What happens if a When Attacking effect destroys the attack’s target?
The attack fizzles and deals no combat damage, but the defending player still gets their response window. A Defender cannot take an attack that has no target.
Step by step
- Silver Current, Haruhi attacks your tapped Glass Blower, Hokuto.
- Her When Attacking effect deals 1 damage to Glass Blower, Hokuto and destroys it.
- The attack now has no target, but you still get your response window: you can play Response cards.
- Once you pass, the attack fizzles. No combat damage is dealt and no Defender is chosen.
Good to know
This follows a community ruling on the official order of combat: declare the attack, resolve When Attacking effects, then the response window, then Defender.
From the official game rules.
