Riftbound Frequently Asked Questions

Ruling: Yes, you can play a reaction to Arena's Greatest trigger during any player's beginning phase, not just the first player's. Nuances: - The trigger creates a chain, which allows for reactions to be played in response

Ruling: Yes, you can play reactions when temporary triggers at the start of the beginning phase. Both you and your opponent can react to the temporary trigger on the chain. Nuances: - If you react by playing a new temporary unit (like with Sprite Call), the new unit will not die immediately. The phase trigger for temporary has already passed, so it won't check again until the next turn. - If a temporary unit is saved by an effect like Hourglass, temporary will try to kill it again on the next turn.

Ruling: You can play a second Discipline if you draw it from the first one, but you must pass Focus to your opponent after the first chain resolves before casting the second copy. The Dreaming Tree goes on the chain immediately after Discipline and will resolve accordingly. Sequence: - First Discipline resolves, giving +2 Might and drawing a card - If The Dreaming Tree is the battlefield, it goes on the chain after Discipline and resolves accordingly - After the chain resolves, Focus passes to your opponent - If opponent passes, Focus returns to you and you can cast the second Discipline Nuances: - Your opponent can activate something when they receive Focus between the two Disciplines, which you can react to - Focus only exists during showdowns; outside showdowns only Priority exists - When a player gains Focus, they also gain Priority to start a chain - Priority passes between players to build/resolve chains, but Focus stays with the same player until the chain ends

Ruling: You cannot play any spell that doesn't have a legal target to begin with. Nuances: - This applies to all spells requiring targets, not just Gust specifically

No, you cannot play a spell before the Beginning Phase. According to the game structure defined in **Rule 315**, the turn begins with the **Awaken Phase**, followed immediately by the **Beginning Phase**. There is no phase or priority window that exists before the Awaken Phase begins. * **Awaken Phase (Rule 315.1):** The turn player readies all game objects they control. * **Beginning Phase (Rule 315.2):** Game effects take place at the start of this phase. Spells can generally only be played during an **Open State** (typically during your Action Phase) or in response to something on the chain (if the spell has the **[Reaction]** keyword). Since the game has not yet reached a state where players have priority to play spells before the Awaken Phase, no spells can be cast at that time.

Ruling: You can play a unit directly onto a battlefield you control. You don't move it there; you simply play it there. Sequence: - Control a battlefield - Play a unit directly to that battlefield (it enters exhausted) Nuances: - This can be done during combat after conquering a battlefield if you still have mana remaining - The unit is played exhausted to the battlefield

Ruling: You can only play units directly to battlefields you control. If you don't control any battlefields, you must play the unit to your base. Nuances: - This is a general game mechanic, not specific to any particular card - Pixelborn may have bugs that don't properly enforce this rule

Ruling: You can play a unit directly to a battlefield you control. You do not need to play it to your base first and then move it. Nuances: - You must control the battlefield before playing a unit there, but you can conquer it and play a unit there on the same turn - Units can only be played to your base or a battlefield you control - Viktor legend can play units directly to a battlefield you control, but Viktor champion cards specify "into your base" and cannot - You cannot play units (including Shen or tokens from Sprite Call) to a battlefield you are attacking but do not yet control

Ruling: You cannot play units directly to a battlefield unless you already have control of it. Units must be played to your base first if you don't control the target battlefield. Sequence: - To play a unit directly to a battlefield, you must already have control of that battlefield - Control requires having units present at that battlefield - If you don't control a battlefield, units must go to base first Nuances: - If you gank away from a battlefield you previously controlled, you lose control and cannot play units there anymore - Some units may have text that allows them to be played to battlefields you don't control

Ruling: You cannot play a unit from hand to the battlefield during the showdown. Once the non-combat showdown finishes and your unit still controls the battlefield, you can then play units directly to it. Sequence: - Move a unit to an empty battlefield - A non-combat showdown begins (units don't count as attackers or defenders) - During the showdown, only cards and abilities with Action or Reaction keywords can be played or activated - After the showdown finishes, if your unit is still at the battlefield, you control it - Now you can play units from hand to that battlefield Nuances: - If your opponent casts Zenith Blade and moves one of their units to your battlefield, you won't gain control and a combat showdown will begin immediately after the non-combat showdown

Ruling: Yes, you can play a unit from your hand directly to any location you control, including Battlefields you control. You are not restricted to playing units only at your base. Nuances: - You must control the Battlefield to play units there directly - The rule defining "valid location" was accidentally deleted from the updated rulebook, but the developers confirmed this was a mistake and the rule still applies - Playing a unit from hidden forces you to play it at that Battlefield - Gear can only be played to your base, but units do not have this restriction

Ruling: Yes, you can play units directly to battlefields you currently control, including battlefields you just conquered on the same turn. Nuances: - Moving units to battlefields you control will not initiate a showdown - This applies regardless of when you conquered the battlefield during that turn

Ruling: Yes, you can play a unit into a showdown on a battlefield you control. The battlefield remains under your control until the showdown finishes, so playing a unit there (such as through Get Excited discarding Flame Chompers) is legal. Nuances: - The battlefield does not become contested until after the showdown resolves - You can also play units to a battlefield you control that has no units on it

Ruling: Yes, you can play Flame Chompers to the battlefield (Reaver's Row) that is currently being attacked. You still control the battlefield while combat is ongoing. Sequence: - Opponent attacks Reaver's Row - Use Reaver's Row effect to move Traveling Merchant to base - Traveling Merchant's triggered effect activates (discard a card and draw 1) - Discard Flame Chompers from hand - Flame Chompers' triggered effect activates - You can play Flame Chompers to Reaver's Row (the battlefield being attacked) Nuances: - Triggered effects (with "when" language) can trigger on any turn when their condition is met, regardless of whether they have a Reaction tag - Triggered effects can have optional costs ("you may pay") - this doesn't change when they trigger - Activated abilities (with colon format like "cost: effect") are different from triggered effects

Ruling: Yes, you can play units to any location you control, including your occupied battlefield during a showdown. However, you can only play a unit during showdown if an effect specifically allows it (like Nocturne, Chompers, or Shen). Sequence: - You must control the battlefield (having a defending unit means you control it) - An effect must allow you to play the unit during showdown - The newly played unit participates in the showdown and contributes damage Nuances: - You control your base and any battlefield where you have a defending unit - Not all units can be played during showdown - only those with effects that specifically allow it

Ruling: Yes, if you play a unit with Assault from Promising Future, you can choose to have it enter ready, but you must pay the Assault cost in full.

Ruling: Yes, you can play a unit with Last Rite when you conquer during the opponent's turn, ignoring normal timing restrictions. Sequence: - Target a unit in your trash when the Last Rite trigger goes on the chain - When the trigger resolves, choose whether or not to play the targeted unit - If you play it, it immediately goes on the chain as a pending item - In the cleanup after the trigger resolves, finalize it (choose where to play it, pay costs) - The unit immediately resolves Nuances: - Last Rite doesn't specify a window for playing the unit, so timing restrictions are ignored - This differs from effects that specify "this turn" which require normal timing restrictions

Ruling: Yes, you can play action cards during combat on your opponent's turn when you have focus. Actions can only be played when you have focus and all triggers have resolved, while reactions can be played in response to actions or reactions. Sequence: - When showdown starts, an initial chain begins with "While I'm an attacker" and "While I'm a defender" effects where only reactions can be used - After initial chain resolves, the attacking player gains focus and can play an action or reaction to start a chain - Other players can only respond with reactions to that chain - Once that chain resolves, the defending player gains focus and can play an action or reaction to start a chain - Other players can only respond with reactions to that chain - Focus passes between players until both players pass - Each player can play multiple actions during combat when they have focus Nuances: - Actions can only be played by the player with focus when starting a new chain - Reactions can be played by either player in response to actions or reactions - Some cards like Super Mega Death Rocket are spells (not actions or reactions) and must be cast before/after combat only on your own turn

Ruling: While any chain is in progress (including chains with attacking/defending triggers), you can only play reactions, not actions. Units do not heal when someone moves to an empty battlefield; damage only clears at end of turn or if combat occurs. Sequence: - When a chain is triggered (such as "when attacking"), only reactions can be played - Actions cannot be played during any active chain - Damage persists on units unless combat occurs or end of turn is reached Nuances: - A showdown from taking an uncontested battlefield does not trigger damage cleanup - Units with damage remain damaged until end of turn or actual combat, not from mere battlefield movement

Yes, you can play a unit with **Ambush** from your trash using **Heedless Resurrection**, provided it meets the cost requirements (Energy and Power) of the unit you killed as the spell's cost. ### Why this works: 1. **Ignoring Costs:** *Heedless Resurrection* instructs you to "play a unit from your trash" while "ignoring its cost." This bypasses the typical requirement to pay a unit's energy and power costs. 2. **Ambush is a Keyword:** *Ambush* is a keyword that provides permissions regarding where and when a unit can be played from your hand. When playing a unit via the effect of a spell like *Heedless Resurrection*, you are following the instructions of the spell to "play a unit." The spell acts as the method of playing the card. 3. **No Restriction on Source:** The text of *Heedless Resurrection* specifies that the unit must be played "from your trash." The *Ambush* keyword does not restrict *Heedless Resurrection* from targeting a unit with that keyword; it simply grants additional ways to play the unit from your hand. ### Important Considerations: * **Cost Requirements:** You must ensure the unit you are resurrecting costs no more Energy and Power than the unit you killed as the additional cost for *Heedless Resurrection*. * **Battlefield Control:** Per **RiftJudge FAQ #9753** and **Rule 187.4.c**, while *Heedless Resurrection* is on the chain, you retain control of the battlefield, even if you killed your only unit there to pay the cost. This allows you to play the resurrected unit to that same battlefield. * **Ambush Timing:** The [Reaction] timing granted by the *Ambush* keyword is specific to playing the unit from your hand. When playing the unit via the spell, you are following the timing and resolution rules for the spell itself. *This is my interpretation based on the mechanics of Heedless Resurrection and the Ambush keyword. No official FAQ exists for this specific interaction, but it follows the established rules for playing units from the trash.*

Ruling: Yes, after one chain resolves during a showdown, a player can start another chain with an Action or Reaction spell. Each player will have an opportunity to play Action cards during a showdown. Sequence: - Showdown begins - Attacker has Priority and Focus, can start a chain with an Action or Reaction spell - Priority passes to defender who can cast Reaction spells or pass - When both players pass, the chain resolves - Focus and Priority passes to the other player who can now start a new chain with an Action or Reaction spell - This continues until both players pass Focus in a row, then combat damage resolves Nuances: - Both players need to pass Focus in a row to move to combat damage resolution - The player with Focus can start a new chain with Action or Reaction spells after the previous chain resolves

Ruling: No, you cannot play Action spells in response to Time Warp. Actions can only be played on your turn when nothing is happening, or during any showdown when the chain is empty and you have focus. Nuances: - Only Reaction spells can be played in response to opponent's spells like Time Warp - Action spells have specific timing restrictions that prevent reactive play

Ruling: You cannot play an Action spell in response to an opponent's Action spell during a showdown. You can only respond with Reaction spells because Action speed cannot be played during a closed state (ongoing chain). Sequence: - Opponent starts a showdown and plays an Action spell - You can only respond with Reaction spells - You must wait for their Action spell to resolve before you can play an Action spell Nuances: - Action spells can be played "on your turn, or in showdowns" but only when you have Focus - When you have Focus, you can start a chain with an Action during a showdown - Focus is different from priority

Ruling: Yes, you can play actions during the showdown that occurs when a unit moves to contest an empty battlefield. Note that while this creates a showdown, it is not a combat. Sequence: - When a unit moves to a battlefield not controlled by its controller, that battlefield becomes contested - A showdown ensues even if the battlefield was previously empty - During this showdown, you can play actions like Hextech Ray Nuances: - The showdown triggered by moving to an empty battlefield is not considered a combat - A battlefield becomes contested when units move to it if it's not controlled by the controller of those units, even if no opponent units are present

Yes, you can play an action after an Overzealous Fan has removed your unit from the battlefield. According to the FAQ regarding **Overzealous Fan**: * **The showdown continues:** Even when a unit is removed from the battlefield by Overzealous Fan's ability, the combat showdown does not end immediately. * **Priority and Actions:** Players can continue taking actions (such as playing spells or using abilities) during the same showdown. The showdown only ends when both players pass with focus on an empty chain. Therefore, if your unit is moved to your base by the Fan, you still have the opportunity to play an action (like *Ride the Wind* to return the unit to the battlefield, or any other valid action) before the showdown concludes.

Yes, you can play an action if an opponent conquers an open battlefield. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #5832** and **RiftJudge FAQ #2682**, moving a unit to an open battlefield creates an open showdown. During an open showdown, all players may play both [Action] and [Reaction] cards. ### Timing Sequence When an opponent moves a unit to an open battlefield, the following occurs: 1. **Showdown Opens:** A non-combat showdown begins (Rule 344.2). 2. **Focus:** The opponent (who applied the Contested status) gains focus (Rule 345). 3. **Playing Cards:** In an open state, the player with focus may start a chain by playing an [Action] or [Reaction] card. 4. **Responding:** Once a chain is started, the state becomes "Closed." Players may add new items to the chain using [Reaction] cards (Rule 358.3). 5. **Resolution:** Per **Rule 340.1**, the newest (top) item on the chain resolves first (Last-In, First-Out). 6. **Priority Windows:** According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10001** and **FAQ #4385**, after each individual item on the chain resolves, there is a window of priority where players can add new [Reaction] cards to the top of the remaining chain. In summary, because the showdown is open, you have the opportunity to respond to the move with [Action] spells to potentially prevent the conquer or alter the board state. Note: I could not fully verify this ruling against the retrieved rules.

No, you cannot play an **Action** spell on top of a **Reaction** spell during a showdown. According to the rules and established gameplay mechanics: 1. **Action spells require an Open State:** An Action spell can only be played when the chain is empty (an "Open State"). 2. **Playing a Reaction creates a Closed State:** When a player plays a Reaction (or any card) to start or add to a chain, the showdown enters a "Closed State." 3. **Only Reactions in a Closed State:** While a chain exists (Closed State), you can only play spells or abilities with the **Reaction** keyword. You cannot play an Action spell until the current chain has fully resolved and the state returns to Open. **Sequence:** * A chain is currently open (e.g., a player has played a Reaction). The state is **Closed**. * You cannot play an Action spell because the chain is not empty. * You may only play a Reaction spell to respond to the existing chain. * Once the chain resolves and becomes empty, the state returns to **Open**. * The player with focus may then play a new Action spell to start a new chain. This is confirmed by **RiftJudge FAQ #8963**: *"You cannot play an Action spell in response to an opponent's Action spell during a showdown. You can only respond with Reaction spells because Action speed cannot be played during a closed state (ongoing chain)."*

Ruling: You cannot play action speed spells in direct response to a reaction spell like En Garde because there is already a chain active. You can only react (not act) when a chain exists. Sequence: - You initiate showdown and gain Focus - You can use Focus to play action spells at this point, or pass Focus - If you pass Focus, opponent can use their Focus to start a chain (e.g., En Garde) - You may react to the chain, but cannot play action speed spells since a chain is active - After En Garde resolves, you get Focus back - You can now start a new chain with action spells like Primal Strength or Cleave - The showdown doesn't end until both players pass Focus in sequence Nuances: - When initiating a showdown, you gain Focus first and have a window to play actions before your opponent can respond - Saying something like "move X to battlefield, any response?" is a shortcut for initiating the showdown and passing Focus - You have multiple opportunities to use action spells: when you first gain Focus at showdown start, or after opponent's chain resolves and you regain Focus

Ruling: You cannot play action spells while there are items on the chain, including triggers like 'When attacking' effects. Nuances: - Only reaction speed spells can be played in response to triggers on the chain - This restriction applies to all triggers, not just 'When attacking' triggers

Ruling: No, you cannot do this in the same challenge/contest. Miss Fortune's move ability goes on the chain, and the unit only becomes ready once that ability resolves, which is after the showdown has already started. Sequence: - Play the exhausted unit to your base - Move Miss Fortune to another enemy battlefield (her ready ability goes on the chain) - Showdown begins - Miss Fortune's ability resolves and readies the unit (too late to move it to the battlefield)

Ruling: Yes, you can play multiple actions during a showdown by starting new chains. After each chain resolves completely, "Focus" (the opportunity to play an action/start a chain) automatically passes to the next player. Sequence: - During a showdown, if there is combat, the attacker gets focus first; if the battlefield is open, the player who contested it gets focus first - When a chain resolves, focus automatically passes to the opponent - The opponent can then play an action (starting a new chain) or pass - If they pass, focus returns to the original player who can play an action or pass - Both players must pass consecutively (back-to-back) for the showdown to end - If either player plays an action after the other has passed, focus continues alternating until both pass consecutively Nuances: - While you hold Priority (opportunity to play reactions) when adding an item to the chain, focus always automatically passes when the chain has resolved - You cannot play multiple actions in a row without focus passing to your opponent between chains

Ruling: You need two sources of might reduction (or effects that would cause lethal damage), with at least one at reaction speed, to play around retreat. If you deal 3 damage to a 4 Might unit with Hextech Ray, then play Stupefy, the opponent can retreat in reaction. You would need a second Stupefy to react to their retreat, which would kill the unit when it resolves (assuming no other responses). Sequence: - Deal damage with Hextech Ray (or similar spell) to a unit - Play first Stupefy (or other might reduction) - Opponent reacts with Retreat - React to Retreat with second Stupefy (or other might reduction) - When second Stupefy resolves, unit has lethal damage and dies - Retreat resolves but finds no owner, so no rune is exhausted Nuances: - Units with damage equal to or greater than their might are killed upon cleanup - Stupefy itself deals no damage but reduces might, which can cause lethal damage - Playing a permanent like Watcher starts a chain but doesn't pass priority; however, the on-play effect does allow reactions - When Retreat resolves but the unit is already dead, no rune is exhausted because no "owner" is found

Ruling: Yes, you can play cards between each link as a chain resolves. Each time an item on the chain resolves, the controller of the next item gets priority, and both players have a chance to react in between each chain item. Sequence: - A chain item resolves - The controller of the next chain item gets priority - Both players can react before the next item resolves - This continues until the final chain item Nuances: - You cannot react to the final link in a chain resolving - it does not pass priority - In a showdown, you will have another chance to act before might is increased again

Ruling: Yes, you can reveal hidden cards from any battlefield at any time you could play a reaction, not just from the battlefield currently being attacked. Nuances: - Hidden cards are not restricted to only being played when their specific battlefield is involved in a showdown - This allows for strategic plays like revealing a hidden champion on one battlefield to trigger effects that benefit units on a different battlefield during combat

Ruling: You cannot play hidden cards the same turn you hide them. You can only play them beginning on the next turn at reaction speed, ignoring their base cost. Sequence: - When you hide a card, it goes facedown to the battlefield - During the turn you hide it, you cannot play it - Beginning on the next turn, the card gains [Reaction] and you may play it, ignoring its base cost Nuances: - By default, you can only play cards from your hand or champion zone, not facedown cards - The Hidden ability grants permission to play the facedown card, but only starting the turn after you hide it - [Reaction] means you can use it any time you would be able to use a reaction spell/ability (your turn, during a showdown, or after someone plays a spell or activates an effect) - You can play the card from hand for its full cost to get the effect immediately instead of hiding it

Ruling: No, you cannot play hidden or normal units at a battlefield controlled by your teammate in 2v2. You don't share control with your teammate. Nuances: - This restriction applies to both hidden cards and normal unit deployment - This rule is found in the 2v2 section of the Comprehensive Rules

Ruling: You cannot play hidden units while Mageseeker Warden is at a battlefield. Hidden units must be played to the battlefield where they are hidden, but Mageseeker Warden prevents units from being played anywhere except their base, creating an impossible condition that prevents the hidden unit from being played. Sequence: - When attempting to play a hidden unit with Mageseeker Warden at a battlefield, the process reaches step 5 of playing a spell - Since no valid battlefield can be chosen (hidden units must go to their hidden battlefield, but Warden prevents this), the play is undone - The unit returns face-down to the hidden zone at the battlefield where it was hidden - If you lose control of that battlefield, any hidden cards there are put in the trash during cleanup - You retain control of a battlefield until the combat showdown ends, so you have until combat cleanup to play hidden cards (if able) Nuances: - You can still Hide cards even when Mageseeker Warden is at a battlefield, since hiding is not playing - Mageseeker Warden's effect applies to all enemy hidden units regardless of which battlefield they are hidden at - If Mageseeker dies during the showdown before it closes, you can then play the hidden unit - If you survive combat with at least one unit and Mageseeker has died or recalled, normal rules resume

Ruling: Once you play an Action to start a chain, you can only play Reactions during that chain. However, after the chain resolves, Focus passes and you will get another opportunity to play Actions before combat damage. Sequence: - The contesting player (attacker) gains Focus first during showdown and can play an Action to start a chain - Both players can only play Reactions until everyone passes and the chain resolves - After the chain resolves, Focus automatically passes to the next player - Each player may play one Action per Focus - This continues until both players pass, then combat damage occurs Nuances: - If damage spells deal damage equal to a unit's might during a chain, the unit dies before combat damage - If only might modifications occur (no damage dealt), the unit survives until combat damage cleanup

Ruling: Yes, you can play multiple spell cards during your turn outside of showdowns. Damage remains marked on units until the end of any combat or the end of turn, so you can play consecutive spells to accumulate enough damage to kill a unit. Sequence: - Play the first spell in a chain, it resolves and marks damage on the target - Play the second spell in a new consecutive chain, it resolves and marks additional damage - The accumulated damage remains until end of combat or end of turn Nuances: - Cards without Action or Reaction timing can only be played on your turn, not during showdowns - Multiple cards must be played in consecutive chains, not in the same chain - Damage is cleared at the end of any combat (only if units from both sides are involved) or at end of turn - Moving to an open battlefield does not heal units

Ruling: Yes, you can play multiple reaction cards after each other. You only need priority to play the first reaction, not focus. Sequence: - Play the first reaction card (requires priority) - When you add an item to the chain, you receive priority first - You can then play another reaction card with that priority Nuances: - Focus is required for Actions and cannot chain like priority - Priority works differently than focus when chaining reactions

Ruling: Yes, you can play multiple reaction cards back-to-back before passing priority to your opponent. Sequence: - After an action is put on the chain, you receive priority - You can react with your first card and retain priority - You can immediately play your second reaction card while still holding priority - Priority only passes to your opponent when you choose not to react further - If your opponent does nothing, your reactions resolve in reverse order (most recent first) - After each reaction resolves, you get another opportunity to react as long as there's still a chain below Nuances: - Priority is passed manually - you must explicitly choose to pass it - If you don't react with additional cards, it is assumed you're passing priority to your opponent

Ruling: Yes, players hold priority until they choose to pass it. You can play as many reactions in a row as you can afford before passing priority to your opponent. Sequence: - Play your first reaction - While still holding priority, play additional reactions - Pass priority to opponent when done - Opponent can then respond with their own reactions - Priority passes back and forth until both players pass consecutively Nuances: - Once you pass priority and your opponent also passes, your reaction resolves and you don't get another chance to react to that same reaction - After your reaction resolves, you will have another chance to place things on the chain - You pay costs (energy/power) as cards are put on the chain, not as they resolve - Actions can only be played with an empty chain (requires focus, not just priority)

Yes, you can play new spells as items on the chain resolve. According to **Rule 340.4** and supported by various **RiftJudge FAQs** (such as FAQ #3479, #6477, and #4385), after an individual item on the chain finishes resolving, there is a priority window before the next item resolves. During this window, players have the opportunity to add new spells (provided they are [Reaction] speed) or activated abilities to the chain. ### How it works: 1. **Chain Resolution:** The current top item on the chain resolves completely (Rule 340.1). 2. **Priority Window:** After the item resolves and is cleared from the chain, a priority window opens (Rule 340.4). 3. **Adding New Items:** If you have priority, you may play a spell or activate an ability. Because this adds to the existing chain, the spell must have the **[Reaction]** keyword to be played during this time (Rule 158.2.b). 4. **Resuming Resolution:** Once both players pass priority without adding anything new, the next item currently on the chain resolves, and the process repeats (Rule 340.4). **Important Note:** While you can add new items between resolutions, you cannot play [Action] spells during this time because [Action] spells require an **Open State** (meaning the chain must be empty) to be played (Rule 158.2.a.1). You must use [Reaction] spells to add to a chain that is still mid-resolution.

Ruling: You cannot react to phase changes or end of turn itself. During your opponent's turn, you can only play reactions when there's a chain or when there's a showdown and you have focus. Nuances: - While you cannot react to phase changes/end of turn directly, you can react to abilities that trigger due to a phase change or end of turn (such as end of turn triggered abilities or start of phase triggered abilities)

Ruling: You cannot play reaction spells during an opponent's turn if there are no triggers, chains, or showdowns created. Phase changes and scoring points do not create priority windows. However, any triggered ability goes onto the chain and passes priority, allowing you to play reaction spells in response. Sequence: - Reaction speed spells can be played anytime you can use action or base speed spells (they ladder up from each other) - During your own turn, you can play reaction spells at "sorcery speed" - During opponent's turn, you need a trigger, chain, or showdown to get a priority window Nuances: - Jinx's ability triggers every single turn (whether it draws a card or not) and creates a priority window - Scoring points from holding battlefield does NOT create a priority window - Any "when X happens" triggered ability (like Viktor making a token when a creature dies) goes on the chain and is reactable

Ruling: You can play reaction spells in the middle of a chain resolving. Each time an item on the chain resolves, priority passes to the player who controls the next item on the chain, and it must be passed again before the next item resolves. Sequence: - An item on the chain resolves - Priority passes to the player who controls the next item on the chain - Priority must be passed again before the next item resolves - During this priority window, any player can play a reaction spell Nuances: - This is not limited to only when reflexive triggers add to the chain - reactions can be played at any point during chain resolution when priority is passed

Ruling: You cannot react to the designation itself, but you can react to the "When I attack..." triggers that result from gaining the Attacker designation. The designation is a state change that happens outside the chain, but any attack triggers it causes are placed on the chain, creating a closed state where reactions can be played. Sequence: - A unit gains the Attacker designation during combat - Any "When I attack..." triggers are placed on the chain - The chain enters a closed state - Players may now play reaction cards in response to those triggers Nuances: - If a unit has no "When I attack..." triggers, gaining the Attacker designation creates no reaction window since nothing enters the chain. - You are reacting to the triggered abilities on the chain, not to the designation event itself.

Ruling: No, you cannot play reactions or do anything at the start of damage assignment. Combat damage assignment is the last step of combat, after the combat showdown and all actions/reactions have finished completely. Sequence: - Combat showdown occurs with all actions/reactions - Combat showdown finishes completely - Damage assignment occurs (no actions/reactions possible)

Ruling: Yes, you can play reactions when the chain is empty during your action phase. At the beginning of showdown, whether you can play a reaction depends on who initiated the showdown and therefore who has Focus. Sequence: - During your action phase with no chain, you can cast a reaction - At showdown beginning, the player with Focus (determined by who initiated showdown) can play reactions Nuances: - Reactions can be played in a closed state, which means when a chain exists - Reactions function essentially the same as actions but with the additional ability to be played in closed state

Ruling: Yes, there is a pause after each item on the chain resolves where both players can play more reactions and must pass again before the next item resolves. Sequence: - Each step of the chain gets resolved in sequence from last to first played - After something on the chain resolves, both players are given priority to add more items to the chain - Both players must pass before the next item resolves - This continues until the entire chain is resolved Nuances: - You can shortcut the resolution if there's nothing special going on, but if you want to cut in at a specific point just say so and make it clear - When an item is added to the chain, the player who added it always gets priority before the other player - The player who has priority keeps it as long as they decide to pass