Crossword Genius

Takes advice when sacrificing first two in combat (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

listens

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'takes advice' is the definition.
(to listen to advice is to accept it)

'sacrificing first two in combat' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'first' could be 'ist' (ist resembles 1st) and 'ist' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'lens' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for listens that I've seen before include "Follows advice" , "Lends an ear" , "Hears with intention" , "Pays attention to sounds" , "Heeds" .)

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