Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 67 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
Does Ruin Runner get -3 Might when Thousand Tail Watcher is played?
Yes, **Ruin Runner** will receive the -3 might reduction from **Thousand-Tailed Watcher**. The reason for this interaction is that Thousand-Tailed Watcher's ability does not **choose** (target) specific units. It applies a global effect to all enemy units. Ruin Runner's ability states, "I can't be **chosen** by enemy spells and abilities," which only protects it from effects that require a player...
Can I counter Hostile Takeover with Not So Fast?
Yes, you can counter **Hostile Takeover** with **Not So Fast**. According to the official FAQ for **Hostile Takeover**: > "Hostile Takeover does choose a target... You must pay Deflect costs to play Hostile Takeover on an enemy unit with Deflect."
Does Breakneck Deflect stack if I have 2?
Yes, the **Deflect** granted by multiple copies of **Breakneck Mech** (or any source that does not explicitly forbid it) will stack.
Can my opponent react to me using Vanguard Armory?
Yes, your opponent can react to you using **Vanguard Armory**. According to the game's timing rules, **activated abilities** (abilities that require a cost to use, such as exhausting/tapping the card) use the chain. When you exhaust Vanguard Armory to use its ability, that effect is placed on the chain as a pending action.
Do units die at 0 Might?
No, units do not automatically die when their Might reaches 0 or lower. According to **Rule 142.2.a**, a unit is only killed if it has "nonzero damage marked on it equalling or exceeding its Might." Because 0 is not considered a valid amount of damage in Riftbound, a unit with 0 Might requires at least **1 damage** to be marked...
When Draven Vanquisher with 2 equipped Spinning Axes gains [Temporary] from Fading Memories and dies at the start of my Beginning Phase, do the Spinning Axes get destroyed or do they survive? Also, do I score for holding the battlefield before Draven dies?
Ruling: The Spinning Axes are automatically saved and Recalled to your Base. You do not score for the battlefield. Sequence: - At the start of your Beginning Phase, all [Temporary] effects check their conditions simultaneously - The Spinning Axes check "if this is unattached" - since they are still attached to Draven at this moment, their [Temporary] triggers do not...
If my opponent uses Falling Star, can I use Hidden Blade on my own unit?
Yes, you can use **Hidden Blade** on your own unit in response to **Falling Star**, provided the Hidden Blade is already **Hidden** at that battlefield.
Can Piercing Light target the same unit or must they be two different units?
Piercing Light **must** target two different units if you choose to use both parts of the effect. The card text states: "Deal 2 to a unit at a battlefield, then deal 2 to up to one **other** unit."
Can I play Punch first to save a unit in response if my opponent plays Falling Star?
No, you cannot play **Punch First** in response to **Falling Star**. The reason is the difference between **[Action]** and **[Reaction]** timing:
Does Thousand-Tail Watcher have to pay Deflect cost?
No, **Thousand-Tailed Watcher** does not have to pay Deflect costs. According to official rulings and the mechanics of the **Deflect** keyword:
If a spell is defied or otherwise countered, does that original card still count as being "played"? For example, would Blue Viktor be able to play his token?
No, a card that is countered is **not** considered to have been played. According to **Rule 412.1.b**: "A card that is Countered is not considered to have been played."
Can you gank and attack 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.
Does Rabadon's only work when a spell or ability already does damage or even with effects that don't deal damage?
Rabadon's Deathcrown only works with spells and abilities that **already deal damage**. It does not add a damage component to effects that do not have one.
Can you counter Bellows Breath with Defy if it's repeated?
Yes, you can counter **Bellows Breath** with **Defy** even if the Repeat cost has been paid. According to the official FAQ and game rules:
What happens when both mine and enemy units are stunned on Vilemaw's Lair?
If both the attacking and defending units are stunned at **Vilemaw's Lair**, the following occurs at the end of combat:
Does Ember Monk get the buff from playing a hidden card even if it is countered?
No, **Ember Monk** does not get the +2 might buff if the card played from hidden is countered. In Riftbound, a card is not considered "played" until it successfully resolves. According to **Rule 412.1.b**: "A card that is Countered is not considered to have been played."
If Gearhead (which doubles base Might bonuses from attached Equipment) has Doran's Shield (+1 base Might) attached, and then Svellsongur (which copies the unit's text) is also attached, does the Might bonus double again?
Ruling: No, the bonus does not double again. Gearhead doubles Doran's Shield's base +1 Might to +2. When Svellsongur copies Gearhead's text, this creates two instances of the same doubling effect, but they do not stack to quadruple the bonus—both effects reference the same base value and apply the same doubling rule.
If I have hidden cards and play Downwell, can I reveal the hidden cards after Downwell resolves?
Ruling: No, you cannot reveal your hidden cards after Downwell resolves because they will be trashed during the Cleanup step. When Downwell returns all units to hand, the battlefield becomes Uncontrolled, and hidden cards at Uncontrolled battlefields are removed and placed in their owner's Trash.
Can you pay Deflect cost with a Seal?
Yes, you can use seals to pay for **Deflect** costs. According to the official FAQ and **Rule 735.1.c.1**: * **Deflect** adds a mandatory additional cost to the Power cost of a spell or ability. * The Power used to pay a Deflect cost can be of **any Domain** (it does not need to match the color of the spell or...
Is it still mandatory to have exactly 40 cards in the main deck (39+chosen champion)? Or after January's rules changes was this constraint lifted?
The requirement for deck size depends on whether you are playing in a **Constructed** tournament or a **Limited** (Draft/Sealed) format.
Can I play Cull the Weak if I have no units?
Yes, you can play **Cull the Weak** even if you have no units in play. According to the official rulings for this card: * **No Units Required:** Cull the Weak does not target specific units when it is played. Instead, the choice of which unit to kill happens during the resolution of the spell. Because it doesn't require a target...
If a unit is stunned alone at a unit, does it still conquer? I (as defender) stunned the attacker, then he hidden blade me and is alone, does he conquer?
Yes, the unit still conquers the battlefield. According to the official rulings and the **Resolution Step (Rule 444)**, a unit being **Stunned** only prevents it from contributing its might to damage during combat; it does not prevent the unit from establishing control or conquering a battlefield if it is the only unit remaining there.
What is the chain when I play Arcane Shift on my Fizz?
When you play **Arcane Shift** targeting your own **Fizz, Trickster**, the resolution follows a specific sequence where the spell's instructions are executed, and Fizz's "When you play me" (WYPM) ability is added to the chain as soon as he enters the board.
Does a Gold Gear count for the Legion keyword?
No, playing a **Gold** gear token does **not** count toward the **Legion** keyword. According to **Rule 738.1.c**, the Legion condition specifically checks if you have played a **Main Deck card** this turn. Because Gold is a **Token**, it is not considered a Main Deck card.
can falling star target separate units with damage
Yes, **Falling Star** can target separate units. The card text specifically states: "*Deal 3 to a unit. Deal 3 to a unit. (You can choose different units.)*"
do you need pay deflect cost twice if you repeat a card
Yes, if you use **Repeat** to target a unit with **Deflect** twice, you must pay the Deflect cost twice. According to **Rule 735.1.c**, Deflect is an additional cost applied **"for each time they choose me."**
If I use Overzealous Fan's ability to target an enemy unit with Deflect to send it back, do I have to pay the Deflect cost?
Ruling: Yes, you must pay the Deflect cost. Overzealous Fan's ability targets an attacking unit as part of its effect, and Deflect applies to spells and abilities that choose a unit with Deflect.
Do you have to have your main deck on the opposite side of your rune deck?
Yes, according to the Tournament Rules for high-level Organized Play (OPL), your Main Deck and Rune Deck must be placed on opposite sides of your board layout.
Should I shuffle my deck after every Dazzling Aurora effect taking place?
Yes, you must shuffle the cards revealed by **Dazzling Aurora** before placing them at the bottom of your deck. According to **Tournament Rule 421.8**: > "When two or more cards are recycled to the player’s Main Deck as part of a single action, the above procedures 1-7 [shuffling/randomization] should be followed for that group of cards to properly randomize them...
Does the Ezreal Prodigy ability allow me to attach Gear for free? Does attaching the Gear count as an optional cost?
No, **Ezreal, Prodigy** does not allow you to attach gear for free, and the **Equip** cost does not count as an optional additional cost.
If I play Stupefy to an enemy unit at the Battlefield Void Gate, does it deal minus 2 or minus 1 might?
Playing **Stupefy** on a unit at the **Void Gate** will reduce that unit's Might by **1**. The interaction does not result in -2 Might because **Void Gate** specifically increases **damage**, whereas **Stupefy** is a Might-reduction effect.
Does "not so fast" spell can block the play effect of Thousand-tail Watcher?
No, you cannot use **Not So Fast** to counter the "When you play me" ability of **Thousand-Tailed Watcher**. According to the official ruling: * **Not So Fast** requires the enemy spell or ability to "choose" (target) a friendly unit or gear. * **Thousand-Tailed Watcher's** ability applies a blanket effect to all enemy units simultaneously. Because it does not target or...
Can I use full the weak when I have no units and my opponent has 1?
Yes, you can play **Cull the Weak** even if you control no units and your opponent controls one. According to the official rulings for this card: * **Targeting:** Cull the Weak does not target. Because it says "Each player kills one of their units," the choice of which unit to kill is made upon resolution, not when the spell is...
Does First Mate's "When you play me, ready another unit" open up a chain to be reacted to?
Yes, First Mate's "When you play me" ability creates a chain that can be reacted to. According to the rules and FAQs regarding "When you play me" triggered abilities:
If my opponent has Vex at a battlefield and I have a hidden card there, do I have to pay the additional cost to cast that spell?
Yes, you must pay the additional cost. According to the official ruling for this interaction:
Does "not so fast" counter "Cull the Weak"?
No, **Not So Fast** cannot counter **Cull the Weak**. According to the card text and official rulings, **Cull the Weak** does not "choose" or "target" a unit. The instruction to kill a unit is performed by each player during the resolution of the spell, rather than being a targeted choice made when the spell is played.
What happens if I cast Invert Timelines while my opponent has 4 cards in hand and 0 cards in deck?
Ruling: Your opponent will Burn Out when attempting to draw 4 cards from an empty deck. They will recycle their Trash into their Main Deck, grant you 1 point, then complete drawing the required cards.
Can 'Not So Fast' counter the ability of 'Zaun Punk'?
Ruling: Yes, you can use 'Not So Fast' to counter the triggered ability of 'Zaun Punk' if your opponent chooses your gear as the target.
Does Kadregrin draw for itself?
Yes, Kadregrin can count itself. According to the official FAQ: **Q: Can Kadregrin count itself?** **A: Ruling: Yes, Kadregrin can count itself.**
Is Renata legend ability active at 5 or 6 points?
In a standard game of Riftbound (which is played to 8 points), Chem-Baroness Renata's second ability becomes active when you have **5 points**.
If you summon Akshan, Mischievous with Baited Hook, can you still pay his additional summon condition cost to activate his ability?
Ruling: Yes, you can still choose to pay Akshan, Mischievous's additional cost of [C][C] when playing him with Baited Hook, which will activate his ability to move an enemy gear to your base.
Does Charme cast repeated with temporal Portal Start 2 Showdown 1 by 1 or in Showdown with both charmed units? What if I charm to two different battlefields I control?
When you use **Temporal Portal** to give **Charm** the **Repeat** keyword and move two units, the timing of the resulting Showdowns depends on where the units are moved.
If I play Counter Strike in a combat versus multiple units, does it block the damage from all units or just one, does the opponent choose what unit does the damage that gets blocked?
When you play **Counter Strike**, it prevents all damage that would be dealt to the chosen unit in that specific instance.
When equipment has quick draw because of Jax Unmatched, do I still need to recycle the energy to equip?
When your Equipment gains **Quick-Draw** from **Jax, Unmatched**, you do **not** pay the Equip cost to attach it when you play it from your hand.
Can Draven Audacious get you to 8 points?
Yes, **Draven, Audacious** can get you to 8 points to win the game. According to **Rule 448.1.a.1**, points earned from sources that are not "Conquer" or "Hold" actions are not subject to the final point restrictions (which require you to have scored on all battlefields that turn). Because Draven's ability is a triggered ability that grants a point upon winning...
Does Switcheroo keep the might of the card switched for the turn?
No, Switcheroo does not "keep" the might value in the sense of locking it to a specific number regardless of future changes. Instead, it applies a persistent modifier (an increase to one unit and a decrease to the other) that lasts until the end of the turn.
Does Switcheroo count Shield?
Yes, Switcheroo counts Shield when it resolves. According to the game's mechanics, Shield is a passive effect that continuously adds to a unit's Might while they are a defender. When you cast Switcheroo, it snapshots the **current** Might values of the two units—which includes any active Shield bonuses—and swaps them.
Can you play Tideturner hidden in base?
No, you cannot play Tideturner hidden in the base. According to Rule 737.1.b, the **Hidden** keyword allows you to hide a card facedown specifically at a **battlefield** you control. It does not allow you to hide cards in the base.
Do I need to pay deflect costs when playing Switcheroo?
Yes, you must pay the Deflect cost when casting Switcheroo on a unit with Deflect. According to the official ruling: * **Yes, you must pay for Deflect** when casting Switcheroo on a unit with Deflect, because Switcheroo is a spell and you are choosing (targeting) the unit with Deflect. * **Nuance:** This only applies if the unit with Deflect is...
I have a First Mate with Warmog's Armor, so he is at 4 Might. I conquer Sunken Temple. Then I get a buff. But can I use the effect of Sunken Temple to draw a card? Because I buffed my First Mate with its conquer effect?
No, you cannot use the effect of Sunken Temple in this scenario. Here is the breakdown of why: