Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 128 of 152 · 7,585 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
If I target Vex Apathetic with the spell Falling Star, do I need to pay the deflect cost for both instances of damage?
**Yes, you must pay the Deflect cost twice.** Falling Star has two separate instances of "Deal 3 to a unit," and each instance chooses (targets) a unit. Vex, Apathetic has **Deflect** (Deflect 1), and per **Rule 809.1.c**, Deflect imposes an additional cost "for each time they choose me." If you target Vex with both instances, that's two times chosen, so...
If the enemy chooses a 5 might unit with sacrifice, can I use star cross on it first?
No. The 5-Might unit is killed as an additional cost while your opponent plays Sacrifice, **before** you get priority to respond. You cannot "Star-Cross it first" to save it.
If Pyke, Returned with Backline gets targeted by Block, which assigns him Tank as well, does he have Tank or Backline, and when should he be targeted?
The attacker (opponent assigning damage) chooses whether to treat Pyke as first or last. Pyke, Returned naturally has **Backline** (must be assigned damage last). Giving him **Tank** via Block creates an **exclusionary conflict** — he can't be both first and last. Per **Rule 460.2.c.7** (and FAQs 11355, 7737), the player assigning combat damage picks *one* of the two keywords to...
If I have Switcheroo at Trifarrian War Camp, and I switch Irelia with another unit, how does it work? How does it work with the buff from Battlefield and also the Choose Me?
Here's how it all works. **Yes, playing Switcheroo on Irelia triggers her +1 Might.** Switcheroo chooses/targets two units (Rule 433), and Irelia, Fervent's ability says "When you choose or ready me, give me +1 Might this turn." So she gets +1 from being chosen.
Does Turn to Dust on an equipped unit still kill the gear that is equipped the following turn?
**Yes.** A gear hit with **Turn to Dust** while attached will be killed during your next Beginning Phase. Here's the key distinction: when a gear is attached, its *printed* rules text becomes inactive (Rules 135.4, 718.2). However, **Turn to Dust** *grants* the **[Temporary]** keyword — and granted rules text remains active while attached. The granted [Temporary] triggers normally in your...
When I have a Ravenbloom Student on a battlefield and play a hidden card on the battlefield, does she get a buff or only when the hidden spell gets "played" as in revealed?
Ravenbloom Student gets +1 Might only when you **play** the hidden spell — that is, when you flip it up from facedown and resolve it on a later turn. Hiding it initially (paying [A] to put it facedown) is a separate action — it does **not** count as playing the spell and does **not** trigger Ravenbloom Student.
Does Unyielding Spirit prevent death from Imperial Decree?
**No, Unyielding Spirit does not prevent death from Imperial Decree.** Imperial Decree creates a triggered ability that *kills* a unit when that unit takes damage. Unyielding Spirit prevents *damage* from spells and abilities — but the kill from Imperial Decree is a separate instruction (a Kill effect, not a damage effect) and is not prevented.
Can Tideturner switch locations with a unit at Vilemaw's Lair?
**No — you cannot swap a unit out of Vilemaw's Lair via Tideturner if Tideturner was played to base.** Tideturner's "When you play me" ability uses the word "move." Vilemaw's Lair says "Units can't move from here to base." Since a "can't" restriction beats a "can" effect, the targeted unit in the Lair cannot move to base.
Can I keep my opponent's battlefield a Brush if I conquer it?
**Yes, you can.** When you conquer a Brush token battlefield, you become its controller. The Brush's ability says "When you score here, you **may** replace this with the battlefield it replaced" — and "you" refers to the battlefield's controller (Rule 187.6.c). Since you now control it, the choice is yours. You may simply choose not to replace it, and the...
Can I play Tideturner on the same battlefield as Hwei and choose him and it will count as him moving?
**No.** Tideturner's ability says "choose a unit you control at **another location**." If Hwei is on the same battlefield as Tideturner, he's at the same location — that choice is illegal, so you cannot pick him.
On my turn I attack a BF, opponent plays Hidden Hostile Takeover. After Hidden Hostile Takeover resolves, they attempt to sacrifice my unit on an open showdown. Is this legal?
**Yes, this is legal.** After Hostile Takeover resolves and the chain empties, the Showdown goes to Open State. Since the chain was opened by a played card (not a trigger or Add ability), **Focus passes** to the next player — your opponent — per Rule 346. With Focus in Showdown Open, they can play a card with **[Action]** or **[Reaction]**...
Can I conquer the same bf twice in a turn if I conquered it, then the opponent conquered the same bf and then I conquered again?
**No.** Once you've scored a battlefield (by conquering it), you cannot conquer it again in the same turn — even if the opponent takes it and you take it back.
Does the ability of a defender or attacker resolve first?
**Defend triggers resolve first.** Attack triggers are added to the initial combat chain before defend triggers (attacker first, then non-defenders, then defender — Rule 459.2.d.1). Since the chain resolves Last-In, First-Out (LIFO), the defender's triggers are newest on the chain and resolve first, followed by the attacker's triggers.
If I have no cards in hand, do I still draw a card when moving with Traveling Merchant?
**Yes, you still draw 1 card.** Traveling Merchant says "discard 1, then draw 1" — the discard and draw are separate instructions resolving independently. When you have no cards in hand, the discard instruction is simply ignored (you can't discard from an empty hand), and you proceed to draw 1 card as normal.
If Player A has a unit, and then Player B uses Lotus Trap on Player A's unit, Player A reacts by using Ki Barrier. Does Player A determine the order of the replacement effects?
**Yes, Player A determines the order.** Both **Lotus Trap** ("double all damage") and **Ki Barrier** ("prevent the next 7 damage") are replacement effects that apply to the same event — damage being dealt to the unit. Per **Rule 372**, when multiple replacement effects apply to the same event, the **owner of the object being acted on** chooses the order they...
In Vendetta, what does 'played' mean now?
In *Vendetta*, "played" has **three distinct meanings depending on context** (per the 2026-07-17 Patch Notes): 1. **Play as game action** — "Play a unit" or "play a spell" means **put the card on the chain and queue it to be finalized** (Rule 419.1). This is what you do normally on your turn.
Does Empowered Ambessa, Respected and Feared attack trigger go through before my opponent's Winds and Ghosts return it to my hand?
**Yes, Empwered Ambessa's attack trigger resolves before the opponent can return her with Wind and Ghosts.** Here's why: when Ambessa gains the Attacker designation, her "When I attack" trigger goes on the Chain immediately, creating a **Showdown Closed** state (Rule 383.4.e.2, FAQ #8384). While the Chain has items on it, only **Reaction**-speed cards can be played (Rule 354.1). Wind and...
Does Mirror Image copy any Empower a unit has?
No, **Mirror Image** does not copy the empowered status. Per the official rules on copy effects (Patch Notes 2026-03-30), a copy effect only copies a card's **"copyable traits"** — its printed characteristics and rules text. The empowered status is a **granted/appended state** applied by activating the Empower keyword, not a printed trait. As the rules state: *"Nothing appended or granted...
Does Dusk Rose Lab trigger before scoring? And does it go on the chain without paying the cost aka removing a unit? Can you put on chain then decline?
**Yes, Dusk Rose Lab triggers before scoring.** The Beginning Phase has a Beginning Step (where "at the start of Beginning Phase" effects happen) followed by a Scoring Step where Hold occurs (Rule 315.2). The card's own text even notes this: "(This happens before scoring.)"
If I attack with Empowered Akali against a Lonely Poro with Master Yi Wuju Bladesman as Legend, will the 2 damage trigger first or the Legend ability?
The Master Yi passive applies **first** — it's a continuous effect, not a triggered one. Here's the sequence:
I move in with a lonely poro to attack a battlefield controlled by my opponent. I let the combat resolve and my poro dies - can I then react to the Lonely Poro deathknell trigger and Ambush Nidalee down to the battlefield my Lonely Poro was attacking?
**No, you can't play Nidalee there.** Two separate rules block this. First, Nidalee's Ambush says "to a battlefield where you have units" — your Lonely Poro just died, so you have no units at that battlefield anymore. Second, you don't control that battlefield mid-combat (control only transfers after Conquer resolves post-Combat, Rule 464.1.b), and Rule 813.3.a is clear: Reaction units...
I have a 2 might unit. It gets 1 damage done by a spell. Then stupify. Is it dead?
Yes, the unit dies. The unit starts at 2 Might with 1 damage marked on it from the spell. When Stupefy resolves, it reduces the unit's Might to 1 (minimum of 1). During the next cleanup, the game compares marked damage to current Might — since 1 damage ≥ 1 Might, the unit is killed (Rule 143.2.a).
If I try to empower my Steel Paws for 7 energy, and my opponent responds by returning the Steel Paws to my hand, does my Nasus legend still trigger to give me 2 runes back?
Yes — **Nasus still triggers.** The Empower ability was fully activated (cost paid, placed on the Chain) and it **resolved**, even if its effect did nothing because Steel Paws left play.
Does Viktor's legend ability work for Legion?
**No.** Playing a Recruit token from Viktor's legend ability does **not** satisfy the Legion condition. Legion (Rule 812.1.c) requires that **a card** different from the one with Legion has been Finalized this turn. The Recruit token from Viktor's ability is playing a unit, but it is **not** playing a card (FAQ #3881). Tokens aren't cards — they're game objects created...
If I play Shuriken Flip from its flow cost, can it get Defied?
**Yes, Defy can counter Shuriken Flip played from its Flow cost.** Defy checks the **printed cost** of the target spell — the actual numbers on the card, not what you paid. Shuriken Flip's printed cost is 1 Energy and 1 Power, which is within Defy's range (≤4 Energy, ≤1 Power). Playing it via Flow (3 Energy + any Power) doesn't...
If I play Shuriken Flip, targeting an enemy unit to deal 2 damage at a battlefield move my unit into that battlefield as part of the spell's effect, and afterward play an Akali's Legend or a move reaction spell to move my unit out of that battlefield, does the enemy unit heal?
Yes, the enemy unit heals. Once Shuriken Flip resolves and your unit moves into the occupied battlefield, a **Combat Showdown** is initiated. That combat runs through all its steps, including Combat Cleanup (Rule 461.1.a.1), which heals **all units in play** — regardless of whether you move your unit out before Combat Damage happens. Per **FAQ #8342**: "Units heal after combat...
If I'm at 6 points and I conquer a battlefield with a unit whose equipped with Trinity Force and Skyfall of Areion, do I win?
**Yes, you win.** Here's how it plays out:
If I reveal an Undertitan with the Move Trigger from Rift Herold, will I get the 2 Energy?
Yes. If you reveal Undertitan with Rift Herald's move trigger, you get the 2 Energy. Here's why: Rift Herald's ability explicitly says "You may **reveal** a unit from among them" — it uses the word "reveal." Undertitan's "As I'm revealed from your deck, [Add] [2]" only triggers when a game effect instructs you to reveal cards from your deck (per...
If I move Akali, Deadly Weapon into a battlefield with Mask of Foresight on board and then ambush in Morgana, Vindictive and then move Akali back out with my Akali legend, does Morgana get the 1 might from Mask of Foresight?
**No, Morgana does not get the +1 Might from Mask of Foresight.** Mask of Foresight's trigger condition ("when a friendly unit attacks or defends alone") is checked **only at the moment that unit gains its attacker/defender designation** — it does not re-check if the board changes later (FAQ #6385, #5554).
If I use the Akali legend ability to move the red Akali champion back and it ends a showdown, would the defending units heal before the move trigger resolves?
**No, the defending units do not heal** before Akali's "When I move" trigger resolves. Here's the sequence:
I have one unit at a battlefield and I'm at 7 points. The opponent conquers the other battlefield and goes to 7 points too. He then comes on the battlefield I control with more might than me. I ride the Wind to the other battlefield and I have more might than him. Who wins?
**Your opponent wins.** Here's the sequence: 1. **Opponent conquers Battlefield B** → scores to 7 points. 2. **Opponent moves into Battlefield A** (where your unit is) → Combat Showdown opens at A. 3. **You play Ride the Wind** to move your unit from A to B. Since you left A with your only unit, your opponent is now the only...
If a unit is dealt damage and then a buff is removed from it, does it die?
**Yes, the unit will die.** Removing a buff reduces the unit's Might by 1 (Rule 703: each buff gives +1 Might). When non-zero damage marked on a unit equals or exceeds its current Might, it is killed (Rule 143.2.a). So if a 3-Might unit with a buff (effectively 4) takes 3 damage and then its buff is removed, its Might...
Does playing a hidden card at a location start a showdown?
**No, playing a hidden card does not start a showdown.** A showdown begins when a battlefield becomes **Contested** and the turn is in a **Neutral Open State** (Rule 344). Playing a hidden card from facedown opens a **Chain**, immediately putting the turn into a **Closed State** — which blocks a showdown from starting. More importantly, you can only hide cards...
If I play Falling Star, do I have to wait for my opponent to give no response, then I can use Stupefy afterwards? Or can I first use Falling Star, then hold priority and use Stupefy immediately?
**You can play Stupefy immediately without waiting for the opponent.** After your Falling Star becomes a Finalized Chain Item, **you** (as the controller of the newest item) gain Priority first (Rules 337.1.c.3, 312.2.c). Since Stupefy has **[Reaction]**, it's legally timed during the Closed State, so you can play it right then before your opponent gets any chance to respond.
Can I play Falling Star, pass priority, then opponent also passes priority, then I use Stupefy on the same chain?
No. Once you pass priority and your opponent also passes, both players have passed consecutively and the chain proceeds to **resolve** the top item (Falling Star). There is no window to insert Stupefy after that — you missed your chance.
If I conquer with Kennen Storm of Shuriken, can I play Drag Under from trash for 3 energy 1 power?
**Yes, you can play it for 3 Energy and 1 Power.** Here's why: Kennen gives Drag Under Flow "equal to its cost." Per Rule 131.4, "its cost" means the **printed cost** of 5 Energy and 1 Power — so the Flow cost is set to 5E/1P.
Player 1 has Ravenbloom Student on Ravenbloom Conservatory, Player 2 enters to that battlefield with empowered Akali, Deadly Weapon, empowered—when she moves she deals 2 damage to Ravenbloom Student, P1 doesn't react. Will Player 1 get defend trigger from the battlefield or not?
No, Player 1 does **not** get the defend trigger from Ravenbloom Conservatory. Here's the sequence: Player 2 moves Empowered Akali to Ravenbloom Conservatory (controlled by Player 1, with Ravenbloom Student there). The move completes and Contested is applied. During the following Cleanup, Akali's "When I move" trigger is finalized and placed on the chain, resolving to deal 2 damage to...
Can I play Rengar trophy hunter on a reaction chain on a battlefield where I do not have units but my opponent does?
**Yes.** Rengar, Trophy Hunter can be played as a Reaction (during a Closed State) to a battlefield that has enemy units, even if you control no units there.
If I am playing Lux legend and I have an applied researcher in the back line making my falling comet cost four instead of five do I still get to draw one off of lux legend?
**Yes, you still draw 1.** Lux's Legend ability checks the **printed cost** of the spell (the number in the top left corner), not the reduced cost you actually pay. Falling Comet has a printed Energy cost of 5, so it meets Lux's threshold regardless of Applied Researcher's discount. Cost reduction effects like Applied Researcher lower what you pay but don't...
If I am playing Jhin Legend and I have an Applied Researcher on the board and I play Consult the Past for three energy instead of four, does my Jhin Legend still proc to banish Consult the Past?
**No, Virtuoso's ability will not let you banish Consult the Past.** Virtuoso checks "if you spent [4] or more" — that's the actual energy you paid, not the spell's printed cost. Applied Researchers reduces Consult the Past from 4 energy to 3 energy (its base cost of 4 minus the [1][A] discount, minimum 1). So you only spent 3 energy,...
Can Heedless Resurrection play the unit sacrificed for it as cost.
**No.** You cannot resurrect the same unit you kill to pay Heedless Resurrection's cost. When you play Heedless Resurrection, targets are chosen in Step 2 of playing the card — you must pick a unit *already in your trash*. The unit you're about to kill is still on the board at that point, so it's not a valid target. You...
If a unit has already 3 damage marked and I play Imperial Decree afterwards does the unit die?
**No, the unit will not die.** Imperial Decree creates a triggered ability that kills a unit **when it takes damage** — it does not check the *state* of being already damaged. The trigger condition is the *event* of receiving damage, not the *condition* of having damage marked. Since the 3 damage was already dealt before Imperial Decree resolved, that damage...
If I have a temporary unit on a battlefield but it would die on my turn, do I still get the hold point first or not?
**No, you do not get the Hold point if you have only a Temporary unit and do nothing in response.**
Rek'Sai has 4 might and I have two 1 might units, but I used Wages of Pain, so does 1 of my units live and Rek'Sai die?
**No, both of your 1‑Might units die, and Rek'Sai dies too.** Here's the combat breakdown after *Wages of Pain* deals 3 damage to Rek'Sai:
If I play Kennen from hidden, can I stun an enemy at a different battlefield?
No. When you play **Kennen, Keeper of Balance** from Hidden, the "When you play me... stun a unit" is a **play effect** (Rule 383.4.a), and Rule 811.1.d.2 restricts play effects of hidden cards to target only units at the same battlefield where the card was hidden. Since "Stun a unit" has no targeting restriction that makes targeting another battlefield necessary,...
Can I always have a chance to use Stupefy without opponent response right after I use Hextech Ray in a Showdown?
No, you cannot always do this without your opponent getting a chance to respond — but it depends on whether you **retain priority**.
My opponent plays Promising Future. I reveal Brynhir and he reveals Dazzling Aurora. I play Brynhir first as mentioned in Promising Future. Does the Aurora get played?
**Yes, Dazzling Aurora is played normally and enters the battlefield.** Here's why: When Promising Future resolves, "starting with the next player" (you), each player plays their banished card. You play Brynhir first, then your opponent plays Dazzling Aurora — both go onto the chain as **pending items** before Brynhir's "When you play me" trigger has a chance to do anything.
How does Helm of Suppression interact with hidden cards? Does it increase the cost of revealing them?
**It depends on what was hidden.** Helm of Suppression only raises the cost of **spells**, so: - **Hidden spell:** Yes — playing it from Hidden still counts as playing a spell. Hidden sets its base cost to 0 (Rule 811.1.b → 356.1.b), but cost increases apply afterward (Rule 356.3), so it costs **[1] more** (or **[1][A]** more if Helm is...
In a BO1 match of Riftbound, when are you allowed to side deck?
**No — by default you can never sideboard in a BO1 match.** Sideboarding is only permitted between games of a match (Rule 403.4), and a BO1 has only one game. Rule 403.5 additionally forbids using sideboard cards in the first game of a match.
So I'm defending with Ahri, and a Hidden Temporal Breach. They move in and Ahri's defend trigger happens. They pass and I reveal Temporal Breach on my Ahri. Does the defend trigger happen again?
Yes — Ahri's defend trigger fires again. Temporal Breach banishes Ahri, and Banishment is a non-board zone, so she becomes a brand-new game object (Rule 124). That new Ahri has never gained the Defender designation in this combat, so when she gains it during the Cleanup after Breach resolves, her "When I defend" trigger goes on the Chain normally (383.4.f.2.a).