Cards And Zones
What If Card Text Changes the Usual Rules?
Follow a card's exception to the normal rules, but respect restrictions that forbid the action.
RiftPal explanation · Answer first
The short answer
If a card tells you to do something differently from the normal rules, follow the card. If another effect forbids that action, the restriction wins. "Only" also sets a limit you must respect.
RiftPal explanation
How it works
Read the card's words in their game sense. "Card" in an effect normally means a Main Deck card, not a Rune, Legend or battlefield. "I" or "me" refers to the unit or Legend speaking; "this" usually refers to the gear or spell, and "here" on a battlefield means that battlefield.
FriendlyDescribes something controlled by you or a teammate, from the perspective of the card or ability referring to it.View in Glossary includes things controlled by you or your teammates. EnemyDescribes something controlled by an opponent, from the perspective of the card or ability referring to it.View in Glossary means controlled by an opponent. A unit is AloneA unit is alone when there are no other friendly units at its location. Enemy units do not stop it being alone.View in Glossary when no other friendly unit shares its location, even if enemies are there. Two opposing units at the same location are One on OneTwo enemy units at the same location are one on one when each is alone: neither has another friendly unit there.View in Glossary when both are alone.
Card reference
Vayne, Hunter
Follow instructions in order and do as much as you can. A card's permission does not let you ignore its costs or the conditions it gives.
Champion Unit
Vayne
Hunter
[Assault 3] (+3 [Might] while I'm an attacker.) If an opponent controls a battlefield, I enter ready. When I conquer, you may pay [Energy 1] to return me to my owner's hand.
A mandatory choice requirement must be followed when possible. Satisfy all compatible requirements; when maximal sets of requirements conflict, choose one compatible set and ignore the conflicting set. A restriction such as "play only to" must always be obeyed. If no legal choice satisfies the restrictions, the card cannot finish its play steps.
In practice
Example
A unit says it enters ready. Put it upright when you play it, even though units normally enter exhausted. If a separate effect says that unit cannot move, being ready does not let it move: the restriction still applies.