Movement — Riftbound Rules

441.

Moving is a Limited Action.

441.1.

A Permanent changing its position from any space on the Board to another space on the Board is a Move, unless it is caused by a corrective Recall. See rule 420. Move for more information.

441.2.

A card changing game zones does not in itself constitute a Move.

441.3.

Moving is instantaneous.

441.3.a.

There is no state for Permanents between locations.

441.3.b.

Permanents are either at their Origin before Moving or their Destination after Moving.

441.3.c.

Moving does not use the Chain, nor is it able to be Reacted to.

442.

Moving is defined by the Origin and Destination of the Permanent that is changing locations.

442.1.

The Origin is where the Permanent is starting from.

442.2.

The Destination is where the Permanent is going to.

442.2.a.

In Modes of Play with more than two players, Battlefields with Staged Combats or Combats in Progress are Invalid Destinations for Moves of all kinds (Standard Moves or otherwise) by Units controlled by Players not involved in those Combats or who don't already have permanents at that Battlefield.

442.2.b.

In Modes of Play with teammates, Battlefields Controlled by a player’s teammates are Invalid Destinations for Moves of all kinds (Standard Moves or otherwise) by Units that player controls.

442.2.c.

If an action would require a Move that would cause a Unit to become present in a Location where it cannot move for any reason, such as a Battlefield with two players that are not the controller of the Unit performing this Move action are in a Combat or such a Combat is Staged, it instead Recalls. See rule 449. Recalls for more information.

442.3.

Units are the only Permanents that can Move.

443.

Players may choose to move their Units with the Standard Move. See rule 144. for more information on the Standard Move.

444.

Spells, Abilities, or other effects may cause a Move to occur.

444.1.

The source of the Move will provide details on any restrictions on legality for Destination.

444.2.

Units cannot Move to a Battlefield that already has units from 2 other players present by any means.

445.

The Destination becomes Contested if it is a Battlefield not controlled by the controller of the Unit or Units that moved.

446.

Units may cause a Showdown without a Combat when they Move.

446.1.

A Showdown is opened when a Move causes a Battlefield to become Contested while it has no Units present from any player other than those that just moved.

447.

Units may cause Combat when they Move.

447.1.

A Combat is opened when a Move causes a Battlefield to become Contested and Units controlled by opposing players, or when a Move causes Units controlled by opposing players to become present in the same Battlefield where a Showdown is ongoing. See rule 454. Combat for more information.

448.

When a Move action is complete, perform a Cleanup.

Related FAQ (5)

What's the standard move?

Every unit has the natural ability to move itself from base to battlefield, or back from battlefield to base, during your Main Phase (on your own turn, outside of a showdown). To do this, you pay the cost (exhausting the unit) and then move the unit. If a unit is exhausted, you can't move it using the standard move.

Do I have to exhaust a unit when I move it with a spell or ability?

Moving a unit with a spell or ability won't change its ready or exhausted state unless the effect specifies that it does. The cost of using a unit's standard move is to exhaust that unit, but that isn't a cost or effect of other moves.

Can I move multiple units together to a battlefield?

Yes, you can use the standard move of your units all at once to move them as a group together to the same legal destination. To do this, exhaust them all (the cost of the standard move) and then move them to the destination, then resolve any move effects, then start a showdown if needed.

Does Ganking allow a unit to move an extra time? When can I use the Ganking ability?

No, Ganking is an extra way to use the standard move. Normally, when a unit uses the standard move, it can only move between base and battlefield. If a unit has Ganking, it can also move between two battlefields. You can move units with Ganking alongside other units that are moving with the standard move, as long as the destination is legal for all units moving as a group.

Can I move more units in before a combat starts using a spell or ability?

If you don't move units together as a group using the standard move, then you can only move additional units afterward if you use a spell or ability with the Action or Reaction keywords, after the combat starts as part of the showdown.