Showdown
How a Showdown starts, who has Focus, and how it ends. Written for rules effective 2026-10-16.
Start
A Showdown begins when control of a battlefield is Contested during a cleanup and the turn is in a Neutral Open State.
Start
Contested between two players with Units there? The Showdown opens as the first step of Combat. A Showdown already going on becomes a Combat Showdown.
Start
No Units of different players there (a move to an empty battlefield)? A Showdown opens during the next cleanup.
Start
The player who applied Contested gains Focus as it begins.
During
Players act in an alternating fashion. In a Showdown State only cards and abilities with Action or Reaction can be played.
During
With Focus a player either plays a legally timed card or ability, which starts a Chain as normal, or passes.
Rule 347 · Rule 347.1 · Rule 347.1.a · Rule 347.2
During
When that chain closes, the next player in turn order gains Focus.
During
Focus does not pass this way if the chain was opened by a triggered ability or an Add ability.
During
Non-Combat Showdown with opposing Units arriving? It becomes a Combat Showdown in the following cleanup.
End
If all players pass once in sequence, the Showdown ends.
End
A Combat Showdown goes on to the remaining steps of Combat.
End
A Non-Combat Showdown: if only one player's Units remain and they do not control the battlefield, they establish control. That is a Conquer if they have not scored it this turn.