Layers — Riftbound Rules

How simultaneous effects stack and which apply first.

Section 475 — 56 rules

476.: Layers are the mechanism in which Game Effects alter the Traits, Intrinsic Abilities, or other properties of Game Objects.
477.: Layers are an organizational structure.
477.1.: Layers only serve to structure the application and order that Game Effects apply to Game Objects to maintain consistency.
478.: The layers are applied repeatedly until all effects operating on an object have been applied once and no changes have been processed.
478.1.: Layers are applied and evaluated continuously. All Game Objects have their layers updated in the same instant, but each Game Object is treated separately and individually when evaluating layers.
478.1.a.: If evaluating a Game Effect’s applicability depends on information from one or more other Game Objects, that Game Effect has an object level Dependency. Pause evaluating the layers of the dependent Game Object and evaluate the layer effects of those Game Objects whose information is referenced. Continue once the applicability of that Game Effect has been established or disqualified. Example: A 4 [M] unit reads in part “While I’m [Mighty], I’m a Yeti.” Another unit reads in part “I have all tags of units you control.” When the 4 [M] unit is buffed, the layers for all game objects are evaluated. While evaluating the layers for the second unit, it requires us to pause and evaluate the layers for all other units. When we’re evaluating the layers for the 4 [M] unit, after all is said and done, the unit has the Yeti tag. Once we’ve evaluated all units, we go back to evaluating the second unit, and at that time it has the Yeti tag as well.
478.1.b.: If a Game Object has an object level dependency with a Game Object that itself has an object level dependency with a third Game Object and so on, determine the final point of the dependency chain and evaluate the layer effects of that Game Object first, continuing up the dependency chain until all Game Objects have had their layer effects evaluated.
478.1.c.: If a dependency chain loops back around on itself, identify the minimum set of Game Objects in the loop and evaluate their layer effects simultaneously, layer by layer. If any of them have Game Effects that reference Game Objects from outside the set, pause and evaluate those Game Objects first before continuing with the set. Example: A 4 [M] unit reads “If there is a [Mighty] enemy unit here, I have +5 [M].” Both players control one of these units at a battlefield during combat. Each one is buffed. A third player plays Siphon Power, which reads “Choose a battlefield. Give friendly units there +1 [M] this turn, and enemy units there -1 [M] this turn, to a minimum of 1 [M].” Both of the units there are given -1 [M]. Because they have effects that reference each other, they have a dependency chain. After evaluating their layers simultaneously, layer by layer, both units will be 4 [M].
478.2.: Layers are applied in sequence. Each effect in them is applied as soon as able, and only a single time across all sequences.
478.3.: When a sequence of applications completes, recur the process, and evaluate each layer again applying any effects that may now be applicable.
478.4.: The removal or disqualification of an effect is separate from the application of the effect, but still can only be applied once. Example: Fiora, Victorious has printed Might 4 and says “While I'm Mighty, I have Deflect, Ganking, and Shield.” If a player places a buff on Fiora, her Might is increased in the Arithmetic layer, after the layer for Ability-Altering Effects. The Ability-Altering Effect layer is then re-checked and the abilities Deflect, Ganking, and Shield applied. Since each effect has been applied once and there are no other effects to apply, Fiora’s characteristics are finalized as 5 Might with Deflect, Ganking, and Shield. While a buffed Fiora, Victorious is in combat as a defender, an additional +1 Might will be applied in the Arithmetic layer, giving her 6 Might and the 3 keywords. Example: A buffed Fiora, Victorious is in combat as a defender when her buff is removed. Reevaluating the layers in sequence, she no longer gains Deflect, Ganking, and Shield during the Ability-Altering Effect layer, so when the Arithmetic layer is evaluated, neither the buff (which is gone) nor Shield (which she no longer has) apply. She goes directly from 6 Might with three keywords to 4 Might with no keywords.
479.: Layers are applied in the following order:
479.1.: 1. Copy Effects
479.1.a.: This layer deals with all copy effects.
479.1.b.: When a Copy effect is applied to a Game Object, the traits specified by the Copy Effect replace or are added to the Copyable Traits of the Game Object being Copied as specified by the effect. If no traits are specified by a Copy Effect, all traits of the Game Object are replaced with those of the Copied Game Object. Example: A player triggers Leblanc, Deceiver’s hold effect and plays a Reflection token, making it a copy of Honest Broker. That player then plays Mirror Image, targeting the Reflection token. When the Mirror Image Reflection token is played, it copies all of the copyable traits of the original Reflection token - which are currently those of Honest Broker which it is a copy of. That player will have three units named Honest Broker in play, two of which are token Copies with Temporary.
479.1.b.1.: The copyable traits of a Game Object are all of the printed—or if a copy effect is applied, copied—traits of that Game Object. In the case of a Token, they are the traits the token had when it was Created. Example: The copyable traits include the printed versions of the following traits: Name, Supertype, Type, Tags, Cost, Domain, Rules Text, Effect Text, Might, Might Bonus, Flavor Text, Art
479.1.c.: Copyable traits of a Game Object are distinct from the actual traits of that Game Object, which may be modified by subsequent applied Layer effects.
479.1.d.: Effects for this layer can be identified by the phrase "copy" in the text. Example: Svellsongur is an Equipment that reads in part “As this is attached to a unit, copy that unit's text to this Equipment's effect text for as long as this is attached to it.” This is a copy effect that is applied in this layer.
479.2.: 2. Trait-Altering Effects
479.2.a.: This layer deals with effects that grant, remove, or replace inherent traits of Game Objects. Name Supertype Type Tags Controller Cost Domain Base Might Base Might Bonus
479.2.b.: Effects for this layer can be identified by the phrase "become(s)", "give," "is," or "are" in the text. Example: A permanent has the ability "Other friendly units are Yordles." Other friendly units gain the Yordle tag in this layer.
479.3.: 3. Ability-Altering Effects
479.3.a.: This layer deals with non-Copy effects that grant, remove, or replace the abilities or rules text of Game Objects. Keywords Passive Abilities Appending rules text Removing rules text Effect Text
479.3.b.: Effects for this layer can be identified by the phrase "become(s)," "give," "lose(s)," "have," "has," "is," or "are" in the text. Example: A permanent has the ability "Other friendly units have [Vision]." Other friendly units gain the Vision keyword in this layer.
479.3.c.: Abilities of Effect Text of Attached cards are appended in this layer.
479.4.: 4. Arithmetic Effects
479.4.a.: This layer deals with the mathematics of increasing and decreasing the numeric values of the traits of Game Objects. Might Energy Cost Power Cost
479.4.b.: When an arithmetic effect from a source that is not a passive ability has a limitation that applies, it is limited at the time of its application, and is “remembered” at that limited level for the duration of its effect. This process is called “snapshotting.” Example: If an effect gives a unit “-4 [M] to a min of 1 this turn” choosing a unit with 2 [M], then the effect will generate -1 [M] this turn. Example: A unit reads “Units you control here have their Might increased to 5 [M].” This is a passive ability, so it will not snapshot. Example: A spell reads “Increase a friendly unit’s Might to 5 [M].” This effect is applied once, with an unlimited duration. Because it isn’t from a passive ability, it will snapshot.
479.4.c.: Players cannot increase a numeric attribute by a negative amount. If an effect would instruct a player to do so, they increase it by 0 instead. Example: A player plays Last Stand, which reads “Double a friendly unit's Might this turn. Give it Temporary.” The player declares a 2 [M] unit as the target during finalization. In reaction to Last Stand, an opponent plays Eclipse targeting the 2 [M] unit. When Last Stand resolves, the unit is -2 [M]. Last Stand instructs its controller to increase the unit’s Might by its current amount, -2, when the double action is performed. This is not possible, so the unit’s Might is increased by 0 instead.
479.4.d.: Might Bonuses of Attached cards are applied in this layer.
479.4.e.: This layer applies arithmetic in the following way.
479.4.e.1.: 1. Increases
479.4.e.1.a.: Positive values, or increases, to Might are applied first.
479.4.e.1.b.: If there is a restriction or limitation to this increase and it isn’t from a passive ability, the limitation is “snapshotted” for the duration of the effect.
479.4.e.2.: 2. Decreases
479.4.e.2.a.: Negative values, or decreases, to Might are applied last.
479.4.e.2.b.: If there is a restriction or limitation to this decrease and it isn’t from a passive ability, the limitation is “snapshotted” for the duration of the effect.
479.4.f.: Effects for this layer can be identified by the phrase "give,” “swap,” "increase," "decrease," "cost … less," "cost … more," "-X,” or “+X,” in the text. Example: An effect says “I cost [1] less for each card you've played this turn, to a minimum of [1].” The cost is modified in this layer.
480.: If more than one effect applies to the same Game Object in the Same Layer, or to each other in the same layer, then both effects will apply but their order may be determined by Dependency.
480.1.: A Dependency is established if:
480.1.a.: Applying one of the effects alters the existence of the other; or
480.1.b.: Applying one of the effects alters the number of objects the other effect can influence; or
480.1.c.: Applying one of the effects alters the outcome when applying the other.
481.: To determine which effect Depends on another, determine which of the prior criteria applies, and then also which effect’s evaluation is altered by the sequence of applications. That effect is said to Depend on the other. Example: A unit with 4 [M] is under the effects of a passive ability that reads “Units you control here have their Might increased to 5 [M].” Its controller plays Discipline on the unit, giving it +2 [M]. When applying Layer alterations, both effects are applied in the same layer. If we apply the passive ability first, the passive ability will give +1 [M] while the Discipline effect will give +2 [M]. If we apply them in the other order, the Discipline effect will give +2 [M], and the passive ability will give +0 [M]. The passive ability is altered by the sequence of applications, so it depends on the Discipline effect.
481.1.: If both effects are altered by the application of the other, no Dependency can be established. Example: A unit with 4 [M] is under the effects of a passive ability that reads “Units you control here have their Might increased to 5 [M].” Its controller plays a spell that reads “Give a unit +2 [M], to a maximum of 5 [M].” If we apply the passive ability first, the passive ability will apply +1 [M] and the spell effect will apply +0 [M]. If we apply the spell effect first, it will apply +1 [M] while the passive ability applies +0 [M]. Both effects are altered by the sequence of applications, so we can’t establish a dependency.
481.2.: To resolve a dependency, the effects within the same layer that created the dependency must be applied such that:
1.: Identify which effect Depends on the other within the Layer.
2.: Apply the effect that is depended on first.
3.: Immediately apply the effect that Depends on the first effect next. Example: A unit with 4[M] is under the effects of a passive ability that reads “Units you control here have their Might increased to 5 [M].” Its controller plays Discipline on the unit. As previously established, the passive ability depends on the Discipline effect. We apply the Discipline effect first, giving the unit +2 [M], and then immediately apply the passive ability that depends on it. The unit’s final Might is 6 [M].
482.: If more than one effect applies to the same Game Object in the same layer but no dependency is established, then Timestamp order is applied to the effects within that layer and sublayer