Riftbound Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can play **Beast Below** even if you do not control another friendly unit. According to the RiftJudge FAQ for Beast Below (FAQ #466): * You can still play Beast Below as a unit even if you cannot put its "When you play" trigger on the chain. * You cannot put the trigger on the chain if you do not control another friendly unit, because valid targets must exist for all required targets to place an object on the chain.

Ruling: Champion units are main deck legal if they share a domain with your legend. Champion units are chosen champion legal only if they share a character tag (like "Jinx" or "Viktor") with your legend. Nuances: - Region/unit tags (like "Zaun" or "Freljord") currently have no bearing on legality in your main deck or chosen champion zone - Legends always refer to a specific character, so your chosen champion must be the same character - Currently no legends have region tags, though this may change in the future

Ruling: Yes, you can play Cull of the Weak even if you control no units while your opponent controls units. Nuances: - Cull the Weak has both players make a choice on resolution, so you don't need a valid target to play it - If you can't perform the instructions (because you have no units), that won't stop your opponent from performing their part of the effect

Yes, you can play **Cull the Weak** even if you have no units in play. According to the official rulings for this card: * **No Units Required:** Cull the Weak does not target specific units when it is played. Instead, the choice of which unit to kill happens during the resolution of the spell. Because it doesn't require a target to be finalized on the chain, you can play it regardless of your board state. * **"Do As Much As You Can":** In Riftbound, if an instruction cannot be fully followed, you perform as much of the effect as possible (Rule 356.3.e.11). If you have no units, you simply do not kill one, but your opponent must still kill one of theirs if they have any. * **Not a Cost:** Killing a unit is part of the spell's effect, not an additional cost to play the card. If it were a cost (like the card *Cruel Patron*), you would be required to have a unit to sacrifice in order to play it.

Yes, you can play **Cull the Weak** even if you have no units in play. According to the RiftJudge FAQs and the game's rules: * **No Units Required:** Cull the Weak does not target specific units when it is played. Because it does not require a target to be finalized on the chain, you can play it regardless of your board state. * **"Do As Much As You Can":** In Riftbound, if an instruction cannot be fully followed, you perform as much of the effect as possible (Rule 359.3.e.11). If you have no units, you simply do not kill one, but your opponent must still kill one of theirs if they have any. * **Not a Cost:** Killing a unit is part of the spell's effect, not an additional cost to play the card. If it were a cost, you would be required to have a unit to sacrifice in order to play it.

Ruling: No, you cannot move multiple units simultaneously when playing them from hand. You can only move one unit at a time when playing cards. Nuances: - This same restriction applies when using Set's signature spell - you cannot move other units with it - Multiple units can only be moved at the same time through standard movement, which is the inherent capacity of moving units by exhausting them - Any movement that involves playing a unit from hand is restricted to moving only that single unit

No, you cannot play **Deathgrip** if you have no friendly units. According to Rule 355.10.c, the instruction "Kill a friendly unit" in **Deathgrip** targets that unit. Because the spell requires you to choose and kill a friendly unit as a target to resolve its effect, you must have at least one friendly unit available to be targeted when you play the spell. This differs from cards like *Cull the Weak*, which do not target and therefore allow you to play them even if you have no units (as clarified in RiftJudge FAQ #8938 and #1732). Because *Deathgrip* specifically targets a friendly unit, you must have a legal target to play it.

No, you cannot play **Fizz, Trickster** and then equip him with **Last Rites** before his "When you play me" triggered ability resolves. ### The Reasoning When you play a unit, it enters the chain as a pending item. Once it finalizes and enters the battlefield, its "When you play me" (WYPM) ability triggers and is added to the chain. According to **Rule 381** and **Rule 377.3**, activated abilities (like the [Equip] ability on **Last Rites**) can only be activated during an **Open State** on your turn. Because **Fizz's** triggered ability is currently on the chain, the game state is **Closed**. In a Closed State, only [Reaction] cards or abilities can be played or activated. Since the [Equip] ability on **Last Rites** is a standard activated ability and not a [Reaction], it cannot be activated while the chain is occupied by **Fizz's** triggered ability. ### The Sequence 1. **Play Fizz:** You play **Fizz, Trickster** from your hand. He enters the chain as a pending item. 2. **Fizz Enters Play:** **Fizz** finalizes and enters the battlefield. 3. **WYPM Trigger:** **Fizz's** "When you play me" ability triggers and is added to the chain. The state is now **Closed**. 4. **Priority:** Because the state is Closed, you cannot activate the [Equip] ability of **Last Rites**. You must either pass priority or play a [Reaction]. 5. **Resolution:** If both players pass, the chain resolves. **Fizz's** ability executes, allowing you to play a spell from your trash. Only after this ability has fully resolved and the chain is empty (returning the game to an **Open State**) could you then activate the [Equip] ability of **Last Rites**. *** *This is my interpretation based on the interaction between triggered abilities, the chain, and the requirements for activating abilities (Rule 381). No official FAQ exists for this specific interaction.*

No, you cannot play *Flurry of Feathers* during your Beginning Phase if there is nothing on the chain. According to **Rule 315** and **RiftJudge FAQ #9066**, there is no priority window to play spells before the Beginning Phase, and spells can only be played during an **Open State** (typically during your Main Phase) or in response to something on the chain (if the spell has the **[Reaction]** keyword). Since *Flurry of Feathers* has the **[Reaction]** keyword, it can only be played in two scenarios: 1. **During an Open State:** During your Main Phase (formerly the Action Phase), when there is no chain. 2. **In response to a chain:** During a Closed State, when you are reacting to an item already on the chain. During your Beginning Phase, if no other effects have triggered and placed items on the chain, the game state is not "Open" in the sense that allows for casting spells (as players do not have priority to cast spells during the Beginning Phase), and there is no chain for you to react to. Therefore, you cannot play *Flurry of Feathers*.

No, you cannot play *Gust* to remove Rek'Sai, Breacher at the moment he enters the battlefield if he is about to become an attacker, because he gains his *Assault* bonus passively and immediately upon becoming an attacker. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #1185** and **FAQ #2011**, *Assault* is a passive ability, not a triggered ability. Passive abilities do not use the chain and cannot be responded to. Here is the correct timing sequence for this interaction: 1. **Unit Enters:** Rek'Sai, Breacher moves to an occupied enemy battlefield. 2. **Battlefield Contested:** The battlefield becomes contested, and the move ends. 3. **Cleanup/Designation:** At the end of the move, the game enters a cleanup phase where units are designated as attackers and defenders. 4. **Assault Applies:** As soon as Rek'Sai, Breacher is designated as an attacker, his *Assault* passive ability turns on. He immediately gains his *Assault* bonus. 5. **Chain Opportunity:** Only *after* this designation and the resulting passive *Assault* bonus are applied does the game provide an opportunity for players to play reactions like *Gust*. Because the *Assault* bonus is applied passively at the moment of designation (before any priority window for spells), by the time you have the opportunity to play *Gust*, Rek'Sai already has his increased *Might* and would no longer be a legal target if that *Might* exceeds *Gust*'s targeting requirement. *Note: If Rek'Sai moves to an empty battlefield, he is not designated as an attacker, his Assault remains inactive, and he would remain at his base might of 3, making him a legal target for Gust (as per **RiftJudge FAQ #4053** and **FAQ #9076**).* Note: I could not fully verify the claim regarding a "printed Assault 1" against the retrieved rules.

No, you cannot play *Hard Bargain* if there is nothing on the chain. According to the rules of the game: 1. **Targeting Requirements:** *Hard Bargain* requires a target ("Counter a spell..."). To play a card, you must be able to choose a valid target at the time you place the spell on the chain. If there are no spells on the chain, there are no valid targets for *Hard Bargain*. 2. **Playing Cards:** Rule 358.1 requires that you check that all chosen targets are legal when you play a card. If you cannot choose a legal target, the action of playing that card is illegal and will be cancelled (Rule 358.4). While *Hard Bargain* has the [Reaction] keyword—allowing it to be played at times other than just when it's your main phase—it still requires a legal target to be played. Since a "spell" must be on the chain to be a target, an empty chain means there is nothing to target, and therefore you cannot play *Hard Bargain*.

Yes, you can play **Keeper's Verdict** to remove **Rengar, Pouncing** from the board, which prevents him from helping your opponent win a combat or conquering the battlefield. ### Interaction Details * **Targeting:** **Keeper's Verdict** allows you to choose an enemy unit at a battlefield. Since Rengar is at a battlefield and is an enemy, he is a legal target. * **Resolution:** When **Keeper's Verdict** resolves, the owner of Rengar must place him on the top or bottom of their Main Deck. * **Conquer Prevention:** Because a "Conquer" requires units to be present when the Showdown ends, removing Rengar prevents him from contributing to your opponent's unit count. If no other friendly units remain at that battlefield for your opponent, they will not be able to conquer it. ### Important Considerations * **Targeting Constraints:** You choose your target when you play the spell. Once placed on the chain, the target cannot be changed. * **Timing:** **Keeper's Verdict** does not "counter" the play of Rengar. If Rengar has "When I enter" effects, they will trigger upon his entry to the board before he is removed by your spell. Note: I could not fully verify this ruling against the retrieved rules.

Ruling: No, you cannot play Relentless Pursuit without controlling an equipment. You must choose both a friendly unit and an equipment you control when casting the spell, even though attaching the equipment is optional. Sequence: - Choose both a friendly unit and an equipment you control as the spell is cast - Move the chosen unit - You may choose to attach the chosen equipment to that unit - The unit gains "When I conquer, you may move me to my base" until end of turn Nuances: - The equipment must exist to cast the spell, but attaching it during resolution is optional - This is a special case where the card text creates a targeting requirement despite using "may" language for the attachment - The unit still moves and gains the conquest ability even if you choose not to attach the equipment

Ruling: Yes. When your turn begins, the Awaken Phase occurs first, readying all your exhausted units. Then during the Beginning Phase, the Temporary trigger goes on the chain, creating a closed state. You can react with Meditation and exhaust the now-ready unit to pay the additional cost and draw 2 cards. Sequence: - Awaken Phase: All your exhausted units (including the Temporary unit) ready - Beginning Phase: The Temporary trigger is placed on the chain - You play Meditation as a reaction and exhaust the ready unit to pay its additional cost - Meditation resolves first (draw 2 cards), then the Temporary trigger resolves (unit dies)

Ruling: Yes, you can play Pickpocket even if there are no valid gear targets on the board. Playing a unit is separate from resolving its "When you play me" ability. Sequence: - You play Pickpocket and it enters the board - Its "When you play me" ability triggers and goes on the chain - When the ability resolves, if there are no valid gear targets (or you choose not to target one), the ability fails to resolve - The unit remains on the board Nuances: - You do not need valid targets for a unit's "When you play me" ability to play that unit; you just cannot use the ability if no valid targets exist - For Pickpocket specifically, the "If you do" phrasing means you only get the Gold gear token reward if you successfully kill a gear - Instructions that cannot be followed are ignored, but the unit still enters play

Yes, you can play **Rengar, Pouncing** to your base as a reaction on your opponent’s turn. According to Rule 813.1.c.1 and the **[Reaction]** keyword on the card, Rengar can be played during Closed States on any player's turn. Additionally, Rule 813.3.a specifies that units with **[Reaction]** still follow standard playing restrictions unless overridden; standard rules permit you to play units to your own base at any time you have the timing and resources to do so. Since **[Reaction]** grants you the permission to play him during a Closed State (such as when your opponent has a chain on the board), you can play him to your base at that time.

No, you cannot play **Punch First** in response to **Falling Star**. The reason is the difference between **[Action]** and **[Reaction]** timing: 1. **Falling Star** is a standard Spell. When it is played, it starts a Chain. 2. According to **Rule 334.1.a.1** and **334.1.a.2**, cards cannot be played during a "Closed State" (when a Chain is active) unless they have the **[Reaction]** keyword. 3. **Punch First** has the **[Action]** keyword. Actions can only be played when the Chain is empty (an "Open State"). Because **Falling Star** is currently on the Chain, the game is in a Closed State. You would only be able to play a card with the **[Reaction]** tag to save your unit. By the time the Chain empties and you are able to play an **[Action]** like **Punch First**, the **Falling Star** will have already resolved and dealt its damage.

No, you cannot play *Pyke, Dockside Butcher* from hidden at Battlefield A to Battlefield B. According to **Rule 811.1.d.1**, a hidden permanent (like a unit) must be played to the exact battlefield where it was hidden. While playing a card from hidden functions as a [Reaction], this specific restriction is absolute for permanents. You are required to play it to Battlefield A, not Battlefield B.

No, you cannot play *Discipline* before the attack trigger occurs. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #2235**, there is no priority window to play reaction spells before a showdown begins if there are no triggers. As soon as the move to the battlefield is complete, combat/showdown begins immediately, and the "When I attack" triggers are placed on the chain first. ### How to play it correctly You must wait until Ezreal's "When I attack" ability triggers and is placed on the chain. Once that trigger is on the chain, you have a priority window to respond with *Discipline*. **The correct sequence is:** 1. **Move:** Ezreal moves to an occupied battlefield. 2. **Triggers:** The "When I attack" triggered ability is placed on the chain. 3. **Priority Window:** Because a trigger has been placed on the chain, the state is now **CLOSED**, and players can play **[Reaction]** spells. 4. **Respond:** You can now play *Discipline* in response to the attack trigger. It is placed on top of the chain. 5. **Resolution (LIFO):** * *Discipline* resolves first, giving Ezreal +2 Might. * Ezreal's "When I attack" ability then resolves, checking his new, higher Might value to deal damage. This interaction is also supported by **RiftJudge FAQ #9638**, which confirms that you can buff Ezreal in response to his own attack trigger to increase the damage dealt by that ability.

Yes, you can play **Rengar, Pouncing** to a battlefield you are defending. According to his card text, Rengar has the **[Reaction]** keyword, which allows him to be played at reaction speed (during a Closed State, such as a combat showdown). While his card text specifically highlights an exception for playing him to a battlefield you are *attacking*, he also follows standard unit playing restrictions. Under standard rules (and confirmed by **RiftJudge FAQ #9876**), a unit with the **[Reaction]** keyword can be played to your base or to a battlefield you control at any time you have the timing and resources to do so. Since you control the battlefields you are defending, you are permitted to play Rengar there as a reaction during a combat showdown. ### Key Considerations: * **Timing:** As a unit with **[Reaction]**, Rengar can be played during a closed state (such as during a combat showdown). * **Location:** You may play him to a battlefield you control (a battlefield you are defending) or your base. * **Attacker Status:** Note that playing Rengar to a battlefield you are defending does not make him an attacker. He will not gain the benefit of his **Assault 2** keyword, as that ability is conditional on him being an attacker.

Ruling: No, this does not work. When the first Retreat resolves (last on the stack), it cannot find the owner anymore, so you don't channel the 1 rune. Sequence: - Play first Retreat - Play second Retreat in response - Second Retreat resolves first, returns the unit - First Retreat resolves, but cannot find the unit to return, so no rune is channeled

No, you cannot play **Ride the Wind** in response to **Hidden Blade**. ### Why you cannot play Ride the Wind * **Action vs. Reaction:** **Ride the Wind** is an [Action] spell. According to Rule 158.2.a and FAQ 7535, [Action] spells can only be played during an Open State (when no chain exists) to start a new chain. They cannot be added to an existing chain. * **Closed State:** Once **Hidden Blade** is played, it starts a chain, and the game state becomes "Closed." Only cards with the [Reaction] keyword can be played in a Closed State to respond to items already on the chain (Rule 338.1.a.1, Rule 813.1.c.1). * **Clarification on Hidden Cards:** While Rule 811.6 states that a card played from "Hidden" gains the [Reaction] keyword, this only applies to cards being played from the facedown "Hidden" zone. **Ride the Wind** is not a card with the Hidden keyword, nor is it being played from the Hidden zone in this scenario; therefore, it does not gain [Reaction] and remains an [Action] spell. ### Interaction Summary Because you cannot play **Ride the Wind** in response to **Hidden Blade**, you cannot use it to move your unit to your base to make it an illegal target for the spell. This is a critical distinction from cards like **Fight or Flight**. As noted in FAQs 8957, 5878, and 35, **Fight or Flight** is a [Reaction] spell. Because it has the [Reaction] keyword, it *can* be played in response to **Hidden Blade** while the chain is closed. If you were to play a [Reaction] spell that moves your unit to your base, **Hidden Blade** would then fail to resolve its effects because its target would become illegal (Rule 359.3.e.2). Since **Ride the Wind** cannot be played in this window, it cannot be used to save your unit from **Hidden Blade**.

Yes, you can play **Salvage** and choose not to kill any gear, still drawing the card. According to the card's text, "You may kill up to one gear. Draw 1," and **Rule 352.13**: > "If a card specifies that a player chooses “any number” or “up to” some number of Game Objects to be affected, they may choose any number of available targets, including zero. If they choose zero, the spell or ability can be played without any targets." Because the card uses the "up to one" phrasing, choosing zero gears is a valid choice during the targeting step. This allows you to play the spell solely for the "Draw 1" effect, even if there are no gears on the board or if you simply prefer not to destroy any of your own.

Ruling: You cannot play a unit at a battlefield unless you are in control of that battlefield. Since you have no unit at the battlefield, you cannot play Shen there as a reaction. Nuances: - This rule applies even when reacting to an opponent's conquest attempt

Ruling: No, this sequence will not save Sona. When you play Call to Glory and remove the buff counter from Sona, her Might will drop to 6, matching her 6 marked damage, causing her to die during cleanup before combat damage is dealt. Sequence: - Jinx player attacks - You react with Shen (Shen resolves immediately as a unit) - Focus passes to Jinx player, who passes - Focus returns to you, you play Call to Glory paying 3 by removing buff from Sona - Sona dies during cleanup (Might reduced to 6, matching 6 marked damage) - Combat resolves: Jinx dies, Shen survives with Tank Nuances: - Units and gear resolve immediately and do not linger on the chain - When units/gear resolve and the chain closes, focus passes to the next player (unlike add abilities which have a special exception) - Showdowns only end when both players pass focus consecutively without starting a chain - Removing a buff counter that is keeping a unit alive will cause that unit to die during the next cleanup

No, you cannot play Shen as a reaction to a showdown where you are the attacker. According to Rule 813.3.a and multiple RiftJudge FAQs (such as FAQ #8206 and #2593), units can only be played to a battlefield you control. As the attacker in a showdown, you do not control the battlefield where the combat is taking place. While Shen has the **[Reaction]** keyword, which allows him to be played during closed states, it does not override the fundamental restriction that units must be played to a location you control. Because you do not control the battlefield you are attacking, you cannot legally play Shen there.

No, you cannot play Shen to a battlefield you are attacking. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8206** and **#9449**, units can only be played to a battlefield you control. When you are attacking a battlefield, you do not control it, and therefore it is not a valid location to play Shen. While Shen has the **[Reaction]** keyword, which allows him to be played during closed states (such as during a showdown), this does not override the fundamental restriction that units must be played to a location you control (your base or a battlefield you control). Because you do not control the battlefield you are attacking, you cannot legally play Shen there.

Ruling: Yes, you can play Shen when enemy units move to your controlled battlefield. When a battlefield you control becomes contested by an enemy moving into it, you retain control of that battlefield until the contested status is lifted (likely at the end of combat). Sequence: - You control a battlefield - Enemy moves units into your battlefield - The battlefield becomes contested - You retain control during the contested state - Shen's requirement of controlling the battlefield is met - You can play Shen as a defender Nuances: - You cannot play Shen if the battlefield was NOT controlled prior to the move (i.e., if it was already uncontrolled before the enemy moved in) - When played in this situation, Shen is considered a defender and receives his shield bonus

Yes, you can play **Showstopper** on a unit in your base that is already buffed. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #3683** and **Rule 426.1.c**, playing **Showstopper** on a unit that is already buffed remains a legal play. When the spell resolves, the unit will not receive an additional buff, but all other effects of the card—specifically moving the unit to a battlefield—will still resolve normally.

Yes, you can play **Showstopper** even if all your units in your base are already buffed. According to Rule 426.1.c and the mechanics of the card: * **Showstopper**'s ability is: "Buff a friendly unit in your base, then move it to a battlefield. (If it doesn't have a buff, it gets a +1 might buff.)" * Rule 426.1.c states: "Units with Buff Counters can still be chosen for actions that Buff units, but will not be Buffed as part of the execution." * Per RiftJudge FAQ #3683, the fact that a unit is already buffed does not prevent you from playing the card; the buff will simply not be applied again, and all other effects of the card (the move) will still resolve. **Summary of resolution:** 1. You play **Showstopper** (targeting a unit in your base). 2. The card attempts to buff the target, but since it is already buffed, the buffing action does nothing. 3. The card continues to its next instruction: moving that unit to a battlefield. This interpretation is supported by Rule 426.1.c regarding buffing already-buffed units and the clarification in FAQ #3683 regarding **Showstopper** specifically.

No, you cannot include or play signature spells for a Champion unless that Champion is your chosen Champion Legend. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #7473**, "Signature Spells can only be included in your deck if your Legend matches. Having the Champion unit alone is not sufficient." Furthermore, **Rule 103.2.d.2** states: "All of the Signature cards must have the Champion tag that corresponds to the Champion Legend of the deck." In summary: * Your **Champion Legend** dictates your deck's identity and which signature cards you are allowed to include. * You must have a Champion Legend that shares the same character tag as the signature spell you wish to include. * Simply having a Champion unit in your deck that matches the signature spell's tag is not enough if that unit is not your chosen Champion Legend.

No, you cannot play **Smoke and Mirrors** if you do not have at least two units at different locations. According to the card text, **Smoke and Mirrors** requires you to "Choose a unit you control and another unit you control at a different location." Because this is a requirement to play the card, you must have two such units available to target in order to put the spell on the chain. As established in **RiftJudge FAQ #4286** and **#6785**, you cannot play a spell without valid targets just to trigger the secondary effects (like drawing a card). The "do as much as you can" rule only applies during resolution; you must meet the targeting requirements at the time of casting to play the card in the first place. Therefore, if you have 0 units, 1 unit, or only units at a single location, you do not have the required targets and cannot play the card.

Ruling: Yes. Although hidden cards normally must target only the battlefield where they are hidden, Smoke and Mirrors explicitly requires choosing "another unit you control at a different location." This targeting restriction makes it impossible to fulfill the ability using only units at the hidden battlefield, so the exception in Rule 811.1.d.2 applies. Nuances: - This follows the same principle as the Tideturner example in the rules: when a hidden card's ability explicitly requires targets at different locations, the standard hidden targeting restriction is waived. - You must still choose one unit at the battlefield where Smoke and Mirrors is hidden, and another unit at a different location to satisfy the "different location" requirement.

No, you cannot play **Smoke and Mirrors** if you only have one unit in play. According to the card text and **RiftJudge FAQ #9739**, **Smoke and Mirrors** requires you to "Choose a unit you control and another unit you control at a different location." Because this is a requirement to play the card, you must have two such units available to target in order to put the spell on the chain. If you do not have at least two units at different locations, you do not have the required targets and cannot play the card.

No, you cannot play **Star-Crossed** if you have no friendly units on the battlefield. As established by **RiftJudge FAQ #9865**, **#10187**, and **#10769**, **Star-Crossed** specifically requires both a friendly unit and an enemy unit to be present on the board as valid targets to be played. Because the spell lacks "up to" language, both are mandatory targets. You must control a friendly unit on the board to serve as a valid target for the spell at the time it is announced and placed on the chain. If you do not have a friendly unit to target, you cannot fulfill the requirements of the spell, and therefore you cannot play it.

Ruling: No, you cannot respond to Master Yi's ability because it is a passive ability that uses "while" rather than a triggered ability. Passive abilities with "while" do not use the stack and cannot be responded to. Nuances: - "While" indicates a passive ability that cannot be responded to - "When" indicates a triggered ability that uses the stack - Shield abilities also use "while" and are passive - To use Stupify effectively in this situation, play it before moving in to attack

To answer your question: No, you cannot play **Switcheroo** in this scenario, because it requires two units at the same battlefield to function. Here is the breakdown of why: ### 1. The Legality of Playing Switcheroo According to the card text, Switcheroo's effect is: *"Swap the Might of two units at the same battlefield this turn."* To play a card, it must have valid targets for all of its instructions at the time it is played. Because you only have one unit (Ember Monk) at your battlefield, there is no second unit for Switcheroo to target. As per **Rule 358.1**, you must check that all chosen targets are legal before the card is played. Since you cannot fulfill the requirement of choosing two units, you cannot legally play Switcheroo. ### 2. What about Ember Monk's Ability? Ember Monk's ability reads: *"When you play a card from [Hidden], give me +2 might this turn."* Because Switcheroo cannot be played (due to the lack of targets), you never actually perform the action of playing the card. Therefore, the trigger condition for Ember Monk's ability is never met. **Summary:** You cannot initiate the play of Switcheroo, and consequently, Ember Monk will not receive the +2 Might boost.

No, you cannot play **Tactical Retreat** during a cleanup. According to **Rule 320**, while a cleanup is occurring, chain items cannot be resolved, and players cannot pass or be awarded priority to start new chains. Because playing **Tactical Retreat** (a [Reaction] spell) requires placing it onto the chain (which is an action that requires priority/focus), you cannot initiate this process while a cleanup is in progress. ### Why this is the case: * **Finalization/FEPR:** As clarified in the **2026-04-29 Rules FAQ**, the "Finalize, Execute, Pass, Resolve" (FEPR) process—which is how you play spells and abilities—cannot occur during a cleanup. Cleanups pause the FEPR process, not the other way around. * **Timing:** Cleanups occur *after* adding an item to the chain, *after* finalizing it, and *after* it resolves (Rule 318). If a cleanup is triggered, the game must complete that cleanup process entirely before you can resume playing cards or adding new items to the chain. **In summary:** You must play **Tactical Retreat** to create its replacement effect *before* a cleanup begins. Once a cleanup has started, you must wait for it to complete before you can take further actions.

Yes, you can hide a unit with the **Hidden** keyword directly from your Champion Zone. According to **Rule 737.1.b**: > "While this card is in your hand or in the Champion Zone on your turn during an Open State, you may pay [A] to hide this facedown at a battlefield you control..." ### Key Points: * **Direct Hiding:** You do not need to move the card to your hand first; you can perform the "Hide" action directly from the Champion Zone. * **Timing:** You must perform this action during an **Open State** on your turn. * **Cost:** You must pay the cost specified by the Hidden keyword (typically [A], which represents one rune of any domain). * **Restriction:** You can only hide the card at a battlefield you control that does not already have a facedown card hidden there. * **Playing the Hidden Card:** Once hidden, the card cannot be played until the **next turn**. When you do play it, it is played from the facedown position at that specific battlefield.

Yes, you can play **Thrill of the Hunt** to move a unit to a battlefield you do not control. According to the card's text, when you play *Thrill of the Hunt*, you banish a friendly unit, and then its owner plays it to **"any battlefield."** There is no restriction in the card text or the game rules that limits this choice to battlefields you control. However, keep in mind the following: * **Contested Status:** If you play the unit to a battlefield you do not control, that battlefield will become **Contested** (Rule 187.3.a), which may trigger a showdown. * **Invalid Destinations:** In multiplayer games (3+ players), if the battlefield you choose has a combat or showdown already in progress involving players other than yourself, it may be an invalid destination (Rule 457.2). In that case, the unit would be played to your base instead (Rule 457.2.a).

No, you cannot. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9433** (which specifically addresses this interaction with **Wages of Pain**), while you can react by revealing a hidden card at a different battlefield than where the showdown is occurring, you are bound by a strict targeting restriction: **Hidden cards cannot target units at a different battlefield than where they are hidden.** ### How it works: 1. **The Reaction:** When your opponent moves a unit to a battlefield, it creates a showdown. This event allows you to play a reaction from anywhere on the board. 2. **The Targeting Constraint:** Because **Wages of Pain** requires you to "Deal 3 to a unit at a battlefield," you must choose a target at the **same battlefield where the card is hidden** (Rule 811.1.d.2). 3. **The Result:** If the opponent's unit is at a different battlefield than the one where you hid your **Wages of Pain**, you cannot target that unit with that specific hidden card. *This is my interpretation based on Rule 811.1.d.2 and the cited FAQ. No official FAQ exists for this specific interaction with Wages of Pain, but the targeting restriction for hidden cards is a core mechanic.*

Ruling: Yes, you can play a Quickdraw gear even when you have no friendly units on board. The gear will remain at your base. Sequence: - You play the gear to your base - The "When you play this, attach" triggered ability attempts to trigger - Since there are no legal targets, the ability cannot finalize - The gear remains at your base unattached Nuances: - The triggered ability doesn't "whiff" (resolve with no effect) - it simply never finalizes due to lack of legal targets - Gears can only be played to base initially; they would only move if the attach ability successfully resolves

Ruling: Yes. When Tasty Faefolk dies and its Deathknell trigger is placed on the chain, the chain becomes active. Control of a battlefield cannot be lost while there is an item on the chain, so you retain control and can play the hidden Zhonya's Hourglass in response. The gear will enter play at your base, but it will not save Tasty Faefolk, which has already been moved to the trash. Sequence: - Tasty Faefolk is killed and moved to the trash - Deathknell trigger is added to the chain - The chain is now active (closed state) - You retain control of the battlefield and receive priority - You play Zhonya's Hourglass from hidden as a reaction - Zhonya's Hourglass resolves and enters your base - The Deathknell trigger resolves Nuances: - This works both during and outside of showdowns, as long as the Deathknell trigger creates an active chain - The gear is saved from being trashed, but the unit cannot be saved because it has already died - To save Tasty Faefolk with Zhonya's, you would need to play it before the lethal effect resolves

Ruling: No, there is no "end of turn" opportunity to play reactions that prevents your opponent from taking further actions. Reactions can only be played when a chain is already open (during closed states), which means if you play a reaction on your opponent's turn, they can still go back to taking normal actions afterward. Sequence: - A reaction requires a chain to be open (closed state) to be played - If your opponent does nothing on their turn, no chain opens, so you cannot play a reaction - If a chain does open (from a trigger or ability) and you play a reaction, it's still their turn and they can continue taking discretionary actions after the chain resolves Nuances: - End of time procedure exists and some abilities may trigger there (like Dazzling Aurora or Annie Legend), but you can only play reactions if those triggered abilities start a chain - Once end of time procedure starts, you cannot go back to main timing - The opponent controls when chains open during their turn, effectively controlling when you can play reactions

Yes, you can play a **Reaction** card in response to the triggered ability of **Bewitching Spirit**. Here is the breakdown of why this is allowed: 1. **Playing the Unit:** When you play a unit card like Bewitching Spirit, it enters the board immediately and does not use the chain. You cannot react to the act of playing the unit itself (Rule 356.2/FAQ 9017). 2. **The Triggered Ability:** Once Bewitching Spirit is on the board, its "When you play me" ability triggers. This ability is a triggered ability that uses the chain (Rule 406.2). 3. **The Response Window:** Because the ability uses the chain, it becomes a "pending item" on the chain. Placing this item on the chain creates a window where players can play **Reaction** speed spells or abilities (Rule 406.4). **Important Note:** You can only respond with a card that has the **Reaction** keyword. Because the chain is now "Closed" (it contains a pending triggered ability), you cannot play cards that are only **Action** speed.

Ruling: Once both players pass focus/priority, it is too late to play a reaction spell. You cannot go back to play cards after both players have passed. Nuances: - Passing focus means you don't want to play anything unless your opponent does - Attempting to play a card after both players pass would be considered angle shooting in tournaments

Yes, you can react to the on-play ability of Carnivorous Snapvine (and similar units like Riptide Rex) with Reaction-speed spells. Here's how it works: When the unit is played, it enters the board first. Then the Play Effect goes on the chain as a Pending Item. The controlling player completes the steps of playing it, including targeting. Once it becomes a Chain Item, it functions just like a spell. Other players have an opportunity to play Reactions before the resolution of spells. Since Play Effects become Chain Items 'just like a Spell,' they also have a reaction window before they resolve. So you cannot react to the unit being played itself, but you CAN react to the on-play ability before it resolves, using Reaction-speed spells only.

No, you cannot play a spell after combat damage has been assigned. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #3998** and **FAQ #5308**, the window for playing spells (both [Action] and [Reaction]) closes once you reach the point of assigning combat damage. The combat sequence proceeds directly to damage assignment and resolution, followed by the combat cleanup/healing step. There is no window to cast spells or play reactions between these events.

Ruling: You can play units directly to any battlefield you control. You control a battlefield if you already have some of your units on it. You also control your base. Nuances: - Playing a unit directly to a battlefield is NOT the same as moving a unit - Moving refers to relocating units that are already on the board - You must control a location (your base or a battlefield with your units) to play units there

Ruling: No, you cannot play a unit to a battlefield after moving your only unit away from it, as you lose control when you no longer have units there. Sequence: - If you want to maintain presence, play the new unit to the battlefield first - Then move the original unit away Nuances: - Scoring a point by holding a battlefield does not grant you control for the remainder of the turn; control requires having units present