Ambush
Unofficial answers about the Ambush mechanic in Riftbound, with examples and Core Rules citations.
Can I use Ambush to play a unit to my base as a Reaction?
No. Ambush gives the unit Reaction only while you are playing it to a battlefield where you control units. You may still play the unit to your base under the normal unit-play permission, but not as a Reaction granted by Ambush.
Can opponents react to a unit being played with Ambush?
No. Ambush changes when the unit can be played, but the unit otherwise enters normally. Finalizing it does not pass priority. It then resolves and enters the board immediately.
This is a common point of confusion with cards like Kha'Zix, Mutating Horror, which has Ambush and triggers when he attacks or defends if an enemy unit is alone at his battlefield. An opponent cannot play a unit in response to Kha'Zix being placed on the chain in an attempt to break the "alone" condition before he enters.
Who gets to act after I Ambush a unit during a showdown?
After the Ambush unit enters, its entry causes a cleanup, during which priority and focus are not passed or awarded. After that cleanup, ask whether anything remains on the chain.
- Nothing remains on the chain: If the unit started the chain and no other item remains after cleanup, the chain closes, and the next player gains focus and priority.
- Another item remains on the chain: An ability triggered by the unit's entry can finalize and remain. An older item can remain if the unit was played in response to it. The newest remaining item's controller gains priority, and focus does not pass.
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Written by Christian “Near” Ivicevic.
Last updated on .