Battlefields — Riftbound Rules

187.1.

Control is established over Battlefields through the course of play.

187.2.

Control is a binary state for Battlefields and an Identifier for players.

187.2.a.

A Battlefield is Controlled or Uncontrolled.

187.2.b.

A Battlefield is Controlled by a specific player or Controlled by no one.

187.3.

Control can be Contested through the course of play.

187.3.a.

Contested is a temporary status applied to the battlefield when a Unit controlled by a Player who does not currently Control that Battlefield Moves or otherwise becomes present there.

187.3.a.1.

Units moving to or being played to a battlefield apply Contested status if that battlefield is not already contested and that Unit’s controller does not already control that battlefield.

187.3.b.

A Battlefield remains Contested until Control is established or re-established.

187.3.c.

The state of a Battlefield being Contested is used to determine when Combat should occur, when a Non-Combat Showdown should occur, and when Control will change.

187.3.d.

At this time Game Effects cannot reference this status.

187.4.

Control is established by having Units at a Battlefield at the end of a Showdown or Combat after applying the contested status.

187.4.a.

If a player controls Units at a Battlefield, outside of Combat, they maintain Control of that Battlefield for as long as they have Units at that Battlefield.

187.4.b.

While a Combat or Showdown is ongoing at a Battlefield, Control of that Battlefield cannot change until instructed by steps of the Combat or Showdown.

187.4.c.

If a player has no Units at a Battlefield and the turn is in an Open state, they lose Control of that Battlefield in the following cleanup, unless there is a Combat or Showdown ongoing there.

187.5.

Control is a constant state.

187.6.

Control of a Battlefield determines Control of its Abilities.

187.6.a.

While a Battlefield is Controlled, its Controller controls its Abilities. That player takes responsibility for adding them to the Chain if applicable, and makes all choices required by them unless otherwise specified.

187.6.b.

While a Battlefield is Uncontrolled, its Abilities are also Uncontrolled. The Turn Player takes responsibility for adding them to the Chain if applicable, makes all choices required by them unless otherwise specified, and is treated as their Controller if any game rule or effect requires one. Example: The Arena’s Greatest is a battlefield that reads “At the start of each player's first Beginning Phase, that player gains 1 point.” This ability will usually trigger while the battlefield has no controller. If it does, the Turn Player goes through the steps of adding the ability to the chain and receives priority after doing so, exactly as if they controlled the ability.

187.6.c.

“You” in a battlefield’s abilities refers to the battlefield’s Controller, as does the implied “you” in instructions like “draw 1.” If the battlefield has no Controller, “you” refers to no one, and all such instructions are ignored.

Related FAQ (5)

In 2v2, can my ally and I bring the same legend? What about the same battlefields?

No and no. The updated rules will clarify that you and your ally must bring different legends and different battlefields.

Can my ally and I share control of battlefields?

No, you and your ally can never have units at the same battlefield. A maximum of two players can have units at a battlefield. Those players must be opponents, and a combat will result.

Can I still conquer and hold battlefields while my opponent has Tianna? Do I get conquer and hold triggers? What about drawing a card instead of getting the 8th point from conquering?

Yes to all. Tianna is solely concerned with points and doesn't interfere with the process of conquering or holding battlefields. The restriction only applies when you reach for your scorepad, app, or tracking die.

My opponent plays Elder Dragon and targets my two units at the two battlefields, as well as one of my units in base. If I play Flash in reaction, moving the two units at battlefields to base, will they be dealt damage?

No. Elder Dragon's effect has targeting restrictions for each location separately. Moving units to different locations breaks those restrictions. Units that no longer fulfill targeting restrictions will be unaffected by the ability as it resolves.

I play Alpha Strike targeting my Master Yi, Unstoppable and splitting 12 damage among three of the four enemy units at battlefields. If my opponent plays Flash in reaction, moving two of the targeted units to base, can they then play Repulse and counter my Alpha Strike?

No, unless units move to non-board zones. Targeting relationships persist even when targets no longer fulfill restrictions. Units at base still count toward Repulse's requirement. Only movement to non-board zones severs the relationship entirely per rule 359.3.e.3.