Tokens — Riftbound Rules

177.

Tokens are Game Objects created by spells and abilities during play.

178.

Tokens can be represented by anything. Printed tokens are included in Riftbound booster packs, but they are not required to play a token.

179.

A token's controller is the controller of the spell or ability that created it, unless the token's type innately determines control or that spell or ability specifies that a different player is the token's controller.

180.

A token's owner is the player who controlled the effect that created it.

181.

The effect that creates a token may specify the conditions or circumstances under which it enters the board. These stipulations may alter the usual steps for playing a card.

181.1.

The effect may state that the token enters ready or exhausted, if that state is contrary to the default for the token's type.

181.2.

The effect may restrict the location to which the token may be played.

181.3.

The effect may grant temporary abilities or modifications to the token.

182.

Tokens are not cards.

182.1.

Tokens have some properties in common with cards.

182.1.a.

Tokens are played by their owner if their card type is played, following all the applicable steps for playing a card plus any restrictions or modifications from the effect that created the token. See rule 349. Playing Cards for more information.

182.1.b.

Token units have a Might.

182.1.c.

Tokens may have one or more tags.

182.1.d.

Tokens have a type. They follow all rules for their type unless otherwise specified. Example: A token unit is a unit. It enters exhausted, can take the standard move action, deals damage equal to its Might in combat, is destroyed if it takes damage equal to or greater than its might, can be chosen or otherwise affected by spells or abilities that choose or affect units, etc.

182.1.e.

Tokens inherit the recycle destination of their type. Example: Token runes will be recycled to the Rune Deck. Token units, gear, and spells will be recycled to the Main Deck. Token battlefields and legends can’t be recycled.

182.2.

Tokens differ from cards in some ways.

182.2.a.

Tokens do not have costs.

182.2.a.1.

Although tokens do not have costs, their cost is treated as being 0 for all purposes.

182.2.b.

Tokens do not have domains.

183.

Tokens are Created on the board or the Chain and cannot exist elsewhere.

183.1.

If a token is put into any Non-Board Zone besides the chain, it ceases to exist immediately after moving to its new zone.

184.

The spell or ability that Creates a token specifies some of its characteristics. It may have other characteristics, as listed below.

184.1.

A 1 [M] Recruit token is a domainless unit token with 1 Might and the Recruit tag.

184.2.

A 3 [M] Sprite token with Temporary is a domainless unit token with 3 Might, the Fae tag, and the Temporary keyword. See rule 816. Temporary for more information.

184.3.

A 2 [M] Sand Soldier token is a domainless unit token with 2 Might and the Shurima tag.

184.4.

A 3 [M] Mech token is a domainless unit token with 3 Might and the Mech tag.

184.5.

A Gold gear token is a domainless gear token with “[Reaction][>] Kill this, [E]: [Add] [A].”

184.6.

A 0 [M] Reflection token is a domainless unit token with 0 Might.

184.7.

A 1 [M] Bird token is a domainless unit token with 1 Might, the Bird tag, and the Deflect keyword. See rule 809. Deflect for more information.

184.8.

A Brush battlefield token is a domainless battlefield token with “Bird, Cat, Dog, Poro, and Ivern units here have +1 [M]” and “When you score here, you may replace this with the battlefield it replaced.”

184.9.

The Baron Pit battlefield token is a domainless battlefield token with “Units can move here from anywhere.”

Related FAQ (2)

If I play a card I hid, and that card's effects include playing additional units (for example, tokens), can I play them anywhere?

No. If a hidden spell or a play effect of a hidden permanent causes you to play a unit, you must choose to have that unit enter the board at that battlefield.

What is a buff in Riftbound? How are buffs different from tokens or other temporary modifications?

Buffs are Temporary Modifications applied to a Game Object that adjust its state, such as +Might or other property changes. Buffs are public information (rule 109.2). When a Game Object changes zones to a Non-Board Zone, all Temporary Modifications including buffs are removed (rule 110). Unlike tokens — which are independent Game Objects in their own right — buffs are properties attached to existing permanents and cease to exist when the permanent leaves play. See the Buffs section of the Core Rules for full mechanics.