Snowspeeder Counterattack

ASK FANTASY FLIGHT 

Q: Does Echo Base add an additional damage to "X" for Snowspeeder Counterattack?

A: Yes, Echo Base counts as an extra "Hoth objective" for the "X" in Snowspeeder Counterattack.

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Q: When you "Deal 1 damage to each of your Hoth objectives" for Snowspeeder Counterattack, can you Protect that damage (say with Hoth Rearguard) and still successfully complete the action?

A: Yes. Even if you Protect the damage to another destination, the damage was still dealt, so the cost was still paid. As long as a damage counter ends up on a card by a legal chain of events, the cost was paid.