Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 66 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
If I win on the attack and conquer, does this happen before or after I score? Before or after conquer effects?
Draven’s ability will trigger and resolve before you gain your regular point for scoring the battlefield and before any conquer effects are triggered. This means that you can’t win from 6 points by conquering a battlefield with Draven without having scored all other battlefields—you’ll gain your point from Draven, then the game will see that you’re at 7 points and...
Can Pickpocket kill a Gold token?
Yes, but we see why you’d ask. The rules use a “NULL” system for values that aren’t available, such as the Might of a unit that’s been removed from the board. The unit is gone and the information is missing, so you can’t do any calculations or comparisons with it (not even “is it no more than 1?”). That system...
Can Rumble, Hotheaded choose a Mech token to recycle? If he does, where does it go?
Yes, he can. This is a minor gap in the rules. Main Deck cards are recycled to the Main Deck and runes are recycled to the Rune deck, but tokens aren’t actually either of those things. We’ll be clarifying in a future rules updates that tokens “inherit” the recycle destination of their type(s), so a token that’s a unit or...
Does Svellsongur copy text that the unit has gained from other sources, such as the Assault granted by Cleave? What about text it’s gained from other Equipment?
No, Svellsongur only copies the text that’s actually printed on the unit. This is an ambiguity in the current rules, which refer to “appending” and “removing” rules text without reference to whether that text is original to the unit or not. The key word here is actually copy, a system that will be fleshed out in a future rules update.
Aphelios, Exalted has an ability that triggers when I attach an Equipment to him and tells me to “choose one that hasn’t been chosen this turn.” If I attach Svellsongur to him, does he have the second copy of his ability in time for both to trigger? And do I have to choose different options?
He does have the second copy of his ability in time, and it will trigger. The “one that hasn’t been chosen this turn” restriction applies separately to each instance of his ability. So you could choose the same option for both, but you’ll have to track which options you’ve used for each copy of his ability.
I heard that cards that reduce Might will no longer say “to a minimum of 1” on them. Does that mean Origins cards like Stupefy will receive errata?
No. This is a change to our design philosophy beginning with Spiritforged, but Origins cards will maintain their functionality.
Does a unit with 0 or less Might automatically die?
No, units can stick around on the board with 0 (or less!) Might. They will die if they take any damage, but “0” is not a valid amount of damage, so it takes 1 damage to kill a unit with 0 or less Might. We realize that this is a little weird, but it’s important to us that cards like...
Does a unit with negative Might contribute negative damage to my Might total in combat?
No. Negative Might is treated as 0 Might for the purposes of dealing damage, but as its true value for raising it back above 0. So a unit with -3 Might would contribute 0 damage in combat, would die if it was dealt 1 or more damage, and would require +4 Might to get it back up to 1 Might.
What costs does Ezreal, Prodigy reduce? Does he reduce Repeat costs? Accelerate costs? Equip costs?
Ezreal, Prodigy reduces additional costs that are optional to pay. These will generally use both the words “additional cost” and the word “may.” Repeat and Accelerate are the two main sources of optional additional costs, but Ezreal can also offer a discount for one-off oddballs like Blast Corps Cadet. Ezreal can’t reduce Equip costs. That’s an activation cost for an...
Does Ezreal help with Deflect costs? Aren’t those optional now?
No, Ezreal won’t help with Deflect costs, and Deflect is not optional. Deflect is a mandatory additional cost, meaning you must pay it if you want to finalize a spell or ability that chooses something with Deflect. It’s true that you can choose not to pay Deflect costs for triggered abilities by choosing not to finalize them, but that doesn’t...
What parts of a spell does the Repeat ability cause to be repeated? Is it the entire effect? If I use Temporal Portal to give Find Your Center Repeat and pay the cost while its cost reduction applies, does the cost reduction happen once or twice, and does the final spell cost 2 or 4?
Repeat causes you to repeat execution of a spell’s “instructions,” which are the things the spell tells you to do as it resolves. (We’ll give a better definition of “instructions” and how to define them in an upcoming rules update.) And the Repeat cost of Find Your Center isn’t reduced, even when its base cost is, because anything that asks...
The reminder text of Weaponmaster says “You may”, but the Core Rules reads like it is mandatory. Which is it?
Oh, sharp catch. Weaponmaster as a keyword is always meant to be optional. While the rules utilize a language structure that imply a mandatory target, the reminder text is more accurate here. It is always a choice on whether or not to use this play ability. We will clean up that language in the future.
Does spell damage work with Imperial Decree, and how does Imperial Decree interact with save effects like Zhonya's Hourglass?
Ruling: Yes, spell damage works with Imperial Decree. Imperial Decree triggers on any damage dealt to a unit, regardless of source. When a unit takes damage while Imperial Decree is active, it creates a pending trigger that will kill the unit.
When defending with Fiora Peerless, can you play Punch First before her Might-doubling trigger resolves?
Ruling: No, you cannot play Punch First before Fiora's Might-doubling trigger resolves because Punch First is an [Action], and only cards with [Reaction] can be played in response to triggers during a Closed State. You must wait until after the trigger resolves and the chain empties, then play Punch First when you gain Focus as the Defender.
When my opponent plays Icathian Rain and I play Not So Fast on one of the targeted units, is the whole spell cancelled or just the damage to that one unit?
Ruling: The entire Icathian Rain spell is countered. Not So Fast counters the spell itself, not just individual instructions. If Icathian Rain targets at least one of your units, you can play Not So Fast to counter it, preventing all six instances of 2 damage regardless of what they were targeting.
If an opponent's unit attacks a battlefield controlled by Ahri, gets -1 Might from her ability, then is bounced to base by Janna and re-enters the same combat via Ride the Wind, does Ahri's ability trigger again for -2 total?
Ruling: No, Ahri's ability will not trigger a second time. The unit will only have -1 Might total. Attack triggers can only be fulfilled once per combat per unit, even if that unit leaves and re-enters the battlefield during the same combat.
If I use Thwonk with Repeat twice on the same unit, does Leona's legend ability trigger once or twice?
Ruling: Leona's legend ability triggers twice. Even though Repeat resolves as a single spell effect, the two stun actions are separate game actions that cannot occur simultaneously, so each triggers Leona independently.
If I conquer with a creature with Last Rites equipped, can I play the creature from trash directly on the battlefield I just conquered? Also, how much does Rhasa cost when played from trash with 7 cards in the graveyard?
Ruling: Yes, you can play a unit from your trash directly to the battlefield you just conquered using Last Rites. When you have 7 cards in your trash and play Rhasa the Sunderer from trash, it costs 3 Energy and 1 Chaos Power.
When playing a card that has a cost reduction based on its current zone (e.g., 'I cost X less for each card in your trash'), does the card itself count towards that reduction?
Ruling: No, the card being played does not count itself for cost reductions based on the zone it is being played from.
Does Yasuo, Windrider score once or twice when he moves six times in one turn?
Ruling: Yasuo, Windrider scores only once when he moves six times in a turn. The ability triggers specifically on the third movement, not on every third movement.
Does Guardian Angel reset the might when the Unit Dies?
Ruling: When a unit is saved by Guardian Angel, it does not reset its Might. The unit retains all buffs, damage, exhausted status, and equipment when recalled to the base.
What are the rules for mixing Chinese and English cards in a Riftbound deck?
Ruling: You may mix cards of any official language (Chinese, English, etc.) within your deck, including the Main Deck, as long as all cards are in identical opaque sleeves and are not physically distinguishable from one another when sleeved.
When can I play a hidden card after I play Discipline?
Ruling: You can play a Hidden card immediately after playing Discipline while still holding priority, without waiting for Discipline to resolve.
Can I play Lucian's signature spell (Relentless Pursuit) if I have no equipment in play?
Ruling: No, you cannot play Relentless Pursuit without controlling an equipment. You must choose both a friendly unit and an equipment you control when casting the spell, even though attaching the equipment is optional.
If I cast Imperial Decree into a Draven then run one Recruit Token into a battlefield with one opponent unit, will the Imperial Decree trigger kill the unit before the end of combat or would the Draven player draw a card from their legend ability?
Ruling: The Draven player will draw a card from their legend ability before Imperial Decree kills the unit. Combat damage is dealt during the Combat Damage Step, but the resulting "kill" trigger from Imperial Decree does not resolve until after the winner of combat has been determined.
When a unit with attached gear is recycled, what happens to the gear?
Ruling: When a unit with attached gear is recycled, the gear detaches and stays in the base. Sequence: - When the unit moves from a board zone to a non-board zone (like the deck via recycling), any attached cards are detached - The detached gear remains at the last location the unit was at before it moved - If the...
Does Sacred Shears trigger its Deathknell ability when the gear itself is killed (e.g., by Salvage)?
Ruling: Sacred Shears does NOT draw a card when the gear itself is killed in isolation. You only draw a card when the unit equipped with Sacred Shears dies.
Can I react to my opponent's Quick-Draw on the stack?
Ruling: You can react to the Quick-Draw triggered ability, but not to the Gear card itself being played. The Gear enters play immediately, then its "When you play this, attach it to a Unit you control" triggered ability goes on the chain, which you can respond to with Reactions.
If I attack with Ava Achiever and cast Hostile Takeover with her ability, will the unit I take control of be attacking with Ava?
Ruling: Yes, the unit you take control of will gain the Attacker designation and be attacking with Ava. Sequence: - Ava Achiever attacks and her ability triggers - You play Hostile Takeover via her ability and take control of an enemy unit - During cleanup, the stolen unit loses its Defender designation and gains the Attacker designation to match its...
Can Vex reduce repeat costs and deflect costs, and how can a repeated Bellows Breath be played for free using 2 Vex and 1 Ezreal?
Ruling: Vex reduces the total cost of a spell, including base costs, repeat costs, and mandatory additional costs like Deflect. A repeated Bellows Breath (normally 2 energy, 2 power total) can be played for free by combining 2 Vex reductions with 1 Ezreal reduction, because players can apply cost reductions in any order and Vex's "minimum 1 energy" restriction only...
Can you use Not So Fast to counter Brynhir Thundersong's ability?
Ruling: No, you cannot use Not So Fast to counter Brynhir Thundersong's ability. Not So Fast can only counter spells or abilities that choose a friendly unit or gear, and Brynhir Thundersong's play effect is a global effect that does not target or choose a specific unit or gear.
If Kai'Sa, Survivor moves to a battlefield while my opponent has Tianna Crownguard at another battlefield, do I draw a card?
Ruling: Yes, you would draw a card with Kai'Sa, Survivor. Tianna Crownguard prevents opponents from gaining points, but does not prevent the act of conquering or holding battlefields, so conquer and hold triggers still occur.
If I control Volibear (Imposing) at Battlefield A and use Charm to move my opponent's Stalwart Poro to Battlefield B, will I draw a card?
Ruling: Yes, you will draw a card. Under current rulings, "When an opponent moves to a battlefield" is treated as "Whenever one or more enemy units move to a battlefield." Since the enemy unit moved to a battlefield other than the one Volibear occupies, his Imposing ability triggers and you draw one card.
Can you use Not So Fast to counter Thousand-Tailed Watcher's ability?
Ruling: No, you cannot use Not So Fast to counter Thousand-Tailed Watcher's ability because the ability does not "choose" or target specific units. Not So Fast requires the enemy spell or ability to choose a friendly unit or gear, but Thousand-Tailed Watcher applies a blanket effect to all enemy units simultaneously without choosing them.
Player A targets a unit with Stupefy. Player B reacts with Riposte, targeting Stupefy and the unit Player A targeted. Player A reacts with Defy, countering his own Stupefy. When Riposte resolves, will it give additional might to the unit?
No, **Riposte** will not give additional might to the unit. According to the rules of the chain and spell resolution (Rule 356.3.e.7 and 356.3.e.10), if a spell's target becomes invalid or unavailable by the time it attempts to execute, that instruction will not execute.
If an opponent plays Wages of Pain on my Overzealous Fan at my battlefield, can I use Ride the Wind to move it to another battlefield and score a point?
Ruling: No, you cannot score a point this way unless your Overzealous Fan has more than 3 Might to survive Wages of Pain. The Fan must survive the damage for the staged showdown at the new battlefield to begin.
If Tianna Crownguard prevents me from gaining a holding point at a battlefield, then I kill Tianna and re-enter that battlefield with a different unit, do I score a conquest point?
Ruling: No, you do not score a conquest point. Even though Tianna prevents you from gaining the point, the battlefield is still considered "Scored" for the turn when you attempt to Hold it.
If I play Punch First with Vex in combat, does Yordle Explorer draw a card?
Yes, **Yordle Explorer** will trigger and you will draw a card. According to the official FAQ regarding **Yordle Explorer**: > "Cards that check costs look at the printed value on the card, not the actual amount paid to play it. You don't have to pay the full cost for the trigger condition to be met."
Can you use bellows breath repeated on the same unit which only has 1 might?
Yes, you can use **Bellows Breath** with **Repeat** to target the same unit twice, even if it only has 1 Might. However, the unit will not die until the entire spell finishes resolving.
If the game score is 7 to 7 and a player plays Invert Timelines, while none of the players have more than 3 cards in the deck, who wins? And is it relevant if one person has 2 and the other has 3 cards in deck?
The player who **did not** play Invert Timelines wins the game. According to the official ruling for this specific scenario:
If I play Brawler Sett, he gets a +1 buff and then 2 turns later I move him to an empty battlefield, does he get a +2 from the buffs or do they not stack?
In Riftbound, buffs **do not stack** on a single unit. According to **Rule 702.3**: "There can only be one Buff on a Unit at a time." Furthermore, **Rule 702.3.a** specifies: "If a Buff is added, or instructed to be added, on a Unit that already has a Buff, it is not placed instead."
Can you play Salvage without target?
Yes, you can play **Salvage** without a target. According to the current text of the card (which received errata), it reads: "*You may kill up to one gear. Draw 1.*"
When I repeat Bellows Hearth, can I choose different units the second time?
Yes, when you pay the **Repeat** cost for **Bellows Breath**, you can choose different units for the second execution of the effect.
Does Quickdraw Equipment still cost the power?
Yes, you must still pay the **Power cost** (and Energy cost) printed in the top-left corner of the card to play a piece of Gear with Quick-Draw.
Does Ravenbloom Conservatory force me to recycle the card if it's not a spell?
Yes, **Ravenbloom Conservatory** does force you to recycle the card if it is not a spell. According to the card's ability: > "When you defend here, reveal the top card of your Main Deck. If it's a spell, put it in your hand. **Otherwise, recycle it.**"
Can I attack a battlefield from ganking moving from the other battlefield and from base at the same time?
Yes, you can move units from your base and units with **Ganking** from another battlefield to the same destination simultaneously.
Can you choose a different friendly unit when playing Marching Orders repeatedly?
Yes, when you pay the **Repeat** cost for **Marching Orders**, you can choose a different friendly unit (and a different enemy unit) for the second execution of the effect.
If my Warmog dies, do I keep the +1 buff from Conquering?
Regarding **Warmog's Armor** and its interaction with buffs gained while conquering: **Yes, the unit keeps the buff.**
When in a showdown I play an action, opening a chain. Does my focus pass automatically after that chain resolves? Or can I play another action afterwards (and keep playing actions) until I pass focus?
After a chain resolves during a showdown, Focus generally passes to your opponent. However, if it was the initial chain of the showdown (triggered by 'When I Attack/Defend' abilities), Focus does not pass, and the attacker retains Focus (Rule 343.1). You cannot play multiple actions consecutively unless your opponent chooses to pass Focus back to you without acting.
If I use Relentless Pursuit on a unit at Vilemaw's Lair, can I move that unit to the other battlefield?
Yes, you can move a unit from **Vilemaw's Lair** to another battlefield using **Relentless Pursuit**. The restriction on **Vilemaw's Lair** specifically states: *"Units can't move from here to **base**."* It does not prevent units from moving between battlefields (often referred to as "Ganking" when done via a Standard Move, or simply moving via a spell effect).