Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 76 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
My opponent is attempting to move to the end of turn from an open game state. Do I get an opportunity to react?
No, you do not get an opportunity to react simply because your opponent is ending their turn. According to the rules and established FAQs:
If my opponent used Wages of Pain twice and in both instances were defied, can Ezreal's legend ability still be tapped?
Yes, your opponent can still tap their **Ezreal** legend ability in this scenario. ### The Ruling According to **RiftJudge FAQ #473**, Ezreal's legend ability triggers even if the spell is canceled (countered) after choices are made. Because the act of choosing the target occurs when the spell is played and placed on the chain, the requirement for Ezreal's ability is...
If a showdown results in both players having the same might, what happens?
When units with equal Might face each other in a Showdown, both sides deal damage simultaneously equal to their total Might. All units that receive lethal damage are sent to the trash.
Does playing a unit start a chain?
Yes, playing a unit does start a chain. According to **Rule 332**, whenever a card is played, a chain is created. However, units have a specific interaction with the chain that prevents opponents from reacting to the unit itself.
When do units heal?
Units heal damage at two specific times during the game, as defined in **Rule 142.3.b**: 1. **During a Combat Cleanup:** This occurs after any combat showdown resolves. When a combat showdown ends, all units on the board (not just those involved in the combat) heal all damage. 2. **At the end of each player's turn:** This occurs during the End...
If I riposte a repeated Thwonk! do I counter both or only one stun?
If you use **Riposte** to counter a **Thwonk!** that has had its **Repeat** cost paid, you counter the **entire spell**, which includes both instances of the stun effect.
When I pass priority in a showdown that already declared attackers and defenders, Rumble Hotheaded is removed by a Hidden Blade. The question is, is the assault buff given by Rumble removed with it, or are my other mechs still buffed?
When Rumble, Hotheaded is removed from the board by *Hidden Blade*, your other Mechs immediately lose the *Assault* keyword. ### Reasoning * **Continuous Effect:** Rumble, Hotheaded’s passive ability generates a continuous effect that grants *Assault* to your Mechs. * **Effect Duration:** Continuous effects generated by a unit's passive ability are active only as long as that unit remains on the...
If Akshan takes opponent Guardian Angel and then dies, does Guardian Angel go back to opponent trash or base?
### Ruling: Guardian Angel Interaction with Akshan When an *Akshan* that has stolen a *Guardian Angel* dies, the *Guardian Angel* is destroyed and sent to the trash.
If I move into Sunken Temple with a set without a buff, on conquer can I choose to buff him so I can trigger Sunken Temple?
No, you cannot choose to buff Sett to trigger Sunken Temple in this scenario. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #4146** and **FAQ #8537**, the "Mighty" condition on Sunken Temple is part of its trigger condition (it appears before the comma). This means the game checks if you have a Mighty unit at the exact moment the conquer occurs.
If I use King's Edict do I have to pay Deflect on the unit I choose?
No, you do not have to pay the **Deflect** cost when using **King's Edict**. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #509** and **FAQ #8616**, **King's Edict** does not target. The spell instructs players to make a choice during its resolution, rather than the spell itself choosing a target when it is placed on the chain.
If I sacrifice a Lonely Poro with Deathknell for Baited Hook, do I draw a card from the Deathknell trigger before resolving Baited Hook?
No, you do not draw the card from the **Lonely Poro's** *Deathknell* trigger before resolving the rest of **Baited Hook**.
If I have an equipment attached to a unit, can it still be the target when playing Relentless Pursuit even if the unit targeted is the same one with the equipment attached?
Yes, you can play **Relentless Pursuit** targeting a unit that already has an equipment attached, and you may choose to attach another equipment to that same unit.
Does not So Fast work against Adaptatron?
To determine if **Not So Fast** can counter **Adaptatron**'s ability, we must analyze whether the ability "chooses" or "targets" a friendly unit or gear.
Can I just the Lucian as reaction to this equipping, forcing them to still pay the equipping power cost?
Yes, you can respond to your opponent's activation of the **Equip** ability. According to **Rule 744.1**, **Equip** is an activated ability. As confirmed by the chain rules, activated abilities use the chain, which means they can be responded to with **[Reaction]** cards or abilities.
How many times does your mana pool empty per turn?
According to Rule 163 and multiple RiftJudge FAQs, your rune pool (which holds your Energy and Power) empties **twice** per turn:
When and where do units heal any damage in a turn?
Units heal damage at two specific times during a turn. According to **Rule 142.3.b** and the associated FAQ, these times are:
Does Void Rush account for repeat cost like a Blood Rush?
No, **Void Rush** does not account for or interact with **Repeat** costs. Here is the breakdown of why:
Does Piercing Light need two targets?
No, *Piercing Light* does not require two targets. According to the card text and the associated RiftJudge FAQ (ID 8481):
If I have Miss Fortune Buccaneer out and then play Yone to an open battlefield does his Weaponmaster trigger before or after his Conquer ability to deal damage equal to his Might to an enemy unit at base?
When you play Yone, Blademaster to an open battlefield using Miss Fortune, Buccaneer's ability, his **Weaponmaster** ability will trigger and resolve **before** his conquer ability.
For Yone's errata, what is considered an uncontrolled battlefield?
An uncontrolled battlefield is a battlefield that is not currently controlled by any player. According to **Rule 184.2.b**, a battlefield is either "Controlled by a specific player or Controlled by no one." When a battlefield is "Controlled by no one," it is considered **uncontrolled**.
I conquered with Sett with only 4 power and no buff on Sunken Temple. Can I use Sett's effect first to get a buff, become mighty, and use Sunken Temple's effect to draw 1 card if you're mighty?
No, you cannot use the effect of Sunken Temple in this scenario. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #4146**, Sett cannot trigger Sunken Temple's ability if he is not already Mighty at the moment you conquer the battlefield.
I cast Piercing Light, and declare an opponent's target in a BF and a target in my opponent's base. My opponent fight or flights his unit at the BF, does the unit in base still take damage?
Yes, the unit in your opponent's base will still take 2 damage. According to the RiftJudge FAQ #813 and #1752, the word "then" in *Piercing Light* is a timing instruction, not a condition that requires the first target to remain valid for the second part of the effect to resolve. *Piercing Light* follows "Do As Much As You Can" (DAMAYC)...
If I play Void Rush can I exhaust Sun Disk before playing my unit from Void Rush?
No, you cannot exhaust **Sun Disc** in the middle of resolving **Void Rush** to affect the unit played from it.
Can I use Deathgrip on a unit on the same battlefield as Soraka?
Yes, you can use **Deathgrip** on a unit at the same battlefield as **Soraka, Wanderer**. However, the interaction will likely result in the unit being saved by Soraka rather than being killed, which will prevent the rest of Deathgrip's effect from occurring.
If I target an enemy unit at a BF Wot Defiant Dance and the opponent reacts killing its unit, do I still get +2 from Defiant Dance?
If you target an enemy unit with **Defiant Dance** and that unit is killed by a reaction before the spell resolves, you **will** still receive the +2 Might effect on your other unit.
Does Repeat create two stacks on the chain once the card gets played, and can the opponent react in-between the two executions of the repeated spell?
No, **Repeat does not create two separate stacks or chain items.** According to **RiftJudge FAQ #4750** and **Rule 746.1.d**, Repeat appends the card's effect to itself on a single chain item. When you pay the Repeat cost, the spell is finalized as one single item on the chain that will execute its effect twice when it resolves.
If an opponent is attacking me and I stun the attacking unit, the units recall. Opponent readies the unit and attacks the same battlefield, does the opponent's unit deal combat damage?
Yes, the opponent's unit will deal combat damage, provided it is no longer stunned when the Combat Damage Step occurs.
What happens when Facebreaker gets played on Vilemaw Lair?
When you play **Facebreaker** at **Vilemaw's Lair**, the following occurs: ### The Ruling **Facebreaker** will successfully resolve, stunning both the targeted friendly unit and the targeted enemy unit. Because **Vilemaw's Lair** only prevents "moving" units to the base, and **stunning** or **recalling** units is not considered a "move" action, the card functions normally.
If Draven Audacious dies in combat but gets revived by Zhonya's, does he give the point over to the opponent?
No, Draven, Audacious will **not** give the point to your opponent if he is saved by Zhonya's Hourglass. ### Reasoning The ability on **Draven, Audacious** reads: *"When I die in combat, choose an opponent. They score 1 point."*
If you hide a Zhonyas but decide to flip it later to no death, can you do that and it'll go back to base as a normal Zhonyas?
Yes, you can do that. You can reveal (flip) a hidden Zhonya's Hourglass at any time you have priority to play a reaction, even if no unit is currently dying.
Can you spend Sett Brawlers Buff then give him another Buff from Pit Rookie then spend that second Buff?
Yes, you can perform that sequence. Because Sett, Brawler's ability to spend a buff is an activated ability and Pit Rookie's ability is a triggered ability, you can chain them together as long as you have the necessary resources and timing.
Can a defender react with a Hitten card before the attacker can play an action with focus?
No, a defender cannot react with a hidden card before the attacker plays an action with focus. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #6977**, the attacker always gains focus first in a showdown. Because the attacker has focus, they have the priority to start a chain by playing an action or reaction card. The defender cannot interrupt the attacker to play a...
Does hiding a card satisfy Legion?
No, hiding a card does not satisfy the Legion condition. According to **Rule 737.1.c.1**, "Hide is not a subset of Play." Because the Legion ability specifically requires you to have "played" a Main Deck card (Rule 738.1.c.1), the act of placing a card face-down (Hiding) does not count toward this requirement.
How do move triggers work in the case of opening up a chain?
Move triggers function like any other triggered ability in Riftbound: when the condition ("When I move" or similar) is met, the ability is placed on the chain.
In combat, I'm attacking with 2 units. One of them has an equipped Last Rites. I win the combat, but my opponent kills the unit equipped with Last Rites. Do I still trigger the conquer effect of the gear?
No, the conquer effect of the gear will not trigger. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #3012**, conquer effects require the source of the ability to be present on the battlefield at the moment control is established (which occurs after the showdown or combat ends). If the unit equipped with the gear dies during the combat, it is no longer on the...
After a non-combat showdown, do units get healed?
No, units do not heal after a non-combat showdown. According to the RiftJudge FAQ (ID 3513 and 7792): * **Ruling:** Units do not heal during or after non-combat showdowns. Healing only occurs after combat showdowns and at the end of the turn. * **Nuance:** A showdown only becomes a "combat" when a battlefield is contested and occupied by units controlled...
Can you respond to Mindsplitter being played with a spell if it has reaction speed?
**You cannot respond to the act of playing the Mindsplitter unit itself, but you can respond to its "When you play me" triggered ability once it is on the chain.**
How does Bellows Breath work if the targeted unit moves with a reaction?
When a unit targeted by **Bellows Breath** moves to a different location (e.g., via a reaction) before the spell resolves, the following rules apply:
If my opponent plays Bellows Breath to bring a unit to 3 might, then plays Thousand Tailed Watcher, does the unit die?
Yes, the unit will die if its Might is reduced to a value equal to or less than the damage marked on it.
What happens if my rune deck is empty and I cannot channel anymore runes?
If your rune deck is empty and you are instructed to channel runes, you simply do not channel any runes.
On my turn, can I give Vi Destructive +10 Might if I recycle 10 from my trash?
Yes, you can give Vi, Destructive +10 Might in a single turn, provided you have at least 10 cards in your trash to recycle.
Can I cast Arcane Shift without an enemy at a battlefield?
No, you cannot cast Arcane Shift without an enemy unit at a battlefield. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #378**, Arcane Shift requires valid targets for both parts of the effect—a friendly unit to blink AND an enemy unit to deal 3 damage to—in order to be played on the chain. You cannot play it if there is no enemy unit at...
I have Lucian with Warmog's on him, I conquer Sunken Temple. Can I spend 1 to draw as he is now mighty?
No, you cannot use the effect of Sunken Temple to draw a card in this scenario. Here is the breakdown of why:
I use a Hidden Blade on my Immortal Phoenix which is at a battlefield. Does the same Immortal Phoenix that died to Hidden Blade trigger its ability and allow me to bring it back from the discard pile?
Yes, the **Immortal Phoenix** that was killed by **Hidden Blade** can trigger its ability to return from the trash. According to the official FAQ (FAQ #4668, #2182, and #8545) and **Rule 376.2.c.1**, this interaction works because the Phoenix is moved to the trash during the resolution of the spell, and its trigger condition is evaluated immediately after the spell finishes...
Is Master Yi Legend ability a trigger?
No, Master Yi's legend ability is **not a triggered ability**; it is a **passive ability**. According to RiftJudge FAQ #3743 and #6796: * **Passive vs. Triggered:** Abilities that use "while" language are passive abilities that are active as long as the condition is met. Triggered abilities use "when" or "at" to indicate they activate in response to a specific event.
If I have two Guardian Angels attached to a unit and it dies, do both Guardian Angels die or just one?
According to the Riftbound FAQ (FAQ #1622), if a unit with two Guardian Angels equipped dies, **only one Guardian Angel will be destroyed.**
If a player uses Imperial Decree, does Unyielding Spirit stop units from dying to the effect, or is kill not considered spell or ability damage?
No, **Unyielding Spirit** does not stop units from dying to the effect of **Imperial Decree**. ### Reasoning * **Imperial Decree** creates a triggered ability that instructs the game to "kill" a unit when it takes damage. * **Unyielding Spirit** specifically prevents "spell and ability damage." * According to **RiftJudge FAQ #2547** and **#6839**, Unyielding Spirit does not prevent "Kill" or...
If I have a Karthus and a Deathknell card die from a Falling Star, does the Deathknell still trigger twice?
Yes, if you have a Karthus on the board and another unit with a Deathknell effect dies at the same time (such as from a *Falling Star*), that unit's Deathknell effect will trigger twice.
In a showdown does the attacker or defender pass priority first?
In a showdown, the **attacker** receives priority first. According to the established rules and FAQs for *Riftbound*:
If you conquer then move the unit to another battlefield, after that can you play a unit onto the first conquered battlefield?
No, you cannot play a unit onto that battlefield after moving your only unit away from it. According to the rules and established FAQs: