Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 109 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
For Mutated Mouser and Switcheroo, can I activate Switcheroo from hidden before Shield activates on Mutated Mouser?
No, you cannot "activate" *Switcheroo* before *Shield* activates because **Shield is not a triggered ability**—it is a passive effect that applies continuously as long as the unit has the "Defender" designation during combat.
If I move Irelia Fervant to a battlefield and I have Mask of Foresight, will she gain 2 Might due to Mask & Unit ability?
No, Irelia, Fervent will not gain +2 Might in this scenario. She will only gain +1 Might from the **Mask of Foresight**, and she will not trigger her own ability.
Can you immediately cast Reaction without focus as defender in Showdown start while attacker has focus?
No, you cannot. According to **Rule 313.4**, "A player may not make discretionary actions with Focus unless they also possess Priority." Furthermore, as established in the **RiftJudge FAQ (id 9012)**, the attacker always gains focus first at the start of a showdown.
Can you play Rengar Ambush as a reaction to a different battlefield from a spell that targets your unit in a different battlefield?
Yes, you can play **Rengar, Trophy Hunter** as a reaction to a spell that targets your unit at a different battlefield, provided you meet the conditions of his ability.
If I have Lillia Fae Fawn at a battlefield with a trap card and next turn I move her back to base, would the trap card disappear or stay with the new sprite spawning from Lillia?
In *Riftbound*, there is no official card type or mechanic officially named a "trap." Assuming you are referring to a **hidden card** (a card placed facedown at a battlefield, as described in Rule 421.1), here is how your scenario resolves:
If my Sand Soldier with Sacred Shears gets returned to hand using Windsinger, do I draw from Sacred Shears?
No, you do not draw a card from **Sacred Shears** in this scenario. ### Reasoning
When I play a spell with Fizz Trickster, do I still have to pay the power cost when the spell has, for example, 2 mana and 1 power? Also, if I want to repeat it, would I have to pay an extra 2 mana and 2 power?
To answer your questions about **Fizz, Trickster**: ### 1. Do you still have to pay the Power cost? **Yes.** As explicitly stated on Fizz, Trickster's card text and confirmed in RiftJudge FAQ #9320, while you ignore the spell's Energy cost, **you must still pay its Power cost.**
Can you react with Rengar, Pouncing to attack an enemy battlefield solo?
Yes, you can play **Rengar, Pouncing** as a reaction to a battlefield you are attacking, even if he will be the only friendly unit there.
Is an equipment still temporary if equipped and would it die if it was?
Whether an equipment with the **Temporary** keyword dies while attached depends on whether that keyword is *printed* on the card or *granted* to it by another effect.
If my opponent plays Thousand Tailed Watcher and triggers its effect, can I respond to its ability after the -3 might effect resolves on the same chain?
No, you cannot respond to the **Thousand-Tailed Watcher**'s "When you play me" (WYPM) ability after it has already resolved. According to the **RiftJudge FAQ** (ID #5127 and #10506), once a triggered ability resolves, it is cleared from the chain and the game state moves forward. There is no opportunity to play reactions or actions after an ability has finished resolving...
If I play Ride the Wind to love my Diana onto the Abandoned Hall battlefield, will I get the battlefield's effect to give my Diana +1 might? Why?
Yes, in this scenario, you **will** be able to give Diana +1 Might from the **Abandoned Hall** effect. ### Ruling As clarified in **RiftJudge FAQ #10497** (marked as current), the "When a player plays a spell" trigger on **Abandoned Hall** occurs only **after the spell has completed its resolution**, not when it is placed on the chain.
If I play Teemo Strategist from hand and deal 3 damage to Hwei and it resolves, then my opponent uses Flash to move his Hwei back to base, is his Hwei at 2 health or 5?
To answer your question, we first need to clarify a few things about game state and combat: 1. **Damage Does Not Reduce Might:** In *Riftbound*, units do not have "health." They have **Might** (their strength/durability). Damage is marked on a unit, and it persists until the unit is healed or the combat ends. If a unit has damage marked on...
My opponent controls a Battlefield. I contest it with a Kaisa Survivor. They respond with a Hextech Ray and deal 3 damage to my Kaisa. If I flash out of the Battlefield, will the damage heal? Does combat clean up occur and why?
To answer your questions regarding the showdown and the interaction between these cards: ### 1. Does the damage heal? No, the damage does not heal because no damage is dealt to Kai'Sa, Survivor. When you play **Flash** in response to your opponent's **Hextech Ray**, Kai'Sa moves from the battlefield to your base. Because Kai'Sa is no longer a legal target...
I am attacking a battlefield, I attack with a 2 might unit. The opponent reacts with gust, I react with vi's ambush ability, would vi be able to be played on this battlefield?
Yes, you can play **Vi, Peacekeeper** to the battlefield as a reaction, and she will successfully enter the battlefield before the chain resolves.
Do equipped gear get killed in the beginning phase if they are temporary?
Whether an attached Gear with the *Temporary* keyword is killed during your Beginning Phase depends on how it gained that keyword:
If Beast Below is played and chooses Vex Ampathic on a battlefield, and that resolves, would the Beast Below be stunned and unable to move?
Yes, **Beast Below** will be stunned and unable to move for the turn. ### Reasoning 1. **Playing the Unit:** When you play **Beast Below**, it enters the battlefield. This action triggers **Vex, Apathetic**'s ability: *"When an opponent plays a unit while I'm at a battlefield, [Stun] it. They can't move it this turn."* 2. **Chain Placement:** * **Beast Below** has...
Can Zhonya's Hourglass be played from hidden without a unit dying?
Ruling: Yes. A hidden card gains Reaction timing while facedown and may be played any time a card with Reaction may be played, regardless of whether its replacement effect has a valid event to replace. You can play Zhonya's Hourglass proactively at any time you have priority.
Does Brynhildr Thundersong's ability resolve if he Star-Crossed is used in reaction to his ability? Does his ability still resolve?
Yes, Brynhir Thundersong's triggered ability will still resolve even if he is returned to your hand by *Star-Crossed* after the ability has been placed on the chain.
Do I need to pay for Deflect when moving an enemy unit with Moonfall?
Yes, you must pay the **Deflect** cost if the enemy unit you choose to move with **Moonfall** has the **Deflect** keyword.
If I cast Gust in response to Mirror Image, do they still get the token or does Mirror Image not resolve?
Yes, your opponent still gets the **Reflection** token. In *Riftbound*, spells and abilities do not "fizzle" or vanish just because a target is removed. According to **Rule 055** and **Rule 359.3.e.11**, players must execute as much of a card's instructions as possible, skipping only the impossible parts.
If I equip Svellsongur to Ahri, Alluring (using Jax to make it Quick-Draw) before my opponent ends their turn, do I score 3 points total when I hold the battlefield (1 for holding, 1 for Ahri's original ability, and 1 for the copied ability from Svellsongur)?
Ruling: Yes, you score 3 points total. When Svellsongur is attached to Ahri, Alluring, it copies Ahri's text and grants her a second instance of her triggered ability. When you hold the battlefield, you score 1 point for the hold action itself, then 1 point from Ahri's original "When I hold, you score 1 point" ability, and 1 point from...
Can you play Switcheroo from Hidden before a defending unit's Shield ability activates?
Ruling: No. Shield is a passive ability keyword, not a triggered ability. It does not go on the chain and cannot be responded to. The Shield bonus is automatically applied the moment a unit acquires the Defender designation, which happens before the Initial Chain is created.
Do you need to pay Deflect cost twice on Falling Star?
Yes, you must pay the **Deflect** cost twice if both instances of damage from **Falling Star** target the same unit with **Deflect**.
When do Deathknell effects trigger? For example, do we play the Deathknell unit in the trash first and then the effect triggers, or does it trigger while the unit is on the board but about to die?
Deathknell effects trigger when the unit is in the process of being killed and sent to the trash. According to **Rule 808.1.d**, the trigger is the unit being killed and sent to the trash.
If a unit is damaged prior to playing Elder Dragon, will the unit die from Elder Dragon being summoned?
Yes, if an enemy unit already has damage marked on it, it will die the moment you play **Elder Dragon**.
If I use Thrill of the Hunt on Akshan on my opponent's Aurora trigger and steal their Aurora, will they still get to summon a unit?
Yes, the opponent will still get to summon a unit. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #306**, once a triggered ability is on the chain, removing or stealing the source of the ability (the **Dazzling Aurora**) does not prevent that ability from resolving.
If I kill a unit with a spell during a showdown, as the attacker, can I play Immortal Phoenix from my trash to that battlefield?
No, you cannot play **Immortal Phoenix** from your trash to the battlefield where the showdown is taking place if you are the attacker and do not control that battlefield.
If I play a Sprite Call Hidden to a battlefield that only had temporary units there, can I play that hidden card in my beginning phase after the others die to reveal a new Sprite and get a point for a hold?
To answer your question: **Yes, you can do this**, but the timing is the key. You do not wait until *after* the original sprites die; rather, you play your hidden *Sprite Call* **in response** to the *Temporary* triggered ability going on the chain.
When Overzealous Fan triggers, can I react with Ambush?
Yes, you can react to *Overzealous Fan* with a unit that has **Ambush**. According to the **RiftJudge FAQ #10160**, **#10158**, and **#9611**, the interaction functions as follows:
A showdown has started, the attacker passes focus. The defender plays an action (Smoke and Mirrors) and passes focus. Can the attacker now play an action card or must it be a reaction only?
According to Rule 346 of the *Riftbound* Core Rules, when the last item on the chain resolves and the game returns to an Open State during a showdown, focus passes to the next player.
Can my opponent attack my battlefield where I have a unit, and can I react with Hidden Tideturner at the other battlefield to swap places with the first unit?
Yes, you can react to your opponent’s attack by playing a hidden **Tideturner** from another battlefield to swap places with your unit at the attacked battlefield.
If a spell is countered, would Diana No Longer Human still get plus 2 might?
No, Diana, No Longer Human will not receive the +2 Might bonus if the spell you play is countered. ### Reasoning According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8742** and **RiftJudge FAQ #8945**:
Does Clash of Giants count as your damage if you choose two of your opponents to do damage to each other?
In **Clash of Giants**, the damage dealt is **not** considered your damage. According to **Rule 417.6.c.1**: "The Damage assigned, and subsequently Dealt, to attackers has the defenders as the source and vice versa."
Do the targets of Glasc Mixologist enter ready?
No, the targets of **Glasc Mixologist** do not enter ready. According to its ability text, Glasc Mixologist's *Deathknell* allows you to "play a unit... from your trash, ignoring its cost." In *Riftbound*, playing a unit simply puts it onto the battlefield; it does not inherently include the "ready" action unless the card text explicitly states so.
If Ezreal dashing comes into a battlefield and initiates a showdown as an attacker against a Teemo Strategist, what is the sequence of effects between the two cards for how damage is applied and when?
In this combat showdown, the sequence is determined by the standard combat timing flow where triggered abilities from the attacker are placed on the chain before those of the defender.
Does Renata Glasc, Industrialist allow Leblanc's Reflection tokens to enter ready?
Yes, **Renata Glasc, Industrialist** allows **Reflection** tokens created by **Deceiver** (LeBlanc) to enter play ready. ### Reasoning
If you take control of an enemy unit, do you also take control of the attached Gear?
No, when you take control of an enemy unit, you **do not** gain control of the attached gear. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #5310**: * Only the unit (the top-most card) changes control. * The equipped gear remains attached to that unit, but the original owner retains control of the gear itself. * While the gear remains attached, you (the new...
If my opponent makes me play a unit to a battlefield with Bone Skewer, am I attacking?
No, you are not attacking. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9997** and **FAQ #9883**, units are only designated as "attackers" or "defenders" during **Combat**. When an effect (like **Bone Skewer**) moves a unit or forces a player to play a unit to a battlefield, it does not automatically make that unit an "attacking unit."
I have a Plundering Poro on Starspring and a hidden card. I reveal the hidden card and play Evelynn. Now her "When you play me" triggers get added to the chain and Starspring gets added to the chain. Can I first target my Poro with Starspring, then charm an enemy with Evelynn—first in, last out—and kill a unit from my enemy, and then move my Poro?
I couldn't find a card called "Starspring," but based on your description and the "Star Spring" battlefield, I can clarify how the chain and resolution work for your scenario.
Can Rengar Trophy Hunter use Ambush to play to base?
No, *Rengar, Trophy Hunter* cannot use **Ambush** to be played to your base. According to the rules and FAQs regarding **Ambush**:
I initiate a showdown with Rek'Sai, my opponent plays Star-Crossed. Do I still trigger the Rek'Sai ability or no?
Yes, **Rek'Sai, Swarm Queen’s** ability still triggers and resolves even if she is returned to your hand, but you cannot play the unit "here" because the location is no longer valid.
Can Weaponmaster stop me from needing to kill a unit with Blade of the Ruined King?
No, **Weaponmaster** cannot stop you from needing to kill a unit to equip **Blade of the Ruined King**. According to RiftJudge FAQ #5147, while the Weaponmaster keyword allows you to pay the equip cost at a discount (reducing the power cost by [A]), you must still pay all other portions of the cost, including non-power requirements like "kill a friendly...
What happens if opponent plays Turn to Dust on an equipped Gear? Does the Gear go to the trash next turn? Or does the text stay on my unit?
If your opponent plays **Turn to Dust** on a piece of gear that is currently attached to your unit, the gear will be destroyed during your next Beginning Phase.
Can you use Gust to react to Deathnell and would Deathnell trigger?
To answer your question: **Yes, you can play Gust in response to a Deathknell trigger, but doing so will not stop the Deathknell from triggering.**
My opponent attacks into my solo unit at Star Spring. I have a Mask of Foresight in base. I ambush and play Rengar to Star Spring and trigger Star Spring to move my other unit back to base. Would the Mask of Foresight still give my Rengar +1 might for defending alone?
No, Mask of Foresight will not give your Rengar +1 Might in this scenario. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #4433** and **FAQ #6385**, the condition for Mask of Foresight ("when I attack/defend alone") is checked exclusively at the moment units are initially designated as attackers or defenders at the start of a showdown.
If Nidalee moves into a Galio and cannot kill it and gets pushed back to base, does Nidalee draw since she remained alive?
No, Nidalee, Cat Form will not draw a card in this scenario. ### Explanation According to Nidalee's card text, her ability triggers when she **wins a combat**. The text clarifies, "(I win if I remain after combat.)"
If I attack with a unit with Eye of the Herald and my opponent has Ahri legend, my recruit token gets -1?
To answer your question: **Yes, the Recruit token will be affected by Ahri's -1 Might ability if it gains the attacker designation at the battlefield she controls.**
If a unit give +1 of might to a unit with 3 of might after I play Gust, does the Gust count like it was played?
Yes, *Gust* is still considered to have been played and will resolve. Here is the breakdown of the interaction:
Can you Lilting Lullaby on Time Warp and if so what happens?
Yes, you can play **Lilting Lullaby** in response to **Time Warp**. ### Interaction Sequence 1. **Player A** plays **Time Warp** (paying its cost and placing it on the chain). 2. **Player B** plays **Lilting Lullaby** as a `[Reaction]` targeting the **Time Warp** on the chain. 3. The chain resolves in **LIFO** (Last-In, First-Out) order: * **Lilting Lullaby** resolves first. It...
If the battlefield is Rockfall Path, can you gank that battlefield?
Yes, you can **Gank** into **Rockfall Path**. According to **Rule 810.1.b**, Ganking allows a unit to move to a battlefield from another battlefield via a **Standard Move**. Because Ganking modifies the allowed destinations for a **Standard Move** (Rule 144.4.c.1), it is a form of movement and not "playing a unit."