Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 119 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
Does Fiora, Peerless's ability trigger if combat becomes 1v1 after she's already been designated as attacker/defender, or does it have to be 1v1 at the moment of designation? Can the bonus be removed if more units are added later?
Ruling: Fiora's "When I Attack/Defend" ability only triggers if she is in a 1v1 situation at the exact moment she is designated as attacker or defender. Once triggered and resolved, the bonus cannot be removed.
When Yasuo, Remorseful attacks a battlefield defended by Ahri, Nine-Tailed Fox with a 4 might unit, what is the correct order for the initial chain, and can Discipline be played during initial chain formation?
Ruling: Yes, Discipline can be played during initial chain formation. The attacker adds their triggers first, then the defender adds their triggers, and then the defender has priority to react to their own trigger before the attacker can react.
Can you activate Flight or Fight while your units are in Vilemaw's Lair (even though they cannot move)?
Ruling: Yes, you can activate Flight or Fight while your units are in Vilemaw's Lair. Since having units in your base is not an illegal game state, the activation is valid even though the units cannot actually move.
If Kai'sa dies from combat damage during a conquest but another unit survives and conquers the location, does Kai'sa's draw ability still trigger?
Ruling: No, Kai'sa's ability does not trigger if she dies before the location is conquered. Sequence: - Combat damage is dealt - Kai'sa dies from combat damage - Conquest occurs (a couple steps after damage is dealt) - Kai'sa must be present when conquest actually occurs to trigger her ability
If Singularity targets two units and one is Retreated before Singularity resolves, can the Singularity player retarget another unit?
Ruling: No, targets cannot be retargeted once chosen. When Singularity is played onto the chain, its two targets are locked and cannot be changed. If one target is Retreated by the time Singularity resolves, the other target still takes damage but no retargeting occurs.
After Yasuo's attack trigger kills the defending unit during a showdown, does focus pass to the opponent before scoring?
Ruling: Yes, focus passes to your opponent after Yasuo's attack trigger resolves and kills the defending unit, giving them an opportunity to use actions before you score the point.
Can players add reactions to the Initial Chain in between triggered abilities, or does the Initial Chain only contain triggered abilities?
Ruling: The Initial Chain only contains triggered abilities that are added in the specified order (attacker with focus, other players in turn order, then defender). However, once the Initial Chain is fully populated, it functions like any normal chain - the attacking player gets priority and all players can play reactions in turn order before anything resolves.
Does Karma's ability trigger when the owner of Karma plays Sabotage and chooses a card for the opponent to recycle?
Ruling: No, Karma's ability does not trigger when you play Sabotage. The opponent is the one actually recycling the card due to Sabotage's effect, so you do not get the trigger from Karma.
Does Fiora Legend trigger when Sett enters play as a 4 Might unit that becomes Mighty through his buff, and does she trigger again when Sett uses his activated ability (spending the buff to become 4 Might, then gaining +4 Might to become 8 Might)?
Ruling: Yes to both situations. Fiora Legend triggers when Sett enters play as a 4 Might unit before his When You Play Me buff resolves, and she triggers again when Sett uses his activated ability.
When Baited Hook sacrifices a unit with Deathknell and finds Karthus, in what order do effects resolve and does Karthus double the Deathknell trigger?
Ruling: The Deathknell trigger only happens once because Karthus enters the board after the Deathknell trigger has already been created. Karthus needs to be on the board when the trigger happens (not when it resolves) to double it.
Does Darius Trifarian ready himself when he's the second card played in a turn?
Ruling: Yes, Darius Trifarian readies himself when played as the second card in a turn. Sequence: - A card is considered "played" when it fully resolves - Darius enters the board as part of his resolution - Darius is already on the board when his "after you play a second card" ability checks - His ability triggers and readies himself
When can equipment be equipped to a unit, does it enter exhausted, and what happens when the equipped unit dies?
Ruling: Equipment (Gear) enters play readied and can be equipped immediately if you have the resources. When a unit wearing gear dies, the gear stays at the base and can be re-equipped following normal timing restrictions.
If Challenge is the second card played on a turn, does Darius's trigger to gain might occur before Challenge deals damage?
Ruling: No, Darius's trigger goes on the chain after Challenge resolves, meaning the damage is dealt before Darius gains might.
Can you counter Challenge with Unyielding Spirit?
Ruling: No, Unyielding Spirit does not stop damage from Challenge. Nuances: - Unyielding Spirit does stop damage from units like Void Seeker, Stormbringer, or Yasuo, Remorseless - Unyielding Spirit does not stop damage from Challenge, Last Breath, or Carnivorous Snapvine - The "they deal damage to each other" wording in Challenge does not count as spell damage that Unyielding Spirit...
Can you cast Flash on units that are already in base, and will it trigger abilities like Travelling Merchant?
Ruling: You can cast Flash targeting units already in base since it says "up to 2 friendly units," but the units won't move since they're already at the destination.
Can I play multiple reactions in a row (holding priority) before passing to my opponent, and how does the resolution work?
Ruling: Yes, you can hold priority to play multiple reactions in a row before passing priority to your opponent. Each spell will then resolve one by one, with both players passing priority between each resolution.
When does damage-based cleanup (a unit with more damage than its might) happen during chain resolution?
Ruling: Damage-based cleanup happens any time an item leaves the chain, not after the entire chain resolves. Nuances: - Cleanup actually happens even more often than just when items leave the chain, but for chains that's the most relevant timing
When a showdown happens between an attacker and a stunned defender, and neither unit dies but the defender has more might, who gains control of the battlefield?
Ruling: When neither unit dies in a showdown, the attacking unit is recalled back to base, so the defender retains control of the battlefield.
Can Defy counter unit card effects?
Ruling: Defy cannot counter unit card effects because those aren't spells. There is no ability counter in the game at this time.
In a 2v2 game, if I conquer a battlefield and the other two battlefields are held (one by opponent, one by teammate), can I win for my team using Time Warp to hold to the winning point even though our opponent is holding one of the battlefields?
Ruling: Yes, you can win for your team using Time Warp. Victory Points have nothing to do with battlefield control, and Victory Point has no restrictions if it is a Hold.
When Falling Comet targets Jinx at one battlefield, but Jinx is moved to a different battlefield by Ride the Wind before Falling Comet resolves, what happens?
Ruling: Falling Comet still deals 6 damage to Jinx even though she moved to a different battlefield. The spell was already targeting Jinx when cast, and as long as Jinx remains at a battlefield (any battlefield), the spell resolves normally.
Does Dragon's Rage require you to move an enemy unit in order to deal damage?
Ruling: Yes, you must move an enemy unit to deal damage. The movement must occur first, and then if there is another enemy unit at the destination location, damage is dealt to each other.
Can you recycle tokens (e.g., with Red Rumble's ability)?
Ruling: Yes, you can recycle tokens. The token attempts to move to the deck but ceases to exist after entering that zone, just like when tokens move to any other non-board zone. The recycle action is still considered to have occurred even though the token disappears.
If a card says 'discard 2, then draw 2' but you have no cards in hand, do you still draw 2 cards?
Ruling: Yes, you draw 2 cards. Riftbound uses "Do as much as you can" (DAMAYC) as a silver rule, meaning you follow all instructions you can perform and only ignore what you cannot do.
Can Lonely Poro's 'alone' condition trigger while it is in base, or does it only trigger on the battlefield?
Ruling: Lonely Poro's 'alone' condition can trigger while it is in base. Nuances: - The 'alone' condition is not restricted to the battlefield only
When casting Charm, do you need to declare the target unit's destination before resolution, and what are the legal destinations?
Ruling: When you put Charm on the chain, you must declare both the target enemy unit and its legal end destination.
Can you exhaust runes to float energy while resolving Stacked Deck to pay for Nocturnes found during the resolution?
Ruling: You cannot exhaust runes during Stacked Deck resolution itself. However, you can exhaust runes when paying for Nocturnes after Stacked Deck finishes resolving, since Nocturne gets banished as pending during Stacked Deck and costs are paid when it finalizes.
If Harnessed Dragon targets a unit at battlefield A, and the opponent uses Tide Turner to swap to battlefield B, does Harnessed Dragon kill Tide Turner or the originally targeted unit?
Ruling: Harnessed Dragon kills the originally targeted enemy unit, even if Tide Turner swaps the battlefields after the target is declared.
Does Dangerous Duo target itself with its "When Played, Mighty" (WYPM) effect to become Mighty when played, thereby triggering Volibear's Relentless Storm ability?
Ruling: No, Dangerous Duo is not Mighty when played and does not trigger Volibear's Relentless Storm. The unit must fully resolve before its "When Played" trigger goes on the chain, so at the time Volibear checks for Mighty units being played, Dangerous Duo is not yet Mighty.
If I move my Blazing Scorcher to a battlefield my opponent controls, and they use Retreat to return their only unit back to their hand, will they still control the battlefield for Ahri's legend ability effect, or will my unit remain 5 might instead of becoming 4?
Ruling: The opponent will control the battlefield until the showdown ends (when both players pass focus in sequence), so your 5 might unit will become 4 might. Additionally, Ahri's legend ability is a triggered ability that gives your unit -1 might the moment you gain the attacker designation and the ability on the chain resolves.
Does Pack of Wonders allow you to repeatedly play cards like Bloom Predator (as Heat Seeker) and Mind Splitter from the discard pile every turn?
Ruling: Yes, Pack of Wonders allows you to play cards from your discard pile by treating them as different cards (e.g., Bloom Predator as Heat Seeker, Mind Splitter causing discard). You must still pay the cost to play them.
When playing Teemo (Scout) from Hidden with Ember Monk on the battlefield, can you order the triggers so that Convergent Mutation copies Ember Monk's +2 Might before Teemo gets his own +3 Might, resulting in a 9 Might Teemo?
Ruling: Yes, you can achieve a 9 Might Teemo by choosing the order of simultaneous triggers and using Convergent Mutation between their resolutions.
Does equipment attached to a unit that dies go to the trash or return to your base?
Ruling: Equipment attached to a unit that dies returns to your base, not to the trash. Nuances: - Equipment cannot exist on the battlefield by itself - This is supported by card text like Draven's Axes, which specifically states it dies when the unit dies (implying this is an exception to the normal rule) - A unit can have multiple...
Does Yasuo's 'When I Attack' ability trigger when he enters combat via Ride the Wind after normal attack triggers?
Ruling: Yes, Yasuo's 'When I Attack' ability will trigger when he enters an ongoing combat via Ride the Wind. His triggered ability will go on the same chain as the effect that moved him (the ability will be pending on the chain as the move effect resolves).
Can Soraka save units at base if she's also at base?
Ruling: Yes, Soraka can save units at base if she is also at base. Base is a location and units at Soraka's location are considered "here" for her ability.
If a unit conquers battlefield A, returns to base, then moves to and conquers battlefield B in the same turn, do you score points for both battlefields?
Ruling: Yes, you score points for both battlefields. The game does not care how you conquer a battlefield as long as you haven't already scored that specific battlefield during the current turn.
Can I respond to Aurora's end phase trigger with reactions?
Ruling: Yes, you can respond to Aurora's trigger in the end phase with reactions. However, you cannot respond after it resolves its ability.
When Smokescreen is played on a unit that is on Trifarian War Camp (which gives +1 might), does the battlefield bonus get reduced separately or does Smokescreen reduce the total might including the battlefield bonus?
Ruling: Smokescreen reduces the total might of the unit including any battlefield bonuses. The battlefield effect is not calculated separately - all positive modifiers are calculated first, then negative modifiers are applied to that total.
When an item on the chain resolves, can players play reactions before the next item resolves, and who gets priority?
Ruling: When an item on the chain resolves, priority is given to the controller of the next item on the chain (if the chain isn't empty). This allows players to play reactions between chain resolutions.
When a 1 Might token recruit attacks into a battlefield with Trifarian War Camp (+1 to all units) defended by Ahri (Legend gives -1 to units when defending, minimum 1), what is the final Might value during combat?
Ruling: The recruit will have 1 Might during combat. Trifarian War Camp's passive +1 applies immediately when the unit moves to the battlefield (making it 2 Might), then Ahri's triggered ability resolves when the unit receives the Attacker designation, reducing it to 1 Might.
Does Gust take effect before Assault (e.g., when Vayne attacks)?
Ruling: No, Gust does not take effect before Assault. Assault is a passive ability that turns on immediately when a unit is designated as an attacker, which happens during cleanup after a move ends, before there are any opportunities to cast spells like Gust.
When attacking, if a unit is in a battlefield and Yasuo enters, can Retreat be used to avoid the damage from Yasuo's ability?
Ruling: Yes, you can play Retreat as a Reaction to Yasuo's ability on the Chain to avoid the damage. Sequence: - Yasuo enters the battlefield and his ability triggers - The ability goes on the Chain - You can play Retreat as a Reaction - Your unit leaves the battlefield - Yasuo's ability misses because the targeted unit is no...
Can Ride the Wind move a unit from battlefield to battlefield?
Ruling: Yes, you can move a unit from battlefield to battlefield with Ride the Wind. Only the Standard Move has restrictions on battlefield-to-battlefield movement. Card effects are only restricted by what is printed on them.
When Warwick has Recurve Bow attached, do their attack triggers resolve in a specific order, or can the controller choose the order?
Ruling: When multiple triggered abilities on the same card have the same trigger condition, they go on the chain at the same time and the controller can order them as they please.
Does damage dealt to a unit reduce its might, or does damage work separately from might?
Ruling: Damage marked on a unit does not reduce its might. A unit's might remains constant regardless of damage marked on it.
Does Mask of Foresight trigger go on the initial chain with when I attack/when I defend triggers, and what is the resolution order when attacking Ahri with 2x Mask of Foresight?
Ruling: Mask of Foresight is effectively a "when I attack" or "when I defend" trigger that goes on the initial chain at the same time as all other when attack/defend triggers. When attacking with a 2 Might unit and 2x Mask of Foresight against a 3 Might Ahri, the attacker ends up at 3 Might and trades with Ahri.
When do you pick a unit target for a spell like Gust - when you play it or when it resolves?
Ruling: You pick the unit when you place the spell on the chain, not when it resolves. Sequence: - Choose the target when placing the spell on the chain - Target legality is checked at that time (must be legal when chosen) - Target legality is checked again when the spell resolves to ensure the target is still legal
Does Ornn Forge God buff himself with gold gear tokens and with the gear he has equipped?
Ruling: Yes, Ornn Forge God buffs himself with gold gear tokens and equipped gear because gear tokens are still considered gear.
Can Ride the Wind move a unit from one battlefield to another battlefield (non-gank movement)?
Ruling: Yes, Ride the Wind can move a unit from battlefield A to battlefield B. Cards like Charm and Ride the Wind have no restrictions on unit movement between battlefields.
When two Dazzling Auroras are in play and the first triggers to play a Deadbloom Predator to an occupied battlefield, does the second Aurora trigger resolve before the showdown combat begins?
Ruling: The second Aurora trigger must resolve before combat can begin. All triggers on the chain must resolve during cleanup before a showdown combat can start.