"deals damage" & "damage"

[xFWx_FIREBIRD]

Cards that say deals damage or damages:
I've always assumed that "does damage" meant the "Damage and Effects step" of an Attack.

For clarification, does Chain Lightning's ability "Each time Chain Lightning damages a target" mean that it has to incur loss of health, or does it simply mean that if dice are rolled and the Damage and Effects step occurs (even if no hits were made) that it does damage?

[DeckBuilder]

My interpretation of "deals damage" is inflict 1 or more wound markers, not "deal damage phase". Anyone else?

I see your confusion and this deserves addition to the FAQ. More is more (as long as it is logically ordered).

[sdougla2]

Chain Lightning actually needs to deal damage (put damage on the target), not just have a damage and effect step.

[xFWx_FIREBIRD]

My interpretation of "deals damage" is inflict 1 or more wound markers, not "deal damage phase". Anyone else?

I see your confusion and this deserves addition to the FAQ. More is more (as long as it is logically ordered).

DeckBuilder,
Yeah, I can easily see both sides of this point and that's the only reason I am so concerned!!

Another example:
Mana Drain = "If this attack damages an enemy creature..."
So does this mean if you roll dice and go through the Damage and Effects step, you have done damage? Or do you literally have to cause damage by placing damage markers on them?

Chain Lightning actually needs to deal damage (put damage on the target), not just have a damage and effect step.

sdougla2,
I agree. This is more thematic, but I can see how the Design intentions (for the purposes of mitigating randomness in dice rolling) it would simply be the Damage and Effects step!

[Shad0w]

 Dealing damage after counting all + and - effects and armor put at least 1 damage token on the target.