Chapter 4 · Lesson 3 of 5

Combat Keywords

A keyword is a short rule in brackets on a card. These four change fights:

So count each unit's Might in its role: what it is on attack or on defence, not just its printed number. Hextech Ray, in these drills, has [Action]: Chapter 6 explains that word; for now it's a card you play to deal 3 damage.

Quick check

Your 3-Might unit with [Shield 2] attacks. What's its Might in the fight?

Quick check

You attack with 4 damage. The defenders are a 2-Might unit and a 3-Might unit with [Tank]. Where does your damage go?

Words from this lesson

[Assault]
+1 Might while the unit is attacking ([Assault 2] is +2).
[Shield]
+1 Might while the unit is defending ([Shield 2] is +2).
[Tank]
In a fight, the damage dealt to this unit's side must give it lethal damage before its friends without [Tank].
[Deflect]
A spell or ability an opponent aims at this unit costs them 1 more Power of any Domain.

From the Core Rules (2026-10-09): 807 — Assault · 814 — Shield · 815 — Tank · 809 — Deflect · 467 — The Combat Damage Step

Try it on the table

5 drills

  1. 1Charge!

    You're on 7 and B is already scored. Noxus Hopeful (4) holds A. Laurent Duelist is a 3, but [Assault 2] makes it 5 while it attacks. Send it.

    Need a hint?

    Drag Laurent Duelist to A and Confirm.

    Start drill 1
  2. 2Bigger on Defence

    You're on 7 and B is already scored. Leona, Determined holds A. She's a 4, but [Shield] makes her 5 while she defends, so Royal Entourage (4) alone won't do it.

    Need a hint?

    Select Royal Entourage and Demacian Diplomat, drag both to A, and Confirm.

    Start drill 2
  3. 3Pay the Toll

    You're on 7 and B is already scored. Pouty Poro (2) holds A and has [Deflect]: your spells and abilities that pick it cost 1 Power more. Hextech Ray (1 Energy + 1 Fury) on it costs 1 Energy + 2 Power, which is both your runes (tap one for the Energy, then recycle it and the other for the Power). Don't spend them on anything else, then send the Diplomat to A.

    Need a hint?

    Play Hextech Ray on Pouty Poro (both runes), then move the Diplomat to A.

    Start drill 3
  4. 4Through the Wall

    You're on 7 and B is already scored. Lee Sin holds A with Sunlit Guardian ([Tank], and [Shield] makes it a 4 on defence) and Apprentice Smith (2). [Tank] means your damage must kill it before any unit without [Tank]. Shadowblade Lurker (5) is Ready; your Legend, Unforgiven (pay 2 Energy and exhaust it: move a friendly unit to or from your base, even an exhausted one), can bring in the exhausted Cemetery Attendant (3). Choose who attacks first, then bring in the other and take A.

    Need a hint?

    Shadowblade Lurker attacks first. Then use Unforgiven to move Cemetery Attendant to A.

    Start drill 4
  5. 5Read the Real Numbers

    You're on 7 and B is already scored. Leona, Determined (4, [Shield]) and Pouty Poro (2, [Deflect]) hold A. You have Laurent Duelist (3, [Assault 2]), Trifarian Gloryseeker (2), Hextech Ray and two runes. Count what each unit really is in this fight, then pick the Ray's target.

    Need a hint?

    Ray Pouty Poro with both runes, then send the Duelist and the Gloryseeker to A together.

    Start drill 5