Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 88 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
If I have an equipment on one of my units, can I reattach it to another unit?
You cannot use the equipment's own "Equip" ability to reattach it while it is already attached to a unit. According to **RiftJudge FAQ 730**, when an equipment is attached, its rules text (including its "Equip" ability) becomes inactive. To use the "Equip" ability again, the equipment must first be detached.
Does Renata Glasc - Chem-Baroness player win if they are at 4 points and then conquer for fifth point with 3 gold?
No, you do not win the game in this scenario. According to the **RiftJudge FAQ #8524**, 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**.
Does Darius Triffarian count countered spells or was it changed during the last rules update?
According to the Riftbound rules and FAQs, **Darius, Trifarian does not count a countered spell.** This has not changed in recent updates. The ruling remains consistent with the core game mechanics regarding "playing" a card:
What might will the units have after we play Switcheroo between a unit at 5 might and a Draven Showboat which has 10 might because of its player having 7 points?
To determine the final Might values, we must look at how **Switcheroo** interacts with **Draven, Showboat**'s passive ability. ### The Setup * **Unit A:** 5 Might. * **Draven, Showboat:** 10 Might (3 base + 7 from points).
Can I target only units in base with Piercing Light?
No, you cannot target only a unit in your base with *Piercing Light*. According to the card text and **RiftJudge FAQ #8905**, *Piercing Light* requires you to "Deal 2 to a unit at a battlefield" as the first part of its effect. Because this is a mandatory action required to initiate the spell's resolution, you must have a valid target...
Does Atakhan kill Ruin Runner if that's the only unit and Atakhan attacks?
Yes, **Atakhan** will force the controller of **Ruin Runner** to kill it if it is the only unit at the battlefield being attacked.
Does Akshan's Weaponmaster keyword, not his ability, allow him to equip an equipment for free?
No, the **Weaponmaster** keyword does not allow you to equip an Equipment for free. According to **Rule 821.1.b** and **Rule 821.1.c**, Weaponmaster is a play effect that allows you to pay the Equipment's Equip cost, **reduced by [A]** (a power of any domain), to attach it to the unit with the Weaponmaster keyword.
When I use Forgefire Cape, do I use the ability every turn?
No, Forgefire Cape does not have an activated ability that you use every turn. Its effect is a triggered ability that automatically occurs whenever the equipped unit attacks or defends.
Can Sett spend his buff during Showdown?
No, you cannot spend Sett, Brawler's buff during a showdown. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8763** and **RiftJudge FAQ #9127**, Sett, Brawler's ability ("Spend my buff: Give me +4 might this turn") is a **base-speed ability**. Because it lacks the **[ACTION]** or **[REACTION]** keywords, it is subject to strict timing restrictions:
If I use En Garde on Irelia Fervent while she is alone at a battlefield, does she get +3 might or +4 might?
Irelia, Fervent will receive a total of **+3 Might** when you play *En Garde* on her while she is the only unit you control at that battlefield.
Is Darius trifarian's a trigger effect or a mandatory effect?
Darius, Trifarian's ability is a **triggered ability**, and it is **mandatory** to place on the chain if the condition is met.
Does Stormbringer deal its damage to all units at the battlefield?
Yes, **Stormbringer** deals damage equal to the chosen friendly unit's Might to **all enemy units** at the chosen battlefield. According to the card text: "Choose a friendly unit in your base. Deal damage equal to its Might to all enemy units at a battlefield, then move your unit there."
If a combat starts and there are 3 attacking units, and I use Counterstrike on my defending unit, does it block all damage from combat?
Yes, **Counter Strike** will block all combat damage dealt to your chosen unit during that combat. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8527** and **Rule 460.2.c.1.a**, combat damage is dealt simultaneously to all units involved in the combat. Because **Counter Strike** creates a delayed replacement effect that prevents the "next time" that unit would be dealt damage, it applies to the entire...
If multiple Glasc Mixologist die at the same time, can you bring Karthus back from one of them and then Karthus adds triggers to the other deathrattles on the chain?
No, you cannot bring **Karthus, Eternal** back from the trash using one **Glasc Mixologist**'s *Deathknell* and then have him increase the number of triggers for the other *Deathknell* effects already on the chain.
Can you describe deflect a bit more and tell me some examples of when it is and isn't used?
Deflect is a **Passive Ability** keyword found on units. It acts as a protective barrier that forces your opponent to pay an extra cost if they want to target your unit with their spells or abilities.
Does Beast Below need a friendly target to work?
Yes, **Beast Below** requires valid targets to put its "When you play" trigger on the chain, but you can still play the unit itself even if you cannot fulfill those targeting requirements.
When you have multiple Breakneck Mechs out at the same time, does it increase from Deflect 1 to Deflect 2 and so on?
Yes, multiple **Breakneck Mech** units on the board will cause their **Deflect** effects to stack. According to **Rule 809.2**: "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 is summed."
Can Rengar Pouncing be used as reaction defense and does he get assault?
Yes, **Rengar, Pouncing** can be played as a reaction during a combat showdown, but there are specific rules regarding his status as an "attacker" and his **Assault** keyword.
When does Overzealous Fan trigger? And can it trigger after both players have started a chain or if things go south?
Overzealous Fan's ability is a **Defend Trigger**. According to Rule 383.4.f.3 and the *Unleashed* update, it triggers the first time the unit gains the "Defender" designation during a combat showdown.
Can Ruined Rex's Deathknell ability target units at a different battlefield than where he died?
Ruling: Yes. Ruined Rex's Deathknell ability can target any enemy unit anywhere on the board. Since the ability text does not specify a location restriction (such as "at this battlefield"), it is not limited to the battlefield where Ruined Rex died.
Can you use Amateur Recital to move a Reflection token created by LeBlanc Deceiver when both abilities trigger simultaneously from holding a battlefield?
Ruling: No. When triggered abilities are placed on the chain, you must choose targets during the placement process before any abilities resolve. Since the Reflection token does not exist yet when Amateur Recital is being placed on the chain, it cannot be chosen as a valid target.
Does a unit played via Thrill of the Hunt count toward the number of cards played in a turn for abilities that trigger on playing the second card?
Ruling: Yes. When Thrill of the Hunt resolves and instructs you to play a unit, that counts as playing a card for the turn. Whether abilities like Darius, Trifarian's "second card" trigger depends on the order.
If my opponent has Tianna Crownguard at one battlefield and I hold (but don't gain a point due to her ability), can I then move to kill Tianna and conquer the other battlefield to win the game?
Ruling: Yes. Tianna Crownguard prevents you from gaining points, but does not prevent the act of Scoring itself. When you attempt to Hold a battlefield, it is marked as "Scored" for the turn even if Tianna prevents the point gain. After killing Tianna, if you Conquer the other battlefield and reach 8 points, you win because you have Scored both...
Can you play Sun Disc and immediately exhaust it to make your next unit enter ready on the same turn?
Ruling: No. Sun Disc's exhaust ability has a [Legion] requirement, which means you must have played another card this turn for the ability to be active. Sun Disc itself does not count as "another card" for its own Legion requirement.
Is recalling a unit from a battlefield considered a move in the context of cards like Stellacorn Herder and Travelling Merchant, i.e., just moving back to base not caused by the effect of a spell?
No, recalling a unit from a battlefield is **not** considered a move, regardless of whether it is caused by a spell effect or by the game rules (such as returning to base after failing to conquer).
If my unit with Temporary dies during my Beginning Phase and triggers a Deathknell ability, can I play a unit from Deathknell to the now-empty battlefield before it becomes uncontrolled?
Ruling: Yes. When Temporary triggers during your Beginning Phase, the Deathknell ability is added to the chain as a pending item before the unit moves to the trash. Because a pending item exists on the chain, the game is in a Closed State, not an Open State. Battlefields only become uncontrolled during an Open State, so you retain control until...
If I have a Spright token on a battlefield and I play a Hidden Evelyn Entrancing as a reaction to the temporary trigger and charm a unit to this battlefield, does the Spright token die before the showdown happens?
Yes, the Sprite token is removed from the battlefield before the showdown occurs. When the **Temporary** keyword triggers at the start of your Beginning Phase, it places a triggered ability on the chain. You may respond to this trigger by playing your hidden **Evelynn, Entrancing** as a [Reaction].
I have Xin Zhao and Glasc Mixologist at a battlefield. Opponent plays Singularity, killing both. Can I use Mixologist's Deathknell to play the Xin Zhao that just died to that same battlefield?
Yes, you can use the *Deathknell* ability of **Glasc Mixologist** to play **Xin Zhao** from your trash to the battlefield where they both died.
Does an enemy unit die on Frozen Fortress if I have Elder Dragon in my base?
### Ruling No, the enemy unit will not be killed by Elder Dragon's ability when taking damage from Frozen Fortress.
If I play Hidden Blade on an opponent's unit at a battlefield and they use flash to prevent it from dying, does the Hidden Blade count as being played for my Ravenbloom Student?
Yes, your **Hidden Blade** counts as being "played" for your **Ravenbloom Student**, even if the target becomes illegal and the spell fails to kill the unit.
I have a unit at Battlefield A at start of my turn. I score a point for holding. I move that unit to base and lose control of the battlefield. Then, I move Kaisa Survivor from base to that same battlefield. I know I don't score a point, but do I technically conquer? Do I draw a card from Kaisa's ability?
No, you do not conquer the battlefield, and you do not draw a card from Kai'Sa, Survivor's ability. According to **Rule 465** and **Rule 466.2.c**, a player may only score each battlefield once per turn, regardless of the method (Hold or Conquer). Because you already scored Battlefield A by holding it at the start of your turn, you have exhausted...
Does Vex Apathetic ability to stun target the unit? Does it stun a Rune Runner?
No, **Vex, Apathetic** does not target the unit it stuns, and it **does** stun a **Ruin Runner**. ### Reasoning * **Programmatic Selection vs. Targeting:** According to **Rule 355.10.d**, a game object is not a target if it is "programmatically selected based on its characteristics rather than chosen by the spell or ability’s controller." Vex's ability automatically identifies and selects the...
What's "Quick-Draw"?
Quick-Draw is a keyword found on certain Gear cards that allows you to play them from your hand at **Reaction** speed.
Guardian Angel makes you heal, exhaust, and recall the unit it is attached to. What is recalling? Putting back to hand or base?
Recalling is the action of moving a permanent from its current location (such as a battlefield) to its controller's **base**.
With Master Yi Legend, do you have to declare the plus +2 in combat at the start of combat or is it default without any declaration?
You do not need to declare the +2 might bonus from Master Yi (Wuju Bladesman). It is a **passive ability**, not a triggered ability, and it applies automatically by default whenever its condition is met.
Does recruit get made if unit with eye if the herald gets gusted on the move trigger?
No, the Recruit token will not be created. According to **FAQ #3725**, when a unit with *Eye of the Herald* moves, its ability triggers and is placed on the chain. If you use *Gust* in response to that trigger to return the unit to its owner's hand, the unit is no longer on the battlefield when the ability resolves.
With 2 Hex in combat, and one Ezreal Prodigy in play, how much do I have to pay to cast Frigid Touch with Repeat?
To cast **Frigid Touch** with **Repeat** while controlling two **Vex, Cheerless** and one **Ezreal, Prodigy**, follow the cost determination rules (Rule 356) and the discount ordering rules (Rule 356.4).
If a spell is countered, does it still count to draw with Ezreal legend?
Yes, your Ezreal legend ability can still be activated if the spells you played were countered. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8979** and **RiftJudge FAQ #92**, the requirement for Ezreal's legend ability is satisfied the moment you choose the targets for your spells and place them on the chain. Because the act of choosing targets occurs when the spell is played...
Does multiple Trinity Forces stack hold points if they are equipped to the same unit and it holds?
Yes, multiple **Trinity Force** cards stack their effects when equipped to the same unit. According to the rules of equipment, when you attach an equipment card to a unit, its effect text is appended to that unit's rules text (RiftJudge FAQ #225). Because each **Trinity Force** provides its own triggered ability ("When I hold, score 1 point"), a unit equipped...
I have a sole temporary "Glasc Mixologist" in Dusk Rose Lab, at the beginning of my turn can I trigger the Dusk Rose Lab battlefield on my temporary mixologist, and can I play the brought back unit onto Dusk Rose Lab?
Yes, you can perform both actions. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9428**, because both the *Temporary* keyword trigger (which would kill your temporary unit) and the *Dusk Rose Lab* ability trigger at the start of your Beginning Phase, you as the controller choose the order in which they resolve.
Can you play Rengar to an uncontrolled battlefield on your opponent's turn if they try to take control of it?
No, you cannot play **Rengar, Pouncing** to an uncontrolled battlefield in this scenario. According to the card text of **Rengar, Pouncing**, he can only be played to your base, a battlefield you control, or a battlefield you are **attacking**.
If you Sacrifice as a reaction to Hidden Blade, do you draw 4 and channel 1 rune exhausted? Or just draw 2 and channel 1 rune exhausted for Sacrifice?
If you play **Sacrifice** as a reaction to an opponent's **Hidden Blade**, you will **not** draw 4 cards. You will only draw the 2 cards granted by the resolution of **Sacrifice**.
I have a ready First Mate in base, and I use Relentless Pursuit to move it to an open battlefield. Because of Relentless Pursuit, it has "when I conquer, you may move me to base". Will it return to base readied?
Yes, your **First Mate** will return to your base **ready**. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9111** and **RiftJudge FAQ #3150**, move effects (such as the one granted by **Relentless Pursuit**) do not change the orientation of a unit unless the card explicitly states that it does (e.g., "move it to your base exhausted"). Since **Relentless Pursuit** does not specify that the...
Is a unit you control, mean battlefield or base?
A "unit you control" refers to any unit you control regardless of its location; it can be at your base or at any battlefield you control.
Can I attack with Ezreal dashing, then the opponent buffs their unit from 3 to 5 might with Discipline, and then play Discipline to go from 3 to 5 might to make Ezreal ability deal 5?
Yes, you can do this. Because Ezreal's ability is a triggered ability that deals damage equal to his Might **at the time of resolution**, you can respond to his attack trigger by playing *Discipline* to increase his Might.
If I defend with Ezreal dashing, can I use his ability damage and also use his action to move him to base, killing a unit and retreating?
Yes, you can both deal damage with **Ezreal, Dashing**'s triggered ability and use his activated ability to move him to your base during the same combat. Because the triggered ability and the activated ability occur at different times in the combat sequence, they do not conflict.
If there are units at a battlefield and it is not a showdown, can I summon directly onto the battlefield since I have units there?
Yes, you can play a unit directly onto a battlefield you control, even if other units are already present and no showdown is occurring. By having units there, you control the battlefield, which makes it a valid location to play units directly from your hand.
If there are units from both sides at the end of combat, what happens?
If both players have units remaining at a battlefield at the end of combat, the attacking units are recalled to their base, and the defender retains the battlefield.
If a card kills a unit with 3 might and the unit has 3 might and a buff (making it effectively +4), is it a valid target?
Whether the unit is a valid target depends entirely on the specific targeting requirement of the card you are playing.
Does Thousand-Tailed Watcher give -3 Might to the mechs that spawn from Ferrous Forerunner dying after Watcher is played?
No, **Thousand-Tailed Watcher** will not give -3 Might to the Mech tokens spawned by **Ferrous Forerunner** if the Forerunner dies *after* the Watcher has already been played.