Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 123 of 145 · 7,241 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
Opponent moves Vex Cheerless into my battlefield and I reveal Hidden Blade from Hidden. Do I need to pay an additional cost?
Yes, you must pay an additional cost to play **Hidden Blade** from your **Hidden** state when **Vex, Cheerless** is in combat at that battlefield.
Can I pay a gold to hide a card?
Yes, you can. The cost to hide a card is **[A]** (1 Power of any domain), and a Gold rune recycled for Power produces Gold Power, which qualifies (Rule 811.1.b; FAQ #4052). You recycle the rune (or tap another Power source) just like you would to pay any other Power cost — the domain doesn't matter for hiding.
I'm defending alone as a Fiora Peerless, someone moves in and ambushes with Kha'Zix. Would Fiora get her 1v1 passive?
Yes, Fiora gets her doubled Might. Her "one-on-one" condition is checked **only at the moment she's designated as the defender** — not when the trigger resolves. Since you were defending alone when the opponent moved in, the condition was met and the trigger goes on the chain. Playing Kha'Zix via Ambush as a Reaction happens after the trigger is already...
Does Safety Inspector kill himself if no other minions on board?
Yes, **Safety Inspector** can kill himself if he is the only unit you control. According to the **RiftJudge FAQ (ID 11053)**, when you play Safety Inspector, his "When you play me" ability is placed on the chain. If you did not pay the optional 3 XP additional cost, you must resolve the ability as written: "each player must kill one...
Does Challenge initiate combat?
No, playing **Challenge** does not initiate combat. According to the Riftbound rules and official FAQs: * **Challenge** is a spell that causes units to deal damage to each other equal to their might. It is a non-combat interaction (RiftJudge FAQ #5136). * Combat is a specific, structured phase that occurs when units controlled by opposing players are present at the...
Do Deathknell effects resolve before combat cleanup?
No, **Deathknell effects do not resolve before combat cleanup.** In fact, Deathknell abilities **trigger** during the combat cleanup process, but their actual **resolution** occurs only after the combat cleanup (including healing) is fully completed.
If Vi attacks a bf with an Overzealous Fan, does the Overzealous Fan ability resolve first so that Vi's ability then fizzles because she is no longer at battlefield?
**Yes — Overzealous Fan's ability resolves first, and Vi's ability will fizzle.** Here's the full sequence:
If the opponent plays Hidden Blade on my Hwei at a battlefield, and I Star Cross my own Hwei, will I still get to draw 2 cards?
**No, you do not draw 2 cards.** Star-Crossed resolves first (LIFO), returning Hwei to your hand. When Hidden Blade then tries to resolve, Hwei is no longer a unit at a battlefield — it's an illegal target. Hidden Blade cannot determine "its controller" from an illegal target, so the draw effect fails (Rule 359.3.e.12). This matches the direct ruling in...
If I play Stacked Deck as my first card for the turn, then play Darius Trifarian as my 2nd card for the turn and then play a Rebuke for my 3rd card for the turn, does Darius Trifarian activate?
Yes, **Darius, Trifarian will activate.** Here's the sequence:
If I have a unit at Abandon Hall. I play Challenge on my unit and the opponent unit. Does Abandon Hall give +1 might before or after Challenge?
According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10497** and **RiftJudge FAQ #10217**, Abandoned Hall will give your unit +1 Might **after** *Challenge* has finished resolving, not before.
If I Hidden Blade an enemy minion but there's a hidden Zhonyas so it's activated does the enemy still draw 2?
Yes, the controller of the targeted unit will still draw 2 cards. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10456** and **RiftJudge FAQ #5700**, when **Hidden Blade** resolves, it checks if its target is still a legal target on the battlefield. Because **Zhonya's Hourglass** acts as a replacement effect that intercedes during the resolution of the spell (replacing the "kill" event with "heal,...
If I attack a battlefield and the enemy drops a Rengar as surprise defender and I stun it, does it still get the bf conquer if I don't kill it?
**Yes, the opponent still gets the conquer.** Here's why: When you attack an empty battlefield, you become the Attacker. Your opponent drops Rengar as a surprise defender. You stun Rengar but don't kill it.
If I have Doran's Shield equipped to a unit and my opponent uses Turn to Dust, will my Doran's Shield be killed during the beginning phase due to temporary?
Yes, your Doran’s Shield will be killed during your Beginning Phase. According to **Rules FAQ Clarification 2026-04-29** (and supported by **RiftJudge FAQ #10676**), while an attached gear's *printed* rules text (like its *Tank* ability) becomes inactive, any *granted* keywords remain active. Because *Temporary* was granted to your Doran's Shield by the spell *Turn to Dust*, that ability remains active even...
What happens to Fiora Peerless bonus Might if my enemy ambushes in a unit?
**Yes, Fiora's Might still doubles.** Fiora, Peerless's ability checks the "one-on-one" condition **only at the exact moment she is designated as the attacker or defender** — not when the trigger resolves. When the opponent plays an Ambush unit as a Reaction, the trigger is already on the chain. Since her ability uses "when" (a triggered ability) rather than "while" (a...
Does equipping a gear go on the chain?
Yes, equipping a gear card uses the chain. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10734** and **Rule 818.1**, **Equip** is an activated ability. When you activate an equip ability, it is placed on the chain, which provides players an opportunity to respond with [REACTION] cards before it resolves.
Can I trigger Zhonya's if a unit dies at another battlefield?
**Yes.** Zhonya's Hourglass saves a friendly unit regardless of which battlefield it dies at. Zhonya's says "If a friendly unit **would die**" — no battlefield restriction. Since it's a replacement effect (not a play ability that targets), it applies to any friendly unit anywhere on the board, whether the unit is at your base, at a different battlefield, or even...
In reaction to Overzealous Fan dying, can I ambush with Kha'Zix and get the +2 for defending alone?
Yes, you can ambush with *Kha'Zix, Mutating Horror* in reaction to *Overzealous Fan's* ability, and he will successfully receive the +2 Might bonus and 2 XP.
If Temporary Leblanc dies and I have no cards in hand, can I use Leblanc legend ability?
**No.** The Deceiver legend ability only triggers on **Conquer or Hold** — a unit dying, even a Temporary LeBlanc copy, does not satisfy that trigger condition.
Does the energy and power resources created by Jhin Murderous Artist when moving disappear at the end of a turn?
Yes, the energy and power resources created by **Jhin, Murderous Artist** disappear at the end of your turn. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #4791** and **Core Rule 166**:
Can Charm move something from Vilemaw's Lair?
Yes, you can target a unit in **Vilemaw's Lair** with **Charm**, but the effect depends on where you are trying to move it:
What resolves first, Guardian Angel or Zhonyas?
**You, the unit's controller, choose which one applies first.** Both Guardian Angel and Zhonya's Hourglass are replacement effects that trigger on the same event (the unit would die). Per Rule 372, when multiple replacement effects apply to the same event, the owner of the affected object decides the order.
If I Bone Skewer a Ruin Runner does it come in stunned?
Yes, **Bone Skewer** can stun a **Ruin Runner** even though the Ruin Runner has the ability "I can't be chosen by enemy spells and abilities."
If you get Switcheroo and have Guardian Angel, when you recall do you go back to normal might or stay at the swapped amount but -1 with the loss of GA?
You stay at the swapped amount, minus the 1 Might from losing Guardian Angel. Here's why. **Switcheroo** calculates the difference between both units' **current** Might (including all gear bonuses) and applies a fixed +/- modifier for the turn (FAQ #9335). When **Guardian Angel** triggers, it's killed as part of its replacement effect, so its +1 Might bonus drops off. But...
Can you react to triggers during the beginning phase? For example, can a hidden Teemo at a battlefield react to the death of a Sprite Token in order to not be discarded?
Yes, you can react to triggered abilities during the Beginning Phase, and you can absolutely use a hidden Teemo to save yourself from discarding.
Does Gutter Palace go on the chain? And if so, can you react to it to summon units during the beginning phase?
Yes, Gutter Palace's "At the start of your Beginning Phase" ability is placed on the chain, and you can react to it.
Can I use Ahri Inquisitives ability more than once in the same turn if there are multiple showdowns?
Yes, you can use Ahri, Inquisitive’s "When I attack or defend" ability once per showdown. According to **Rule 383.4.f.2.a** and **Rule 383.4.e.2.a**, "When I attack" and "When I defend" triggered abilities are limited to triggering once per combat. Because per FAQ #6149, you can initiate multiple showdowns at the same battlefield in the same turn, and each showdown constitutes a...
If a Recruit token is banished with zero drive, would the zero drive Deathknell re-play it?
No. A Recruit token banished by Zero Drive's Deathknell cannot be replayed later. When the token enters the banishment zone, it ceases to exist immediately — tokens cannot exist in any non-board zone (Rule 183.1). By the time you activate Zero Drive's unattached ability to play units banished with it, the token is gone and can't be found or played.
Can I play Blitzcrank Impassive to an open battlefield?
**No — normally you cannot.** An "open" battlefield is uncontrolled and unoccupied (Rule 169.10.c), and you can only play units to your Base or a Battlefield you **Control**. An open battlefield isn't controlled by anyone, so it's not a valid location to play Blitzcrank to directly.
Can you Unyielding Spirit a challenge, or is it not spell nor ability damage?
Unyielding Spirit cannot prevent damage from a Challenge. According to multiple RiftJudge FAQs (e.g., FAQ 8394, 4635, 2890), Unyielding Spirit only prevents damage dealt by spells or abilities. Challenge does not deal damage itself; rather, it causes the participating units to deal damage to each other. Because the units themselves are the source of the damage, rather than the spell...
If someone uses Bullet Time, do they have to recycle Run before I can react?
**No.** Your opponent gets to react *before* you recycle any runes. Here's the sequence for Bullet Time:
If the trigger of frozen fortress is not announced by either players at the beginning phase, will the damage later be applied to the units?
No, if the *Frozen Fortress* trigger is not announced and acknowledged by the accountable player, the damage will not be applied to the units.
If I react to an ability "When you play me" by playing Rengar on the other side, beginning a showdown, does the "When you play me" ability of my opponent resolve before showdown begins or does the chain wait for the showdown to end?
**The "When you play me" resolves first, during the current Chain. The Showdown happens afterward.** Here's why:
If you do not control the Abandoned Hall, nor have any units present, and you activate "Ride the Wind" to move a unit to the Abandoned Hall, are you still allowed to trigger the Abandoned Hall to gain +1 might as a spell was played?
Yes, you are allowed to trigger the **Abandoned Hall** ability to give your unit +1 [M] (Might) in this scenario.
Can you save a unit from dying using Zhonya's Hourglass from a different battlefield than the one the unit is dying on?
**Yes.** Zhonya's Hourglass can save a unit on a different battlefield than where it was hidden — the battlefields don't need to match.
If I'm in control of both battlefields with Ahri Alluring at 5 points, during my beginning phase when I score for holding, does the extra point from Ahri allow me to win the game?
Yes, you win the game. You start at 5 points and control both battlefields. During your Beginning Phase, holding the first battlefield scores 1 point (→6), then holding the second scores 1 point (→7). Ahri, Alluring's triggered ability — *"When I hold, you score 1 point"* — fires from whichever battlefield she's at and scores a 3rd point (→8), immediately...
If Bloodharbor Ripper returns his only unit at BF with the tap ability, and I react with Rengar Trophy Hunter to it, my Rengar gets played, then his unit gets returned, and then the open showdown starts? Or is it combat showdown, or does the showdown start with still his unit on the board?
To determine the exact outcome, we must follow the Chain (Last-In, First-Out) and the rules regarding Showdown types and combat staging.
Can you use Star Spring to bounce Determined Sentry back to base?
No, you cannot. Determined Sentry's static ability — **"I can't move to base"** — forbids that action, and Rule 054 (Can't beats Can) means restrictions always override permissions. Star Spring's effect trying to move it to base would simply be ignored as an impossible instruction.
Can opponent play a reaction spell Flash to me using my Viktor Legend ability?
**Yes, your opponent can play Flash in response to your Viktor Legend's activated ability.** Viktor (Herald of the Arcane) has an activated ability — "1 energy, exhaust: Play a 1 Might Recruit unit token." Activated abilities go on the chain, creating a Closed State where opponents can play Reaction spells (FAQ #4710, FAQ #6162). Flash has the Reaction keyword, so...
When I play Sacrifice and kill my own Ruined Rex as the additional cost, does the Deathknell ability resolve before or after Sacrifice's draw and channel effect?
Ruling: The Deathknell ability resolves before Sacrifice's effect. When you kill Ruined Rex as part of Sacrifice's additional cost, the Deathknell trigger becomes a pending chain item that finalizes after Sacrifice finalizes. Because the chain resolves in Last In, First Out (LIFO) order, the Deathknell (newest item) resolves first, dealing 4 damage, then Sacrifice resolves, drawing 2 cards and channeling...
If Sett with a buff gets targeted with Hidden Blade, can he use Sett legend to save him, recall him but still draw 2?
Yes, you can save the unit and still draw two cards. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #2372** and **FAQ #11031**, when you use **Hidden Blade** on a buffed unit and use Sett's (The Boss) legend ability to save it, the draw effect still occurs.
If I score to 8 on my opponent's turn with Thrill of the Hunt, do I win or do I need to conquer both on my opponent's turn?
To determine if you win the game, we must look at the rules for scoring and the conditions for the "Winning Point."
If I have equipment attached to a unit already, can I pay the power cost to unequip it from that unit and attach it to a new unit? Neither unit is a weaponmaster.
**No.** You cannot pay the Equip cost to reattach an equipment that's already attached to a unit — even to move it to another unit you control.
Is activating the list working towards Ezreal Prodigal Explorer draw mechanic?
No, activating **The List** does not count toward the activation requirement for your **Ezreal** legend ability. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #11001**:
Can Moonfall select a unit already at a battlefield where your unit is, or no since it's not moving it? Does it still -2 the units?
**No and yes.** You cannot select a unit already at the chosen battlefield for Moonfall's move effect. Moving is defined as a permanent changing from one board location to another (Rules 420.1, 440.1). A unit already at that battlefield has nowhere to "move to" — you can't move it to where it already stands. You may choose zero units to...
If I play "call to glory" to buff "unsung hero" can I chain sacrifice so the opponent can't stupefy? If the opponent is able to react with stupefy, can I react with sacrifice, so I'm able to draw anyway?
**Short answer:** No to both main scenarios — the timing of the Mighty check blocks both plays. But there's one narrow path that works if your opponent misplays.
If you get Charmed into a battlefield the enemy is defending, who gets priority first?
When your unit is moved by an opponent's effect (such as *Charm*) to a battlefield that opponent controls, you become the **attacker**, and you receive focus and priority first.
If I attack with a Lonely Poro and it dies in a 2 might to 2 might trade, can I react to the Poro Deathknell to play Nidalee to that battlefield before it dies? (if it was enemy controlled)
**No, you can't play Nidalee there.** Even though Deathknell triggers go on the chain (creating a window to play Reaction cards), Nidalee still follows the normal unit placement rules. Rule 813.3.a is explicit: units with Reaction can only be played to your Base or a **battlefield you control**. Your attacking Poro was at an enemy-controlled battlefield — you don't control...
If I cast Ride the Wind, and move a unit to Abandoned Hall, does the unit get +1?
**Yes.** When you cast **Ride the Wind** to move a unit to **Abandoned Hall**, that unit does get +1 [S] from Abandoned Hall's triggered ability.
If I move into a battlefield with a unit equipped with Eye of the Herald and my opponent reacts with Gust to the move, do I still spawn a recruit?
No, you will not spawn a Recruit token. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9629** and **FAQ #11340**, when a unit equipped with *Eye of the Herald* moves, its ability triggers and is placed on the chain. If you use *Gust* in response to that trigger to return the unit to your hand, the unit is no longer on the battlefield when...
Does Arachnoid Horror allow me to play ambush units as reaction speed to a battlefield where there are only enemy units there?
**No.** Arachnoid Horror's permission and Ambush's timing do not combine that way. Ambush (Rule 822.1.b) gives two things: permission to play to a battlefield where **you control units**, and **[Reaction]** timing **only** for that specific play location. The Reaction speed is conditional — it only applies when playing to a battlefield where you already have friendly units.