I am wondering about the deadly effect during a military challenge. Let's say I defend, unsuccessfully, with one non-deadly character against a character with deadly. The rule manual states that the deadly effect takes place after the challenge resolves. Can I choose my defending character to be killed as the claim for the challenge, leaving no participating characters to be killed by the deadly effect?

I think the reason for my question comes from the fact that I played Magic for so long that it is taking some time for me to adjust. I also have to get used to being able to put out a character and then be allowed to attack with him right away during the same round (again Magic). This game is an absolute bloodbath compared to Magic which I think is slower more predictable (no changes in Initiative for example - just turn taking). At least this forum exists and there is a good community of players to tap as a resource. When I played Magic there were only whispers of an internet.

I am a little confused about duplicate unique characters. The rules of play manual states: "if one of your unique cards is about to be killed, discarded from play, or returned to your hand or deck, as a triggered "response" effect, you may discard an attached duplicate to save the unique card from being killed, discarded, or returned to your hand or deck." Does this mean that a duplicate may only substitute for the unique character during "response" effects? What about when a unique character would be killed as the result of challenge resolution? or a character trait such as "deadly"? or a plot card, such as "Valar Morgulis"? It seems too powerful to have - for example - three Drogons stacked out there with him only being killed if my opponent can manage to kill him 3 times thoughout the game. AM i missing something? I love this game btw and want to make sure I am playing it correctly. Thanks!