Rules Question: when does "immediately" really mean "immediately"?

[Michael]

Greetings!

I want to clarify something regarding timing.

I’ll use Destructive Impulse as an example.

@Destructive Impulse

If this model destroys one or more buildings or enemy units with an attack, immediately after the attack is resolved, this model can make a brawl attack. This model can make one attack generated by Destructive Impulse each turn.

So, let’s say my monster makes an attack and triggers Destructive Impulse. I feel like it’s very clear that this falls under step 11 of the “Attack Timing” chart, because Destructive Impulse says “immediately after the attack is resolved” and the attacking player is the active player:

@Attack Timing

11. The attacking player’s special rules, and rules on buildings or assets, that are resolved
    “immediately after an attack is resolved” are resolved, in order chosen by that player.

That’s fine and everything. The real question is: can the attacking player use Stepping before making the attack generated by Destructive Impulse?

The only restrictions on Stepping are found under Stepping:

@Stepping

…
A monster can step before it makes a full advance, after it makes a full advance, before it attacks, and after it attacks. Your monster can step as many times as you have Action Dice to spend.

I could see an argument for “No, because Destructive Impulse is resolved during Step 11 of the Attack Timing chart, meaning you are still in the middle of making an attack, thus preventing Stepping from being available.”

However, that interpretation feels really weird and complicated. I feel like the potential for unexpected rules situations exists if one recursively enters into the Attack Timing chart for the Destructive Impulse attack.

So: is the first attack fully resolved, i.e. “we finish and exit the timing chart” before the triggered Destructive Impulse attack resolves, thus leaving time to step in between? Or, do we potentially recurse as follows?

Attack Timing chart
–>Initial attack
----> Step 11
------> Attack Timing chart
--------> Potentially iterate again depending on the special rules involved in the second attack

[EmanuelClasd]

Hey Michael,

Let me get back to you with an answer once I have a moment to give you a clear response.

Respectfully
E

[Michael]

Sure thing! Thank you very much!

[EmanuelClasd]

After reviewing this with my team here is the best way I can answer this.

Under most circumstances, a special rule’s effect happens as soon as it is legally able to. Because Destructive Impulse’s trigger resolves “immediately after the attack is resolved”, you’re required to resolve that trigger as soon as you are able, or you lose the opportunity. If a rule does give you a window to use steps or actions before resolving it, it will use the phrase “this turn”: see Onslaught, Sweeping Attack, and Steamroller for examples of this.

The short answer is “Yes, immediately means immediately.”

[Michael]

Thank you! I appreciate the response!

[Michael]

I’m following up on this after seeing a comment from Jeff Gum on Facebook.

In a discussion about Ares Mothership, Jeff said the following:

@Jeff Gum

It’s unfortunate templating that rules are put on cards in alphabetical order, because Hit and Run actually HAS TO resolve first. Both rules have the same timing, but you have to fully resolve all special rules for an attack before starting another one so if you Combo Strike first you lose the opportunity to Hit and Run.

Emphasis mine.

I’m trying to make certain I understand the reasoning here. Does that assertion stem from this part of the rules?

@Triggers page 30

…
You must completely resolve the current attack before making any additional attacks created by triggers.
…

[Tekkactus]

Yep! You can’t have special rules floating in limbo, so any attacks generated by a special rule automatically are pushed to the bottom of the queue in Step 11.