Riftbound Equipment Rules: How Does Equipment Work in Riftbound?
We get asked all the time, how does equipment work in Riftbound? This stuff was just introduced back in the second set (Spiritforged) and completely transformed how deckbuilding and combat are done.
The riftbound equipment rules themselves aren’t super complicated. These Gear cards just attach to your units and boost their Might. The equipment goes back to your base instead of the trash when the unit carrying it dies.
Equipment cards are some of the highest-value cards in the game. But you have to know how to use them correctly. We’ll walk you through it below, and show you where you can find more Riftbound cards to gain an edge!
How Does Equipment Work in Riftbound?
Equipment cards are a very specific type of Gear. There are two steps to playing them:
- You pay the normal cost to play the equipment from your hand to your base, no different from any other Gear card
- You then pay the Equip cost to attach it to a unit you control.
You can slide the equipment card underneath your unit at that point, activating the bonuses.
Equip costs vary from one card to the next, so look at the Equip cost on the card next to the keyword. Some will force you to pay a domain-specific Rune (like recycling a Fury Rune for Serrated Dirk). Others just cost Power.
Equipment has split text. The card’s top portion is active while the equipment sits unattached in your base. That top text goes inactive once you attach it to a unit, and the bottom ability text kicks in instead. You’re only using the ability text and any Might bonus while equipped.
What makes equipment so powerful is its persistence. You don’t lose the equipment card when a unit carrying it dies. It detaches and returns to your base. Then, you can re-equip it to the next unit you send out! The card serves its purpose through multiple deaths - an incredible resource to have in your arsenal, as long as you know how to use it!
Riftbound Equipment Rules You Need to Know
There are a few key Riftbound equipment rules you have to be aware of:
- Stack to your heart’s content: There is no limit on how many equipment cards a unit can hold. Each one provides its own Might bonus and ability text, and those can be used all at once.
- Equipment follows control changes: Say your opponent takes over your equipped unit. The equipment goes with it. It’s still your equipment, but the unit and all its equipped bonuses work for the other side until you take the unit back.
- No manual transfers: Equipment stays attached to a unit until it dies. You can’t move the equipment to a different unique location, unless something like Weaponmaster specifically permits repositioning
One more really important caveat - timing matters. Opponents get a chance to respond on the chain before the attachment resolves, whether you’re using Equip, Quick-Draw, or Weaponmaster. You are not allowed to skip reactions and jump straight into attaching.
Making the Most of Your Equipment in Riftbound
So, how does equipment work in Riftbound? It rewards patience. The card comes right back to you when your unit dies, so you’re only losing the tempo of re-equipping and not the card itself. That is to say, you should build your deck with equipment that has value both in base (top card) AND when attached (bottom text). You never want an equipment card serving as dead weight.
Quick-Draw equipment is unique in that you can play it straight from your hand at Reaction speed, immediately attaching to the unit. There’s no base step or separate Equip cost. Your opponent can’t adjust if you drop a Might boost or a protective effect after combat is declared. It’s the element of surprise at its finest, and it can help you upset an opponent that looks to be in the driver’s seat.
Weaponmaster units (such as Yone) allow you to equip at a lower cost and pull equipment off of other units, basically treating your equipment like mobile resources. Yone can grab a Serrated Dirk from a unit about to die and reattach it to a fresh one before the Showdown resolves. This is another way you can use equipment to turn the tides.
Bottom Line on the Riftbound Equipment Rules
We hope you have a solid grasp on the Riftbound equipment rules! It’s a layer of resource management that can pay off big time if you plan ahead of the current turn.
Our blog has more tips on the Riftbound deck building rules if you’re curious. But whether you’re looking for Riftbound starter decks or a Riftbound booster box, Riftbound singles, or anything in between, look no further than Danireon.
Related Resources
What size are Riftbound cards? | Riftbound vs Legends of Runeterra
Frequently asked questions
What happens to equipment when a unit dies riftbound?
The equipment detaches and returns to your base. It stays in play and can be re-equipped to another unit on a future turn.
Does equipment come in Ready Riftbound?
Equipment plays to your base following standard Gear rules. You can play it and use the Equip ability in the same turn as long as you have the resources for both costs. The exception is Quick-Draw equipment, which doesn’t have to go through the base step and can attach straight from your hand at Reaction speed.
Can a unit have more than one equipment in Riftbound?
Yes! You can stack as many equipment cards on one unit as you want, and each will deliver its own Might bonus and ability text.
Does attaching equipment count as choosing Riftbound?
Yes. You have to choose the unit you control with the Equip ability, so abilities like Deflect apply and add extra cost. Weaponmaster is the exception as it targets the equipment rather than the unit.
