Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 78 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
If a unit is moved to a battlefield as a result of a spell, are they considered either attacking or defending?
Yes, a unit moved to a battlefield by a spell can become an attacker or defender, provided that the movement results in a combat showdown.
If a showdown results in both players having a unit still alive, what happens?
According to the Riftbound rules and the provided FAQ, if both players have units remaining at a battlefield at the end of combat, the attacking units are recalled to their base.
If a showdown results in both players having a unit still alive, what happens?
According to the Riftbound rules and the provided FAQ, if both players have units remaining at a battlefield at the end of combat, the attacking units are recalled to their base.
If Jax unmatched is in play, can the player controlling Jax equip a gear that is already in play as a reaction during another player's turn?
No, you cannot use the **Equip** ability of a Gear already in play as a reaction during your opponent's turn, even with **Jax, Unmatched** on the battlefield.
If a chosen champion is targeted with Rebuke, does it go to the controller's hand or to the trash?
When a chosen champion is targeted by **Rebuke**, it returns to its controller's hand, not the trash. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #3212**: > "When you cast Retreat on your chosen champion, it goes to hand. Nuances: Even though the card is a chosen champion, Retreat treats it as a regular unit and returns it to hand rather than the champion...
How many action cards can be played during a showdown?
There is no hard limit on the number of Action cards that can be played during a single showdown. Both players can play multiple Action cards throughout the duration of a showdown, provided they follow the rules for Focus and the state of the chain.
Can you discard any Gear the round you play it?
No, you cannot discard a Gear card after it has been played. According to **Rule 409.1**, "Discarding a card is moving it from a player's hand directly into their trash." Once a Gear card is played, it is no longer in your hand; it is on the board as a Game Object (Rule 146.1.a). Because it is no longer in...
Does Irelia Fervant get +1 Might if Cull the Weak is countered?
No, Irelia, Fervent does not get +1 Might if *Cull the Weak* is countered. According to the official ruling for *Cull the Weak* (FAQ #8619):
Does multiple Forecasters on the field trigger Bison multiple times?
Yes, multiple **Forecasters** on the field will cause **Vision** to trigger multiple times when you play a Mech. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #84**: * **Ruling:** Multiple Forecasters do stack, so playing a Mech with multiple Forecasters in play will trigger Vision multiple times. * **Sequence:** 1. Each instance of Vision triggers separately. 2. When each trigger resolves, you look at...
Does Undertitan's +2 ability count as a trigger?
Yes, Undertitan’s ability "When you play me, give your other units +2 to all units you control this turn" is a triggered ability.
If I conquer a battlefield with no enemy units present, is it considered as winning a combat?
No, conquering a battlefield with no enemy units present is not considered winning a combat. According to **Rule 438**, a Combat only occurs when a battlefield has units controlled by two opposing players. If there are no enemy units present, a combat cannot be initiated or resolved.
Is playing a card as hidden considered playing a card?
No, playing a card as hidden is not considered playing a card. According to **Rule 737.1.c.1**, "Hide is not a subset of Play." Hiding a card is a "Discretionary Action" distinct from the action of playing a card.
If the opponent uses Imperial Decree, then they push my battlefield that has a purple Draven with a recruit. Does Draven kill the recruit, win the combat, I get a point, then decree kill Draven?
Yes, that is the correct sequence of events. Based on the mechanics of combat and the specific ruling for **Imperial Decree** interacting with **Draven, Audacious** (as detailed in FAQ #8630), here is the breakdown of how this resolves:
When Svellsongur is attached to Aphelios for the first time, how many times does it trigger?
When Svellsongur is attached to Aphelios, Exalted for the first time, it triggers **twice**. According to RiftJudge FAQ #541 and #8411:
If Akshan steals a Gear and it gets Factory Recalled, does it return to the Akshan's player hand?
No, the gear does not return to the Akshan player's hand. It returns to the original owner's hand. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #3695**: "When Akshan steals a gear and Factory Recall is played, does the gear return to the original owner's hand? **Ruling: Yes, when Factory Recall is played on a gear that Akshan has stolen, it returns to the...
When a unit dies with Guardian Angel, do the other equipment stay attached?
Yes, when a unit is saved by Guardian Angel, all other equipment remains attached to that unit. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #674** and **FAQ #8433**, when a unit with Guardian Angel dies, the unit never technically "dies" or leaves the board because Guardian Angel acts as a replacement effect. The unit is instead healed and recalled to the base. Because...
Do multiple Breakneck Mechs stack the "your mechs have deflect and ganking"?
Yes, multiple **Breakneck Mech** units stack their effects, but with some nuances regarding how the keywords themselves function. ### Deflect According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8475** and **Rule 735.2**, **Deflect** stacks. * **Rule 735.2** states: "If a Unit has Deflect, or has been granted Deflect, and is granted Deflect by an additional source, the Deflect Value of all granted Deflect keywords...
Does the 'making spells cheaper' effect from Eager Apprentice at a battlefield offset the increase in energy cost (not power) caused by Vex's effect? Even if the spell was 1 energy base. My impression is that it's not a trigger effect so it doesn't 'snapshot' like buffs/debuffs do and only checks for if the minimum value of 1 is reached.
To address your question regarding the interaction between **Eager Apprentice** and **Vex, Cheerless**, we must look at how cost modifications are applied in Riftbound.
When having a Zhonyas Active and two units defending battlefield, an attacker comes in with a unit with enough might to kill both the defenders through simple combat damage. Does the controller of the defenders get to pick which unit to apply Zhonyas to, or is there any sequencing in handing out combat damage by the attacker which can influence this?
The controller of the defenders gets to choose which unit to save with Zhonya's Hourglass. The attacker's damage distribution order does not restrict this choice.
If a Darius is in base exhausted, will hiding a card at a battlefield ready him and give +2 might?
No, hiding a card does not ready Darius or give him +2 might. According to Rule 737.1.c.2, **hiding a card does not open a chain**, and more importantly, **hiding a card is not the same as playing a card** (Rule 737.1.c.1).
If a Ruin Runner is on the board, and my opponent plays a Thousand Tailed Watcher, does the Ruined Runner get -3 might?
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 Zdrive revive tokens?
No, Zero Drive cannot revive tokens. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #720**, tokens cannot be banished and played again later because they cease to exist immediately upon entering any non-board zone, including the banish zone.
Does Blue Ahri give -2 to Ruin Runner when attacking or defending?
No, Blue Ahri cannot give -2 to Ruin Runner, regardless of whether it is attacking or defending. According to the card text retrieved for **Ruin Runner**, it has the ability: "*I can't be chosen by enemy spells and abilities.*"
At which point in Bullet Time do I pay the power, can my opponent choose to play a reaction first before I pay the power cost?
According to the official rulings for **Bullet Time**: ### When do you pay the power? You pay the power cost **during the resolution** of the spell, not when you cast it. The total cost to play Bullet Time is only its base energy cost (1 energy). The amount of power you choose to pay is determined and paid only when...
Can Akshan take control of an equipment that is already equipped on an enemy?
Yes, Akshan can take control of an equipment that is already attached to an enemy unit. According to the **RiftJudge FAQ #1513** and **FAQ #657**, Akshan's ability allows you to target an equipment even if it is currently attached to another unit. When the ability resolves:
Can you react to anything?
Whether you can react to a game action depends on whether that action creates a chain and whether you have priority.
Do countered spells give Irelia Fervent +1?
Yes, Irelia, Fervent still receives the +1 Might bonus even if the spell targeting her is countered. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #636** and **FAQ #5762** in the retrieved context:
Can recruit tokens go back into your hand?
Yes, Recruit tokens can be returned to your hand. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #4395**, when a Recruit unit token is returned to your hand (for example, by a card effect like "Gust"), it is moved to your hand and then immediately ceases to exist because tokens cannot exist in any non-board zone.
Can Angled Shot detach an equipment from a Ruin Runner?
No, you cannot use **Angle Shot** to detach an equipment from an opponent's **Ruin Runner**. **Ruin Runner** has the ability: *"I can't be chosen by enemy spells and abilities."*
If there is a ready unit defending Reavers Row and they choose to use Reavers Row trigger, does it move back to base ready or exhausted?
If a ready unit is defending at Reaver's Row and you choose to use the Reaver's Row triggered ability to move it to your base, **the unit remains ready.**
How does Switcheroo work with Blue Rumble ability and Legend?
To understand how **Switcheroo** interacts with **Rumble** (specifically the *Mechanized Menace* Legend and *Rumble, Scrapper*), we must look at how Might modifiers and passive abilities like **Shield** function during a swap.
Can you choose the same unit twice for Singularity?
No, you cannot target the same unit twice with Singularity. According to the official rulings for Singularity: * **Singularity must target two different units** if you choose to target two units. You cannot target the same unit twice to deal 12 damage. * "Up to two units" means you can choose to target 0, 1, or 2 units. * If...
If I use Singularity on a Glasc Mixologist and Pickpocket, can he use the Death Knell to bring the Pickpocket back?
Yes, you can use the *Deathknell* ability of **Glasc Mixologist** to bring **Pickpocket** back from your trash. ### Sequence of Events 1. **Singularity** is played, targeting **Glasc Mixologist** (and potentially another unit). 2. **Singularity** resolves, dealing 6 damage to **Glasc Mixologist**. 3. Since **Glasc Mixologist** has 5 Might, it takes lethal damage and is marked for death. 4. **Cleanup** begins...
Does Pirate's Haven give +1 to my units on the Awakening phase?
Yes, Pirate's Haven gives +1 Might to your units that ready during the Awaken Phase. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #2603** and **FAQ #5723**: * Pirate's Haven triggers when units ready during the Awaken Phase. * It also triggers when units are readied by card effects. * It does **not** trigger for units that enter play already ready, nor does it...
Can you win with purple Draven on a Conquer when you have 6 points?
To determine if you can win the game with **Draven, Audacious** while at 6 points during a Conquer action, we must look at how points are scored and the restrictions on the final point.
Singularity target both Yellow Viktor and a non-token unit. Did Yellow Viktor's ability proc?
No, Yellow Viktor's ability does not trigger in this situation. According to the **RiftJudge FAQ (ID 670)** regarding damage-based spells like Singularity:
Can Wages of Pain kill units or just leave them with 0 or negative Might?
"Wages of Pain" is a spell that deals damage to a unit. Whether it kills a unit depends on the unit's current Might and the amount of damage already marked on it.
Can you not so fast Stormbringer?
No, you cannot use **Not So Fast** to counter **Stormbringer**. ### Reasoning According to the card text and game rules: * **Not So Fast** can only counter a spell or ability that "chooses a friendly unit or gear." * **Not So Fast** requires the spell or ability to choose a unit or gear that is **friendly to you** (the player...
Can Jax legend ability be tapped during a showdown?
No, you cannot use the legend ability of **Grandmaster at Arms (Jax)** during a showdown. **Ruling:** Activated abilities that do not have the **Action** or **Reaction** keyword can only be activated during your turn when the game state is Open (the chain is empty). Because the legend ability of Grandmaster at Arms lacks these keywords, it cannot be used during...
Does opponent gain priority when I play a unit in an open state?
No, your opponent does not gain priority when you play a unit in an open state. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #7257**, playing units or gear alone does not start a chain, and therefore does not allow opponent reactions or provide a priority window.
What are all the moments where priority changes?
In *Riftbound*, priority is the exclusive right to take discretionary actions. According to Rule 312.2, a player receives priority at the following specific moments:
When does priority officially stop getting passed?
Priority does not "stop" in a permanent sense; rather, it is a continuous, shifting mechanic that is managed through specific game states. Priority is passed between players to facilitate the addition of items to the chain or to signal the resolution of the chain.
If I enter a battlefield, and pass focus to my opponent, he plays Discipline, can I play Punch first after? Before the Showdown resolves?
Yes, you can play **Punch First** after your opponent's **Discipline** resolves, provided the showdown has not yet closed. The sequence of events is as follows:
I play Bellow's Breath repeatedly, once on battlefield A and once on battlefield B. My opponent controls both battlefields. On battlefield A, there are three units and a hidden card, which is Fight or Flight. My opponent reacts with Fight or Flight and uses it on one of his units, moving it to his base. Do I then have the option to choose which set of units takes the damage (either battlefield A where two units remain or his base where one of the units was moved)?
To answer your question: **Yes, you do have the option to choose which set of units takes the damage for the first instance of *Bellows Breath* after the unit has been moved.**
If you reveal Zhonya's, does it count for Pit Crew?
To determine if revealing **Zhonya's Hourglass** from hidden triggers **Pit Crew's** ability ("When you play a gear, ready me."), we must look at the definition of "playing" a card from hidden.
Can I spend Sett Brawler's Buff on my opponent's turn?
No, you cannot spend Sett, Brawler's buff on your opponent's turn. According to the FAQ for Sett: Brawler (#7445): "Ruling: The ability is standard speed, meaning it can only be used on your turn outside of chains or showdowns. All effects without ACTION or REACTION keywords are standard speed, and there are no effects that can be used 'whenever'."
If my Lucian moves into an uncontrolled battlefield with an equipment equipped, does he still get the +1 from Assault?
No, your Lucian will not gain the +1 Might from **Assault** when moving into an uncontrolled (empty) battlefield. According to **Rule 733.1.c**, Assault is functionally short for "While I am an attacker, I have +X [M]." As established in **RiftJudge FAQ #863** and **#1818**, moving a unit into an unoccupied battlefield initiates a non-combat showdown, not a combat. Because there...
I play a unit on my occupied battlefield, can an opponent play a reaction such as Gust?
No, you cannot react to a unit being played. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #1472** and **FAQ #7795**, units (and other permanents) leave the chain immediately upon being played without providing a priority window for opponents to respond. Because there is no priority window, you cannot cast a reaction spell like *Gust* to prevent the unit from entering the battlefield or...
My opponent plays a unit to an open battlefield, if I play a spell like Flight or Fight to push the unit back, would that still be considered a showdown?
Yes, a showdown still occurs. According to **FAQ #7200**, a showdown occurs when you move a unit to a battlefield, even if there are no enemy units present. Playing a spell like *Fight or Flight* to move that unit back to its base does not prevent the showdown from happening; it simply changes the state of the battlefield during that...
If I use Challenge while my unit is in base and I conquer an open battlefield after that, do I heal?
No, you do not heal in this scenario. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #2241** and **#7796**, there is a critical distinction between a **combat showdown** and an **open showdown**: