CR / RELEASE 2026-07-24
Rule 344
A Showdown begins when Control of a Battlefield is Contested during a Cleanup and the turn is in a Neutral Open State.
Rule hierarchy
Direct children
344.1If Control of a Battlefield is Contested between two players, then a Showdown will be opened as the first step of Combat. If a Showdown is already ongoing at that Battlefield, it will become a Combat Showdown and a Combat will initiate there. See rule 459. Combat for more information.344.2If Control of a Battlefield is Contested, there aren’t units controlled by different players there, and the turn is in a Neutral Open State, a Showdown is opened during the next Cleanup. See rule 318. Cleanups for more information.