RulingHall of Heroes (rules 1.5)2023-07-19

49 – I was reading the new 1.5 rules reference and had some defense questions for ya! 1. The FAQ entry about…

Question

49 – I was reading the new 1.5 rules reference and had some defense questions for ya! 1. The FAQ entry about the protection event, Mutant Protectors and the (defense) label, says if the ally leaves play before damage is dealt, my hero becomes the defender, meaning I am now defending the attack with a different character. At that point am I able to activate Judoka skill (Interrupt: When you defend against an enemy attack)? 2. Was my hero briefly defending the attack first and I could trigger Judoka skill before that ally becomes the defender? I was looking at the new first sub bullet under bullet 4 under Defense that states, “The player’s identity is considered to be the defender as soon as the defense-labeled ability begins resolving.” 3. If I play Powerful Punch (defense), can I use an ally to defend that same attack? 4. If I play Powerful Punch (defense), can I still play Mutant Protectors?

Answer

Yes; you can use Judoka Skill when you become defender of an attack, including when the ally you put into play via Mutant Protectors leaves play before the attack finishes.
No; when you play Mutant Protectors, the ally you put into play becomes the defender of the attack immediately.
No; when you play Powerful Punch, an attack/defense event, your hero becomes the defender of the attack. While your hero is defending an attack, no other character can defend that attack.
Yes, you’re allowed to play both, but note that since your hero is already defending the attack, the ally put into play with Mutant Protectors cannot defend that attack. (The rules of defending are strict on this; once one character defends, only that character can defend the attack unless that character leaves play before the attack finishes.)

— Alex