How Combat Works in Riftbound Combat in Riftbound is called a Showdown. Understanding how Showdowns work is one of the most important skills in the game.
What is a Showdown? A Showdown happens when you send one of your Units to attack a Battlefield. Your opponent can choose to defend with their own Units. The attacking and defending Units then fight each other to determine who controls the Battlefield.
How do you start a Showdown? During your Action Phase, exhaust one of your ready Units and declare it is attacking a Battlefield. Your opponent then decides whether to defend and which Units to use.
How is combat resolved? Each Unit has a Might value — this is their combat strength. When two Units fight, the one with higher Might wins. The losing Unit is destroyed and goes to the Trash.
If both Units have equal Might they destroy each other simultaneously.
What happens after a Showdown? If your attacking Unit wins and no defenders remain, you take control of that Battlefield and score points. If your Unit loses, it is destroyed and your opponent keeps the Battlefield.
Can I play cards during a Showdown? Yes — this is crucial. Cards and abilities with the Reaction keyword can be played during a Showdown even on your opponent’s turn. This lets you boost your Units, play defensive Spells or change the outcome of combat at the last moment.
What is Assault and Shield in combat? Assault gives a Unit extra Might only when attacking. Shield gives a Unit extra Might only when defending. These bonuses only apply during Showdowns and can completely change who wins a fight.
What is Tank? A Unit with Tank must be attacked before your opponent can attack any of your other Units. It forces itself into every fight, protecting your more valuable Units behind it.
Can exhausted Units defend? Yes — exhausted Units can still defend in a Showdown even if they cannot attack. This is important because it means your opponent cannot simply exhaust all your defenders and then attack freely.
What happens to Gear when a Unit dies? When a Unit with Gear attached is destroyed, the Gear goes to the Trash along with the Unit. Gear does not transfer to another Unit automatically.
Can multiple Units attack together? No — each Showdown involves one attacking Unit. However multiple Units can defend against a single attacker. If multiple defenders are declared, the attacker fights each one in order.
Tips for winning Showdowns Save Reaction cards in your hand for combat — springing a surprise buff during a Showdown can completely turn a fight you appeared to be losing. Always consider your opponent’s potential Reactions before committing to an attack.
Riftbound Guide 