Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 45 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
Can you flip Zhonya's Hourglass to save a unit after Volibear's ability has started dealing damage to multiple units?
Ruling: You must flip Zhonya's Hourglass before Volibear's ability resolves and deals damage. Once Zhonya's is face-up, if multiple units die at the same time from Volibear's damage, you choose which one to save.
For Falling Star, can you target once, wait for responses, then target again, or must you declare both targets simultaneously?
Ruling: You must declare both targets simultaneously when Falling Star is put on the chain. Sequence: - Both items are put on the chain at the same time - Targets must be declared when items are put on the chain - You cannot wait for responses between targeting
Can you react to Beginning Phase activated abilities, and specifically can you use Gust to move a unit to hand in response to Jinx Leader's trigger to prevent the extra draw?
Ruling: Yes, you can react to Beginning Phase triggered abilities. Using Gust in response to Jinx's trigger will prevent the draw if it brings the hand to 2 cards, because Jinx's ability always triggers at the Beginning Phase but checks the number of cards in hand when it resolves.
If Warwick is stunned after being declared as an attacker, does his ability still kill units damaged at the battlefield?
Ruling: Yes, Warwick's ability still triggers and kills damaged units even if he is stunned. Stun only prevents a unit from dealing damage with their might during the damage step, not during the whole combat.
Can I use my signature spell in my champion zone?
Ruling: No, you cannot use your signature spell in your champion zone. Your chosen champion must be a unit. Nuances: - Signature spells cannot be champions because champions must be units
Does a trigger effect get added to the current chain or to the next chain?
Ruling: Trigger effects are added to the existing chain as the top item. There can only ever be one chain at a time.
If Dazzling Aurora's end-of-turn effect is on the chain and a hypothetical reaction card destroys Dazzling Aurora, does the effect still resolve?
Ruling: All effects that are finalized onto the chain always resolve unless countered, doing as much as they can. If Dazzling Aurora is destroyed after its effect is on the chain, the effect still resolves and plays a unit.
Can you activate a unit's ability (like Sett Brawler's) after using Showstopper to move it to a battlefield, or does showdown begin immediately after the move?
Ruling: You cannot activate abilities without Action or Reaction tags after moving a unit to a battlefield because a showdown begins immediately after the move is completed. Sett Brawler cannot use his ability to consume the buff from Showstopper.
Is Carnivorous Snapvine's fight ability mandatory if there is a valid target (8+ might unit) on the battlefield?
Ruling: Yes, the ability is mandatory if there is at least one valid target. Nuances: - The ability must be used if there is at least one unit with 8+ might on the battlefield
Can you use Ride the Wind to move a unit to an open battlefield to conquer, even if the unit doesn't have Ganking, when your opponent attacks a different battlefield?
Ruling: Yes, you can use Ride the Wind to move a unit to an open battlefield to conquer even without Ganking.
When playing a unit from hidden, does it come into play exhausted?
Ruling: Yes, units played from hidden come into play exhausted. Playing from hidden doesn't change the normal rules for when a unit comes into play, only how you play it.
Can you use a reaction spell to buff Carnivorous Snapvine's might before its ability resolves?
Ruling: Yes, you can play a Reaction spell in response to Snapvine's trigger to buff its might before the ability resolves. However, your opponent can also play Reactions in response.
What 'When you play me' abilities does Gust stop?
Ruling: Gust doesn't stop triggers from resolving, but abilities that reference "here" (the unit's location) or the unit's might will resolve to no effect because that information cannot be found after the unit is removed. Abilities that don't reference the unit's location or stats will still work normally.
Can you respond to a Reflective Trigger ("Do this:" effect) on a spell like Dragon's Rage even though it happens when the spell is resolving?
Ruling: Yes, you can respond to Reflective Triggers. When a spell with a Reflective Trigger resolves, the trigger is placed on the chain after the spell finishes resolving, and players can respond to it before it resolves.
Can you respond to a temporary creature dying (being killed by its own temporary ability)?
Ruling: Yes, you can respond to a temporary creature dying. Temporary is a triggered ability that creates a chain, allowing players to respond with reaction speed effects.
Does Clockwork Keeper's draw effect trigger and go on the chain when you pay the additional cost, or does it happen immediately without providing a reaction window?
Ruling: The card's current functionality is unclear and will be clarified in future rules updates. The development team has not yet decided whether it should be a trigger (requiring errata to add "when" or "at" language) or a non-trigger effect covered by rule 563.1.b.
If Traveling Merchant is removed from the battlefield in response to its trigger (e.g., bounced to hand with Gust), does the triggered ability still resolve, and can you discard the Merchant from hand to its own effect?
Ruling: Triggers always attempt to resolve even if their source no longer exists. You can discard Traveling Merchant from your hand to its own effect after bouncing it in response to the trigger.
Does The Watcher's 'When you play me' effect that reduces units' might to 1 continue to apply during showdown, reducing might gained from abilities like Taric's shield during combat?
Ruling: The Watcher's 'When you play me' trigger resolves once and does not continue to apply during showdown. Might increases that happen during combat (such as from Shield abilities) are unaffected by the Watcher's earlier trigger.
If my opponent controls a conquered battlefield with a hidden Hidden Blade, and I use Dragon's Rage or Charm to move a unit from their base to that battlefield, and they Hidden Blade their own unit on that battlefield in response, will they gain a point for conquering it?
Ruling: Yes, they would gain a point for conquering the battlefield, provided you don't stop them during the showdown that follows.
Can you pay 1 and hide your chosen Teemo directly from the Chosen Champion slot, or do you have to first move it to hand?
Ruling: You can hide Teemo directly from the Chosen Champion zone without moving it to hand first. This represents a rules change from the previous ruling.
Does Baited Hook use the current might (including buffs) of the unit that died, or only its printed might?
Ruling: Baited Hook uses the current might of the unit at the time of death, including any buffs or modifications it had on the board.
When do you announce/choose the amount of damage that Bullet Time deals - when it is played or when it resolves?
Ruling: You choose and pay the amount of power when Bullet Time resolves, not when it is played. The amount you pay becomes the amount of damage it deals.
Can you use Retreat in response to a Temporary effect (like on Fading Memories), and can you use Retreat during your Awaken phase without a trigger?
Ruling: You can react to Temporary's triggered ability with Retreat. You cannot use reactions during phases (including Awaken phase) unless something is on the chain.
If a card with 2 might is reduced to 1 by Smokescreen (-1 might this turn), then an opponent gives it +2 might, what is the final might value?
Ruling: The card will be at 3 might. Sequence: - Smokescreen's -1 might effect is applied first (timestamp order) - The opponent's +2 might effect is applied second - Final calculation: 2 (base) - 1 (Smokescreen) + 2 (opponent's buff) = 3 might
When Riptide Rex deals 6 damage to a 7 might Watcher at the battlefield, then the opponent moves a unit to the battlefield, is the Watcher healed before the showdown occurs?
Ruling: The Watcher is not healed before the showdown occurs. Units are healed at the end of combat (after combat damage is dealt) and at the end of the turn, but a combat doesn't begin until a unit moves to an occupied enemy battlefield, there is nothing on the chain, and no showdown is in progress.
If I cast Retreat on a token, do I still channel a rune even though the unit was not placed in my hand?
Ruling: Yes, you still channel a rune when you cast Retreat on a token. Sequence: - The token goes to the out-of-play zone - The token then ceases to exist - You still channel a rune despite the token not ending up in your hand
Do Thousand Tailed Watcher's might reduction and similar effects apply to units that enter play after the effect resolves, and does the reduction continue to apply if a unit gains might later?
Ruling: Thousand Tailed Watcher and similar might reduction effects (Smokescreen, Stupefy, Ahri BS) "snapshot" when they resolve - they apply once and then stop. Units that enter play after the effect resolves are not affected, and units that already had the reduction applied can gain might afterward without the reduction reapplying.
Does damage dealt to a unit by a spell outside of combat persist when entering combat with that unit?
Ruling: Yes, damage dealt to units by spells outside of combat remains on those units when you enter combat with them. Units only heal at the end of combats or at the end of turn.
Can I play Shen as a reaction at a battlefield when my opponent moves their unit there to conquer, if I don't have a unit at that battlefield? If yes, would Shen be an attacker or defender?
Ruling: You cannot play a unit at a battlefield unless you are in control of that battlefield. Since you have no unit at the battlefield, you cannot play Shen there as a reaction.
Can Reaction spells be played during the initial chain?
Ruling: Yes, Reaction spells can be played during the initial chain. Reactions can be played to any chain. Nuances: - Action spells cannot be played during the initial chain because an ability has already been played to create it, which closes the chain to Actions.
If Viktor attacks Ahri with 1 might tokens, can he avoid Ahri's debuff and then use Grand Strategist to get the full buff?
Ruling: Yes, Viktor can avoid Ahri's debuff by attacking with 1 might tokens, and then Grand Strategist will grant its full effect.
When using Hidden Blade's hide ability, does it have to kill a unit on the battlefield where it's hidden, and what happens to hidden cards if you lose control of that battlefield?
Ruling: When Hidden Blade is hidden, it must target a unit at the battlefield where it is hidden. If you lose control of the battlefield where a card is hidden, that hidden card is moved to the trash.
Can I reveal a hidden unit (like Teemo) during my turn and play it at a different battlefield than where it was hidden?
Ruling: Hidden cards can only be played at, or affect units at, the battlefield where they were hidden. You cannot reveal a hidden unit and play it at a different battlefield, even if you control that battlefield.
Can two Vanguard Helms both trigger when a buffed unit dies to buff two other units?
Ruling: Yes, if you have two Vanguard Helms equipped, both can trigger simultaneously when a buffed unit dies, allowing you to buff two other units.
If a unit with 2 might is increased to 3 might with cleave, would it still die to another 2 might unit?
Ruling: No, the unit would not die. There is no separate HP in Riftbound - only might. When the unit is damaged, it would be 5 might (2 base + 3 from cleave) at the moment of being damaged, and damage would be removed before their might goes back to 2. Damage does not reduce might.
When a card says 'recycle the rest' (like Baited Hook), do the cards go to bottom randomly or in the order of my choice?
Ruling: When 2 or more cards are recycled to the Main Deck simultaneously, they are placed on the bottom of that deck in a random order.
Does Foxfire deal 4 damage to each unit with Might under 4, or does it deal 4 damage total distributed among units?
Ruling: Foxfire deals 4 damage total that must be distributed among units, not 4 damage to each unit. Nuances: - You can distribute the 4 damage in any combination (e.g., four 1-Might units, two 2-Might units, one 2-Might unit and two 1-Might units, etc.) - The key word is "total" which indicates the damage is shared across targets
Can an enemy use a spell to move a unit to a battlefield that unit's teammate already occupies?
Ruling: No, this situation cannot occur. Teammates can never have their units occupy the same battlefield. Sequence: - If such a move is attempted, it creates an illegal state - The action is rewound
For Lucian's Relentless Pursuit, what does 'You may attach an Equipment with the same controller to it' mean, and can you attach an equipment that's already on the board to a unit without equipment?
Ruling: The "same controller" restriction prevents you from attaching an opponent's equipment to the moved unit. You can attach an equipment that's already on the board to the unit you move, as long as both the equipment and unit have the same controller.
Does Forge of the Future trigger its effect when it is killed by an opponent's Adaptatron conquering a base?
Ruling: Forge of the Future does not activate when killed by an opponent's Adaptatron conquering a base because Forge of the Future is an activated ability, not a triggered ability.
If Void Seeker targets a unit and the opponent responds by moving that unit (e.g., with Retreat), does the caster still draw a card?
Ruling: Yes, the caster still draws a card. Void Seeker has two separate effects: dealing damage and drawing a card. The draw is not conditional on successfully dealing damage.
Can Sett's legend ability be used to recall a unit from Vilemaw's Lair during combat, or does the recall count as a move which would be prevented?
Ruling: Yes, Sett's legend ability can be used to save a unit at Vilemaw's Lair during combat because a recall is not considered a move.
When do you choose targets for Volibear's furious attack ability, and when do you distribute damage?
Ruling: You declare targets when Volibear attacks (when the ability goes on the stack). The opponent can then react knowing what your targets are. When the ability resolves, you distribute the damage among the chosen targets.
If an opponent plays Falling Comet (which targets units on the battlefield) and you use Flash to move your unit away from the battlefield, does the unit still die since it was already targeted?
Ruling: The unit does not die. When a spell resolves, the legality of targets is checked again, and since the unit is no longer a legal target (not on the battlefield), it is not affected by the spell.
Can a new item be placed on the chain while it's resolving, specifically between the resolution of individual links?
Ruling: Yes, you can play a reaction between resolving links on the chain. Sequence: - When a link on the chain resolves, the player who owns the next link gets priority - Both players must pass priority before the next link resolves - This allows reactions to be added to the chain between link resolutions
How does scoring the winning point work in Riftbound, especially when at 7 points?
Ruling: When you are one point away from winning, all scoring wins you the game except for conquering. When conquering for your final point, you only win if you have scored all other battlefields that turn; otherwise you draw a card instead of scoring.
If my opponent plays Cull the Weak and I kill one of my units with the spell, can I play Immortal Phoenix from my trash?
Ruling: No, you cannot play Immortal Phoenix from your trash when you kill one of your units with your opponent's Cull the Weak. The condition requires you to kill a unit with your own spell.
When an opponent casts Maddened Marauder targeting a unit you control via Possession, does the unit move to your base (controller's base) or the opponent's base (owner's base)?
Ruling: The unit moves to its controller's base. When determining which base a unit moves to, only the controller matters, not the owner.
Can a player tap 4 runes for a unit, recycle one tapped rune to play Seal, then use that Seal (by tapping it) as part of the cost for the unit they're playing?
Ruling: Yes, this is legal. Tapping runes adds them to the rune pool, which can be used flexibly throughout the turn. A tapped rune can be recycled for costs, and gear like Seal enters ready and can be immediately tapped to contribute to power costs.
How many gear cards can I control at my base at any given time?
Ruling: There is no limit on the number of gear cards you can control at your base. Nuances: - Some gear can be hidden facedown at battlegrounds you control, which may have specific limits on how many can be hidden at each battlefield - Your base has no such limiter for gear cards - Similarly, you can have as many...