Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 39 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
Can a player use Retreat as a reaction to save a unit that was selected to be killed by Cull the Weak?
Ruling: No, once both players pass priority after a unit is selected for Cull the Weak, the ability resolves and there is no longer an opportunity to play Retreat to save the unit.
In a 2v2 game, if I use Zenith Blade (Leona's Signature Spell) to conquer with my ally's unit during my turn, who recycles a rune - me or my ally?
Ruling: The ally recycles the rune because the battlefield is conquered by the controller of the unit that conquered, not by whose turn it is.
Can you use two Seals of Unity on the field to pay for the power cost of Harnessed Dragon, given that Seals have the reaction keyword and abilities that add resources can't be reacted to?
Ruling: Yes, you can use both Seals of Unity to pay for the power cost of Harnessed Dragon. Nuances: - The restriction that "abilities that add resources can't be reacted to" does not prevent using Seals with the reaction keyword to pay costs - The game allows you to tap runes or recycle them to keep them available for later...
Does Whirlwind count as targeting for Ruin Runner's ability?
Ruling: Whirlwind does not target, so it can affect Ruin Runner even though Ruin Runner has protection from being targeted.
What are the deck construction requirements for 2v2 in Riftbound?
Ruling: In 2v2, teammates may not use the same Champion Legend or the same Battlefields. There are no other deck construction restrictions.
Can Reaction spells/units be used mid-chain (similar to Magic's stack), allowing multiple Reactions to be played before earlier spells resolve?
Ruling: Yes, Reactions can be used mid-chain. The chain resolves one link at a time, and new Reactions can be added after it's started resolving, with the last Reaction played resolving first.
Can I discard a card from my Champion Unit Location?
Ruling: No, you cannot discard a card from your Champion Unit Location because the card in the champion location is not in your hand.
Can Piercing Light target two units at different battlefields on the first cast (not counting Repeat)?
Ruling: Yes, Piercing Light can target two units at different battlefields on the first cast. The second target can be any unit anywhere that isn't the first unit.
In a showdown, when do When I Attack/When I Defend abilities trigger, when can players play action cards, and what is the sequence before damage is assigned?
Ruling: During a showdown, When I Attack/When I Defend abilities trigger first on an initial chain where action cards cannot be played. After the initial chain resolves, the attacker gains focus and can play action cards to start new chains, then focus passes to the defender who can play action cards, and this continues until both players pass, after which...
How can you earn the 8th point to win the game in Riftbound?
Ruling: To win the final (8th) point, you can hold a battlefield at the start of your turn, or win via card effects. To win via conquering, you must score all battlefields in the same turn.
When a unit with 'When I move' attacks a defender with 'When I attack' and 'When I defend' triggers, what is the correct order for these triggers to resolve?
Ruling: 'When I move' triggers resolve completely before the showdown begins. Once resolved, the showdown starts with attacker triggers going on the chain first, then defender triggers, creating the initial chain.
In high OPL, does rule 702.2.f.2 (opponent chooses whether to resolve a missed trigger) only apply during the same turn the trigger was missed, with 702.2.f.1 (continue playing) applying if noticed in a later turn?
Ruling: Yes, rule 702.2.f.2 only applies if the missed trigger is noticed during the same turn it was missed. If the trigger is noticed in a subsequent turn, rule 702.2.f.1 applies and play simply continues.
When surviving attacking units are recalled to base after a showdown they don't win, do they return ready or exhausted?
Ruling: Units that survive a showdown but don't win are recalled to base in the same state they were in before being recalled. Units that exhausted to move will return exhausted.
Can you hide cards from your base, or only from your hand/champion zone?
Ruling: You can only hide cards from your hand or the Champion Zone, not from your base or battlefield. Sequence: - During your turn in an Open State, you may pay the hide cost for a card in your hand or Champion Zone - Hide it facedown at a battlefield you control that doesn't already have a facedown card -...
Does Tryndamere score 1 or 2 points when he conquers a battlefield while defending (moved there via Ride the Wind in response to an opponent's attack)?
Ruling: Tryndamere scores 1 point. His ability only triggers "after an attack" which requires him to be attacking, not defending.
Can a hidden card played from battlefield A target enemy units at battlefield B when battlefield B goes into showdown?
Ruling: A spell played from hidden has the additional targeting requirement "here," so you cannot target cards at battlefield B with a card hidden on battlefield A (unless it's a card with special targeting restrictions like Tideturner).
Does Deflect activate when Bullet Time and Warwick combo targets a unit with Deflect on the battlefield?
Ruling: Deflect does not activate from either Bullet Time or Warwick in this combo. Deflect only triggers when a unit is directly targeted, which neither of these effects do.
When Hidden Blade targets a unit that gets recalled to base (via Sett legend ability after another Hidden Blade resolves), does the controller still draw 2 cards?
Ruling: When Hidden Blade resolves but its target is no longer at a battlefield (having been recalled to base), the controller does not draw cards because the unit is no longer a legal target and "its controller" cannot be determined.
When Sett The Boss's replacement effect is used to save a buffed unit from dying, can the opponent respond with removal (like Hidden Blade) after the cost is paid but before the unit is recalled?
Ruling: No, you cannot respond. Sett The Boss's ability is a replacement effect that does not use the chain. Once the cost is paid, the unit is immediately recalled exhausted with its buff spent, with no window for response.
If a unit's might is reduced to 0 or lower, does it instantly die?
Ruling: No, units do not instantly die when their might reaches 0 or lower. Units only die if they have damage markers equal to or greater than their might.
When conquering on an open battlefield, can the opponent play action cards, or only reactions?
Ruling: Yes, actions can be played when conquering on an open battlefield. Additionally, all players are considered relevant in the case of an empty battlefield.
If an opponent conquers a battlefield and scores a point, then uses Charm to drag my unit into that battlefield, can I also score a conquering point on the same battlefield during my opponent's turn if I win the showdown?
Ruling: Yes, you can score a conquering point even though your opponent already scored from that battlefield this turn. You can score on your opponent's turn.
Does playing a 4 Might unit to Trifarian War Camp trigger Fiora's ability that requires a unit to become Mighty?
Ruling: No, playing a 4 Might unit to Trifarian War Camp does not trigger Fiora's ability. The unit is Mighty from the start when it enters the battlefield, so it never becomes Mighty while on the battlefield.
Is Zhonya's Hourglass trigger optional, or must you use it when a unit dies?
Ruling: Zhonya's Hourglass is not a trigger but a mandatory replacement effect. You cannot choose to let the unit die to save the Hourglass for later.
If an enemy unit flashes in response to Gust, do you need to retarget Gust to your own unit at the battlefield?
Ruling: No, you do not need to retarget Gust to your own unit. When Gust resolves, it whiffs and resolves to no effect because its target is no longer legal (not at the battlefield).
If Bellows Breath with Repeat targets the same 1 might unit twice, will Zhonya/Guardian Angel proc between the two instances of damage and save the unit?
Ruling: No, Zhonya/Guardian Angel will not proc between the two instances of damage. The unit will be saved from death during cleanup after the spell finishes resolving completely.
Does Assault trigger and go on the chain when attacking, allowing the opponent to respond before it resolves?
Ruling: Assault and Shield are conditional passive abilities that do not use the chain. They apply immediately based on the game state without using the chain.
When can resources be floated in Riftbound, and what are the limitations on floating resources?
Ruling: Resources can be floated when paying for costs or anytime you can play a reaction, and also whenever you have priority (which allows recycling runes to float power at any time within timing restrictions).
Does Wraith of Echoes see itself die and trigger its own ability to draw a card?
Ruling: No, Wraith of Echoes does not see itself die. Units don't see themselves die in Riftbound. Sequence: - Triggered abilities must trigger from the location where they saw the trigger occur - When Wraith dies, it is no longer on the board - Since Wraith is not on the board when it would need to trigger, it cannot trigger
Does Assault (like on Cleave ACTION) work when played during combat after the initial attack designation, and how do attack triggers like Yasuo's work when units enter combat late?
Ruling: Assault is a passive ability that functions as "While I am an attacker, I have +X Might" and applies whenever the unit has the Attacker designation. Attack triggers ("When I attack...") can only trigger once per combat per unit, but they will trigger the first time a unit gains the Attacker designation even if it enters combat late.
Does Spirit's Refuge give its buff when played from hand or each time you activate the gear ability?
Ruling: The buff from Spirit's Refuge is a triggered ability that activates when played from hand ("when played"). The second part is a passive ability that is active as long as Spirit's Refuge is on the board.
Do you have to pay deflect cost if you want to target Pouty Poro with Orb of Regret (a gear)?
Ruling: Yes, you must pay the deflect cost. Deflect applies to targets of spells and abilities, and Orb of Regret is an activated ability that targets.
In a Riftbound showdown, if the attacker passes action priority to their opponent and the opponent plays an action, does the attacker get action priority back to play another action?
Ruling: Yes, when your opponent plays an action after you pass, you get action priority back and can play another action. The showdown only ends when both players pass in succession without playing anything.
Can Shen be played as a reaction to pump attack when moving a unit to attack a contested battlefield (a battlefield the player does not control)?
Ruling: Shen can be played as a reaction to anything that allows reactions, but can only be placed in valid locations: your base or a battlefield you control. You cannot play Shen to a battlefield you are attacking because you do not control it.
Does Gemcraft Seer give Vision to token units when they are recruited?
Ruling: Yes, tokens are units when on board, so they receive Vision from Gemcraft Seer. Nuances: - Tokens count as units once they are on the board
Does Brynhir Thundersong prevent opponents from playing cards only on the turn it's played, and does it affect cards already played before Brynhir resolves?
Ruling: Opponents cannot play cards on whatever turn Brynhir is played. Brynhir has no effect on cards that were played before it.
What are the rules for communicating with opponents during gameplay, specifically when an opponent attacks a battlefield and asks for a reaction?
Ruling: You must communicate accurately. When an opponent moves to a battlefield and asks if you respond (with no triggers on the chain), they have passed you focus. If you say no, combat immediately resolves and you cannot then play an action spell.
If I hold a location at the start of my turn and later move the unit off that location, can I play a unit from hand to that now-open location?
Ruling: You need to control a location for it to be a valid location to play a unit to. If you don't have a unit at a battlefield (unless that battlefield is currently in combat and you started the combat with control of the battlefield), you don't have control of that battlefield. Therefore, once you move your unit off the...
If an opponent uses a spell/ability that targets a unit at a battlefront, but you react by moving that unit to your base, does the opponent's effect still resolve?
Ruling: The effect resolves, but with no effect because the target is now illegal. Sequence: - Opponent plays spell/ability targeting a unit at battlefront - You react by moving your unit to your base - When the chain begins to resolve, there is a check if the effect/target is still valid - Since the target is no longer at the...
If I use Ride the Wind to move Yasuo Remorseful into a battlefield where I'm already attacking with another unit, does Yasuo's When I Attack ability trigger?
Ruling: Yes, Yasuo's When I Attack ability will trigger when he becomes designated as an attacker during the cleanup of his arrival.
When Last Stand doubles a unit's Might, does it also double the unit's current HP, or does existing damage remain the same?
Ruling: Last Stand doubles the unit's Might, but existing damage on the unit stays the same. Do not think of it as HP being doubled.
In a Showdown, when there are Attack and/or Defend triggers on the initial chain, which player gets priority first to play a reaction?
Ruling: The player who owns the last item on the chain has priority first. In both scenarios (Attack and Defend triggers, or only Defend triggers), this is the defending player.
If a buffed unit is reduced to 1 might by Smokescreen, then Call to Glory is played by spending that buff (reducing it to 0 might), does the unit die before Call to Glory resolves?
Ruling: The unit does not die. Units can have 0 or even negative might without dying - they only die if they have non-zero marked damage and their might is reduced to 0 or below. The unit would go from 0 might to 3 might when Call to Glory resolves.
After the CR update, can a Hidden card be played in response to a Deathknell trigger during combat?
Ruling: No, you cannot play a Hidden card in response to a Deathknell trigger. By the time the Deathknell trigger is placed on the chain, players have already lost attacker/defender status during the combat special cleanup, meaning no showdown or combat is staged at the location and the Contested status is cleared.
Can you score multiple points from the same battlefield in a single turn (e.g., score 1 point for holding at turn start, then conquer it later the same turn)?
Ruling: You can only score 1 point per battlefield per turn. If you already scored a point from holding a battlefield at the start of your turn, you cannot score again from conquering that same battlefield later in the turn.
If my opponent uses Charm to move my only unit from a battlefield where I have a Hidden card, does my Hidden card stay in play if I no longer control that battlefield?
Ruling: No, if you do not control the battlefield, the hidden card is immediately trashed. Sequence: - The unit is moved by Charm - You lose control of the battlefield - Cleanup step 5 occurs (cleanup happens anytime a move is completed) - The hidden card is trashed
If Dazzling Aurora's end of turn effect flips Deadbloom Predator and you conquer Targon's Peak during the resulting showdown, can you ready 2 runes from Targon's Peak's ability?
Ruling: No, you cannot ready 2 runes. While Targon's Peak does trigger when conquered, the "at the end of this turn" condition has already passed, so the rune readying effect does not occur.
If Falling Comet is played in a showdown and deals damage higher than the opposing unit's might, does it kill the unit before the damage phase of the showdown?
Ruling: Yes, if Falling Comet deals damage equal to or greater than the unit's might, it kills the unit before combat damage is dealt.
If during a showdown on enemy turn, I move a unit to the 2nd empty location and I'm at 7 points, do I instantly win if my opponent doesn't have an answer?
Ruling: No, you do not instantly win. To gain the final point via conquering, you must have scored on each battlefield in the same turn. In this scenario you didn't score on both battlefields, so you will not score but draw a card instead.
When Hidden Blade targets an opponent's unit (Mindsplitter), and the opponent responds with Flight or Fight to move that unit out, does Hidden Blade fizzle completely or does its controller still draw 2 cards?
Ruling: When Hidden Blade's target becomes illegal (moved out by Flight or Fight), the spell resolves but does nothing. The controller does not draw 2 cards because there is no legal target to determine "its controller" from.