Browse Riftbound Rules Questions
Page 149 of 158 · 7,873 verified questions. Each links to the full ruling.
If Challenge is the second card played on a turn, does Darius's trigger to gain might occur before Challenge deals damage?
Ruling: No, Darius's trigger goes on the chain after Challenge resolves, meaning the damage is dealt before Darius gains might.
Can you counter Challenge with Unyielding Spirit?
Ruling: No, Unyielding Spirit does not stop damage from Challenge. Nuances: - Unyielding Spirit does stop damage from units like Void Seeker, Stormbringer, or Yasuo, Remorseless - Unyielding Spirit does not stop damage from Challenge, Last Breath, or Carnivorous Snapvine - The "they deal damage to each other" wording in Challenge does not count as spell damage that Unyielding Spirit...
Can you cast Flash on units that are already in base, and will it trigger abilities like Travelling Merchant?
Ruling: You can cast Flash targeting units already in base since it says "up to 2 friendly units," but the units won't move since they're already at the destination.
Can I play multiple reactions in a row (holding priority) before passing to my opponent, and how does the resolution work?
Ruling: Yes, you can hold priority to play multiple reactions in a row before passing priority to your opponent. Each spell will then resolve one by one, with both players passing priority between each resolution.
When does damage-based cleanup (a unit with more damage than its might) happen during chain resolution?
Ruling: Damage-based cleanup happens any time an item leaves the chain, not after the entire chain resolves. Nuances: - Cleanup actually happens even more often than just when items leave the chain, but for chains that's the most relevant timing
When a showdown happens between an attacker and a stunned defender, and neither unit dies but the defender has more might, who gains control of the battlefield?
Ruling: When neither unit dies in a showdown, the attacking unit is recalled back to base, so the defender retains control of the battlefield.
Can Defy counter unit card effects?
Ruling: Defy cannot counter unit card effects because those aren't spells. There is no ability counter in the game at this time.
In a 2v2 game, if I conquer a battlefield and the other two battlefields are held (one by opponent, one by teammate), can I win for my team using Time Warp to hold to the winning point even though our opponent is holding one of the battlefields?
Ruling: Yes, you can win for your team using Time Warp. Victory Points have nothing to do with battlefield control, and Victory Point has no restrictions if it is a Hold.
When Falling Comet targets Jinx at one battlefield, but Jinx is moved to a different battlefield by Ride the Wind before Falling Comet resolves, what happens?
Ruling: Falling Comet still deals 6 damage to Jinx even though she moved to a different battlefield. The spell was already targeting Jinx when cast, and as long as Jinx remains at a battlefield (any battlefield), the spell resolves normally.
Does Dragon's Rage require you to move an enemy unit in order to deal damage?
Ruling: Yes, you must move an enemy unit to deal damage. The movement must occur first, and then if there is another enemy unit at the destination location, damage is dealt to each other.
Can you recycle tokens (e.g., with Red Rumble's ability)?
Ruling: Yes, you can recycle tokens. The token attempts to move to the deck but ceases to exist after entering that zone, just like when tokens move to any other non-board zone. The recycle action is still considered to have occurred even though the token disappears.
If a card says 'discard 2, then draw 2' but you have no cards in hand, do you still draw 2 cards?
Ruling: Yes, you draw 2 cards. Riftbound uses "Do as much as you can" (DAMAYC) as a silver rule, meaning you follow all instructions you can perform and only ignore what you cannot do.
Can Lonely Poro's 'alone' condition trigger while it is in base, or does it only trigger on the battlefield?
Ruling: Lonely Poro's 'alone' condition can trigger while it is in base. Nuances: - The 'alone' condition is not restricted to the battlefield only
When casting Charm, do you need to declare the target unit's destination before resolution, and what are the legal destinations?
Ruling: When you put Charm on the chain, you must declare both the target enemy unit and its legal end destination.
Can you exhaust runes to float energy while resolving Stacked Deck to pay for Nocturnes found during the resolution?
Ruling: You cannot exhaust runes during Stacked Deck resolution itself. However, you can exhaust runes when paying for Nocturnes after Stacked Deck finishes resolving, since Nocturne gets banished as pending during Stacked Deck and costs are paid when it finalizes.
If Harnessed Dragon targets a unit at battlefield A, and the opponent uses Tide Turner to swap to battlefield B, does Harnessed Dragon kill Tide Turner or the originally targeted unit?
Ruling: Harnessed Dragon kills the originally targeted enemy unit, even if Tide Turner swaps the battlefields after the target is declared.
Does Dangerous Duo target itself with its "When Played, Mighty" (WYPM) effect to become Mighty when played, thereby triggering Volibear's Relentless Storm ability?
Ruling: No, Dangerous Duo is not Mighty when played and does not trigger Volibear's Relentless Storm. The unit must fully resolve before its "When Played" trigger goes on the chain, so at the time Volibear checks for Mighty units being played, Dangerous Duo is not yet Mighty.
If I move my Blazing Scorcher to a battlefield my opponent controls, and they use Retreat to return their only unit back to their hand, will they still control the battlefield for Ahri's legend ability effect, or will my unit remain 5 might instead of becoming 4?
Ruling: The opponent will control the battlefield until the showdown ends (when both players pass focus in sequence), so your 5 might unit will become 4 might. Additionally, Ahri's legend ability is a triggered ability that gives your unit -1 might the moment you gain the attacker designation and the ability on the chain resolves.
Does Pack of Wonders allow you to repeatedly play cards like Bloom Predator (as Heat Seeker) and Mind Splitter from the discard pile every turn?
Ruling: Yes, Pack of Wonders allows you to play cards from your discard pile by treating them as different cards (e.g., Bloom Predator as Heat Seeker, Mind Splitter causing discard). You must still pay the cost to play them.
When playing Teemo (Scout) from Hidden with Ember Monk on the battlefield, can you order the triggers so that Convergent Mutation copies Ember Monk's +2 Might before Teemo gets his own +3 Might, resulting in a 9 Might Teemo?
Ruling: Yes, you can achieve a 9 Might Teemo by choosing the order of simultaneous triggers and using Convergent Mutation between their resolutions.
Does equipment attached to a unit that dies go to the trash or return to your base?
Ruling: Equipment attached to a unit that dies returns to your base, not to the trash. Nuances: - Equipment cannot exist on the battlefield by itself - This is supported by card text like Draven's Axes, which specifically states it dies when the unit dies (implying this is an exception to the normal rule) - A unit can have multiple...
Does Yasuo's 'When I Attack' ability trigger when he enters combat via Ride the Wind after normal attack triggers?
Ruling: Yes, Yasuo's 'When I Attack' ability will trigger when he enters an ongoing combat via Ride the Wind. His triggered ability will go on the same chain as the effect that moved him (the ability will be pending on the chain as the move effect resolves).
Can Soraka save units at base if she's also at base?
Ruling: Yes, Soraka can save units at base if she is also at base. Base is a location and units at Soraka's location are considered "here" for her ability.
If a unit conquers battlefield A, returns to base, then moves to and conquers battlefield B in the same turn, do you score points for both battlefields?
Ruling: Yes, you score points for both battlefields. The game does not care how you conquer a battlefield as long as you haven't already scored that specific battlefield during the current turn.
Can I respond to Aurora's end phase trigger with reactions?
Ruling: Yes, you can respond to Aurora's trigger in the end phase with reactions. However, you cannot respond after it resolves its ability.
When Smokescreen is played on a unit that is on Trifarian War Camp (which gives +1 might), does the battlefield bonus get reduced separately or does Smokescreen reduce the total might including the battlefield bonus?
Ruling: Smokescreen reduces the total might of the unit including any battlefield bonuses. The battlefield effect is not calculated separately - all positive modifiers are calculated first, then negative modifiers are applied to that total.
When an item on the chain resolves, can players play reactions before the next item resolves, and who gets priority?
Ruling: When an item on the chain resolves, priority is given to the controller of the next item on the chain (if the chain isn't empty). This allows players to play reactions between chain resolutions.
When a 1 Might token recruit attacks into a battlefield with Trifarian War Camp (+1 to all units) defended by Ahri (Legend gives -1 to units when defending, minimum 1), what is the final Might value during combat?
Ruling: The recruit will have 1 Might during combat. Trifarian War Camp's passive +1 applies immediately when the unit moves to the battlefield (making it 2 Might), then Ahri's triggered ability resolves when the unit receives the Attacker designation, reducing it to 1 Might.
Does Gust take effect before Assault (e.g., when Vayne attacks)?
Ruling: No, Gust does not take effect before Assault. Assault is a passive ability that turns on immediately when a unit is designated as an attacker, which happens during cleanup after a move ends, before there are any opportunities to cast spells like Gust.
When attacking, if a unit is in a battlefield and Yasuo enters, can Retreat be used to avoid the damage from Yasuo's ability?
Ruling: Yes, you can play Retreat as a Reaction to Yasuo's ability on the Chain to avoid the damage. Sequence: - Yasuo enters the battlefield and his ability triggers - The ability goes on the Chain - You can play Retreat as a Reaction - Your unit leaves the battlefield - Yasuo's ability misses because the targeted unit is no...
Can Ride the Wind move a unit from battlefield to battlefield?
Ruling: Yes, you can move a unit from battlefield to battlefield with Ride the Wind. Only the Standard Move has restrictions on battlefield-to-battlefield movement. Card effects are only restricted by what is printed on them.
When Warwick has Recurve Bow attached, do their attack triggers resolve in a specific order, or can the controller choose the order?
Ruling: When multiple triggered abilities on the same card have the same trigger condition, they go on the chain at the same time and the controller can order them as they please.
Does damage dealt to a unit reduce its might, or does damage work separately from might?
Ruling: Damage marked on a unit does not reduce its might. A unit's might remains constant regardless of damage marked on it.
Does Mask of Foresight trigger go on the initial chain with when I attack/when I defend triggers, and what is the resolution order when attacking Ahri with 2x Mask of Foresight?
Ruling: Mask of Foresight is effectively a "when I attack" or "when I defend" trigger that goes on the initial chain at the same time as all other when attack/defend triggers. When attacking with a 2 Might unit and 2x Mask of Foresight against a 3 Might Ahri, the attacker ends up at 3 Might and trades with Ahri.
When do you pick a unit target for a spell like Gust - when you play it or when it resolves?
Ruling: You pick the unit when you place the spell on the chain, not when it resolves. Sequence: - Choose the target when placing the spell on the chain - Target legality is checked at that time (must be legal when chosen) - Target legality is checked again when the spell resolves to ensure the target is still legal
Does Ornn Forge God buff himself with gold gear tokens and with the gear he has equipped?
Ruling: Yes, Ornn Forge God buffs himself with gold gear tokens and equipped gear because gear tokens are still considered gear.
Can Ride the Wind move a unit from one battlefield to another battlefield (non-gank movement)?
Ruling: Yes, Ride the Wind can move a unit from battlefield A to battlefield B. Cards like Charm and Ride the Wind have no restrictions on unit movement between battlefields.
When two Dazzling Auroras are in play and the first triggers to play a Deadbloom Predator to an occupied battlefield, does the second Aurora trigger resolve before the showdown combat begins?
Ruling: The second Aurora trigger must resolve before combat can begin. All triggers on the chain must resolve during cleanup before a showdown combat can start.
If I use Viktor's ability to create a token and my opponent reacts with Gust to make me lose control of the battlefield, can I still play the token on that battlefield since I chose the location first?
Ruling: No, you do not choose the location when Viktor's ability is activated. The location is chosen when the token is played after Viktor's ability resolves, so Gust can legally be played in response and you will not control the battlefield when you need to choose where to play the token.
If you portal rescue a unit you control but do not own (e.g., via Possession), whose base does it go to and who controls it?
Ruling: The unit goes to its owner's base, and the owner plays it and gets the "when played" effect. Sequence: - When Portal Rescue targets a unit you control but don't own, the unit goes to its owner's base (not yours) - The owner of the unit plays it - The owner gets the "when played" trigger
Can you target the chosen champion in the champion zone with cards like Vengeance?
Ruling: No, you cannot target the champion in the champion zone because the champion zone is not on the board; it is specifically a non-board zone.
When conquering with Qiyana in Candlelit Sanctum and wanting to start a chain, how do you order the triggers so Sanctum resolves first, and when do you decide whether Qiyana draws or channels?
Ruling: You declare Qiyana as Chain 1 and Sanctum as Chain 2, so Sanctum resolves first (last in, first out). You decide whether Qiyana draws or channels when her trigger resolves, not when it triggers, so you can see the Sanctum result before deciding.
When playing a spell like Stupefy that lets you draw a card, do you draw when you play it or when it resolves from the pile?
Ruling: You draw the card when Stupefy resolves from the chain, not when you initially play it. Sequence: - Play Stupefy and add it to the pile/chain - Wait for opponent to react if they choose to - When Stupefy resolves, follow the card text and draw the card
Does Viktor's leader effect trigger when Sprite Mother's tokens die (when they kill themselves)?
Ruling: Yes, Viktor's leader effect triggers when Sprite Mother's tokens die. The tokens are units that are not Recruits, so when they die, they trigger Viktor's effect.
When Kayn is recalled to base after failing to conquer a battlefield, does he return exhausted or in the same ready/exhausted state he was in when combat resolved?
Ruling: When a unit is recalled to base after failing to conquer, it returns in whatever ready/exhausted state it was in at the time of recall. Being recalled does not inherently exhaust a unit.
When a player scoops/loses in Riftbound, does their opponent get to see the hidden cards that were on the field?
Ruling: Yes, when a player scoops or loses, all facedown cards must be revealed to all players because the game is ending.
Can reactions be played right after the last card on the stack resolves?
Ruling: No, you cannot play reactions after the last card on the stack resolves. If the last item on the chain resolving doesn't cause an item to go on the chain, the chain closes immediately afterward.
If Fiora, Peerless attacks a single unit but the defender reveals a hidden Teemo in reaction to the attack trigger, does Fiora's might still double when the trigger resolves?
Ruling: Yes, Fiora's might still doubles. The trigger condition is only checked when determining whether the trigger should go onto the chain, not when it resolves.
Can a player play Rebuke (an action speed spell) on an attacking unit during a showdown after all their own units have been removed from that battlefield?
Ruling: Yes, a player can play Rebuke on an attacking unit even if they have no units remaining at that battlefield. Showdowns, once started, continue as normal until both players pass focus in succession.
Does Magma Wurm see itself (does its ability trigger when it enters the board)?
Ruling: No, Magma Wurm does not see itself because the card text specifies "other" friendly units. Nuances: - If the card said "friendly units enter ready" without "other," it would see itself because passive abilities become active before a unit enters the board exhausted - The timing works this way: card text becomes active first, then the unit enters the...