If I play Cruel Patron, and I have a unit alone at a battlefield I control, I choose to kill my Recruit to pay the additional cost of Cruel Patron. Can I play my Patron to that battlefield?

Yes, you can play Cruel Patron to that same battlefield.

According to the Riftbound Rules FAQ (updated 2026-04-29), this interaction is specifically permitted:

"I play Cruel Patron, and I have a 1 [M] Recruit alone at a battlefield I control. I choose to kill my Recruit to pay the additional cost of Cruel Patron. Although this causes a cleanup, because there is an item on the chain (Cruel Patron) I don’t lose control of the battlefield. I can choose to play Cruel Patron to that same battlefield with no issue."

Sequence of Events:

1. Start playing Cruel Patron: You declare your intent to play the card.
2. Pay Costs: You choose to kill your Recruit as the additional cost.
3. Chain Entry: Cruel Patron is placed on the chain. Because there is now an item on the chain, the state is not "Open."
4. Control Check: Even though your Recruit died and the battlefield is momentarily empty, you do not lose control of it because the cleanup process (which would check for control) is deferred while the chain is active (Rule 187.4.c).
5. Resolution: Cruel Patron enters play immediately (as a permanent) at the battlefield you selected.

Because you maintained control of the battlefield throughout the process, the location remains valid for playing your unit.