Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 73 of 133 · 6,620 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
When I recall, am I ready or exhausted?
When you recall a unit, it remains in whatever ready or exhausted state it was in before the recall. According to **Rule 436**: "Recalls do not affect the state of the Permanent being recalled." Furthermore, **Rule 436.1** clarifies that "Exhausted Status... will all remain unaffected by a Recall."
If someone piercing lights my Draven while he is at a battlefield, but I react with Fight or Flight and move Draven back to base, does Draven still get hit with Piercing Light if there are no longer any units at that battlefield?
No, Draven will not be hit by *Piercing Light* in this scenario. According to the rules and established FAQs for *Piercing Light*:
Arcane Shift - if you move a solo unit to an occupied battlefield and then in your first action, you use Arcane Shift, can you replay the unit in the same battlefield?
Yes, you can replay the unit to the same battlefield, provided the battlefield is currently contested (i.e., you are in combat there).
I don't see a question in your input. You've provided only "vanguard armory," which appears to be a card name. Please provide the question that needs spelling correction.
Vanguard Armory is an Order-domain Gear card with the following details: * **Cost:** 7 Energy * **Ability:** Exhaust ([T]) this card to play three 1-Might Recruit unit tokens. You may distribute these tokens across different valid locations (your Base or a Battlefield you control).
Can I use Edge of Night if it was hidden on my opponent's turn if they activated a spell card?
No, you cannot use *Edge of Night* in that situation. According to the rules regarding the **Hidden** keyword (Rule 737.1.b and the associated FAQs), you cannot play a card from the facedown zone on the same turn it was hidden. You must wait until the next turn to play it.
Can you defy First Mate?
No, you cannot use **Defy** to counter **First Mate**. **Defy** is a **Reaction** spell that can only target **spells** on the chain. **First Mate** is a **Unit** card. When you play a unit, it enters the battlefield directly and does not use the chain (as noted in the FAQ regarding "When you play me" abilities). Because the unit itself is...
If I have 5 points, can I win the game by holding to 7 points, and then activating Power Nexus to score another point by recycling 4 runes?
Yes, you can win the game in this scenario. According to **Rule 448.1.a.1**, points earned from sources that are not "Conquer" or "Hold" are not subject to the special restrictions that apply to the final point.
Does Challenge constitute a combat for purposes like Draven Audacious?
No, **Challenge** does not constitute a combat for the purposes of **Draven, Audacious**'s ability. According to the rules and FAQs regarding combat:
If I play Void Rush and reveal 2 Trifarian Glory Seeker, do I get the Legion effect of the Trifarian Glory Seeker to give it a buff?
No, you do not get the Legion effect for the *Trifarian Gloryseeker* played via *Void Rush*. According to Rule 738.1.c.1, the Legion condition for "on play" effects of permanents is: **"If you have played another Main Deck card before this one already this turn, apply [Text]."**
Can you sideboard a main Champion unit?
Yes, you can include Champion units in your sideboard. According to **Rule 403.4.a**, during the sideboarding process between games of a match, a player may change their Chosen Champion to one from their sideboard or Main Deck, provided that the new Chosen Champion meets the deckbuilding rules of the competition format.
If I'm defending with a single unit and the opponent moves into the battlefield to start a showdown, can I play Arcane Shift, banish my unit and play it back to the same showdown given that I technically still have control?
Yes, you can do this. Because you are in a showdown, you maintain control of the battlefield throughout the entire process, even if your unit is temporarily banished.
Player A moves a unit to an empty battlefield (no units from either player). A showdown opens. During the showdown, Player B uses Ride the Wind to move one of their units to that same battlefield. When the showdown ends, who is the Attacker and who is the Defender?
According to the rules and FAQs for Riftbound, here is the ruling for your scenario: **Ruling:** Player A is the Attacker, and Player B is the Defender.
If I use Piercing Light and the first target gets removed like by Hidden Blade, what happens?
If you play **Piercing Light** and the first target is removed (for example, by **Hidden Blade**) before Piercing Light resolves, the second target will still take damage.
If a unit has Weaponmaster can it always equip gear without any cost?
No, a unit with **Weaponmaster** cannot always equip gear for free. According to **Rule 747.1.c** and the associated FAQs, Weaponmaster functions as follows:
Can a ready Malzahar use his ability to kill an exhausted Gear or friendly unit?
Yes, a ready Malzahar can use his ability to kill an exhausted friendly unit or exhausted gear. There is no restriction in Malzahar's ability text or the game rules that prevents you from targeting an exhausted permanent for a "Kill" cost. As long as the unit or gear is friendly and on the board, it is a valid target for...
Can a Salvage kill a Svellsongur equipped on an Ornn Forge God without paying Deflect costs?
Yes, you can target and kill **Svellsongur** with **Salvage** without paying the **Deflect** cost granted by **Ornn, Forge God**. According to the official rulings regarding **Svellsongur**:
How to Lux Crownguard ability?
Based on the card data for **Lux, Crownguard**, here is how her ability works: ### **Ability Breakdown** * **Text:** `exhaust : [Reaction] — [Add] 2 energy . Use only to play spells. (Abilities that add resources can't be reacted to.)` * **Cost:** You must exhaust Lux to activate this ability. * **Effect:** You gain 2 energy that can **only** be...
Can the tokens I play from Vanguard Armory be instantly placed at a battlefield?
No, you cannot play the Recruit tokens from Vanguard Armory directly to an open battlefield. According to the official ruling for Vanguard Armory: * **Tokens must be played to valid locations:** A valid location is your Base or a Battlefield you already control. * **Open battlefields are not valid:** An open battlefield is not a valid location because you do...
Can you recycle a gold gear for the BF sigil of the storm?
No, you cannot recycle a Gold Gear to satisfy the requirement for *Sigil of the Storm*. According to the card text of *Sigil of the Storm*, when you conquer the battlefield, you must "recycle one of your **runes**."
Can you not use Bellows Breath so fast?
Yes, you can use **Not So Fast** to counter **Bellows Breath**. **Not So Fast** is a [Reaction] that can counter an enemy spell or ability that chooses a friendly unit or gear. Since **Bellows Breath** is a spell that chooses (targets) units, it is a legal target for **Not So Fast**.
If I use Imperial Decree and attack a battlefield with a Sand Soldier vs a unit with 3+ Might and they're playing Draven legend, when does Imperial Decree kill the unit? Does Draven win the combat?
This interaction is governed by the timing rules of combat and the resolution of triggered abilities. ### Ruling **The Draven player will draw a card from their legend ability before the unit is killed by Imperial Decree.**
Does a token count to Xin Zhao to enter ready?
Yes, a token unit counts as a unit for Xin Zhao's ability. According to Rule 179.1.d, a token unit is a unit and follows all rules for its type unless otherwise specified. Since Xin Zhao's ability requires "two or more other units," a token unit satisfies this requirement.
Do you have to tap Sun Disc then get Legion to use its effect, or can you get Legion and choose whenever to tap Sun Disc to ready a specific played unit?
To use Sun Disc's effect, you must already have the Legion condition satisfied **at the moment you activate (exhaust) the Sun Disc**.
I play Akshan to steal an opponent's gear, and my opponent plays another Akshan to steal the same gear. If my opponent's Akshan dies, who gets control of the gear?
When your opponent's Akshan dies, you regain control of the gear. According to the ruling provided in the FAQ:
I defend Battlefield with Glasc Mixologist vs a 6 might unit. Glasc dies then I take back a 3 might unit from my trash. Can I play the 3 might unit on the same Battlefield? Does it participate in the same showdown? And is the 6 might unit healed before or not?
To answer your questions regarding the interaction with **Glasc Mixologist** during a showdown: ### 1. Can you play the 3 might unit on the same battlefield? **Yes.** When Glasc Mixologist dies, its **Deathknell** ability triggers. According to Rule 322.3, Deathknell abilities are added to the chain as pending items. When you resolve this ability, you are instructed to play a...
Does Unchecked Power target?
No, **Unchecked Power** does not target. According to Rule 352.10.d, a game object mentioned in the text of a spell is a target **unless** it is programmatically selected based on its characteristics rather than chosen by the spell's controller. The rule explicitly provides the following example:
If Ezreal - Dashing has Spellsong, does he deal his attack damage twice? Can he select different units for each attack?
Yes, **Ezreal, Dashing** equipped with **Svellsongur** will trigger his "When I attack" ability twice, and he can select different units for each trigger.
When do I earn points from controlling a Battlefield?
You earn points from controlling a battlefield in two ways: **Conquer** and **Hold**. According to Rule 446, these are the two methods for scoring:
When I play a champion, do they come in exhausted?
Yes, when you play a unit (including a Champion), it enters the battlefield exhausted. According to the general rules for playing units, all units enter the battlefield exhausted unless a specific card effect states otherwise. This is consistent with the ruling found in the game's FAQs:
If I trigger a non-combat showdown on an empty battlefield, ride the wind my unit to base, and then my opponent uses focus to ride the wind their unit to the battlefield, at which point does it change from a non-combat to combat showdown?
Based on the rules of Riftbound and the established FAQs regarding showdowns, here is the ruling for your scenario: ### Ruling **The showdown does not change from a non-combat to a combat showdown.** A showdown cannot change its type once it has begun. Instead, the current non-combat showdown will resolve normally, and if both players have units present at the...
What if two 'When Play' effects are triggered at the same time?
When multiple "When you play" (Play Effect) abilities are triggered simultaneously, the order of resolution is determined by the player who controls those abilities.
My Volibear 'When I attack, deal 5 damage split among any units' is this damage on top of my might? Also, does this activate first?
Yes, the 5 damage from Volibear's ability is separate from his Might and is dealt in addition to his combat damage.
Explain to me the priority of replacement effects in the resolution phase.
In Riftbound, replacement effects are governed by **Rule 368**. When multiple replacement effects apply to the same event, the priority for determining the order of application is as follows:
If my card has a 'deflect opponent must pay 2 to choose me with an ability' can my opponent exhaust his runes, then pay them?
Yes, your opponent can exhaust their runes to generate the resources needed to pay the Deflect cost. According to **Rule 354.1.a**, when paying for a spell or ability, the controller can use activated abilities (such as exhausting a rune to add energy or power) to generate the resources required to pay the costs. Since the Deflect cost is a mandatory...
Where in the regulation does it say how to deal with excess damage?
The rules regarding excess damage are primarily addressed in the context of **Combat Resolution** and the **Combat Damage Step**. According to **Rule 443.1.d.4**: > "Units cannot have more damage assigned to them than the minimum required to constitute lethal damage unless no further units remain to have damage assigned to them."
When a card says 'pay 2 runes', can I first exhaust the runes (spend them), then pay the runes that I've exhausted?
Yes, you can do this. In *Riftbound*, you can exhaust runes to add energy to your pool, and then recycle those same runes to pay for other costs (like a "pay 2 runes" requirement) in the same turn.
If my champion dies, does it go straight to the trash?
Yes, when your chosen champion is killed, it goes to the trash. According to the official FAQ: "When your chosen champion is killed, it goes to trash. It does not return to the champion zone like commanders do in Magic: The Gathering."
How does someone win?
In Riftbound, the primary way to win a game is by reaching the **Victory Score** in points. According to **Rule 449**, when a player accrues points equal to the Victory Score for their mode of play, they win the game immediately.
When a Deflect says 'opponent must pay to choose me with a spell', but my spell hits all enemies, do I still have to pay?
No, you do not have to pay the Deflect cost in that situation. According to the FAQ in the rules: > "Deflect only needs to be paid when you directly target or choose a unit with Deflect. If a spell targets a battlefield or affects all units without choosing specific units, you do not pay Deflect."
When does a Showdown begin?
A showdown begins when control of a battlefield becomes contested or when one or more units move to an empty battlefield.
Can Altar of Memories be used when a token unit dies?
Yes, Altar of Memories can be used when a token unit dies. According to Rule 179.1.d, "A token unit is a unit. It... can be chosen or otherwise affected by spells or abilities that choose or affect units." Since Altar of Memories triggers "When a friendly unit dies," and a token unit is a unit, the death of a friendly...
What happens if my hand runs out of cards?
In Riftbound, there is no penalty or specific game action triggered simply by having an empty hand. You may continue to play the game normally, drawing cards during your draw phase or through card effects as usual.
When Yasuo Remorseful attacks, can the opponent play any actions before taking damage from the Yasuo attack trigger, or does the showdown begin after the attack defend triggers?
According to the rules and FAQs for *Yasuo, Remorseful*, here is the ruling on your question: **Ruling:** When *Yasuo, Remorseful* moves to an occupied battlefield, the Showdown begins immediately with an **Initial Chain**. During this Initial Chain, **only Reaction speed cards can be played**. You cannot play Action speed cards until the Initial Chain has fully resolved and the pile...
Can my opponent respond to me playing a unit, for example, I play Sett Brawler to my base, does that start a chain where they can react with say Falling Star? Can you also quote specific rule numbers in the response?
No, your opponent cannot respond to you playing a unit like a "Sett Brawler" (or any unit) directly. ### Ruling When you play a unit, it enters the chain as a pending item, but it does not linger there to allow for a response. According to the rules, units are finalized and removed from the chain immediately, skipping the priority...
Can you score the last point with an alternate condition like Tryndamere - Barbarian or Yasuo - Windrider?
Yes, you can score the final (8th) point to win the game using alternate scoring conditions like those found on **Tryndamere, Barbarian** or **Yasuo, Windrider**.
If I move Vex into a battlefield which has an enemy Overzealous Fan, and he activates his ability to send Vex back to base, can I still play discounted spells before the chain ends?
To answer your question: **No, you cannot play additional spells while the chain is resolving.** Here is the breakdown of why this is the case, based on the rules of Riftbound:
Does Fight or Flight exhaust your unit when moving it back to base?
No, **Fight or Flight** does not exhaust your unit when moving it back to base. According to the official FAQ for *Fight or Flight*: * "No, the unit does not exhaust. Only standard moves have an implicit exhaust cost. When a spell tells you to move, you only do what the spell says."
I control Irelia, Fervent at a Battlefield. Opponent moves a unit to the same Battlefield. I choose Irelia to put the Battlefield's effect on the chain. Since I'm choosing her, this also triggers Irelia Fervent's effect, as well as Irelia Legend's ability. What's the order in which these 3 effects resolve? Can I choose it?
To determine the order of resolution, we must first clarify the interactions based on the rules of *Riftbound*. ### The Ruling You **cannot** choose the order of these three effects in the way you described because the **Legend ability does not trigger** from you choosing Irelia.
If my spell gets Defied, does it still count as being played?
No, if your spell is defied (countered), it 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."
When do you have to decide to pay for Draven Vanquisher's triggered ability?
You decide whether to pay for Draven, Vanquisher's triggered ability on resolution, not when the ability is placed on the chain.