When you're attacked(or your planet) you receive a 40% bonus to your ship's attack and defense.

But, for how long?

it happens for each individual calculation where you are being attacked


when someone attacks you, they deal damage to you and you deal damage to them
during the calculations for the damage they are dealing to you, THAT is when the 40% to defense kicks in
during the calculations for the damage you are dealing to them, THAT is when the 40% to attack kicks in

this 40% boost to attack and defense only happens when someone other than yourself clicks the attack button though


and since it is a racial trait.. it happens all the time, as long as you are xecti