Had a "conversation" with one of my gaming partners about how blocking works in this game…. He reckons that if you block a monster and then the card is destroyed teh block is still counted as defended.. while I think this is incorrect….

Example…

Sleeping Sentry

• Shadow: Defending player must discard all exhausted characters he controls.

or

 Pathless Country

• Shadow: Deal 1 damage to each ally in play

There are many other cards that can kill allies and heroes b4 the block happens… anyway, if these shadow effects kill the defender say a 4attack warg,,, then the attack is in fact undefended and the 4 dmg has to go on the hero… as the attack is now undefended.. correct?

Yes you right no defender on resolve attack is undefended.

 Sounds like your friend is a M:tG player.  But yeah, Glaurung is right.

booored said:

Correct. If your partner doesn't believe it, cite p. 18 of the rules:

If a defending character leaves play or is removed from combat before damage is assigned, the attack is considered undefended.

the determination of defenders and the defense itself are two different phases.

yeah, I knew it.. it is just after a while he had me confused … lol…