Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 96 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
When doing a chain and having the latest card resolve, does each player get to react while the chain is resolving during each card is resolving?
Yes, each player has the opportunity to play reactions while a chain is resolving. The chain does not resolve all at once; it resolves one item at a time, and players are given a window of priority between each resolution.
Can seals be used for energy that can be used for basic costs?
No, seals cannot be used to generate energy. According to the **RiftJudge FAQ** (specifically FAQ #2715 and #2245), seals generate **Power** (the colored resource), not **Energy** (the colorless/numerical resource).
If attacking units are recalled during Combat Cleanup because defending units are still present, does either player win the combat?
Ruling: No. According to Rule 461.3.d, if units are recalled during the Combat Cleanup step, the combat result is "No Result" regardless of which players have units present at the battlefield.
When I have Ravenbloom Student and I use a repeat cost does that count as 2 separate spells?
No, using the **Repeat** keyword does not count as playing two separate spells. According to **Rule 820.3.a**: *"Regardless of the number of times a spell's instructions are executed with this keyword, the spell is only Played once."*
Can Kha'Zix mutating horror trigger multiple times a turn?
Yes, **Kha'Zix, Mutating Horror** can trigger multiple times in a single turn. According to his card text, the ability is a triggered ability: > "When I attack or defend, if an enemy unit is alone here, give me +2 [S] this turn and gain 2 XP."
When I play Crescent Strike, does the one damage also make me pay Deflect?
No, you do not have to pay the **Deflect** cost for the enemy units that receive 1 damage from **Crescent Strike**.
Can Evelyn Entracing be activated in response to a sprite dying in the beginning phase?
Yes, you can activate **Evelynn, Entrancing** in response to a Sprite dying from the *Temporary* keyword during your Beginning Phase.
If I used Discipline on my unit and my opponent reacts with Star-Crossed, does my Discipline still let me draw?
Yes, you still draw from **Discipline** even though your opponent reacted with **Star-Crossed**. ### Why this happens According to the **Chain Rules** and **Core Rules 359.3.e**, Riftbound spells resolve as much as possible even if their target is removed or becomes illegal while the spell is on the chain.
Are there ever any moments during your opponent's turn where you can play an action spell, other than a showdown with no chain?
No, there are no moments during your opponent's turn where you can play an [Action] spell outside of a Showdown.
If I Lotus Trap a card twice, does it take 4x damage?
No, using **Lotus Trap** twice on the same unit does not result in 4x damage. **Lotus Trap** creates a replacement effect that doubles the damage a unit would take. If you apply two separate instances of the **Lotus Trap** effect to the same unit, they are both active. Because each is a separate replacement effect that says "double the damage,"...
I have Battlefield 1 and Battlefield 2. Say I have a bird token at Battlefield 1. Then I want to play Stalker Wolf. Can I kill the bird at Battlefield 1 and play the wolf to Battlefield 2?
Yes, you can kill the Bird token at Battlefield 1 and play **Stalking Wolf** to Battlefield 2. According to the rules and FAQs for Stalking Wolf:
If I play Downstage Dramatics with the repeat cost, can I then play Jhin, Meticulous Killer for its alternative cost of 1 blue power?
Yes, you can play **Jhin, Meticulous Killer** for his alternative cost of [C] in this scenario. Here is the breakdown of why this works, based on the rules for playing spells and the specific interaction with Jhin:
Can you play the Bird tokens from Flurry of Feathers directly onto a battlefield you are attacking?
Ruling: No. You cannot play the Bird tokens from Flurry of Feathers to a battlefield you are attacking because you do not control that battlefield. The tokens follow all normal rules for playing units, which require you to play them to your base or to a battlefield you control.
If my opponent played Stalking Wolf and they cannot pay the additional cost to sacrifice Poro, Dog or Cat, do they get to untap the Runes back?
According to the rules of *Riftbound*, if an opponent attempts to play *Stalking Wolf* but cannot pay the mandatory additional cost (killing a Bird, Cat, Dog, or Poro you control), they cannot play the card.
Does Gardens of Becoming ability activate when a unit is already exhausted on the battlefield?
A unit on the *Gardens of Becoming* battlefield cannot activate its granted ability if it is already exhausted. Because the ability granted by *Gardens of Becoming* is `[T] : Gain 1 XP`, it requires exhausting the unit as a cost. According to **Rule 414.4**, an action (the cost) must be able to be completed for the cost to be paid.
In a 2v2 game, for cards that refer to "Your units", does that include my ally/teammate's units as well or just mine?
In a 2v2 game, cards that refer specifically to **"your units"** do **not** include your teammate's units. According to **Rule 484.8.d** and **Rule 740.1**, the term **"friendly"** is used to describe game objects controlled by either you *or* your teammate. However, when a card specifically uses the possessive **"your units,"** it refers exclusively to the units under your personal control.
Do you play reactions/actions before Overzealous Fan or does his ability go on the chain first?
Overzealous Fan's triggered ability goes on the chain **before** players have the opportunity to play reactions. According to **FAQ 9611** and **Rule 1636**, here is the sequence of events during a showdown:
Does Ruined Rex's deathknell ability deal damage before or after the healing step after combat?
According to the rules of Riftbound, **Ruined Rex's Deathknell ability resolves after the healing step following combat.** While the process of resolving combat and cleanup involves several steps, the authoritative sequence is as follows:
If I have Jax unmatched in base, and use his effect to play an equipment as a quick draw reaction, can I trigger Azir's legend ability to play a sand soldier token?
No, you cannot trigger the activated ability of the **Emperor of the Sands** legend in the same chain as playing an Equipment via **Jax, Unmatched**'s **Quick-Draw** effect.
When Fizz is played, when do you choose targets for the spell played from trash? Is Fizz's effect a trigger which targets a spell in trash which resolves before the spell then goes on the stack?
To clarify how **Fizz, Trickster** works, here is the step-by-step breakdown of the timing and targeting: ### 1. Targeting Timing According to **RiftJudge FAQ #6132** and **FAQ #9214**, you **target the spell in your trash when you put Fizz's triggered ability on the chain.**
Can the opponent's Vi Peacekeeper use her ambush to react to the ability of my Mindsplitter and put it onto a battlefield where the opponent has a unit?
No, your opponent cannot use **Vi, Peacekeeper's** Ambush to "react" to the triggered ability of **Mindsplitter** in the way you are describing. Here is the breakdown of why this interaction functions this way:
If I attack with Tryndamere and activate Lotus Trap, does Tryndamere trigger when I dealt enough damage because of Lotus Trap?
Yes, Tryndamere's ability will trigger if the damage dealt to the defending unit (doubled by Lotus Trap) results in 5 or more excess damage being assigned.
My opponent has a Vi Hothead attached with a BF Sword, they chose to double its might. The Vi then pushed into my battlefield and I used Acceptable Losses when priority was passed. Does the Vi might stay at the doubled total from before the BF Sword was killed?
### Ruling **Yes, Vi’s Might will stay at the doubled total.** When the B.F. Sword is removed by *Acceptable Losses*, the amount added by the doubling effect remains static as it was calculated at the time the doubling effect was applied.
If a stunned unit goes back to base, is it considered a move?
No, a unit returning to base due to a **Recall** is not considered a **Move**. According to **Rule 450**, "A Recall is when a Permanent is relocated from anywhere to its Base without it being a Move."
Can I charm an enemy to my battlefield where I have a unit then use Ride the Wind to go to the other battlefield?
Yes, you can perform this sequence of plays. Here is how it works under the game rules: ### Sequence of Play 1. **Play *Charm*:** You play *Charm* from your hand while the state is **OPEN**. You target an enemy unit at a battlefield you do not control and move it to a battlefield you currently occupy. 2. **Trigger Showdown:** Moving...
If Void Assault moves my unit and an enemy unit into an open battlefield on my turn, who is the defender?
When you play **Void Assault** and move your friendly unit and an enemy unit into an open (unoccupied) battlefield, the enemy unit becomes the **Defender**.
If I have a unit at a battlefield after holding and scoring and move it back, if I move another unit in does a showdown start even though it has been scored already off the hold and there are no other units there?
Yes, a showdown does start. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #7022** and **FAQ #6028**, a showdown occurs whenever a battlefield becomes contested, regardless of whether it has already been scored that turn.
Does Vex Apathetic stun Baron if it is at Baron Pit when Baron is played there?
Yes, Vex, Apathetic will stun Baron Nashor when it is played, even if Vex is at the Baron Pit. ### Reasoning 1. **Programmatic Selection:** According to **RiftJudge FAQ #8685** and **FAQ #9625**, Vex, Apathetic's ability uses **programmatic selection** to identify the unit played by the opponent. Because the ability automatically selects the unit based on the trigger condition ("When an...
Does Riposte grant might equal to the printed energy cost of a spell, or the modified cost paid?
Ruling: Riposte grants might equal to the printed energy cost of the targeted spell, regardless of any cost modifications or alternative costs paid. For example, a Riposte targeting a Call to Glory (printed cost 3) will grant +3 might even if the Call to Glory player paid the additional cost by spending a buff instead.
If I attack an occupied battlefield with a Galio and have more might, and I also have a Symbol of the Solari on the field, does the showdown result in a tie and all units are recalled?
Yes, if your combat results in both players having units remaining at the battlefield after damage is dealt, it constitutes a tie, and Symbol of the Solari will trigger to recall all units at that battlefield to their controller’s base.
What is the timing speed of Bloodharbor Ripper's activated ability?
Ruling: Bloodharbor Ripper's main ability ([1], [T]: Return a friendly unit at a battlefield to its owner's hand. Play a Gold gear token exhausted) is a standard activated ability, not action speed. It can only be activated during your own Main Phase in an Open State (when no chain exists and there is no showdown).
Can I use the Baited Hook ability in response to a spell?
No, you cannot use **Baited Hook** in response to a spell. According to **Rule 150.2**, the activated ability of Gear can only be executed during your own **Main Phase** while the game state is **Open** (i.e., when there is no chain).
If my opponent has a Dazzling Aurora, and with the end step trigger on the chain, I respond with a Bone Skewer from hand, what happens if the Bone Skewer resolving initiates a showdown?
When you respond to your opponent's **Dazzling Aurora** trigger with **Bone Skewer** (played from Hidden), the following sequence occurs: 1. **Dazzling Aurora** triggers at the end of the turn and is placed on the chain. 2. You play **Bone Skewer** from Hidden. According to Rule 811.6, a card played from Hidden gains **[REACTION]** and may be played at any time...
Does Vi Peacekeeper stun a unit when she is played during a Showdown from Ambush?
To determine if **Vi, Peacekeeper** stuns a unit when played via Ambush during a showdown, we must examine her ability and the game's timing rules.
If I use Falling Star on a unit and they play Thrill of the Hunt, does the Falling Star still go through?
Yes, the *Falling Star* still resolves, but the outcome for the target depends on whether it remains on the board.
If I attack a battlefield with a 4 might unit, and there are two units defending - one unit is reduced to 0 might with a spell, and the other unit is 4 might. Can I kill both units?
No, you cannot kill both units in this scenario. ### Reasoning Under **Rule 460.2.c**, combat damage is resolved by summing the current Might of your units at the battlefield and assigning that total as damage to the opposing units. In your scenario, your unit has 4 Might, and there are two defending units: 1. Unit A (0 Might) 2. Unit...
If I play Baron Nashor, how many battlefields do I need to control to win?
Whether you need to conquer all battlefields to win after playing **Baron Nashor** (and thus adding the **Baron Pit** to the board) depends entirely on your current **Point Total** and your **Mode of Play**.
Can I pay for Attakan with a Reflection of Attakan?
Yes, you can use a Reflection token that is currently copying Atakhan to pay for the additional cost of playing a new Atakhan.
On Hold does Hunt on Reckoner's Arena give the Hunt XP twice?
Yes, a unit with **Hunt** will trigger its Hunt ability twice when you perform a "Hold" action at **Reckoner's Arena**.
Does Leblanc Everywhere at Once Reflection token on a battlefield die to temporary?
I couldn't find an official FAQ entry specifically detailing the interaction between a *Reflection* token and the passive ability of **LeBlanc, Everywhere at Once**. However, based on the rules and card text, here is my interpretation:
Its player 1 turn and they played a spell targeting player 2 unit can player 2 play 2 reaction cards at once?
Yes, Player 2 can play two reaction cards back-to-back before passing priority to Player 1. According to **Riftbound FAQ #4696**:
In the initial showdown chain I'm attacking so I move my unit to the battlefield, the when attacking and when defending actions go onto the chain my opponent does not play a reaction. Does that initial chain resolve automatically or can I still react and play a spell that will trigger before the on defend trigger?
The initial showdown chain does not resolve automatically; instead, it follows a specific priority process once the triggers are placed on the chain.
What happens to an active Showdown Chain when you play a unit with Ambush?
When you play a unit with **Ambush** during an active showdown chain, the following occurs: 1. **Timing:** Because the Ambush keyword grants the unit **[Reaction]** timing, you are permitted to play it while the chain is in a "Closed State" (i.e., during an ongoing showdown chain). 2. **Chain Interaction:** The unit is added to the chain as a pending item.
Can Falling Comet be played in an open show down, when an opponent moves a unit to an uncontested battlefield?
Yes, **Falling Comet** can be played in a showdown that occurs when an opponent moves a unit to an uncontested battlefield.
If Vi Peacekeeper gets Hidden Bladed in response to her attack trigger, does she stun?
No, Vi, Peacekeeper will not stun an enemy unit if she is killed by Hidden Blade in response to her attack trigger.
Can you use Pyke's Legend ability in Showdowns?
No, you cannot use the legend ability of **Pyke (Bloodharbor Ripper)** during a showdown. ### Ruling Activated abilities can only be activated during your turn when the game state is Open (the chain is empty), unless they possess the **[Action]** or **[Reaction]** keyword. Because the legend ability of Pyke lacks these keywords, it is not legally timed for use during...
If an opponent uses En Garde on a unit that's been targeted by Blood Money, does Blood Money get to choose a new unit to target?
No, *Blood Money* does not get to choose a new target. According to Rule 355.10 and the established mechanics for targeting in *Riftbound*, a spell’s target is locked in the moment the spell is finalized on the chain. If a target becomes invalid (for example, if a unit's might increases to 3 or more after *Blood Money* is played, meaning...
Can you activate Weaponmaster at any time during your turn, or is it only when the unit is played?
You can only activate **Weaponmaster** when the unit with the keyword is played. According to **Rule 821.1.b**, **Rule 821.2**, and the associated FAQs, **Weaponmaster** is a triggered ability that acts specifically as a "play effect." It is not an activated ability, and therefore cannot be activated at-will during your turn.
If I make a copy with Leblanc Legend at a battlefield and the unit had 2 more might than its original might because of a card effect, after my turn ends does the copy lose the 2 might or does the copy keep the original card might plus the additional 2 might the original had when making the copy?
### The [Temporary] Keyword According to Rule 816, the [Temporary] keyword is a triggered ability that acts as shorthand for: *"At the start of this permanent's controller's Beginning Phase, before scoring, kill this."* This keyword does not cause the unit to be removed automatically at the end of the turn.
Can you react and kill the targeted unit of Blood Rose Lab before it resolves to still get the card with it from something like a Hidden Hidden Blade at that battlefield?
Yes, you can react to the **Dusk Rose Lab** ability after it is placed on the chain to kill your own unit, and you can still resolve the lab's ability to draw a card, provided your unit is still present when the lab's ability resolves.