Riftbound keyword
Backline
Backline is a Riftbound keyword on units: in combat, your opponent must assign lethal damage to all your other units before any can go to a unit with Backline.
4 cardsFirst seen in UnleashedCore Rules 826
Official text
On the cards
Backline (I must be assigned combat damage last.)
Core Rules
- 826.1
- Backline is a Passive Ability keyword.
- 826.2
- It is present on Units.
- 826.3
- It is functionally short for “I must be assigned lethal damage after any other unit with the same controller as me that does not have [Backline] during the Combat Damage step.”
- 826.4
- It alters how players can elect to assign combat damage during combat.
- 826.4.a
- Players must still assign lethal damage to a unit before moving to the next when assigning their damage.
- 826.4.b
- If more than one unit with Backline is present with the same controller in Combat, damage may be assigned to any of them. Units with Backline are invalid assignments until all units without Backline have lethal damage assigned to them.
- 826.5
- Multiple Instances of Backline are redundant.
Riftbound Core Rules, updated October 9, 2026
How Backline works
What does Backline do?
It decides the order your units take combat damage. When your opponent assigns combat damage, every one of your units without Backline at that battlefield must be assigned lethal damage before any damage can go to a unit with Backline.
Core Rules 826.3, 826.4.b
Can a Backline unit still die in combat?
Yes. Once all your other units there have lethal damage assigned, any damage left over can go to your Backline units. Backline only protects them while your opponent doesn't have enough damage to get through everything in front.
Core Rules 826.4.b, 467.2.c.3
Does Backline protect a unit from spells?
No. Backline only changes how combat damage is assigned in the combat damage step. Spells and abilities can still choose and damage the unit as usual.
Core Rules 826.3, 826.4
Does Backline work when my unit attacks?
Yes. It applies whenever an opponent assigns combat damage to your units, whether you're the attacker or the defender.
Core Rules 826.3, 467.2.c
What if all my units have Backline?
Then it makes no difference. With no units in front, damage can be assigned to any of your Backline units, one lethal amount at a time.
Core Rules 826.4.a, 826.4.b
How do Tank and Backline work together?
Damage goes to units with Tank first, then to units with neither keyword, then to units with Backline. If one unit has both, the player assigning damage chooses whether it goes first or last, but not in between.
Core Rules 467.2.c.6, 467.2.c.8
Which cards have Backline?
The keyword first appeared in Unleashed. Two Origins units, Caitlyn, Patrolling and Soraka, Wanderer, have the same ability written out in full: "I must be assigned combat damage last." Riot describes Backline as the keyword version of that ability.
Core Rules 826.3Riftbound Core Rules: Unleashed Patch Notes
Example: Protecting the Promoter
Your opponent attacks with 4 total Might. You defend with Enthusiastic Promoter, a 2 Might unit with Backline, and a 3 Might unit. Your opponent has to assign 3 damage to the 3 Might unit before any can go to the Promoter, so only 1 damage is left for it, and it survives the combat. With 5 or more Might attacking, they could kill both.
From Riftbound Core Rules
Official rulings
Riot's own words, from its rules articles.
Backline is the keyword version of the ability that both Caitlyn, Patrolling and Soraka, Wanderer feature that requires them to be assigned combat damage last. … Units with Backline must be assigned damage during the Combat Damage Step after any other unit with the same controller that doesn’t have Backline.
Every Backline card (4)
kw:backlineCards with Backline · 4
