RulingHall of Heroes (rules 1.6)2025-07-11

So I’ve seen a ruling about how rispote functions and a ruling that hard knocks functions the same way in…

Question

So I’ve seen a ruling about how rispote functions and a ruling that hard knocks functions the same way in that they create a delayed effect. But the rules under altercation effects, this/that, bullet point read to me that hard knocks should not function like ripsote. Is this something that’s changing? Thanks! More info The ruling states hard knocks would get tough before a when defeated ability dealt your hero damage. My understanding is that the second sentence of hard knocks is not a alteration effect and you should be dealt damage before resolving the sentence to gain tough.

Answer

You’re right, we made a mistake on the previous ruling. What happened was we thought the second sentence of Hard Knocks creates a delayed effect similar to Riposte, and while the two cards look somewhat similar in that way, Hard Kocks does not actually create a delayed effect. Instead, Hard Knocks is resolved sentence by sentence, where Response abilities triggered by the first sentence resolve before the second sentence resolves. If targeting Goblin Soldier with Hard Knocks, first the enemy is dealt 4 damage, then the enemy’s “When Defeated” resolves and deals 1 damage, then the hero gets a tough status card.

— Alex