Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 83 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
If I have a unit in base, then my opponent uses Charm to move it to a BF he controlled with one unit, and then for my action window I used Rebuke to move his unit back to his hand, do I get a point for conquering even though it's my opponent's turn, and if I am using a Draven Glorious Executioner legend, does that count as a combat win, can I draw a card?
To address your questions, let's break down the sequence of events based on the rules of Riftbound. ### 1. Do you get a point for conquering? **Yes, you can score a conquering point in this scenario.**
Does Switcharoo take Gear Might Aswell?
Yes, **Switcheroo** takes into account the current Might of the units, which includes any bonuses from attached gear. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9201** and **FAQ #6847**, Switcheroo does not look only at base Might. When it resolves, it calculates the difference between the two units' **current Might** (which includes all active modifiers, buffs, and equipment) and applies a persistent +X...
When I kill my opponent's unit with a "when I attack" trigger, do they have a chance to play an action when their unit dies?
To determine if your opponent can play an [ACTION] card after their unit is killed by your "When I Attack" trigger, we must look at the game state and the rules governing timing and priority.
Does Back-Alley Bar target the unit to give it +1 and can I use Irelia legend ability after that?
No, **Back-Alley Bar** does not target the unit, and you cannot use Irelia's legend ability in response to its effect.
Does tank keyword only work when there is a combat? Or if opponent have 2 units at a BF and I want to play Falling Comet, do I need to target tank first?
The **Tank** keyword only functions during the Combat Damage step of a showdown. It has no effect on spells, abilities, or any other game actions outside of combat.
If I attack an empty battlefield no one controls, opponent moves a unit into there during showdown. Am I attacking or defending now?
According to **FAQ #4665** and **Rule 459.2.b**, you are the **attacker** and your opponent is the **defender**. Here is the breakdown of how this interaction works:
Why does Ezreal discount happen before Vex with the new updates?
According to the updated rules in the **2026-03-30 Patch Notes** and **Rule 356.4**, the reason Ezreal's discount is applied before Vex's is due to the distinction between **component-specific discounts** and **total-cost discounts**.
If I cast Bellows Breath with Repeat targeting two units at different battlefields (Kaisa at 1 might and Travelling Merchant at 1 might), and my opponent uses Flash to move both units to their base in response, do the units still take damage and die?
Ruling: Yes, both units will still take damage and die. Bellows Breath targets the units themselves, not the location, and the base is a valid location for the spell to affect units.
Can you counter your own spell?
Yes, you can counter your own spell. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #453**, Riftbound card text is literal: if a card says "counter a spell" without specifying "enemy spell," it can target any spell, including your own.
Do I still get gold from wages of pain if the targeted unit dies from reaction?
Yes, you will still create the Gold gear token even if the target of *Wages of Pain* becomes invalid (e.g., because it was killed by a reaction).
What happens to tokens when you use Keeper's Verdict on them?
When you use **Keeper's Verdict** on a token unit, the token is moved to the top or bottom of your Main Deck (as chosen by the owner), and then it immediately ceases to exist.
Do you need to control both battlefield fields to win with Purple Yasuo Wind Rider ability?
No, you do not need to control both battlefields to win using the ability on **Yasuo, Windrider**. According to **FAQ #8431**, the point scored from Yasuo, Windrider's ability is not restricted by the standard scoring limits that apply to "Conquer" or "Hold." Consequently, you can score the winning point using this ability even if you have not conquered every battlefield...
Can I use Azir (green) ability when I'm on Vilesaw's Lair?
Yes, you can activate the ability of **Azir, Ascendant** while he is at **Vilemaw's Lair**, but the movement effect will not resolve as intended.
Will Rebuke spell return unit, including attached equipments to owner's hand?
No, the attached equipment will not return to your hand. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8967** and **Rule 422.4.b**, when a unit is returned to your hand (such as by the effect of **Rebuke**), any gear attached to that unit does not return to your hand with it. Instead, the gear detaches and remains at the battlefield where the unit was...
Does Forge Fire Cape work on Ruin Runner?
Yes, **Forgefire Cape** works on **Ruin Runner**. Here is the breakdown of why this interaction works:
In a 1v1v1v1, do you need to conquer all 3 battlefields to win?
In a 1v1v1v1 (FFA4) game, you do not necessarily need to conquer all battlefields to win, but there are specific restrictions when you are attempting to score your final point.
My opponent plays Hidden Blade on my unit and I react with Discipline. Can I only let Discipline resolve, draw a card (defy), and then counter Hidden Blade?
Yes, you can do that. You can draw a card from **Discipline** and then use that same card to counter **Hidden Blade** on the same chain.
If I play Bellows Breath and target 3 units at a battlefield and then my opponent in reaction moves away from the battlefield, what happens?
When you play **Bellows Breath** and target three units at a battlefield, and your opponent reacts by moving some of those units away before the spell resolves, the spell does not automatically "fizzle." Instead, it follows the rules for targeting restrictions and resolution.
Does Brush give Ivern, Friend to All an additional +1 from having the tag Ivern and the tag Bird?
No, **Ivern, Friend to All** does not receive an additional +1 Might from the Brush battlefield token for having both the "Ivern" and "Bird" tags.
Does Block Shield 3 work with Svellsongur to give an additional Shield 3 to the unit defending?
No, Svellsongur does not copy the Shield granted by a card like *Block*. According to the official rulings and FAQs for *Svellsongur*:
If I play Alpha Strike and choose which units I deal damage to, then if my opponent reacts with Stupefy, do I deal less damage or do I again choose the damage to units?
To answer your question: **You do not choose the damage distribution again.** Here is the breakdown of how this interaction works based on the rules of Riftbound:
Can Ivern play 2 Brushes at the same spot?
No, you cannot play two Brush tokens at the same spot. According to the **Green Father** legend card, its ability allows you to "replace that battlefield with a Brush battlefield token." Because a Brush token is a battlefield, it occupies the battlefield slot. If a battlefield is already a Brush token, there is no original battlefield left to "replace" with...
Does attaching Boots of Swiftness count as "choosing a friendly unit" to trigger the effect of Irelia Blade Dancer?
Yes, attaching **Boots of Swiftness** to a friendly unit counts as "choosing" that unit, which will trigger the ability of **Blade Dancer** (Irelia's legend ability).
If Viktor leader dies with another unit, how many tokens do I create?
If Viktor, Leader dies at the same time as another unit you control, you create **zero** tokens. According to the Riftbound rules and multiple RiftJudge FAQs (such as FAQ #7662, #4253, and #7419), this is because:
Does Forecaster benefit from its own ability?
Yes, **Forecaster** benefits from its own ability. According to RiftJudge FAQ #84, Forecaster activates **Vision** when played alone because it is a passive effect that includes itself (as Forecaster is a Mech). Therefore, when you play Forecaster, its own Vision ability will trigger.
Can Rek'Sai Breacher make Recruit tokens enter ready?
Yes, Rek'Sai, Breacher can allow Recruit tokens to enter the board ready. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9271** and **FAQ #8671**, because tokens created by abilities are considered "played" from a zone other than your hand, they qualify for the **Accelerate** keyword granted by Rek'Sai, Breacher.
Can I play Fizz then equip him with Last Rites before his ability plays?
No, you cannot play **Fizz, Trickster** and then equip him with **Last Rites** before his "When you play me" triggered ability resolves.
Can Singularity choose zero targets?
Yes, Singularity can choose zero targets. According to Rule 355.13, if a card specifies that a player chooses "up to" some number of game objects to be affected, they may choose any number of available targets, including zero. If you choose zero targets, the spell is played and resolves without doing anything.
Does Ivern lose his tag after dying?
Yes, when a unit like **Ivern, Friend to All** dies and moves to the trash, it loses all temporary modifications and characteristics associated with its presence on the board.
If I attack and pass priority, then my opponent plays a reaction only, does the combat resolve or does priority pass back to me?
When a reaction is played and resolves during a showdown, priority returns to you (the attacker). The combat does not resolve until both players pass priority consecutively without adding any new items to the chain.
Can I side board cards in on the first match in a best of 3?
No, you cannot sideboard cards in the first game of a match. According to **Rule 403.5** of the Tournament Rules: "Players may not use sideboard cards in the first game of a match." Sideboarding is only permitted between games of a match (Rule 403.4).
If a unit with Guardian Angel dies, does the Deathnell still trigger?
No, the **Deathknell** ability will not trigger if a unit with **Guardian Angel** dies. ### Reasoning: * **Replacement Effect:** According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8433** and **Rule 369.1**, **Guardian Angel** acts as a replacement effect. When the unit would die, the effect replaces that "death" event with "kill this Guardian Angel instead," and the unit is healed and recalled to your...
If I react during a combat showdown with my hidden Guards! spell, does the Sand Soldier token get Weaponmaster from Azir's Emperor of the Sands legend? Can the Sand Soldier immediately equip equipment during the combat showdown as one reaction?
Ruling: Yes. When you play Guards! as a reaction during combat, the Sand Soldier token gains Weaponmaster from Emperor of the Sands and can immediately equip an Equipment you control before combat damage is calculated.
When defending Forge of the Fluft in a showdown, can I tap the legend to use Long Sword in my base?
Ruling: No, you cannot use the ability granted by Forge of the Fluft during a showdown. The ability is an activated ability with default timing, which can only be used during your own turn, in an open state, and not during a showdown.
Can I play Beast Below if I do not have another unit played?
Yes, you can play **Beast Below** even if you do not control another friendly unit. According to the RiftJudge FAQ for Beast Below (FAQ #466): * You can still play Beast Below as a unit even if you cannot put its "When you play" trigger on the chain. * You cannot put the trigger on the chain if you do...
If I retreat an enemy unit I control using Hostile Takeover, does the unit still get recalled to their base?
To answer your question: **No, the unit will not be recalled to its base.** When you use **Retreat** on a unit you control (even if you only control it temporarily via **Hostile Takeover**), the unit is returned to its **owner's hand**. Because the unit has left the battlefield and moved to a non-board zone (the owner's hand), it is no...
If I move a 3 might unit into a battlefield and the opponent plays Hextech Ray, can I play Arcane Shift targeting one of their units at a different battlefield to save my unit by moving it to base?
Ruling: No, you cannot play Arcane Shift to save your unit from Hextech Ray. Both spells are Action speed, and Action spells can only be played in an OPEN state (when no chain exists). Once Hextech Ray is played and placed on the chain, the state becomes CLOSED, preventing you from playing Arcane Shift in response.
Can I use Diana, Lunari's ability on an open battlefield?
Ruling: Yes, you can use Diana, Lunari's ability on an open battlefield. Moving a unit to an open (uncontrolled and unoccupied) battlefield creates a non-combat showdown, which triggers Diana's "When a showdown begins here" ability.
If you kill Immortal Phoenix with a spell and you then replay him?
Yes, you can replay **Immortal Phoenix** from your trash if you kill it with your own spell. According to **Rule 383.2.c.1** and the associated FAQ, 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 unit is killed.
I steal an equipment with Akshan. The opponent plays Factory Recall on the equipment. Who does the equipment go to?
When your opponent plays **Factory Recall** on an equipment that you have stolen with **Akshan**, the equipment returns to the **original owner's hand**.
Does Azir Ascendants move exhaust the unit it swaps with?
No, Azir, Ascendant's ability does not exhaust the unit it swaps with. According to the RiftJudge FAQ (ID 7964), spells and abilities that move units do not change their exhaust/ready position unless they specifically state otherwise. Since Azir, Ascendant's ability does not mention exhausting the target unit, that unit remains in its current state (ready or exhausted) after the swap.
Can I use Not So Fast to counter Elder Dragon's 'When you play me' ability?
Ruling: Yes, you can use Not So Fast to counter Elder Dragon's "When you play me" triggered ability. The ability chooses enemy units from the Elder Dragon player's perspective, which are friendly units from your perspective, meeting Not So Fast's requirement to counter abilities that choose friendly units or gear.
When Stellacorn with Ride the Wind moves to my battlefield ready, but gets stunned by Thownk and recalled back to the base, is she ready?
Yes, the unit will be **Ready** when it returns to the base. According to **Rule 453.1** and the **Recall** clarifications in the patch notes, recalls do not affect the state of the permanent being recalled. Unless the source of the recall specifically states otherwise, any damage, exhausted status, or ready status remains exactly as it was on the battlefield.
If I use Deathgrip to kill a unit at a battlefield and have Soraka at that same battlefield, does it recall to base exhausted if it had less might than Soraka?
Yes, if you use **Deathgrip** to kill a friendly unit at the same battlefield as **Soraka, Wanderer**, and that unit has less Might than Soraka, the unit will be recalled to your base in an **exhausted** state.
If I attack an opponent's battlefield with a 3 might unit, and then my opponent Wages of Pain my unit, I respond with a Spinning Axe, is my opponent allowed to Gust my unit back to hand even though the axe is on the chain? Does the Gust resolve first?
Yes, your opponent is allowed to play *Gust* in response to your *Spinning Axe*, and because *Gust* is the most recently added item on the chain, it will resolve first.
Can I play Arcane Shift when my opponent only has Ruined Runner at a battlefield (the one that I can target it and is body type)?
No, you cannot play **Arcane Shift** in this situation. According to the card text and established rulings (such as **RiftJudge FAQ #9022** and **#8655**), **Arcane Shift** requires you to target both a friendly unit and an enemy unit at a battlefield to be played.
Can I ready Irelia during Showdown when targeting?
Yes, you can ready **Irelia, Fervent** during a showdown when targeting her, provided you have an effect that allows you to do so.
Does Rumble Hotheaded's recycle come from the board or can it be from your hand?
You can only recycle a unit from the board (base or battlefield) to activate the ability of **Rumble, Hotheaded**. According to RiftJudge FAQ #3053 and FAQ #9333, the term "unit" without further specification refers only to units on the board. Units in your hand are in a non-board zone and are not considered "units" for the purpose of this ability.
If my opponent has a temporary unit that is dying at the start of their beginning phase, can I play a reaction card in response to their temporary effect triggering?
Yes, you can play a reaction card in response to their temporary unit's death trigger. Temporary is a triggered ability that creates a chain, allowing players to respond with reaction-speed effects.
Can Baron Nashor be killed by Cull the Weak?
Yes, Baron Nashor can be killed by **Cull the Weak**. According to the card text for **Baron Nashor**, it has the ability: "I can't be chosen by enemy spells and abilities."