Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 51 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
Can Salvage be played when there is no gear in the game, given the new errata changing it to "You may kill up to one gear. Draw 1." and the rule allowing "up to" effects to choose zero targets?
Ruling: Yes, Salvage can now be played even when there is no gear in the game. The "up to one" wording allows you to choose zero gear as targets, play the card, and still draw a card.
When you conquer a battlefield, can you immediately deploy units to it on the same turn?
Ruling: Yes, you can play units to a battlefield immediately after conquering it on the same turn. Units come in exhausted like any other unit would.
If a unit is moved back to base (e.g., with Flash) in response to a targeted action spell like Hextech Ray, does the spell fizzle, or can the caster choose a new target?
Ruling: When a targeted action spell like Hextech Ray resolves, if its target is no longer at a battlefield, it won't deal damage to its target. You cannot choose a different target at any point.
In Riftbound, can you change the targets of Falling Star after the first 3 damage is dealt (e.g., after opponent plays Discipline)?
Ruling: You cannot change targets after they are chosen. Both targets must be chosen at effectively the same time when Falling Star resolves, and cannot be changed later even though there are windows to react between damage instances.
Can Death Rocket create an infinite loop if you have one rocket in hand and one in discard, by discarding the rocket in hand to retrieve the one in discard, which then triggers again?
Ruling: No, this does not create a loop. When you conquer, all "when I conquer" triggers from cards currently in trash are declared and put on the chain at that moment. A rocket discarded during the resolution of another rocket's trigger was not in trash when you conquered, so it does not trigger.
If a 2 might unit is targeted by En Garde (+1 might, chain 1), then targeted by a 2 damage spell (chain 2), does the unit survive with 3 might and 1 health, or does it die?
Ruling: The unit dies. The chain resolves in reverse order, so the 2 damage spell resolves first, killing the 2 might unit before En Garde can resolve.
Can you respond to spells on the chain after other spells/abilities have been added on top of them, and does the chain resolve one by one with opportunities to react between resolutions?
Ruling: You can target any spell on the chain at any point, even when other spells/abilities are on top of it. The chain resolves one by one, and between each resolution you have the ability to react again.
Can you use Gust (or any 'react' response) immediately after a unit is played, or in response to unit movement?
Ruling: You cannot react directly to a unit being played or to movement itself. You can only react if the unit or movement triggers an ability.
If a 3 might unit is reduced to 1 might by Thousand Tail (Watcher), and then receives a buff, does it go to 2 might or remain at 1?
Ruling: The unit goes to 2 might. Debuffs like Thousand Tail check on resolution how much they will reduce a unit's might, then apply that fixed amount. The buff is applied after the debuff resolves, so it increases the might from 1 to 2.
Do units played from hand during showdown gain assault/shield bonuses, and does playing Rengar (3 might, assault 2) trigger Volibear's legend ability?
Ruling: Units played from hand during showdown will gain assault/shield bonuses because a cleanup occurs when the permanent is played, assigning attacker/defender status and applying the bonuses at that time.
When playing a unit with Portal Rescue (which lets you play without paying its cost), do you still need to pay the additional cost to Accelerate it?
Ruling: When a card effect references "Cost", it only refers to the printed energy and power cost. You still must pay all additional costs and may pay optional additional costs like Accelerate if you want to use them.
If I have a Jinx Rebel on board, 3 cards in hand and 3 Super Mega Death Rockets in my trash, then conquer a battlefield, can I discard all 3 cards in hand to get back all 3 death rockets and increase Jinx's might by 3 off a single conquer trigger? Can I instead discard 1 card to get the first death rocket back, then discard it for the second and discard that for the 3rd?
Ruling: Yes to both scenarios. When you conquer, all three Super Mega Death Rocket abilities trigger and go onto the chain simultaneously, then each resolves separately one after the other.
In a showdown, does the attacker or defender get focus first, and how does the action/reaction card speed system work when passing focus?
Ruling: The attacker always gains focus first in a showdown. When a player passes focus without playing a card, the opponent can then start a chain with either action or reaction cards, but the passing player can only respond with reaction cards.
With the errata changing Salvage from 'You may kill a gear' to 'You may kill up to one gear', can you play Salvage when there are no gears on the board to get the Draw 1 effect?
Ruling: Yes, with the new errata text 'up to one gear', you can play Salvage when there are no gears on the board and still draw 1 card.
When tokens are killed (recruits, sprites, etc), are they sent to trash pile?
Ruling: Tokens do go to the trash pile when killed, but then they immediately cease to exist. Nuances: - This matters for cards like Wraith of Echoes and Viktor, Leader, which will trigger when unit tokens hit the trash - Viktor, Leader triggers for unit tokens as long as they aren't recruits - Tokens aren't cards, which is relevant for...
Does Mask of Foresight retroactively stop applying if the attacking/defending unit is no longer alone during the reaction window in a showdown?
Ruling: No, Mask of Foresight does not retroactively stop applying. Once the "when I attack or defend alone" condition triggers and the triggered effect is applied, it is no longer affected by whether the unit remains alone.
If Fiora gains Deflect after an opponent has already targeted her with a spell (by increasing her might in reaction), does the opponent need to recycle a card for Deflect?
Ruling: No, the opponent does not need to recycle a card. Once a spell is finalized (costs paid and targets chosen), gaining Deflect afterward does not trigger the Deflect cost requirement.
Can you play a unit directly to a battlefield you don't control, or does it need to go to base first?
Ruling: You cannot play units directly to a battlefield unless you already have control of it. Units must be played to your base first if you don't control the target battlefield.
When using Ride the Wind to move a unit with Assault into a showdown, does that unit count as an attacker or defender?
Ruling: The unit moved into combat via Ride the Wind takes the same attacker/defender status as the player who controls it. If you are the defender in the showdown, any unit you bring into combat (including via Ride the Wind) will be a defender, not an attacker, and will not trigger Assault.
When a unit with a 'When you play me' effect dies in response to its triggered ability, does the effect still resolve?
Ruling: When you play a unit, it enters immediately and its triggered ability goes on the chain. If the unit dies in response, the triggered ability still resolves, but effects that reference the unit's location (like 'here') will fail to do anything because the unit is no longer present.
If you play Retreat after an opponent targets your unit with Hidden Blade, does the Hidden Blade controller still draw 2 cards?
Ruling: No, the Hidden Blade controller does not draw 2 cards. When Hidden Blade resolves without a valid target, it cannot determine "its controller" to give them the draw.
Can multiple showdowns happen simultaneously when Ride the Wind causes a unit to move to another occupied battlefield?
Ruling: No, multiple showdowns cannot happen at once. They stage and resolve one at a time sequentially. Sequence: - First showdown stages and resolves - Then the next showdown begins
Can you Gust a unit at a Battlefield that is being killed by Baited Hook to prevent the opponent from getting a new unit?
Ruling: Yes, if the unit is a valid Gust target, you can Gust it in response to the Hook trigger on the chain. The Hook will still resolve, but since the target left the field, it will not successfully kill anything and the opponent will not be able to play a new unit.
Can you react to Traveling Merchant's move trigger with Hidden Blade at reaction speed and kill him? Does he count as being at a battlefield when his move trigger goes on the stack?
Ruling: Yes, you can use Hidden Blade at reaction speed to kill Traveling Merchant when his move trigger goes on the stack, but only if the Hidden Blade was already hidden at that battlefield. However, killing him will not deny his discard/draw triggered ability.
Can you use the Equip ability on an Equipment that is already attached?
Ruling: No, you cannot use the Equip ability on an Equipment that is already attached. Nuances: - Effects that allow you to attach already attached gear will specify that explicitly, like Jax Legend or Weaponmaster
When Garen Commander (who gives other units +1 might at his location) moves to a battlefield, and the defender plays a reaction spell that does 1 damage to a unit with 1 might, does that unit die or survive with 1 HP?
Ruling: The unit survives with 1 HP. Garen's passive ability is always on and applies immediately when he arrives at the new location, giving the +1 might bonus before any reactions resolve.
If Ravenbloom Student is at 3 might and an opponent targets it with Hextech Ray (dealing 3 damage), can the controller activate a spell in response to trigger Ravenbloom Student's ability and gain +1 might before Hextech Ray resolves and kills it?
Ruling: Yes, Ravenbloom Student triggers and gains +1 might before Hextech Ray resolves, allowing it to survive at 4 might when the 3 damage is dealt.
Can Tryndamere's ability get you the 8th point to win the game?
Ruling: Yes, Tryndamere's ability can get you the 8th point. Only conquering has the restriction that you need to have scored from all other battlefields that turn for it to give you the final point.
Does a unit heal after using Challenge, or does it remain damaged if sent into a battlefield?
Ruling: Units do not heal after using Challenge. They remain damaged until they heal after combat or at the end of turn.
What defines whether or not an ability is optional or mandatory?
Ruling: Triggered abilities always go on the chain when their trigger condition is met. Whether the effect itself is optional or mandatory is determined by the word "may" - if "may" is present, the effect is optional; otherwise it is mandatory by default.
What happens when Hidden Blade is chained with Gust or Flash in different orders?
Ruling: When Hidden Blade's target becomes illegal before it resolves (due to being returned to hand by Gust or moved to base by Flash), Hidden Blade resolves with no effect and no one draws cards. When Hidden Blade resolves first (Chain 2), it kills the unit and the controller draws 2 cards, then the Chain 1 spell (Gust or Flash)...
Can a hidden Zhonya's Hourglass be played from one battlefield to affect a unit at a different battlefield?
Ruling: Yes, Zhonya's Hourglass can be played while hidden at one battlefield and affect units at another battlefield. When a gear is played hidden at a battlefield, it is placed in your base instead, and Zhonya's effect is global.
Does a unit played with Gentleman's Duel get healed after the card resolves?
Ruling: No, units are not healed after Gentleman's Duel resolves. Units are only healed after combat finishes and at the end of turn.
If I hold a battlefield at the start of turn and score the holding point, then move my units off and back onto it, does it trigger an Open showdown?
Ruling: Yes, moving units back onto a battlefield you previously held triggers an Open showdown, but you will not score another holding point.
Can you conquer a battlefield multiple times per turn to trigger 'on conquer' effects multiple times?
Ruling: No, you cannot conquer the same battlefield multiple times per turn. You can only conquer a battlefield that you have not yet scored this turn.
If my unit is killed during a showdown after I pass focus, can I still play actions since focus returns to me, or does the showdown end immediately?
Ruling: Both players must pass focus consecutively without playing anything for combat to resolve and end. After a chain resolves, focus automatically passes back to you, allowing you to play actions even if your unit was killed.
Can a hidden unit be played/flipped if its ability has no valid target, or does it become unplayable?
Ruling: Hidden units can still be flipped and played even if their abilities have no valid target. The unit enters play, but the ability simply does not resolve.
If my legend is Viktor, can I use cards of colors other than blue and yellow (e.g., a purple spell without a recycle cost)?
Ruling: When Viktor is your legend, you are restricted to only blue and yellow cards. You cannot use cards of other colors, even if they don't have a recycle cost.
If you target Pouty Poro with Icathian Rain 6 times, can you recycle 1 and have Deflect negate the other ones?
Ruling: You pick targets for all 6 triggers simultaneously and decide which Deflect costs to pay before they go on the stack. You can choose to pay for only 1 Deflect and decline to pay for the other 5.
How does equipment work in terms of timing and readiness - when can you equip it after playing it, does it enter exhausted, and what happens when the equipped unit dies?
Ruling: Equipment always enters the base ready, allowing you to immediately pay the equip cost to attach it to a unit. When the equipped unit dies, the equipment returns to your base ready, so you can pay the equip cost again to re-equip it.
Does Leona Determined's ability to stun an enemy unit count as choosing/targeting for the purpose of triggering Deflect?
Ruling: Yes, Leona Determined's ability to stun an enemy unit does choose/target for the purpose of Deflect. Charm also triggers Deflect.
If you score a battlefield by conquering with a champion unit (Kaisa/Qiyana), then move that unit out and back to the same battlefield in the same turn, can you re-trigger the conquer abilities?
Ruling: No, you cannot score a battlefield more than once per turn. Since conquering is a form of scoring, you cannot conquer the same battlefield again in the same turn even if you move the unit out and back.
Can you equip equipment to another unit on the same turn that the previously equipped unit dies?
Ruling: Yes, you can equip equipment to another unit on the same turn that the previously equipped unit dies, following Base Speed timing.
When Promising Future banishes units with 'when you play me' triggers, at what point do those triggers enter the chain and in what order do they resolve relative to other cards banished by Promising Future?
Ruling: When units with 'when you play me' triggers are played via Promising Future, their triggers enter the chain as pending items immediately after each unit resolves. These triggers are then finalized after all other Promising Future cards are finalized, and they resolve before the other Promising Future cards.
Can Volibear's legend ability trigger multiple times per turn to generate multiple runes when playing multiple Mighty units?
Ruling: Volibear's legend ability triggers and creates a chain each time you play a Mighty unit, but you can only generate one rune per turn because the ability requires you to exhaust Volibear to channel and get the rune. Once exhausted, you cannot use the ability again that turn unless you untap Volibear through another method.
When does floating energy empty from a player's pool?
Ruling: Each player's pool empties at the end of each turn and after the draw phase. Nuances: - Energy can be floated throughout a turn, allowing players to recycle runes and hold up resources until they decide to play something - The draw phase emptying prevents certain shenanigans
If an opponent targets my 4 might Fiora with Foxfire, and I respond by playing Discipline to increase her might to 6 (giving her Deflect), does Foxfire have to recycle when it resolves due to the new Deflect?
Ruling: No, Foxfire does not have to recycle. Paying costs and choosing a target happens when the card is played, so Deflect gained after targeting is irrelevant.
When Baited Hook says 'ignore costs', does that include the power cost in the top left corner? If hooking into Watcher, do you still have to pay the 1 energy and power, plus the optional accelerate cost?
Ruling: When Baited Hook says "ignore costs", it refers only to the Energy and Power costs printed in the top left corner of the card - those costs are ignored. Additional costs like Accelerate (optional) or Cruel Patron's sacrifice requirement (mandatory) must still be paid if you choose to pay them or are required to pay them.
If a spell targets a creature and that creature is killed in response before the spell resolves, does the spell still resolve and produce its other effects?
Ruling: The spell will resolve and do as much as it can. If the target becomes illegal while the spell is on the chain, effects that don't depend on the target still happen.
When multiple units die simultaneously in combat, which unit does Zhonya's Hourglass save, and what happens if you have multiple Zhonya's?
Ruling: When multiple units die simultaneously, the Zhonya's Hourglass controller chooses which unit to save. Zhonya's must already be face-up at that moment. If you have multiple Zhonya's, you still lose one Zhonya per death prevented.