Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 118 of 145 · 7,241 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
Does Not So Fast counter the full trigger of Elder Dragon's "When you play me" effect, or would Not So Fast only counter the trigger on one unit?
Yes, **Not So Fast** counters the entire "When you play me" triggered ability of Elder Dragon, protecting all units targeted by that ability.
My opponent has Karthus and his Ruined Rex dies - triggering his Deathknell "Deal 4 damage to a unit" twice. If I respond to the target with Not So Fast, does that counter both triggers of Deathknell? Or are they separate instances?
According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10983** and **FAQ #9480**, you cannot counter both *Deathknell* triggers with a single "Not So Fast" effect.
Do units heal if I conquer an open battlefield?
No, units do not heal when you conquer an empty (open) battlefield. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9649** and **#7796**, there is a critical distinction between a **combat showdown** and an **open showdown**:
If I use Sacrifice on my Ekko Recurrent, and my opponent uses Defy to counter, does Ekko still die?
Yes, your Ekko, Recurrent still dies. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10480** and **Rule 357**, the process of playing a spell includes paying its costs *before* the spell is added to the chain and becomes eligible to be countered.
If my Aurora Trigger reveals Rengar - Trophy Hunter, can he ambush to an enemy occupied battlefield?
**Yes**, if *Dazzling Aurora's* end-of-turn triggered ability plays *Rengar, Trophy Hunter*, you can play him to an enemy-occupied battlefield. ### The Reasoning 1. **Dazzling Aurora's Trigger:** *Dazzling Aurora's* ability is a triggered ability that plays a unit. When this ability resolves, it provides the instruction to "play" that unit. 2. **Playing from Hidden:** When an effect instructs you to "play"...
If Yi summons Rengar to the battlefield with Ambush when there is 1 unit at the battlefield, will the +2 might from Yi fall off or will the unit retain +2?
The unit will **lose the +2 Might bonus immediately** upon Rengar, Trophy Hunter entering the battlefield. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10141** and **#3935**, Master Yi's ability (from *Wuju Bladesman, Starter*) is a continuous passive effect with a "While" condition. Continuous effects are checked constantly and update the game state instantaneously. The moment a second friendly unit enters the battlefield, your...
If my Glasc Mixologist dies when the opponent conquers my battlefield, am I able to play a unit to that battlefield after it is conquered via Glasc Mixologist deathknell?
Yes, you can play a unit from your *Deathknell* ability to the battlefield, provided the ability resolves before the battlefield is officially conquered.
Does Mirror Image copy Gear?
No, **Mirror Image** does not copy Gear. According to the official rules on copy effects (Patch Notes - 2026-03-30) and confirmed by multiple RiftJudge FAQs (e.g., #10239, #11044), copy effects only copy the **"copyable traits"** of a game object, which are its printed characteristics (such as Might) and its Rules Text.
Does Tide Turner have to choose targets to get put on the chain?
Yes, Tide Turner must choose a target to put its "When you play me" ability on the chain. According to FAQ 6775 and FAQ 7573, you must choose targets during the activation of the ability (when the trigger is placed on the chain) before opponents can react. If you choose to use the "you may" ability, the target must be...
If Bellow Breath targets a unit at a location and the unit changes location, what happens to the unit?
When **Bellows Breath** targets a unit and that unit changes its location before the spell resolves, the unit is still tracked by the spell and will be dealt damage, provided it remains a legal target.
Can I react with guards hidden at a battlefield after Downwell resolves?
The answer to your question depends on whether any other triggered abilities were generated by **Downwell**'s resolution. Based on the rules and **RiftJudge FAQ #10642**, here is the breakdown of your situation:
When I kill Overzealous Fan, would I need to pay a deflect cost for the enemy unit?
Yes, you must pay the **Deflect** cost if you choose to target an enemy unit that has the **Deflect** keyword with *Overzealous Fan's* ability.
I attack an Abandoned Hall battlefield with my sole Irelia Fervent. I play En Garde and choose her to get +2 might. Since En Garde chooses her, she gets an additional +1 might. Now that I've played a spell, Abandoned Hall allows me to give a unit an additional +1 might, and I choose Irelia for it. Does this mean that I can give her an additional +1 might for choosing her with Abandoned Hall's ability? If I calculate right, she gets +5 might in total.
To determine Irelia, Fervent's total Might, we must break down the sequence of events step-by-step. ### The Sequence 1. **Attack:** You attack the *Abandoned Hall* battlefield with Irelia. 2. **Play *En Garde*:** You play *En Garde* (an [ACTION] or [REACTION]) and target Irelia. * **Trigger:** Choosing Irelia with *En Garde* triggers her ability ("When you choose... me, give me +1...
If my opponent gusts a Sprite and I have Viktor Leader out, does it spawn a Recruit token at base?
No, Viktor, Leader will not spawn a recruit token at your base if a Sprite is returned to your hand by Gust.
If I use Irresistable Faefolk to target and move a unit, can I react to my own Faefolk action before it resolves?
Yes, you can play a [Reaction] to the chain after you have placed the triggered ability of **Irresistible Faefolk** onto it, but before that ability resolves.
Does Abandon Hall count as a choose trigger?
Yes, the ability on **Abandoned Hall** involves "choosing" a unit, and this selection qualifies as a "choose" event for the purpose of triggering other abilities.
If I create a token of Ekko Recurrent with Leblanc, does the Dethknell trigger if the token dies?
Yes, the **Deathknell** ability on a **Reflection** token that has become a copy of **Ekko, Recurrent** will trigger upon the token's death, though it will ultimately fail to resolve its effect.
What does taking damage for a unit in Riftbound mean?
In Riftbound, "taking damage" refers to the process of marking a specific value of damage on a unit. Based on the official rules and FAQs, here is the breakdown of what this means:
If a Stellacorn enters a battlefield that has no enemy presence, a showdown begins. Opponent uses a Wages into the Stellacorn. Stellacorn gets en garde to survive. Showdown ends, does it heal, or because there was no combat does it not heal?
To determine if your unit heals in this scenario, we must look at how Showdowns and combat resolution function. ### The Short Answer **No, your Stellacorn will not heal.**
If my opponent plays Deadly Flourish and I react with Hidden Blade having the same target, does he get the gold token?
### Ruling: Your opponent does not get the Gold gear token To determine if your opponent gets the Gold gear token, we must follow the **Showdown Timing Flowchart** and the mechanics of resolution provided in the **Core Rules**.
Ok, I attack a battlefield with Azir, Sovereign. When he attacks, I put his trigger on the stack with the intention to move my tokens from the other battlefield to this one. My opponent reacts with Star Crossed targeting my Azir. Do the tokens stay where they are?
Yes, the tokens stay where they are. Here is the step-by-step breakdown of how this interaction resolves based on the rules for [Reaction] timing and the targeting logic of Azir, Sovereign:
Can you play Beast Below with no friendly units?
Yes, you can play **Beast Below** even if you do not control any other friendly units. According to the RiftJudge FAQ (#466, #9370, #9889):
If I void assault a unit to a battlefield but they react on that battlefield to the void assault with an Emperor's Divide, what happens?
When you play **Void Assault** and your opponent reacts with **Emperor's Divide**, the sequence of events depends on the specific targeting of each card and the nature of the instructions.
Does Lotus Trap have to be used before a damage spell for its effect to apply, or can you use it after a damage spell to double its damage?
You can use **Lotus Trap** after a damage spell has been played and is already on the chain. Because **Lotus Trap** is a [Reaction] spell that creates a replacement effect, it does not need to be played before the damage spell; it only needs to resolve before the damage spell executes its "Deal" instruction.
Can I react to Bewitching Spirit discard?
No, you cannot react to the discard effect of **Bewitching Spirit** specifically. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10064**, here is why:
If I sacrifice my Riftherald and don't have hand cards after sacrifice, what resolves first: sacrifice effect or Riftherald play effect?
### Resolution Order: Rift Herald and Sacrifice When playing *Sacrifice*, its additional cost requires you to kill a friendly [Mighty] unit. If you choose *Rift Herald*, its *Deathknell* ability triggers. Because triggered abilities are placed on the chain immediately after the cost that triggered them is paid, the *Deathknell* effect is placed on the chain *after* the *Sacrifice* spell has...
If I move my Irresistable Faefolk to a battlefield with a Scuttle Crab and target a second Scuttle Crab in base, then react to the Faefolk trigger with an Ambushed Kha'Zix, does he get the +2 trigger?
Yes, your **Kha’Zix, Mutating Horror** will trigger and receive the +2 Might bonus and gain 2 XP. ### Reasoning According to **RiftJudge FAQs #10198, #10735, and #10934**, the condition "if an enemy unit is alone here" for Kha’Zix’s triggered ability is evaluated at the exact moment he gains the "Attacker" or "Defender" combat designation.
Can you play Rengar, Trophy Hunter to an occupied enemy battlefield with the trigger of Dazzling Aurora?
Yes, if *Dazzling Aurora's* end-of-turn triggered ability plays *Rengar, Trophy Hunter*, you can play him to an enemy-occupied battlefield. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #11132**, which provides the official ruling on this interaction:
If it's my focus, I play an action spell. It resolves, is it still my focus or does it automatically pass?
After your action spell resolves, **your focus automatically passes to your opponent.** According to **Rule 346** and the associated FAQ, once the last item on a non-initial chain resolves and the game returns to an Open State, focus automatically passes to the next player.
When a spell played via Fizz, Trickster's ability is countered by Abandon, does the spell go to the hand or get recycled?
Ruling: The spell is recycled. Both Fizz's recycle effect and Abandon's return-to-hand effect are replacement effects that modify what happens when the spell leaves the chain. Regardless of which order the spell's owner applies them, the spell ends up recycled.
If I Defiant Dance a 1 unit Might, does it die or does it need to take damage first?
No, the unit will **not** die just from being targeted by *Defiant Dance*. It needs to take at least 1 damage first to be killed.
If I move onto a battlefield as an attacker, can I then play Janna?
Yes, you can play **Janna, Savior** in this situation, provided you follow the placement restriction for units. According to the **RiftJudge FAQ #10964**, you can play **Janna, Savior** in a showdown while you are the attacker, as long as you play her to a battlefield you control.
If I kill Scuttle Crab with Nidalee, do I draw first or do I show my hand first?
According to the RiftJudge FAQ #10347, **Scuttle Crab's *Deathknell* ability resolves completely before Nidalee, Cat Form's draw ability triggers.** You do **not** draw first; the opponent will be forced to reveal their hand for the *Deathknell* before the game acknowledges that Nidalee has won the combat and triggers her draw ability.
If I banish a unit with gear would the gear pop off?
Yes, when you banish a unit with attached gear, the gear will "pop off" (detach). According to **Rule 435.1** and the consistent rulings across **RiftJudge FAQ #2960**, **#8698**, and **#8440**, when a unit moves from a board zone (like a battlefield) to a non-board zone (like the Banishment zone), any attached gear must detach.
Does Kha'Zix still get +2 if it initially attacks a lone defender but the opponent reacts with a unit to the trigger?
Yes, **Kha’Zix, Mutating Horror will still receive the +2 Might bonus and gain 2 XP.** According to the established game rules and several RiftJudge FAQs (including #10198, #10465, and #10735), the condition for Kha'Zix’s triggered ability ("if an enemy unit is alone here") is evaluated at the exact moment he enters the battlefield and gains the "Attacker" or "Defender" combat...
If my opponent counters Deathgrip, do I still have to kill a friendly unit?
No, you do not have to kill a friendly unit if **Deathgrip** is countered. According to **Rule 425.1.a.**, a card that is countered is cleared from the chain and does nothing. Since killing a friendly unit is part of the effect (the instructions) of the spell rather than a cost, a countered **Deathgrip** is negated entirely and its instructions are...
If I have Undercover Agent and Jinx Rebel at a battlefield then damage is assigned with 5 damage to each, would Undercover Agent's deathknell ability give Jinx +1 might to live?
No, Jinx, Rebel will not survive in this scenario. Here is the step-by-step breakdown of how the combat damage and the Deathknell ability resolve:
If I gust a unit that was star crossed, does star crossed still resolve?
Yes, **Star-Crossed** will still resolve. When you use **Gust** to return a unit targeted by **Star-Crossed** to its owner's hand, that unit leaves the battlefield and enters a non-board zone. This makes the target "illegal" for the *Star-Crossed* spell because it is no longer the same game object as the one originally targeted (Rule 359.3.e.2, Rule 359.3.e.4).
If I am attacking a battlefield with a 6 might vs a 6 might and pass focus, they end the showdown, can I play a reaction?
No, you cannot play a reaction after both players have passed focus in a showdown. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #7747** and **Rule 348.1**, once both players pass focus in succession, the showdown ends. If it is a combat showdown, the game proceeds directly to the combat damage step, where no player has priority to play spells or activate abilities.
I am defending a battlefield with Fiora, Peerless. My opponent attacks it with a 1 unit. If I react with an ambush unit, does my Fiora's might get doubled? What if instead I use Disciple on my Fiora, is it at 8 might or 10 might? Also, what's its interaction with Master Yi, Wuju Bladesman?
When defending with **Fiora, Peerless**, her might-doubling ability is a **triggered ability** that checks its condition—being "one-on-one"—**only at the moment she is designated as the defender** and the trigger is placed on the initial chain.
I use Disciple on my Irelia Irelia, Fervent, which my opponent reacts with Defy. Do I still get the +1 Might for choosing my Irelia with Disciple?
Yes, you **do** still get the +1 Might for Irelia, Fervent. According to the rules of *Riftbound* and the associated community FAQs (e.g., FAQ #8823, FAQ #5762), the sequence of events works as follows:
Can I react to my Lonely Poro deathknell trigger with Vilemaw?
Yes, you can react to your *Lonely Poro*'s *Deathknell* trigger by playing *Vilemaw*. ### Why this works: 1. **Chain State:** When *Lonely Poro* dies, its *Deathknell* trigger is added to the chain. This puts the game into a "Closed" state, which allows players to play [Reaction] cards (or units with [Ambush], as *Vilemaw* has). 2. **LIFO Resolution:** The chain resolves...
Can I react to the Deathknell trigger of Unsung Hero to reduce its Might in order to prevent the card draw?
No, you cannot prevent the card draw by reducing *Unsung Hero*'s Might in response to its *Deathknell* trigger. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #4157** and **Rule 808.1.d.3**, the *Mighty* condition is checked when the *Deathknell* resolves, but it uses the attributes and details **noted at the moment of death**.
I am defending a battlefield alone with Fiora, Peerless. My opponent attacks it with a 1 unit. My legend is Master Yi, Wuju Bladesman. On the when I defend trigger, I use Disciple on my Fiora. I let it resolve then in the showdown I play an ambush unit to the same battlefield. What is the might of my Fiora?
To determine the final Might of your *Fiora, Peerless*, we must follow the layering rules for static bonuses and the resolution order of triggered abilities and spells during a combat showdown.
If you have Vex Cheerless which reduces cost of your own spells by 1 power and 1 energy, and you use a spell which costs 3 energy, but target a unit with Deflect, do you just pay 2 energy and avoid the cost of choosing the unit?
To answer your question, we must look at how costs are finalized and how Vex, Cheerless interacts with mandatory costs like **Deflect**.
Does Fizz target the spell to replay?
Yes, **Fizz, Trickster** targets the spell in your trash that you choose to play. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #6132** and **FAQ #10020**, you must target the specific spell in your trash at the moment you add Fizz's "When you play me" (WYPM) triggered ability to the chain.
Can you react to a unit being played?
No, you cannot react to a unit being played. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #2971** and **Rule 359.3**, playing a unit does open a chain, but it resolves immediately and no player gains priority, which means there is no reaction window for the act of playing the unit itself.
If I have Fiora Victorious in my base equipped with a Bf Sword, then someone uses Falling Star. It resolves dealing 6 damage to my 7 might. If this resolves and then the other person uses an action spell that reduces Fiora's might by 1, does Fiora die?
Yes, Fiora, Victorious will die in this scenario. Here is the breakdown of why this happens based on the rules for damage, Might, and the "Mighty" keyword.
Can I change my Chosen Champion during sideboarding?
Yes, you can change your Chosen Champion during the sideboarding process. According to **Tournament Rules Rule 403.4.a**: "During that time [sideboarding], a player may change their Chosen Champion to one from their sideboard or Main Deck that meets the deckbuilding rules of the competition format."
Can I react to Fiora Peerless when I attack or defend trigger with Ambush so it doesn't gain Might for one on one?
No, reacting with a unit that has **Ambush** will not prevent *Fiora, Peerless* from gaining the Might bonus. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #11168** and **#1231**, *Fiora, Peerless*'s "When I attack or defend" ability checks the "one-on-one" condition **only at the exact moment she is designated as the attacker or defender.**