Keyword timing: from On Entry to Revival
The short answer
Keywords define why cards interact. Identify whether a trigger happens on play, round start, combat start, win/loss, death, or sale, then check targets and limits.
Commonly confused triggers
- On Entry follows playing the card; Preparation occurs at round start. Cao Cao can trigger Entry through another effect.
- Engage is combat start; Triumph and Defeat require the hero to be deployed for a win or loss.
- Exit specifically means selling a deployed hero. Death is Sacrifice.
- Revival returns with 50% HP, capped at ten times per hero per round. Actual stacks depend on the card effect.
Temporary versus permanent
- Temporary levels disappear after combat. Inspect whether a displayed high level is temporary.
- Seize takes up to ten non-temporary levels from a random ally within one tile, so placement matters.
- Ming converts a limited amount of temporary levels; this does not preserve every temporary gain.
| Keyword | What triggers it |
|---|---|
| Sacrifice | Triggers when this hero dies. |
| Merge | Play another copy of a deployed hero to strengthen it. |
| Preparation | Triggers at the start of the round. |
| Arcomia Core | At combat start, distribute core levels as temporary levels among Sunset Sea heroes. One hero receives at most 50%. |
| On Entry | Triggers when this card is played. |
| Triumph | Triggers after a win while this hero is deployed. |
| Temporary levels | Removed when combat ends. |
| Exit | Triggers when this deployed hero is sold. |
| Defeat | Triggers after a loss while this hero is deployed. |
| Engage | Triggers when combat starts. |
| Totem | A Great River unit whose special effect works while it survives. |
| Seize | When played, take up to 10 permanent levels from a random ally within one tile. |
| Blink | At combat start, jump to the mirrored position on the opposing board. |
| Revival | Return after death with 50% HP; at most 10 revivals per hero per round. |
Sources & version
Reviewed 2026-09-23 · Player reports may vary between regional builds.