Tournament Rules Changes (March 30, 2026)

At Casual and Competitive OPL, spectators can ask players to pause play while they call a matter to a judge’s attention.

At Casual and Competitive OPL, spectators can ask players to pause play while they alert a judge of a potential issue.

Generally, violations at this level have lower penalties, and are covered below in X.Y.Z.

Generally, violations at this level have lower penalties which are covered below in section 700.

Generally, violations at this level have stricter penalties, and are covered below in X.Y.Z.

Generally, violations at this level have stricter penalties which are covered below in section 700.

Generally, violations at this level have the strictest penalties, and are covered below in X.Y.Z.

Generally, violations at this level have the strictest penalties which are covered below in section 700.

Anyone is eligible to participate as a player in Riftbound competitions, unless you are:

Anyone is eligible to participate as a player in Riftbound competitions, unless the player is:

Prohibited by law, the rules or policy of the CO, or by the venue’s rules or policy.

Prohibited by law, the rules or policy of the Competition Organizer, or by the venue’s rules or policy.

Anyone is eligible to participate as a competition official, unless you are:

Anyone is eligible to participate as a competition official, unless the player is:

In certain competitions, players may have a group of additional cards (outside of their starting configuration) called a sideboard.

In certain competitions, players may have a group of additional cards (outside of their starting configuration) called a sideboard. See 600 for more information on sideboards based on competition formats.

In constructed format’s, a player’s sideboard must be exactly 0 or 8 cards.

Sideboard size and contents are dictated by the competition format.

Limits on copies of named cards apply to the combination of Main Deck and sideboard.

Limits on copies of named cards as defined by competition format apply to the combination of Main Deck and sideboard.

Players may use those cards to modify their deck after the first game of a match.

Players may use sideboard cards to modify their deck in between games of a match. Sideboard cards must be exchanged 1 for 1 with Main Deck cards.

During that time, a player may change their Chosen Champion to one from their sideboard or main deck that matches their Legend.

During that time, a player may change their Chosen Champion to one from their sideboard or Main Deck that meets the deckbuilding rules of the competition format.

A player may not change their Legend or Battlefields at any point after deck registration.

In constructed formats, a player may not change their Runes, Legend, or Battlefields at any point after deck registration.

After that player’s turn is complete, five additional turns are played, and then the match ends.

After that player’s turn is complete, three additional turns are played, and then the match ends.

If the game is incomplete at the end of the additional turns, the winner of the game is the one with the highest score. If scores are tied, the game is a draw.

If the game is incomplete at the end of the additional turns, a player is declared the winner of the game if they have a point lead of two or more. If no player has a point lead of two or more, the game is a draw.

Additional turns are untimed, but at high OPL a judge must be present to ensure a reasonable pace of play.

Additional turns are untimed, but at professional OPL a judge must be present to ensure a reasonable pace of play.

The player with higher game win%

The player with higher opponents’ mean (average) match win percentage.

The player with higher opponents’ mean (average) match win%

The player with higher game win percentage.

The player with higher opponents’ mean (average) game win%

The player with higher opponents’ mean (average) game win percentage.

Players can’t go to lengths to scout other match results before deciding to concede or draw their match and need to remain in their seats while their match is in progress.

Players can’t scout other match results before deciding to concede or draw their match and need to remain in their seats while their match is in progress.

Players may not refer to notes from outside the current game, including notes from previous matches, during games.

Players may not refer to notes from outside the current match, including notes from previous matches, during games.

When two or more cards are recycled to your Main Deck as part of a single action, the above procedures 1-7 should be followed for that group of cards to properly randomize them before recycling them.

When two or more cards are recycled to the player’sMain Deck as part of a single action, the above procedures 1-7 should be followed for that group of cards to properly randomize them before recycling them.

Players must announce changes to public information that result from their cards and effects.

Players must acknowledge changes to public information that result from their cards and effects as those effects would have an observable impact on the game. See 506.3.d. for examples of observable impact.

Players have a responsibility to remember their own triggered abilities.

Accountable Player: The player responsible for putting a triggered ability on the chain, as defined by the core rules. See CR 375. Triggered Abilities for more information on triggered abilities.

Triggers caused by battlefields are controlled by the player triggering them, not the player who owns the battlefield.

The accountable player for triggers sourced from battlefields depends on control of the battlefield and is not automatically the player who brought the battlefield to the game. See CR 184.6. For more information on battlefield abilities.

Players are not required to notify other players of triggered abilities they don’t control, but they may if they wish.

Players are not required to notify other players of triggered abilities when they are not the accountable player, but may if they wish.

At low OPL, it is not required to notify other players of their triggers, but it is encouraged for sportsmanship and learning.

At low OPL, a player is not required to notify other players of triggered abilities when they are not the accountable player, but it is encouraged for sportsmanship and learning.

Players must announce their triggers when they occur. If they do not, they are forgotten.

The accountable player must acknowledge their triggers by the time they would have an observable impact on the game. If they do not, they are forgotten.

A trigger is considered forgotten once a new game action is taken without acknowledging the trigger.

A trigger is considered forgotten once its point of observable impact has been reached and a new game action is taken without the accountable player acknowledging the trigger.

Players can’t abuse this rule to intentionally forget their mandatory triggers. See 702.2 for more information about missed triggers as a penalty.

Players ruled to be abusing this rule to intentionally forget mandatory triggers that they are the accountable player for will be penalized. See 702.2 for more information about missed triggers as a penalty.

A triggered ability that was forgotten is still considered to have triggered for the purpose of non-optional “once a turn” triggers.

A triggered ability that was forgotten is still considered to have triggered for the purpose of non-optional “First time” or similarly restricted triggers.

A player can rewind and make a different decision about an action just taken if and only if they have not gained any new information since taking the action, and a judge allows it.

At low OPL, a player can reverse their most recent action and make a different decision for that action (including not taking it at all) as long as no new action has been taken by either player. The change in decision does not need to be immediate.

Judges who can’t be sure a player gained no information should not allow that player to rewind.

At high OPL, a player can reverse their most recent action and make a different decision for that action (including not taking it at all) if no new action has been taken by either player, a judge allows it, and the following is true:

Teammates recommending a player rewind a decision before any other information is gained should not itself be considered new information.

Intentionally attempting to reverse decisions to gain information from an opponent is considered angle shooting. Players may not change their decisions based on an opponent’s physical reaction or as a response to an opponent starting to take a game action. See 704.4. for more information on angle shooting.

A player’s sideboard must be exactly 0 or 8 cards.

A player’s sideboard can include 8 or fewer cards.

Each standard consists of the current year’s sets plus the previous year’s sets.

Each Standard consists of the current year’s sets plus the previous year’s sets.

The rules for constructing a Riftbound deck are found in CR 101. Deck Construction, except where modified here below for the Sealed play format.

A limited competition is one where all product needed for play is provided during the competition.

Sealed Deck is a limited format where players are provided with 6 unopened booster packs to construct their deck.

Even if a card is banned in constructed, it is legal to use in a limited deck as long as it is not also banned in that limited format.

Main Decks in Sealed Deck are exactly 25 cards.

Sealed

The domain identity of a limited deck is any three domains, or any domain plus the domains of its Champion Legend (if it has one).

The domain identity of a sealed deck is any three domains, or any domain plus the domains of the deck’s Champion Legend.

A sealed deck may play any signature spells that are fully included in its domain identity, even if they do not include the corresponding champion.

A sealed deck may contain any signature spells that are fully included in its domain identity, even if the deck does not include the corresponding champion.

Example: A sealed main deck with a domain identity of Fury/Body/Order could use signature spells that are Fury/Order or Body/Order, but not signature spells that are Fury/Mind or Body/Chaos.

Example: A sealed deck with a domain identity of Fury/Body/Order could use signature spells that are Fury/Order or Body/Order, but not signature spells that are Fury/Mind or Body/Chaos.

A player may opt not to use a Champion Legend or a Chosen Champion in their sealed deck even if they opened one in their provided packs.

A player may opt not to use a Champion Legend or a Chosen Champion in their sealed deck even if they have one in their provided card pool.

If a player's deck doesn't include both a Champion Legend and a Chosen Champion, they draw a card at the start of their first beginning phase each game. (If they have neither, they still only draw one card.)

If a player's deck is missing a Champion Legend and/or a Chosen Champion, they draw a card at the start of their first Beginning Phase each game. (If both are missing, they still only draw one card.)

In competitions where a sideboard is allowed, a limited deck’s sideboard is every card provided to the player as part of the competition that isn’t used in their deck construction, unless otherwise specified.

A sealed deck’s sideboard is every card provided to the player as part of the competition that isn’t used in their starting deck configuration, unless otherwise specified. See 403 for more information on sideboards.

Players may change their domain identities while sideboarding as long as the resulting deck still meets c-d.

Additionally, players may change their domain identity, Rune Deck, Legend, and Chosen Champion while sideboarding as long as the resulting deck still meets 602.4.a.2-602.4.a.4.

Sealed Pool Registration

Sealed Pool Registration & Deck Construction

In high OPL, the head judge must require registration of the sealed pool prior to deck construction.

At high OPL, the head judge must require registration of the sealed pool prior to deck construction.

Repeat c but with B opening and A observing.

Repeat the steps outlined in 602.4.8.c-e but with (B) opening and (A) observing.

After registration is complete, each player returns the pool and registration sheet to the other side.

After registration is complete, each player returns the pool and registration sheet to the other player.

It’s recommended that players be given 20 minutes for deck registration and 30 minutes for deck construction. Deck construction can be increased to 45 minutes for prerelease or release events where players are experiencing the cards for the first time.

It’s recommended that players be given 20 minutes for deck registration and 30 minutes for deck construction. Deck construction can be increased to 45 minutes for low OPL events where players are experiencing the cards for the first time, such as pre-rift and release events.

Preconstructed Decks in Limited Competitions

Preconstructed Decks in Sealed Competitions

Some competitions or portions of competitions provide preconstructed decks for players to use. These are considered limited decks.

Some competitions or portions of competitions provide preconstructed decks for players to use. These are considered sealed decks.

This may override the limited deck construction rules above.

This may override the sealed deck construction rules above.

A 2v2 competition can be either constructed or limited. In limited 2v2, the team shares a single product pool of 8 packs.

A 2v2 competition can be either constructed or sealed. In sealed 2v2, the team shares a single product pool of 8 packs.

A situation related to Unsporting Conduct is likely to escalate.

They observe a situation related to Unsporting Conduct.

Head judges and head judges ONLY may issue penalties outside of these guidelines.

Head judges and head judges ONLY may issue penalties outside of these guidelines. They have discretion to apply harsher penalties or investigate cheating if needed. See 704.8 for more information about cheating.

Any judge may perform a simple rewind where they believe no information has been gained by the players.

Any judge may perform a simple rewind of the most recent action of a game.

Suspended players may not enter Riftbound events. If a suspended player is found to have registered for an event, the organizer reserves the right to issue a disqualification at any time.

Suspended players may not enter Riftbound competitions. If a suspended player is found to have registered for a competition, the organizer reserves the right to issue a disqualification at any time.

Except for 702.16, if a player commits the same category of game play error [Warning] 3 or more times in the same day of a competition, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].

Except for 702.17, if a player commits the same exact category of game play error [Warning] 3 or more times in the same event, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].

Missed Trigger [No Penalty]: A player controls a triggered ability and doesn’t demonstrate awareness of the trigger before the first time it would affect the game in a visible fashion.

Missed Trigger [No Penalty]: The accountable player for a triggered ability doesn’t demonstrate awareness of the trigger before the first time it would have an observable impact on the game.

Players may not cause triggered abilities controlled by an opponent to be missed by taking game actions or otherwise prematurely advancing the game, including through otherwise acceptable shortcuts.

Players may not attempt to cause triggered abilities where an opponent is the accountable player to be missed by taking game actions or otherwise prematurely advancing the game, including through otherwise acceptable shortcuts.

If missing the trigger was advantageous for the controller, and they own the card source of the trigger, this penalty is a [Warning] instead.

If a mandatory trigger is missed by its accountable player and missing that trigger is advantageous for them, this penalty is a [Warning] instead.

If a trigger is missed in a previous turn, instruct the players to continue playing.

If the trigger was missed during a previous turn, instruct the players to continue playing.

Perform a simple rewind if possible, to the moment before the card was played.

If possible, perform a simple rewind to before the card or ability was put on the chain.

Drawing Extra Cards [Warning]: A player draws more cards than they are entitled to under the Core Rules as the result of a limited action.

Drawing Extra Cards [Warning]: A player draws more cards than they are entitled to under the Core Rules as the result of a limited action or a player draws cards when they are not entitled to under the Core Rules.

Nonpublic Card Error [Warning]: A player interacts with a nonpublic card in a manner other than how they are entitled to under the Core Rules.

Facedown Card Error [Warning]: A player places a card into a facedown zone in a manner other than how they are entitled to under the Core Rules.

This includes hiding a card that does not have the Hidden keyword.

Example: Hiding a card that does not have the Hidden keyword.

If a player commits the same category of tournament error [Warning] 3 or more times in the same day of a competition, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].

If a player commits the same category of tournament error [Warning] 3 or more times in the same event, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].

The player must correct their decklist to a legal state making as little change as possible and ensure that their deck matches the newly registered deck.

If the player’s registered decklist is illegal, the player must correct their decklist to a legal state making as little change as possible and ensure that their deck matches the newly registered deck.

If the cards required to correct the decklist cannot be acquired in a timely manner, the head judge can issue a proxy.

If the cards required to correct a decklist cannot be acquired in a timely manner, the head judge can issue a proxy.

If restoring the deck to its correct state is not easily possible, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].

If restoring the deck to its correct state is not possible, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].

If a player commits the same category of unsporting conduct [Warning] 2 or more times throughout all days of a competition, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss] and may be further upgraded at the discretion of the head judge.

If a player commits the same category of unsporting conduct [Warning] 2 or more times in the same event, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss] and may be further upgraded at the discretion of the head judge.

Cheating includes but is not limited to performing any action that results in a penalty listed under 702-704 if it is done knowingly or maliciously to obtain an advantage.

Cheating includes but is not limited to performing any action that results in a penalty listed under 702 or 703 if it is done knowingly or maliciously to obtain an advantage.

This includes attempting to create game errors to use a remedy to your advantage.

This includes attempting to create game errors to use a remedy to the player’s advantage.