Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 99 of 128 · 6,389 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
If a Baron Pit battlefield token is replaced by a Brush token, does playing Baron Nashor again create a new Baron Pit?
Ruling: Yes. When a Baron Pit token is replaced by a Brush token, the Baron Pit is placed in Banishment and ceases to exist because it is a token. Since the Baron Pit is no longer on the board, playing Baron Nashor again will create a new Baron Pit token.
If I defend with a unit and stun the attacking unit so it deals no damage and gets recalled during Combat Cleanup, do I win the combat?
Ruling: No. Under the updated rules (Rules FAQ Clarification 2026-04-29), if an attacking unit is recalled during the Combat Cleanup phase, the combat result is "No Result" regardless of which units remain on the battlefield. This means "win a combat" abilities will not trigger.
If I control multiple copies of Zilean, Time Mage and play a token unit, does each Zilean trigger to create additional tokens?
Ruling: Yes. Multiple Zilean units result in a linear increase in tokens created, with each Zilean adding one additional token. If you control two Zileans and play one token, you will create three tokens total (the original plus one from each Zilean).
Does Blue Sentinel's passive ability cause its own "When I hold" triggered ability to trigger an additional time?
Ruling: Yes. Blue Sentinel's passive ability states "Your hold effects for holding here trigger an additional time." Since the card text does not specify "other" hold effects, it applies to the Sentinel's own "When I hold, [Add] [A] at the start of your next Main Phase" ability. When you hold the battlefield with Blue Sentinel, you will add 2 Power...
If I use Sacrifice on a temporary unit and my opponent reacts with Abandon. Once Abandon resolves, can I cast Sacrifice again before the temporary trigger?
Yes, you can cast **Sacrifice** again before the **Temporary** trigger resolves. ### Sequence of Events: 1. **Trigger:** At the start of your Beginning Phase, the **Temporary** ability on your unit triggers and is placed on the chain. This puts the game into a **Closed State**. 2. **Original Play:** You play **Sacrifice**, killing your **Mighty** unit as the additional cost. 3.
Does Deathknell trigger happen after a unit heals on a battlefield?
Yes, Deathknell triggers resolve **after** units are healed following a combat showdown. According to the official rules and RiftJudge FAQs (specifically FAQs #10061, #9786, and #9514), the sequence during the Combat Cleanup phase ensures that units are healed before Deathknell abilities resolve.
If I attack into an Overzealous Fan with an Irresistable Faefolk planning to use an Ambush unit, does Overzealous have to decide whether it'll kill itself on defend to move Fae Folk back before I react with Ambush?
To clarify the interaction between **Overzealous Fan**, **Irresistible Faefolk**, and an **Ambush** unit, we must follow the updated *Unleashed* rules, specifically regarding when costs are paid for triggered abilities.
If an attacking unit like Stellacorn Herder that has a move trigger gets stunned, does the controller draw a card if Herder does not die in combat and returns to base?
No, you do not draw a card in that scenario. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10124**, which specifically addresses the interaction of **Stellacorn Herder** with recall effects:
If I attack into an Overzealous Fan with an Irresistible Faefolk planning to use an Ambush unit, does Overzealous Fan have to decide whether it'll kill itself on defend to move Faefolk back before I react with Ambush, and after it decides not to kill itself on defend trigger, can I still play Ambush?
To determine the timing of this interaction, we must look at the sequence of a combat showdown and how triggered abilities are added to the chain.
Can I ambush during a showdown at reaction speed with Rengar Trophy Hunter if I am not involved in the showdown in a three player game?
No, you cannot play *Rengar, Trophy Hunter* to a battlefield that is currently in a showdown between two other players.
If I kill Karthus and other units with Deathknell at the same time, do the units still trigger Deathknell?
Yes, those other units will still trigger their **Deathknell** effects. Furthermore, if you control **Karthus, Eternal**, his passive ability will cause those **Deathknell** effects to trigger an additional time.
If I have a temporary Karthus and Watchful Sentry on Dusk Rose Lab, would I draw 3 cards if I target my Watchful Sentry with the Battlefield?
To determine if you draw 3 cards, we must analyze the interaction between the *Dusk Rose Lab*, *Watchful Sentry*, and *Karthus, Eternal* during your Beginning Phase.
If you reveal enemy hand with Scuttle, how long do they keep hand revealed?
To answer your question, when you reveal an opponent's hand via the *Deathknell* effect of **Scuttle Crab**, you reveal it only for as long as it takes for all players present to clearly read and understand the information.
If I counterstrike on Stellacorn, at the end of combat if we tie, is it a "move" for me to return to base when the attacker goes back?
No, it is not considered a "move." According to **Rule 450** and established RiftJudge FAQs (specifically **FAQ #9617** and **FAQ #10124**), returning to base after failing to conquer a battlefield—regardless of whether that return is caused by combat results or tied combat—is defined as a **Recall**.
If I have the battlefield Vilemaw's Lair and my opponent uses The Syren, does the battlefield override the gear?
The movement effect of **The Syren** will fail to move your unit if it is located at **Vilemaw's Lair**. Here is the breakdown of why the battlefield’s restriction takes precedence:
If I play Scorchclaw from my hand before I'm level 3, but he remains on the field when I eventually become level three, am I able to trigger his ability?
Yes, you are able to use the ability once you reach the required XP. According to **Rule 824.1.c**, the **Level** keyword is a "Dependent Keyword," meaning the ability's effect becomes active as soon as you meet the requirement:
If I use Heedles Resurrection to kill Brynhir during an enemy's turn (my reaction), can I play him right away from my trash? Since I paid using Brynhir, technically I can use it from my trash?
No, you cannot use *Heedless Resurrection* to kill Brynhir Thundersong and then immediately play that same Brynhir from your trash.
If this is the first time I'm playing Death From Below this game, so there's none in the trash, and I kill a 3 might unit, can I recast this same card, or do I need to have already played a different Death From Below before so that there would be one in the trash already? In other words, when it resolves, does it count as being in the trash for replay purposes? Basically, can I recast the first Death From Below or only starting with the second Death From Below?
To answer your question: Yes, you can recast the same copy of **Death from Below**, but only after it has finished resolving and moved to your trash. You cannot play the card while it is currently resolving on the chain.
If I play a damage spell to an enemy unit at a battlefield, can the opponent use a reaction spell that moves the unit to base, hand scot-free?
Yes, your opponent can use a [Reaction] spell to move the targeted unit to their base, which will cause your damage spell to fail to deal damage to that unit.
Does Flurry of Blades activate Elder Dragon Passive which kills enemies when they take damage?
Yes, playing **Flurry of Blades** while you control **Elder Dragon** will cause all enemy units at battlefields to be killed.
when I come in with two units vs Kha'zix but the opponent uses gust on one of my units does Kha'zix get the ability?
To determine if **Kha'Zix, Mutating Horror** receives his bonus in your scenario, we must look at the specific moment his triggered ability attempts to enter the chain.
Is the nine-tailed fox ability a triggered ability or a passive ability?
The Nine-Tailed Fox's ability is a **triggered ability**. In *Riftbound*, triggered abilities are identified by the word "when" followed by a condition. Because the card text reads, "**When** an enemy unit attacks a battlefield you control, give it -1 might this turn," it functions as a triggered ability.
If Fizz is resurrected by Heedless Resurrection, can he play that same Heedless Resurrection?
To answer your question: **Yes, you can use Fizz, Trickster to play the *Heedless Resurrection* that was used to resurrect him.**
Does Sprite call hidden force you to play on same battlefield?
Yes, when you play *Sprite Call* from a hidden state, you are forced to play the Sprite token at the same battlefield where the *Sprite Call* card was hidden.
My enemy has Kha'Zix Mutating Horror on the battlefield. I attack him on that battlefield with Le Blanc Fragmented and ambush with Vi Peacekeeper. Does Kha'Zix still get his +2 Might?
Based on the card abilities and the rules for triggered abilities in Riftbound, **Kha’Zix, Mutating Horror will receive the +2 Might bonus.**
If I play Grim Apothecary and my opponent reacts with Hidden Wages of Pain, does Grim Apothecary still trigger?
Yes, **Grim Apothecary** still triggers. According to the rules of the chain and how units enter play:
If I play Acceptable Losses, can I destroy my only gold token before it gets destroyed by Acceptable Losses?
Yes, you can destroy your Gold token before *Acceptable Losses* resolves, provided you have a legal way to do so.
Does equipping Boots of Swiftness count as targeting a unit for Irelia legend?
Yes, equipping **Boots of Swiftness** to a friendly unit counts as choosing (targeting) that unit, which will trigger the ability of **Blade Dancer** (Irelia's legend ability).
Can I move Treasure Hunter to hand to activate its effect to get a Gold?
To answer your question: **No, simply moving Treasure Hunter to your hand does not activate its effect.** Here is the breakdown of why this is the case:
Can you use hidden cards at Battlefield1 to target units at Battlefield2?
No, you cannot use a hidden card played from Battlefield 1 to target units at Battlefield 2. According to **Rule 811.1.d.2** and **RiftJudge FAQ #5706**, when you play a card from Hidden, any targets chosen for that card (or for the play effect of a hidden permanent) must be chosen from among options at the **same battlefield** where the card...
If a ruined Rex dies in combat to a unit with 10 might, does the ruined Rex apply its 6 damage and then the deathknell 4 damage on top of it before the unit heals? Essentially killing the unit?
No, Ruined Rex's **Deathknell** ability will not kill the enemy unit in this scenario. According to the official rules and RiftJudge FAQs, the healing step occurs *before* the **Deathknell** damage is dealt.
If I conquer and move out of Targon's Peak, can I ready 2 runes still?
Yes, you can still ready 2 runes. According to the established rules for triggered abilities and specifically **RiftJudge FAQ #9525**, triggered abilities are independent of their source once they have triggered and been placed on the chain.
When taking a unit with Conscription, does it take all attached gear as well?
When you use **Conscription** to take control of a unit, you do not "take" its attached gear—you take the unit itself, and the gear stays attached to that unit as it changes controller.
If I steal a gear with Akshan, and Akshan dies, do my opponents get their gear back?
Yes, when your Akshan leaves the board, you lose control of the gear, and control reverts to its original owner.
Does Star Crossed require to have a friendly unit to be able to be played?
Yes, you must control a friendly unit on the board to be able to play **Star-Crossed**. According to RiftJudge FAQ #9865 and #9452, **Star-Crossed** creates a targeting relationship with both a friendly unit and an enemy unit. Because it requires multiple targets without "up to" language, both targets must be present and valid at the time the spell is announced...
If I steal Guardian Angel with Akshan, equip it to my Lucian with Weapon Master, and Akshan dies, does my opponent get the Guardian Angel back?
Yes, your opponent regains control of the **Guardian Angel** when your **Akshan** leaves the board. According to **RiftJudge FAQs #9043** and **#9151**, the control-change effect created by Akshan is tied specifically to that unit. When Akshan leaves the board, that effect ceases to apply, and control of the equipment reverts to its original owner.
Does the Arena's Greatest battlefield perform a check at the beginning of every beginning phase that can be reacted to?
Yes, the triggered ability of **The Arena's Greatest** creates a chain at the start of the specified Beginning Phase, which allows players to respond with **[Reaction]** cards or abilities.
If I attack with 6 might and they play a Back Off from Hidden while having 3 might, whose unit would bounce?
Regarding your question on **Back Off**: **Back Off** is a card that stuns a target unit. When a unit is stunned by this effect, it does not contribute its Might to damage in the Combat Damage Step (**RiftJudge FAQ #9712**, **Rule 423.1.b**). A stunned unit deals 0 damage, but still requires damage equal to its full, printed Might value to...
Do Star Crossed require me to return my unit to hand or can I choose only enemy unit?
You must target both a friendly unit and an enemy unit to play **Star-Crossed**. You cannot choose to target only an enemy unit.
If I'm playing Ivern legend and I conquer the Forgotten Monument battlefield before the third turn, if I turn it into a brush do I still score for that conquer?
No, you do not score for that conquer. According to **Forgotten Monument's** ability: "Players can't score here until their third turn." Because "Conquering" is a method of scoring (Rule 464.1), you are prohibited from performing a Conquer action on that battlefield until the condition on the card is met.
Do Vanguard Armory tokens enter ready?
No, Recruit tokens created by **Vanguard Armory** do not enter ready. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9583**, Recruit tokens created by Vanguard Armory enter play exhausted by default. Recruit tokens follow the default rule that they enter exhausted unless the card text specifically states otherwise. Since Vanguard Armory does not specify that the tokens enter ready, they enter exhausted.
If I kill my Brynhildr with Headless Resurrection, can I then play her again?
No, you cannot use *Heedless Resurrection* to kill your Brynhir Thundersong and immediately play that same Brynhir from your trash.
If I have Rengar Trophy Hunter in trash and play Cursed Sarcophagus, can I still play the Rengar with ambush on my opponent's turn? Or does it need to be on my turn to be able to play units with Cursed Sarcophagus?
### The Ruling **No, you cannot play *Rengar, Trophy Hunter* using *Cursed Sarcophagus* on your opponent's turn.** ### Reasoning 1. **Activated Ability Timing:** *Cursed Sarcophagus* features an activated ability. According to Rule 381, all activated abilities can only be activated during the controlling player’s turn and during an Open State. Therefore, you cannot activate the ability of *Cursed Sarcophagus* on...
If I have a buffed unit with Warmog's attached and I conquer Monastery of Hirana, can I use the buff to draw 1, and then re-buff from Warmog's?
Yes, you can do this by carefully ordering the triggered abilities on the chain. According to **Rule 702.3.a**, a unit can only have one buff at a time. If you were to resolve the **Warmog’s Armor** trigger while your unit already had a buff, the new buff would not be placed. By resolving the **Monastery of Hirana** ability first, you...
Can I react to the Grand Plaza checking each turn if there are 7 units holding it, even if there aren't?
No, you cannot react to The Grand Plaza's check. According to **RiftJudge FAQ #10151** and **Rule 383.3.e**, The Grand Plaza's ability is a triggered ability that only enters the chain if you have 7 or more units present at the battlefield at the exact moment you perform the "hold" action during your Beginning Phase.
If Kha'zix mutated attack a lonely unit, and opponent reacts with ambush playing another unit, does he still trigger his effect?
Yes, **Kha'Zix, Mutating Horror will still receive the +2 Might bonus and gain 2 XP.** ### Reasoning According to **Rule 359.3.f.4** and supported by **RiftJudge FAQ #9849** and **#10176**, the condition "if an enemy unit is alone here" is evaluated at the specific moment the unit gains the "Attacker" or "Defender" combat designation.
Can I react to the Navori Fighting Pit trigger even if the units holding are already buffed?
Yes, you can react to the **Navori Fighting Pit** "Hold" trigger, even if the units at the battlefield already have a buff.
Are reflection unit tokens 0 might upon copy? Either through mirror image or Leblanc's legend ability?
No, Reflection unit tokens are not 0 Might upon copying a unit. According to the **Patch Notes (2026-03-30)** and the definition of **Copy Effects**, when a game object becomes a copy of another, it adopts the "copyable traits" of that target. These traits include the target's printed characteristics (such as Might) and its Rules Text.
Can I play Tactical Retreat during cleanup?
No, you cannot play **Tactical Retreat** during a cleanup. According to **Rule 320**, while a cleanup is occurring, chain items cannot be resolved, and players cannot pass or be awarded priority to start new chains. Because playing **Tactical Retreat** (a [Reaction] spell) requires placing it onto the chain (which is an action that requires priority/focus), you cannot initiate this process...
I have a 6 might unit and opponent plays a spell that says give a unit -2 might. Does this mean that my unit only has an attack value of 4?
That is correct. In *Riftbound*, a unit's Might value determines the amount of combat damage it contributes during the Combat Damage Step. When a spell grants your 6-Might unit -2 Might, its current Might becomes 4.