You lose if you do it, but I can't find any way of actually doing this, since any attack is rendered null if it would hit a HVT I've seen a post that states the explode skill can cause harm to HVTs, but this can't be the only way can it?
As far as I'm aware, this is the only way to harm the HVT. Kuang Shi can choose to not lose the game by going Dogged, but Gakis are not so fortunate.
Falling Damage should also work And Explode does not work: Automatic Attacks (as the one of the Explode Special Skill, for example) which affect a Civilian will be considered null.
I think is a "old redaction" inherited from the old edition. If i'am not wrong, you can't harm the hvt with the explode skill neither, because is a template attack, wich fails auto.
Actually there is one more way. My opponent once placed a mine and I triggered it so that it also hit HVT.
Nope, the attack would be cancelled as it affected a friendly or neutral target, just like any other template attack. Since the changes to explode the only way to kill an HVT I can think of is falling damage as mentioned above, I think the rule is mainly there as future proofing.
It's probably best to understand the rule for HVTs as "we've done our best to make sure that it's not possible to hurt an HVT, but just in case you come up with a way, your prize is a game loss, so don't bother." As far as I know, the only way to harm an HVT is to synchronize them and force them to either Jump or move through a Hostile Environment.
I find harsh words about their career, lifestyle choice, life decisions and general appearance are hurtful enough for the standard HVT. "No one even wants to sepsitorize you, you miserable $#!&!"