RulingHall of Heroes (rules 1.0–1.4)

Venom (Flash Thompson): Venom’s “Grasping Tendrils” says “Hero Interrupt (defense): When the villain initiates an attack against…

Question

Venom’s “Grasping Tendrils” says “Hero Interrupt (defense): When the villain initiates an attack against you, cancel that attack…” If I play Grasping Tendrils and cancel the villain’s attack, did I “defend” at all? Can I trigger “Indomitable”? (or any other “Response: After your hero defends…”) If I play Grasping Tendrils and cancel the villain’s attack, did I “defend against an attack”? Can I trigger “Unflappable?” (or any other “Response: After your hero defends against an attack…”) – The newly revealed “Powerful Punch” from Mutant Genesis raises similar questions, although it could be answered differently. It says “Hero Interrupt: (attack/defense) When an enemy initiates an attack, deal 4 damage to that enemy.” If I play Powerful Punch during a minion’s attack and defeat that minion before the attack occurs, did I “defend” at all? Can I trigger “Indomitable”? (or any other “Response: After your hero defends…”). If I play Powerful Punch during a minion’s attack and defeat that minion before the attack occurs, did I “defend against an attack”? Can I trigger “Unflappable?” (or any other “Response: After your hero defends against an attack…”)

Answer

If the effect of an ability is canceled, the ability is still regarded as initiated, and any costs are still paid. In that sense, Grasping Tendrils can “cancel an attack”, but that attack is still considered initiated, and you are still considered to have defended against it by playing this Defense event. As such, you can trigger Indomitable and/or Unflappable off of that defense.
Similarly, with Powerful Punch, you have still made “a defense” even if the enemy was defeated before it dealt damage to you.

-Alex