if the strikes are both of the same type (from step a).
            NOTE: Strikes are only effective at close range, by default. [6.4.3.2]
                Inflict damage. Damage isn't handled until step c. [6.4.6]
                Destroy equipment. Burn one equipment card on the opposing minion. [6.4.5]
                Steal equipment. Move one equipment card from the opposing minion to this minion. [6.4.5]
                NOTE: Stolen equipment cannot be used on the round it is stolen.
                Steal blood. Removes blood/life from the opponent and places it on this vampire. Blood in excess of this vampire's capacity is burned immediately. Stolen blood may be used in step c. [6.4.5]
                Combat Ends. End combat. This effect works at any range. [6.4.5]
                Dodge. See note to (2.a) above.
            Prevent damage and then resolve any unprevented damage (VII).
        Combatants have the option to gain additional strikes. [6.4.3.3]
        Resolve steps 1-2 above for each additional strike. [6.4.3.3]
    Presses. Each round defaults to "end combat". [6.4.4]
        Either minion may press to change the conclusion of the round (which is either "to end combat" or "to continue to another round"). Acting minion gets the first opportunity, as always.
        A minion cannot use presses to continue and to end in the same round (that is, the minion cannot "cancel" his own presses).
    Round Ends. [6.4.4]
        Apply any end-of-round effects.
        If the press step ended with "to continue", then another round begins (Go back to step A).
    Combat Ends. [6.4.7]

... Normally, each minion gets only one strike per round. One strike from each minion is considered a “pair”.

ADVANCED RULES

Some cards may allow a minion to get additional strikes during a round of combat, these are resolved after the normal pair of strikes. If only one minion has additional strikes these are resolved on their own after the normal pair of strikes.

During each pair of strikes, the minions first choose their respective strikes (the acting minion first, then their opponent), and then the strikes are resolved. Strike resolution occurs simultaneously, except for a few special cases (see Strike Effects). ...

Resolve Strike: The effects of the strikes from both minions are resolved simultaneously. Most strikes are effective only at close range, unless the strike is identified as ranged, does “R” damage, or is a defensive strike such as dodge or combat ends. Ranged strikes and strikes that do “R” damage can be used at any range, close or long.

When a minion or retainer takes damage (either from a strike or from other means), they must burn blood or life, as appropriate (see Damage Resolution). Note that the effects of a strike are applied and then damage is resolved. This timing is important for some special strikes. If one or both of the combatants are no longer ready, because one has taken too much damage, for instance, then the round and the combat end immediately.

This is true at any point during combat, not just during strike resolution.

ADVANCED RULES

If a strike card is cancelled, the minion who played it must choose a strike, which might come from another strike card.

Additional Strikes: Some cards and effects allow a minion to make additional strikes during the current round of combat. Additional strikes are announced and performed only after the first pair of strikes is completed. The acting minion decides whether or not to gain additional strikes before the opposing minion, as usual.

Additional strikes are handled by having another choose strike step and resolve strike step in which only the minions with additional strikes may play strike cards. All additional strikes take place at the same range. This is repeated as necessary. A minion cannot use more than one card or effect to gain additional strikes per round of combat. This rule is reminded on those cards by the “(limited)” card text.

5. Damage Resolution

Damage resolution has two steps: prevent damage and mend damage.

First, the minion taking damage can play combat cards that prevent damage. These damage prevention cards are played one at a time until all the damage is prevented or until the minion chooses not to play any more. Any unprevented damage is successfully inflicted. The damage is then mended, if the victim is a vampire, or burns life counters, if the victim is an ally or a retainer.

Bloodartist wrote:

Ankha wrote:

Step 4 is: "4. Strike: Announce and resolve strikes."

Step 5. Damage Resolution: Prevent and mend damage.

The issue here is that in the combat sequence damage resolution is given as a separate step from strike resolution. Yet the actual text speaks of damage as if damage resolution is part of strike resolution

Ankha wrote:

The thing is that as soon as damage is inflicted, it opens a damage resolution window. Whether that window opens in the same step or its own step right afterwards does not change anything.