Combat consists of a series of combat rounds. After each round is resolved, if there are still creatures engaged in combat, start a new round. Continue until all combatants are unable to fight or have willingly ceased fighting

A round of combat consists of six segments, which are resolved individually and in succession

Each segment is resolved

1. Each player and NPC takes their turn, in order of initiative ranking
2. On their turn, a player or NPC may initiate a single action (Full, Standard, Move, or Swift)
3. One second of their action plays out, and any of their ongoing actions also advance by one second
4. After all players have taken their turn, combat advances to the next segment

If a creature is targeted with an attack, and the attack would reach the creature before their turn in the initiative, then the creature has the option to defend themselves provided that they have an unspent action to do so. If no defense is chosen, then the attack is resolved immediately. If the creature opts to defend themselves, then the resolution takes place on the defending creature's turn

Alternative
If a creature is targeted with an attack and that attack would reach them before their turn in the initiative, then the creature has the option to defend themselves provided that they have an unspent action to do so. Actions used in this way must be Standard, Move, Swift, or Free actions. Because this defense is rushed, it is not fully formed. The defense is only capable of defending the creature, and other benefits that the move might achieve are lost. For example, a wall used in defense does not create the entire wall, but only the portion of the wall directly in front of the player to protect them