Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 113 of 145 · 7,241 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
If my opponent plays Mindsplitter, can I use Rebuke to return the unit back to their hand and does it stop the ability from going off?
No, you cannot use *Rebuke* to stop *Mindsplitter's* "When you play me" ability from triggering and resolving. Here is the breakdown of why this interaction happens as it does:
I have Rengar legend. I have a 4 might unit in base. I play Kinkou Initiate in base giving +1 to my 4 might unit pushing her to 5 might. Do I draw a card?
Yes, you can draw a card in this scenario. ### The Ruling When you play *Kinkou Initiate*, both its "When you play me" triggered ability and your *Pridestalker* (Rengar Legend) triggered ability trigger simultaneously because they share the same trigger condition ("When you play a unit").
If my opponent plays Sacrifice on the target of my Starcrossed, does my unit still return to my hand?
Yes, your unit will still return to your hand. In *Riftbound*, spells do not "fizzle" (fail entirely) simply because one of their targets becomes invalid while the spell is pending on the chain. As long as at least one of the original targets remains valid, the spell will resolve as much as possible, ignoring only the instruction that cannot be...
Can you pay the Accelerate cost when playing a unit with Heedless Resurrection?
Ruling: Yes. When an effect instructs you to play a card "ignoring its cost," it only sets the base Energy and Power costs to zero, but you may still pay optional additional costs like Accelerate.
If it is my opponent's turn and they move Irresistible Faefolk to Battlefield A and move my Tide Turner from Battlefield B to Battlefield A, can I ride my Tide Turner back to Battlefield B and score a point?
To answer your question: **Yes, you can use *Ride the Wind* on your opponent's turn to move your *Tideturner* back to battlefield B and score a point**, provided you meet the requirements for conquering that battlefield.
Baited Hook a Deathknell unit and on play a Harness Dragon on a Starspring trigger battlefield. What would be the correct sequence? Especially when announcing targets and whether to use Starspring?
To determine the correct sequence when using **Baited Hook** to kill a **Deathknell** unit and playing **Harnessed Dragon** to a **Star Spring** battlefield, we must apply the rules of the chain, LIFO (Last In, First Out) resolution, and the specific timing of triggered abilities.
Can Vanguard Armor spawn the tokens on an open battlefield?
No, you cannot play the Recruit tokens from Vanguard Armory directly to an open battlefield. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8577** and **FAQ #8845**, Recruit tokens must be played to a valid location, which is defined as your **Base** or a **Battlefield you already control**. An open battlefield is not a valid location because you do not control it yet, and...
If you flash and ride the wind back to a bf during opponent's turn do you lose control of the battlefield and score?
Whether or not you score depends on the exact sequence of events, specifically whether you completely lose control of the battlefield before re-establishing it.
If Nidalee enters combat against a unit, and the opponent uses Sacrifice on their unit in that showdown, do I still draw from Nidalee?
Yes, you will still draw from Nidalee, Cat Form, provided she remains on the battlefield after combat and you are declared the winner.
I have Ember Monk and Mutated Mouser on my board, I play Switcheroo from Hidden on my Ember Bonk and Mouser, what are the final might totals they have. Is it 1 Ember Monk 6 Mouser, or is it 3 Ember Monk and 4 Mouser. Essentially what resolves first, is it the Switcheroo or Ember Monk proc?
Based on the rules and FAQs for *Riftbound*, here is how your situation resolves. ### The Ruling **Switcheroo resolves in full first**, swapping the Might values of the units. Only after Switcheroo has finished resolving does Ember Monk's triggered ability go on the chain.
Can I play Switcheroo from Hidden with only 1 unit on my battlefield, which is Ember Monk? Would Ember Monk's ability proc, or would it fail because there is no valid target for Switcheroo?
To answer your question: No, you cannot play **Switcheroo** in this scenario, because it requires two units at the same battlefield to function.
If my opponent uses Retreat to draw his unit back to his hand, then the chain resolves, does he still get a priority to use an action like Stacked Deck or does the combat force end?
The combat does not end simply because your opponent used **Retreat**. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #976**, a showdown (including combat) continues even if there are no opposing units remaining at the battlefield. The combat only ends after both players have passed Focus in succession without starting a new chain.
Can you play an action if an opponent conquers an open battlefield?
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.
If I copy a unit with Leblanc legend, does it keep the plus might it had from previous buffs?
No, the copy created by LeBlanc's legend does not keep any +Might from previous buffs. When you use LeBlanc’s legend ability to create a copy, that new unit enters as a base version of the target. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10455** and the **Patch Notes (2026-03-30)**, copy effects only inherit a unit's "copyable traits," which are its printed characteristics (like...
Lilia Fae Fawn is on a Battlefield. In base there is a Sprite and a Mask of Foresight. The opponent attacks and Lilia gets the effect of Mask of Foresight and gains +1. I play Smoke and Mirrors exchanging Lilia with the Sprite. At resolution there are two triggers: Lilia's move effect which creates a Sprite and the Mask of Foresight for the Sprite alone on the Battlefield. Can I order the triggers to allow the Sprite to get the effect of Mask of Foresight before the trigger of Lilia's move effect creates a Sprite preventing Mask of Foresight from triggering?
Pour répondre à votre question, analysons la chronologie des événements lors de la résolution de **Smoke and Mirrors**. ### Analyse des triggers 1. **Smoke and Mirrors** commence à se résoudre : vous échangez Lillia et le Sprite. 2. **Lillia, Fae Fawn** quitte sa position, ce qui déclenche son effet : "When I move from a location, play a 3 [S]...
I have determined sentry and lonely poro in base, opponent played Bellows Breath repeated in my base, do I draw or not? What is the order of repeat in chain?
To determine whether you draw a card, we must look at the "alone" condition of your **Lonely Poro** at the moment it dies.
I have determined Sentry and Lonely Poro in base. Opponent played Bellows Breath repeated in my base. Do I draw or not? As the Determined Sentry has 1 might and dies first.
To answer your question: No, you will not draw a card from *Lonely Poro*. ### Ruling When *Bellows Breath* (with *Repeat* paid) resolves in your base, it deals 1 damage, then deals 1 damage again as part of the same spell resolution. Because *Lonely Poro* dies at the same time as *Determined Sentry* (or while *Determined Sentry* is still at...
What happens if you play the game with your chosen champion shuffled in the deck?
According to the Tournament Rules, failing to separate your Chosen Champion and place it in the Champion Zone during the game setup is a deck legality/setup error.
Can you use Sprite's Call on a Battlefield when someone else starts a Showdown and you have no units?
No, you cannot use **Sprite Call** in that situation. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #3336** and **RiftJudge FAQ #2274**, you can only play units to your base or to a battlefield that you currently control.
Can I play Showstopper on an already buffed unit in my base?
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...
How do you win a 3 player game?
In a 3-player game (FFA3/Skirmish), the **Victory Score is 8 points** (Rule 482.3). To win the game, you must be the first player to reach the Victory Score. According to Rule 467, a player wins when a cleanup occurs if they have accrued points greater than or equal to the Victory Score **and** have more points than any opponent.
If I play Grim Apothecary to a battlefield, can I move a friendly unit from another battlefield to owner's hand?
Yes, you can. According to the card text of **Grim Apothecary**, its ability states: "When you play me, you may return a friendly unit at a battlefield to its owner's hand."
For green Irelia champion, if I play a spell and target her to get a +1, if my opponent counters the spell, do I still get the +1?
Yes, you still get the +1 Might bonus. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9108** and **#9163**, this interaction works because of the timing of when "choosing" occurs and how the chain resolves:
Does Purple Ezreal's ability lower the cost of Accelerate?
Yes, Ezreal, Prodigy's ability lowers the cost of **Accelerate**. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8415** and **Rule 805.2**, Accelerate is an **optional additional cost**. Because Ezreal's ability specifically reduces "optional additional costs you pay," it applies to the cost required to use Accelerate.
If I use Acceptable Losses to kill a Gold Gear token, can I still tap the Gold Gear to get power, or would I then have to pick a different Gear to destroy to resolve the spell?
Yes, you can use the Gold gear token's ability in response to *Acceptable Losses*, but it will affect how *Acceptable Losses* resolves.
For Jinx number 30, do you need to recycle or not to accelerate?
To play **Jinx, Demolitionist** with **Accelerate**, you must pay the total costs associated with both her base play cost and the optional Accelerate additional cost.
Does Cull the Weak target?
No, **Cull the Weak** does not target. According to the RiftJudge FAQ (ID 8519, 8598, 8613, 8910), Cull the Weak does not "choose" or "target" a unit when it is played. The instruction to kill a unit is performed by each player during the resolution of the spell, rather than being a targeted choice made when the spell is placed...
Does Rengar Pridestalker trigger on Emperor's Dais battlefield's Sand Soldier token?
Yes, **Rengar, Pridestalker**'s legend ability triggers when a Sand Soldier token is played from **Emperor's Dais**. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9982**: * Playing a token unit counts as "playing a unit." * While tokens are not cards, they are nonetheless "played" when created by abilities, which satisfies the trigger condition for "When you play a unit" abilities.
Does Draven Legend trigger if an enemy unit is removed from the combat with Starcrossed?
Yes, the Draven Legend ability will trigger in this scenario, provided you win the combat. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #721**, combat does not end simply because an opponent's unit is moved away from the battlefield. Combat concludes only when both players pass with focus on an empty chain. If you remove the only enemy unit(s) from the battlefield using **Star-Crossed**,...
When you reveal Evelyn, can you gust it, what happens?
Yes, you can use **Gust** to react to **Evelynn, Entrancing** when she is played from a hidden state. According to **Rule 811.6**, cards that are Hidden gain the **[Reaction]** keyword while facedown or when played from facedown, allowing you to play them at reaction speed. When you reveal (play) Evelynn, her "When you play me from face down" ability triggers,...
Does Elder Dragons lethal damage ability effect Vilemal if a unit has less might than him?
No, **Elder Dragon**'s ability does not override **Vilemaw**'s ability to prevent combat damage. ### The Reasoning * **Vilemaw's Ability:** Vilemaw has a passive ability that states: *"Enemy units here with less Might than me don't deal combat damage."* This acts as a restriction on dealing damage during the combat damage step. * **Elder Dragon's Ability:** Elder Dragon’s ability states: *"Any...
If I move a unit with a 'When I move' trigger to a battlefield and react with another unit using Ambush before the trigger resolves, will an enemy unit's 'when I defend, if an enemy unit is alone here' trigger still activate?
Ruling: No. The enemy unit's trigger will not activate because the 'alone' condition is checked at the moment of defender designation, and by that time there will be two enemy units present at the battlefield.
Can you react to Draven Glorious Executioner legend ability?
Yes, you can react to the triggered ability of the **Glorious Executioner** (Draven) legend. According to the **Chain Rules**, triggered abilities use the chain. When the condition "When you win a combat" is met, the ability is added to the chain, which creates a **Closed State** where players have the opportunity to play **[Reaction]** cards or abilities.
If Pyke Returned is played hidden on Rockfall Path, does he go to base?
No, your **Pyke, Returned** does not go to your base. If you attempt to play a hidden unit (including **Pyke, Returned**) at a battlefield like **Rockfall Path** that prohibits playing units, the attempt is an **illegal activation**.
If a Leblanc, Fragmented attacks into a battlefield with an enemy unit with assault, and I conquer it, on my legend trigger, can the enemy gust the Leblanc away?
Yes, your opponent can use **Gust** to return your **LeBlanc, Fragmented** to your hand in this scenario. ### The Breakdown
If a Leblanc, Fragmented attacks into a battlefield with an enemy unit with assault and therefore is at 4 might, and I conquer it, on my legend trigger, is the Leblanc, Fragmented still 4 might and can the enemy gust the Leblanc away?
Your opponent cannot use **Gust** on **LeBlanc, Fragmented** because her Might remains above the targeting threshold during your Legend ability.
I used Thrill of the Hunt on Darius Trifarian. It's my first card, does his ability take effect and ready?
Yes, playing **Darius, Trifarian** via the resolution of **Thrill of the Hunt** when it is the first card played in your turn **will** trigger his ability.
If I had a Fizz in board and a Tide Turner hidden, and my opponent attacks with Fiora Peerless, and I react to the effect with Tide Turner, does Fiora have double might still?
Yes, Fiora Peerless will still have her Might doubled. According to the rules and related FAQs (specifically FAQ #1231 and #577), Fiora’s "When I attack" ability is a triggered ability that checks its condition—being "one on one"—**only at the moment the ability is placed on the chain**.
If I put Sacred Shears on a unit and I have Kartus and I kill my unit, will Sacred Shears create two Deathknell triggers drawing me 2 cards?
Yes, you will draw 2 cards total. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #765**, when a unit equipped with **Sacred Shears** dies while you control **Karthus, Eternal**, Karthus's passive ability causes the Deathknell effect granted by the Shears to trigger twice.
I am star crossing one Ezreal Prodigy mine, and opponent's Rengar, when the effect is on the chain I want to heedless the Ezreal and get a Fizz, can the Fizz use that star cross?
To answer your question: **No, your new Fizz, Trickster cannot use the *Star-Crossed* that is currently on the chain.** Here is the breakdown of the timing and interaction:
If I hold on a battlefield with a single unit, and then gank to Seat of Power, do I draw still even though I no longer have units on Seat of Power?
### Ruling **No, you do not draw a card.** To conquer a battlefield, you must establish control of it. According to Rule 187.4, control is established by having units at a battlefield at the end of a showdown or combat. If you leave a battlefield empty at the end of these processes, you do not establish control, you do not...
If a unit is targeted by Elder Dragon at Battlefield, and I move my unit from Battlefield to Base with a reaction, does my unit live or die?
Your unit will **live**. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9919** and the **2026-04-29 Rules FAQ Clarification**, *Elder Dragon's* play effect has specific targeting restrictions based on location. It targets "up to one enemy unit at [a specific location]."
If my opponent removes my Brutalizer during a showdown via Factory Recall, does my Lillia Fae Fawn still maintain the 6 might after the gear removal?
To determine if Lillia, Fae Fawn retains her Might bonus after **Factory Recall** removes **Brutalizer**, we must analyze the interaction between equipment detachment and layer evaluation.
Can you play ambush units from the trash to a battlefield with Heedless Resurrection?
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.
When a player draws their last card do they refresh?
No, drawing the last card in your deck does not cause you to "refresh" or recycle your trash. In *Riftbound*, you only perform a "Burn Out" (which includes recycling your trash into your Main Deck) if you are **instructed to draw a card and your Main Deck is empty**.
When you play a spell from trash with Kai'sa Evolutionary, can you banish it with Jhun's legend ability?
No, you cannot banish the spell with Virtuoso (Jhin's legend ability) in this scenario. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9409**, the interaction between **Kai'Sa, Evolutionary** and **Virtuoso** functions as follows:
Can Shadow use its action anytime or just at the start of combat?
Shadow's activated ability can be used during your Main Phase (when the game state is Open) and during a showdown. It is not restricted to the start of combat.
If I am defending alone at Forbidding Waste and I add a unit during that showdown, what happens to the minus 2?
To determine what happens to the -2 Might penalty from *Forbidding Waste*, we must look at the battlefield's ability and the rules for when a unit is considered "alone."
Do you have to target a unit with Ruined Rex if he dies?
Yes, you must target an enemy unit if one is available on the board. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10066**, **Deathknell** triggers are mandatory. Because Ruined Rex's ability text does not contain the word "may" (e.g., "you may deal 4"), you cannot opt out of the ability.
I move Irresistible Faefolk to Star Spring, I react to the trigger of Irresistible Faefolk with an Ambush unit. I use the Star Spring to send back Irresistible Faefolk to base. Can I drag a unit from my opponent with Irresistible?
Yes, you can move an enemy unit using **Irresistible Faefolk**’s ability in this scenario. ### The Ruling When **Irresistible Faefolk** is moved back to your base before its triggered ability resolves, the ability still resolves successfully. Because the ability references "that battlefield" based on the location where it moved to trigger, that reference is locked in at the time the...