If I take control of an enemy unit with Hostile Takeover (played from hidden during a showdown) and then use Portal Rescue on that unit, do I still return it to the original owner at the end of my turn, or does the Portal Rescue effect override the return?

verified
FAQ #4387·asked by 214792682432626688·January 4, 2026·Rules v1.4·Asked before Vendetta
Answer

Ruling: When a unit leaves the board (like getting banished by Portal Rescue), all effects on it are removed and it's considered a different unit. The owner (original player) plays the card from their banish pile, so they get back control. Since you can't lose control of a unit that's no longer on the board, it won't recall to base.

Sequence:

  • Hostile Takeover takes control of enemy unit until end of turn
  • Portal Rescue banishes the unit
  • All effects (including Hostile Takeover's control effect) are removed when unit leaves board
  • Owner plays the card from banish, regaining control
  • Unit does not return to your opponent's base because the control effect was already removed

Nuances:

  • When you control a unit and it dies, you trigger "friendly unit dies" effects and draw from effects like Hidden Blade
  • The opponent cannot use cards like Zhonya's to save the unit because it's not friendly to them while you control it

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