Can you play a hidden card at BF1 if a showdown is occurring at BF2?
Yes, you can play a hidden card at Battlefield 1 while a showdown is occurring at Battlefield 2.
According to RiftJudge FAQ #2813 and Rule 811.1.c.3, playing a card from hidden opens a chain and functions as a Reaction. You can play a reaction at any time you have priority, regardless of which battlefield the showdown is happening at, provided you follow the specific targeting restrictions associated with hidden cards.
Key considerations for this interaction:
- Targeting: Per Rule 811.1.d.2, if your hidden card (or its "When you play me" ability) requires a target, that target must be at the battlefield where the card was hidden (BF1). You cannot target units at BF2 with a card hidden at BF1, unless the card has special targeting text that overrides this (like Tideturner).
- Non-targeting effects: If the card does not target (e.g., drawing cards), it can be played from BF1 without restriction while the showdown occurs at BF2.
- Location: If the hidden card is a permanent (a unit or gear), it must be played to the battlefield where it was hidden (BF1).
This is confirmed by RiftJudge FAQ #7354, which states: "You can play a hidden card from Battlefield B during a showdown on Battlefield A, and you can also play a hidden card from Battlefield B during your turn without any showdowns or chains happening."