It's entirely possible I missed it. However, as far as I can see there is no formal rule or definition that explains - in general when, in the sequence of play, war is declared. Some scenarios may define when a war is declared. However, I think it would be helpful to define - in a general sense - when war is declared for those cases when a scenario is silent (or vague) on when - exactly in the SoP - that war is declared.

The definition of "Allies" at the beginning of the basic set explains when two powers are allied (i.e., when both are at war with a common enemy).

However, I propose to add a formal definition of when a state of war exists between two powers. The definition would be added at the very beginning definitions of terms in rule (102) of the basic rule book.

Why it matters: Many scenarios and rules require that certain actions may only be performed when "at war." (E.g., activating the Klingon IWR in the grand campaign). It's helpful to know, specifically, when war is declared so that it is known when such actions can be performed legally.

Bottom line of the proposal: War is declared when, at the instant in the SoP, 1) a player simply formally states a declaration of war, or 2) a player performs a legal action that requires that a state of war exists. The definition does not permit players to declare war when the scenario does not permit war to be declared.

Comment on the following formal language is obviously invited.

PROPOSED FORMAL LANGUAGE FOR DEFINING WHEN WAR EXISTS:

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WAR War is defined as a declared military conflict between two (or more) factions. A state of war exists when, at any selected time in the sequence of play, the phasing player declares that a state of war exists between a faction that player controls and some other faction. A state of war also exists at the moment in the sequence of play when any player performs an action that is 1) permitted by the rules and 2) requires that a state of war exists between the faction controlled by that player and another faction. The declaration of war is unilateral, but automatically and immediately establishes a state of war for both factions. Scenario rules may supersede this general definition for when, how, or whether war is declared.