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When there is a stalemate or a mutual destruction, the player who did not play the last card has initiative, but he must pass initiative if he does not play a card.
A card is considered "played" (1) when its special ability activates or (2) when it is put into play – except by a "place" special ability or a "holds" identifier.
I'm not elder, but I'm of the opposite opinion. The hero(es) enters the battle due to Goliath's special ability, and by the time that finished resolving (which includes the hero's special ability), his was the last special ability that finished resolving, meaning initiative would be the hero's. Just my .
The hero entering battle is part of Goliath's ability, it by definition CAN'T be after Goliath's ability "completes" because it's part of his ability.
Quote from: REG > InitiativeWhen there is a stalemate or a mutual destruction, the player who did not play the last card has initiative, but he must pass initiative if he does not play a card.Quote from: REG > PlayA card is considered "played" (1) when its special ability activates or (2) when it is put into play – except by a "place" special ability or a "holds" identifier.So I would say that the new character comes in and activates his ability, and then it is Goliath's initiative. Unless the character has no SA...
It's not about at what time it completes. Sam would still be the first Hero played in battle even if he banded to a huge chain who all technically complete "before" he completes.
By the rules the hero MUST activate after Goliath's ability completes, since an ability cannot activate until the currently active one is resolved.