When *exactly* can you use a protectors ability.

As I understand it combat works like this.

1)Propose: I propose an attack.

2)Starting with me, all players get an opportunity to act or pass. After all players pass on an empty chain it is legal (assuming no shenanigans).

3)Attack: The proposed attacker becomes an attacker

4)Starting with me, all players get an opportunity to act or pass. After all players pass on an empty chain the attack step ends.

5)Defend: The proposed defender becomes the defender.

6)Starting with me, all players get an opportunity to act (including swinging a weapon) or pass. After all players pass on an empty chain the defend step ends.

7) Damage: Both players apply damage now.

8) Conclude: Combat ends.

The terms in bold are the steps as listed in the rule book.

The rulebook says 'When the proposed defender would start defending, you may exhaust the hero or ally with protector, and it becomes the defender for the combat instead of the proposed defender.'

Do you have to use the protectors ability during step 4, 5, or 6. If it is 5 as I suspect, does that mean that the use of a protector does not go on the chain?

During the defender step, so 5 I would suspect.

I don't think the chain is involved, and even if it is there is very few abilities to abuse in relation to it.

Attackers that exaust can and will drop protectors. Protectors that auto ready (the alliance chick) will always get their chance to ready, but you can stop her from getting to protector if you tap her down again during stage 4.

This is how I understand it, but it is slightly vague.

4.5)Defending player may choose a ready ally/hero with protector and exhaust them. The exhausted character becomes the proposed defender instead.

7)Players may use armor to reduce the damage taken. I assume the turn player has to make all armor decisions first.

As you can see, protector can't be responded too, it doesn't use the chain, and the original target of the proposed attack never becomes a defender.

Thanks

Thats kinda what I figured.

It may occasionally be important that the attacking player can't act between the defending player choosing whether to protect and the protector becoming the defender (for example trying to blow up the protector in response to them exhausting to protect). It makes most sense this way.

The Alliance Also Galahandra, DudeFella and Dorric. Both Are non-protectors but are Protectors Tactics. Donna is not the only one to Watch for.