Ruling Chandelure EX attack

[Suzthebrit]

So my son and I are having an argument about the Cursed Drop attack of Chandelure EX. He thinks that it is not an 'attack' per se and cannot be affected by abilities or tools such as 'Hard Charm'. I don't agree and think it is an attack and will be affected by the abilities of that attacked pokemon. Like, the attack cannot be done to Sigilyph because his ability prevents any attacks by an ex. Also if cursed drop is performed on a Pokemon with a hard charm attached then only two damage counters can be placed instead of 4 as hard charm reduces attacks by 20.
Which one of us is right?

 

[CarlosDuranJr]

Provide scans next time.
Safeguard will prevent the adamant counters from being placed as it's wording States all effects of attacks including damage done by attacks from pokémon EX.

However, hard charm gets bypassed in this scenario as it prevents damage done by attacks, placing damage counters is not the same as doing damage.