Official Riftbound ruling

What happens when my opponent plays Hidden Blade targeting my Akali, Deadly Weapon in reaction to her move trigger? Will it still deal damage to the chosen unit?

It will.

Akali is another case where her ability refers to information implicit to its own trigger condition, similar to Iascylla. Akali’s “battlefield I moved to or from” doesn’t require her to be on the board in order for us to be able to identify it, nor does it reference information about her current state. Even if she leaves the board, that information was checked when her ability triggered, and it is still available to us on resolution.

Riot's question and answer, word for word, from theVendetta Rules FAQ and ClarificationsCore Rules 359.3.f.3 (as numbered in August 2026)

The cards

  • Hidden Blade
    Hidden Blade

    Spell

    Hidden (Hide now for Any RuneAny Rune to react with later for 0 Energy0 Energy.)

    Action (Play on your turn or in showdowns.)

    Kill a unit at a battlefield. Its controller draws 2.

  • Akali, Deadly Weapon
    Akali, Deadly Weapon

    Unit

    Empower 2 Energy2 EnergyFury RuneFury Rune (2 Energy2 EnergyFury RuneFury Rune: Empower me. Use only if not Empowered.)

    When I move, you may deal 1 to a unit at a battlefield I moved to or from. If I'm Empowered, deal 2 instead.

    Empowered I have +1 MightMight.

More rulings on these cards