Control — Riftbound Rules

183.

Control is the concept of a player having influence of a Game Object and applies differently to different card types.

184.

Battlefields

184.1.

Control is established over Battlefields through the course of play.

184.2.

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

184.2.a.

A Battlefield is Controlled or Uncontrolled.

184.2.b.

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

184.3.

Control can be Contested through the course of play.

184.3.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.

184.3.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.

184.3.b.

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

184.3.c.

While a Battlefield remains Contested, Control of a Battlefield cannot change.

184.3.d.

The state of a Battlefield being Contested is used to determine when Combat should occur, when a Showdown without a Combat should occur, and when Control will change.

184.3.e.

At this time Game Effects cannot reference this status.

184.4.

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

184.4.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.

184.4.b.

A player maintains control of a Battlefield while it is being Contested by an opponent.

184.4.c.

If a player has no Units at a Battlefield, they lose Control of that Battlefield immediately, unless it is Contested.

184.5.

Control is a constant state.

184.6.

Control of a Battlefield determines Control of its Abilities.

184.6.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.

184.6.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.

184.6.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.

185.

Everything Else

185.1.

When a player Plays a Card or other Game Object, they are established as that Game Object's Controller.

185.2.

For Spells, they are the Spell's Controller.

185.2.a.

That player chooses targets.

185.2.b.

That player chooses modes.

185.2.c.

That player pays costs.

185.3.

For Permanents and Runes, when they Enter the Board, that player is assigned as that Game Object's Controller.

185.3.a.

That player may make decisions about the Game Object's Inherent Abilities.

185.3.b.

That player may make decisions about the Game Object's Unique Abilities.

185.3.c.

That player may make decisions about any game effects or decisions necessary while the card is being played.

185.3.d.

That player may make decisions about any game effects created from "When you play me" effects of Permanents.

185.4.

For Abilities, they are the Ability’s Controller.

185.4.a.

By default, the Controller of an Ability’s Source is the Controller of that Ability.

185.4.b.

Changes to Control of an Ability’s Source do not change Control of that Ability.

185.4.c.

That player chooses targets.

185.4.d.

That player chooses modes.

185.4.e.

That player pays costs.

186.

When a game effect or rules text refers to the Controller of a specific object, it can be referring to either context interchangeably.

186.1.

The method of assignment of control is different, but the status of Control is the same across all Game Objects.

Related FAQ (1)

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.