Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 126 of 145 · 7,246 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
Can I play Shadows Call without having a unit on the board and still draw 2 or must I have a unit on the board?
No, you cannot play **Shadow's Call** if you have no friendly units on the board. The card instructs you to "Choose a friendly unit without [Temporary]." That choice is a target (Rule 355.10), and you must have at least one legal target to put the spell on the Chain. The draw-2 only happens as part of the spell's effect —...
With Soraka, if you use Blade of the Ruined King to kill something with less might than her to equip it, does that unit get healed from Soraka?
**Yes — the unit gets healed, exhausted, and recalled to base by Soraka, and you still successfully equip Blade of the Ruined King.**
If I trigger Dazzling Aurora and draw Rengar Trophy Hunter and my opponent has a battlefield occupied, can I play him to their battlefield and choose who I deal damage to?
**Yes**, you can play Rengar, Trophy Hunter to an enemy-occupied battlefield off Dazzling Aurora's trigger — the FAQ directly confirms this (RiftJudge FAQ #11156). Rengar's unique permission ("I can Ambush to a battlefield where there are enemy units, even if you don't have units there") overrides the normal restriction that would otherwise prevent you from playing a unit to a...
If Void Assault starts 2 Showdowns, which one happens first?
**The turn player chooses which showdown to resolve first.** Here's the breakdown: Void Assault resolves as a single spell — first moving the friendly unit, then the enemy unit. Both battlefields become contested during the spell's resolution, but no showdown begins until the spell fully completes (FAQ #10632).
I move to uncontested Forbidding Waste with my irresistible Faefolk. I charm enemy Sonya into it. Who gets the -2?
**The -2 penalty applies to Sona.** She's the defender and she's defending alone. Here's the sequence:
If I give an equipment temporary, does it die?
It depends on *how* the equipment gained **Temporary**. - **If Temporary was printed on the equipment** (e.g., Spinning Axe): **No**, it does not die while attached. When equipment is attached, its printed rules text becomes Inactive (Rules 135.4, 718.2), so printed Temporary cannot trigger.
Can I float power/energy whenever I want? If I would like to deramp from 10 to 6 runes can I?
**Yes** — you can float power/energy whenever you have **priority** or are in the middle of paying a cost. Both basic rune abilities have **Reaction** speed, so you can exhaust a rune for energy or recycle it for power in any priority window (your Main Phase, in response to a spell/ability, during a Showdown, etc.) and during cost payment steps.
In Vendetta we will get a new Legend, Kennen. Chaos (purple) and Order (yellow) are its domains. This means we can combine Baited Hook with Nocturne. If I activate Baited Hook and in the 5 cards I look at, I get a Nocturne and a unit with Legion, would I be able to play Nocturne with his own ability and then the Legion unit through the Baited Hook and get its Legion effect?
**Yes, this works.** Nocturne gets played via his own ability during the Baited Hook look, then Baited Hook plays the Legion unit. Because Nocturne finalizes before the Legion unit (pending items finalize oldest-first), the Legion condition — "another card has been Finalized this turn" (Rule 812.1.c) — is satisfied, and the Legion unit enters with its Legion ability active.
Is the "do one of the following" portion of Hwei's ability a reflexive trigger?
No, the "do the following based on the discarded card's type" portion of Hwei's ability is **not** a reflexive trigger.
Is Hwei a reflexive trigger and when do you know when a card is a reflexive trigger?
**No, Hwei, Brooding Painter does not have a reflexive trigger.** His ability is a standard triggered ability ("When I move...") followed by conditional instructions that resolve as part of that same triggered ability.
If my opponent moves into an uncontested battlefield and I play Rengar as a reaction, am I the defending player?
**Yes, you are the defending player.** Your opponent is the Attacker — their unit moved first to the open battlefield, causing it to become Contested (Rules 445–446, and per 459.2.b.1 the player whose unit applied Contested is the Attacker). When you play **Rengar, Trophy Hunter** into that already-Contested battlefield via his special Ambush ability (which lets him enter battlefields with...
Define an "activated ability" - how does this differ from a triggered ability?
**Activated Ability**: A repeatable effect with the format `[Cost]: [Effect]` — cost, then a colon, then the effect (Rules 376–377). You choose when and whether to use it during your own Main Phase in an Open State (Rules 378, 381). It goes on the Chain like a spell without a card, creating a Closed State.
Is an equip cost an example of an activated ability?
Yes. **Equip is explicitly an Activated Ability keyword.** Per **Rule 818.1**: *"Equip is an Activated Ability keyword."* It follows the full activated ability process — you declare the activation, pay the cost (which may include energy, power, or non-resource costs), choose a target unit, and the ability goes on the Chain. Since it uses the Chain, opponents can respond with...
If I play a Longsword, which has quick-draw keyword, does the quick-draw equip count as using an activated ability?
No, the Quick-Draw attach does **not** count as using an activated ability. Quick-Draw is a **Triggered Ability** keyword (Rule 819.1), while Equip is an **Activated Ability** keyword (Rule 818.1) — they are mechanically distinct.
Is "When you play me" text considered an activated ability since you have to pay the cost of the card to play it?
**No.** "When you play me" is a **Triggered Ability** (specifically a "Play Effect"), not an Activated Ability. The key distinction: paying the card's cost to play it is the cost of *playing the card itself* (following the normal six-step play process from Rule 349). An Activated Ability has its own cost followed by a colon (`[Cost]: [Effect]`), per Rule 377.1.
When I equip B.F. Sword to my Unsung Hero, he becomes and I exhaust Fiora. My opponent reacts and plays Stupify to the Unsung Hero. Do I still channel one rune exhausted?
Yes, you still channel 1 rune exhausted. Fiora's triggered ability fired the moment Unsung Hero became Mighty (2 + 3 from B.F. Sword = 5). That trigger is now on the Chain. When it resolves, the effect is simply "you may exhaust me to channel 1 rune exhausted" — there is no re-check of whether the unit is *still* Mighty...
Does Fiora lose her Double Might if someone ambushes after we start?
**No, Fiora does not lose her doubled Might.** Fiora's ability checks the "one-on-one" condition only at the exact moment she is designated as the attacker or defender. If the battlefield is one-on-one at that moment, her triggered ability goes on the chain immediately. Playing an Ambush unit as a Reaction happens *after* the trigger is already on the chain—so the...
Can I trigger Defender effect after Reaction?
**It depends on what you mean by "after."** If you're asking about the normal Combat Showdown flow — **no.** "When I defend" triggers are placed on the chain *before* any player can play a Reaction. The order is fixed (Rule 459.2.d): Attack triggers → non-defender triggers → Defend triggers are placed last. Only *after* all triggers and their targets are...
If Fiora Peerless attacks a battlefield, and the enemy ambushes, does she still get double might or does it fail on the chain?
**Yes, Fiora still gets double Might.** The condition — being "one-on-one" — is checked **only at the exact moment** she is designated as the attacker. Since it was met then, her triggered ability ("When I attack...") is already on the chain. Ambushing in a unit happens as a Reaction while the chain is closed, after the trigger is placed. That...
What does Azir Ascendant's ability have to target on finalization?
On finalization, Azir, Ascendant's ability needs to target **one unit you control**. Here's the breakdown:
If I enter the battlefield with 5 might and my opponent has 5 units with 3 might, and I use Imperial Decree, do I kill all units or how does it resolve?
**No, you do not kill all units — you kill at most 2 of the 5 defending units, and your own unit dies too.**
Can I play the same unit I sacrifice to Heedless Resurrection?
No. You cannot kill a unit with Heedless Resurrection's cost and then resurrect that same unit. When you play Heedless Resurrection, you first choose a target unit from your trash (Step 2: Make Choices). The unit you intend to kill is still on the board at that point — it's not in your trash yet, so it can't be chosen...
Can Fizz play Drag Under from the trash since its cost becomes 3 mana and 1 Power? When Fizz checks for its costs, does he see Drag Under as a 3 cost spell or does he see it for its original cost of 5?
No. **Fizz, Trickster cannot play Drag Under from the trash.** Fizz's ability checks the spell's **printed Energy cost** (the number on the card), not any discounts that would apply while playing it. Drag Under costs **5 Energy** printed — well above Fizz's limit of 3. Even though it would cost only 3 when played "from anywhere other than your hand,"...
If I'm running Master Yi Legend Wuju Master, could I use spells that have Pay: Calm OR Order?
**No, you cannot use spells that require Order power with Master Yi, Wuju Master.** Master Yi, Wuju Master has domain **Calm/Body**, so your deck's domain identity is Calm/Body (Rules 103.1.b, 175.1). Your Main Deck and Rune Deck can only contain cards whose domains are fully within Calm and Body.
When an ability says once per turn, does that mean once per player turn, or does turn 10 mean both players' turns?
"Once per turn" in Riftbound refers to once per player's turn, not once per turn cycle. So turn 10 means you can use the ability on your own turn and your opponent can use the same ability on their turn — each player gets one use per their respective turn.
For Vi Legends, if I take with a 2 might unit and a 3 might unit into a 2 might unit, have I dealt 3 excess damage?
**Yes, you've assigned 3 excess damage.** Here's the breakdown:
Does Lux still draw a card if you counter her spell?
**No.** Lux's legend ability only triggers when a spell is *played* (resolves), and a countered spell is not considered played (Rule 425.1.b, 419.4.b). Countering prevents resolution entirely, so Lux does not draw.
If my opponent is attacking at a battlefield and I stun their 4 might unit against my 3 might unit, what happens?
The attacker's 4 might unit is Recalled, and you Conquer the battlefield. Here's the breakdown:
If I try and conquer an unoccupied bf and the opponent plays Rengar Trophy Hunter to it, who's the attacker?
You're the **Attacker**. Your opponent is the **Defender**. When you move your unit to the empty battlefield, you apply Contested status first — that makes you the Attacker (Rule 459.2.b.1 / FAQ #9820). When your opponent plays Rengar, Trophy Hunter to that already-contested battlefield, they enter as the Defender (Rule 459.2.b.2).
If Azir Sovereign moves to a BF and drags a SS token with it and the token was ready before moving, is the token exhausted after all said and done? Or no?
No, the token is **not** exhausted after the move. It stays ready. Azir's ability is a triggered ability that moves token units — it is **not** a Standard Move. Standard Moves require exhausting as a cost (Rule 144.2), but spells and abilities that move units do **not** change the unit's exhaust/ready state unless they specifically say so (as established by...
Does Ezreal dashing deal damage with his effect if he gets moved to base by Janna?
No, Ezreal's damage does **not** deal damage if Janna moves him to base before his trigger resolves. Here's the sequence: Ezreal attacks, his "When I attack" trigger goes on the chain. In response, you play Janna, Savior with Reaction to the same battlefield. Janna's "When you play me" trigger goes on the chain above Ezreal's and resolves first (LIFO), moving...
If I control Zilean and Leblanc legend and I copy to make a reflection copy of Zilean, how many Zilean will I make, 2 or 1 and a reflection token?
**You get 2 Reflection tokens, both of which become copies of Zilean.** So you end up with your original Zilean plus two copy-Zileans — 3 total units with Zilean's stats and text.
If you control a Battlefield with Zilean and you use Mirror Image, do you get one or two ready tokens at base?
**You get two ready Reflection unit tokens at your base.** Here's the breakdown:
If Yasuo Remorseful conquers with his when I attack at the Trapping Grounds battlefield and has an excess of 3 damage with his ability, do you get to play the bird token?
**No, you do not get the Bird token.** Here's why:
If a user plays Star Crossed as a reaction to a unit played triggered ability, does the ability still resolve? And if, like, I move to a battlefield with Diana Lunari and trigger its ability and opponent plays Star Crossed, will I still do the predict thing even if the card is in my hand?
**Yes to both.** **1. Star-Crossed in reaction to a "when you play me" triggered ability** — the ability still resolves. Once a triggered ability is on the chain, it is independent of its source. Returning the unit to hand via Star-Crossed does not stop the ability from resolving. (FAQ #10679, #10299; Rule 392.)
If I play Emperors Divide and it gets defied, does it still count for a 'choose' on Irelia?
Yes — Irelia, Fervent still gets +1 Might even if Emperor's Divide is countered by Defy. Here's why: Emperor's Divide chooses specific units when it's placed on the chain (FAQ #7788, #8796), so Irelia's ability ("When you choose or ready me, give me +1 Might this turn") triggers immediately at that point. The trigger goes on the chain on top...
After a player unchecks Power, is there a window after the card resolves for a player to activate a Teemo from hidden?
**No.** Once Unchecked Power resolves, there is no window to play a Teemo from Hidden until another chain begins. The only opportunity is *before* Unchecked Power resolves — but if you do that, Teemo is on the battlefield when the 12 damage hits and will die along with everything else.
If my Tideturner controls Ravenbloom Conservatory and trades with Lonely Poro, after that my opponent moves Scuttle Crab to attack the empty battlefield. I use Ride the Wind to move my Ravenbloom Student there. Will I be able to use the effect of the battlefield?
**No, you won't be able to use Ravenbloom Conservatory's ability.** Here's why: After Tideturner dies in combat and the battlefield is empty, you lose control of Ravenbloom Conservatory in the next cleanup (Rule 187.4.c — no units + Open State). When your opponent later moves Scuttle Crab there, the battlefield becomes Contested but has no Controller. Even after you Ride...
Can I play Acceptable Losses if I and my opponent don't have gear?
**Yes, you can.** Acceptable Losses doesn't require targets — it instructs each player to make a choice at resolution. If no player controls any gear when it resolves, each player's instruction simply cannot be performed and is ignored (Rule 359.3.e.6). The card still resolves, nothing happens.
If I'm playing as Pridestalker Legend and I play Kinkou Initiate when I have 4 Might out, will Rengar Legend proc Might to 5 before checking for draw?
**Yes.** Both abilities trigger simultaneously when you play *Kinkou Initiate*. You get to order them on the chain, so you can have the +1 Might land before the draw check.
Ask Rengar Pridestalker, can I react to my own Irresistable Fae Folk pulling a lone enemy from the battlefield and go to that battlefield before they move and conquer?
Yes — you can react to your own Irresistible Faefolk trigger by playing a unit to that battlefield before the enemy moves there.
Can you play Nocturne from Traveling Merchant discard effect?
**No.** Nocturne's ability only triggers when you **look at or reveal** him from the top of your deck. Discarding (hand to trash) and drawing (deck to hand) are not looking at or revealing — they don't trigger Nocturne at all.
If Reflection token copy a Unit with When you play me effect, can I trigger that ability?
**No.** The Reflection token cannot trigger "When you play me" effects of the unit it copies. The Reflection card's own text explicitly states: *"I become a copy of something when played. I don't get that card's play effects."*
Can you react to the Awaken phase?
**No, you cannot react to the Awaken Phase itself.** The Awaken Phase is a task where the turn player readies their game objects — it doesn't create a chain, and no priority is granted simply because a phase begins (FAQ #10808, FAQ #5566).
Does Hidden Stand United apply to all battlefields?
**Yes, Stand United played from Hidden applies its +1 buff bonus to all battlefields.** Here's how it breaks down:
Does playing LeBlanc Everywhere at Once in response to the temporary trigger to a battlefield prevent the temporary units from dying?
**No.** Playing LeBlanc, Everywhere at Once after the Temporary trigger is already on the chain will not stop those units from dying.
Do temporary triggers all happen at once or individually?
Each permanent with **Temporary** generates its own separate trigger. They all go off at the same time (the start of your Beginning Phase), but they are placed on the **same chain** as individual items, not merged into one.
Does trigger condition don't re-check on resolution but valid target for ability or spells need to re-check on resolution?
**Yes, that's correct.** The trigger condition itself is only checked once — when the ability would be placed on the chain — and is **not** re-checked on resolution. Targets, however, **are** re-checked on resolution.
Can Dancing Grenade be played indefinitely as long as I have power to pay?
**Yes — as long as someone has [A] (1 Fury Power) to pay and there's a valid unit to target each time.**
If I use Zhonya's on my Temporary unit, will it die on the turn after Zhonya's got triggered?
**Yes.** The unit with Temporary that was saved by Zhonya's Hourglass will die at the start of the next turn's Beginning Phase.