Image via Riot Games
If you are a TCG enthusiast who loves a challenge and excellent strategy, then you need to know about Riftbound. This League of Legends tabletop is an experience-first game, with community engagement and connection at its core. Bonus Action had the opportunity to preview and play with cards set to release this year. The flow, engagement, and strategy create addictive matches that leave players hungry for more.
During our time with Riftbound, we had the opportunity to learn about the first booster set, planned products, gameplay, deck building, and development choices. There is so much to learn about this amazing new tabletop, so we are going to dive right in.
What is Riftbound?
Riftbound is a League of Legends tabletop TCG that allows players to build decks around iconic characters. The game focuses on turn-based strategy and can be played in 1-v-1 and multiplayer formats.
When Will Riftbound Release?
Currently, Riftbound is set to release in China this summer, and then will launch for English audiences in October. This means players will start seeing matches, competitive content, and pack openings within the next few months.
What is the First Set For Riftbound?
The first set that will be released for Riftbound is Origins. The set is meant to lay the foundations for players, offering a range of cards perfect for building structured decks. It will also include a set called the “Proving Grounds”, which acts as an academy to get players familiar with the rules and flow of matches.
How To Play Riftbound
Do to my status as a new player, my time previewing Riftbound was spent doing 1-v-1 matches. Because of this, I won’t be able to chat about the multiplayer experience this time around. But let’s jump into what it’s like to do a traditional match.
Each player has a deck that has either been pre-built or personally curated. Each deck has 60 cards and is built around a Legend card. This could be Miss Fortune, Yasuo, Jinx, and many more. The deck contains three Battlefield cards, two types of Rune cards that correspond with your Legend, Units, Spells, and Gear.
To start a match, players select three Battlefield cards and place them between both playmats. These are the key to winning, as players must use their unit cards to take and hold them for points. After this, each player draws four cards, and then the first player is decided on.
The primary goal of each match is to set up Units and move them to a Battlefield. I was playing a preview deck with Yasuo, whose special ability consists of moving cards back and forth from the “Base” or bench, and Battlefield cards. He also has a Champion card that can strike twice when played correctly.
If a player has a card ready to move to an empty Battlefield, they take a point. If they move that card to a Battlefield that is being held by a player’s card, then they have a battle of Might. The card with the higher number will take the Battlefield.
To place Units on the bench or use spells, players will need to use their Rune cards. Some Units only require the Exhaustion of a few Runes. This means the Runes stay in play at your base, but aren’t usable the rest of the turn. Other Units and Spells require players to discard, or Recycle, Runes. This means they must be pulled and placed in the Rune area again before they can be used. Players draw two Runes each turn.
The first player who earns eight points, or who holds all Battlefields but has seven points, wins the match.
Riftbound is surprisingly easy to pick up and deeply addictive. I have the chance to play against other new Riftbound enthusiasts as well as several game designers, and quickly learned this isn’t the type of game where you want to get one powerful card out as quickly as possible. Players need a range of cards, from low-level Units to explosive spells, in order to outsmart opponents. Too much power, and you’ll struggle to get things on your bench; not enough, and you won’t be able to stand up against your opponent as they put their best Units into play.
In my second round of gameplay, I built my own Miss Fortune deck, and I could have played it forever. I was shocked that we were given the chance to build with so little experience, but Riot’s goal is to put the customization in the hands of the players. To my surprise, I was quick to pick up on how I needed to balance my deck. With a little feedback from designers during matches, I was able to construct a powerful, exciting deck that was entirely my own, and that made each match even more satisfying.
What is in a Riftbound Booster Pack
If you are a collector, don’t worry, Riftbound is loaded down with stunning cards. Each booster back is broken down as follows:
- 7 Bronze Commons
- 3 Silver Uncommons
- 1 Foil Slot – Could be a Rare or Uncommon
- 2 Flex Slots for Rare, Epic, and Alt Art
Each set includes overnumbered cards, which can potentially appear in 1/30 boosters. There are also signed Alt Rares, which at a potential 1/10 of the above pulls.
This is amazing news for hardcore collectors, as there are some particularly beautiful and coveted pulls just waiting to be pulled. While you will need some luck to get these rare cards, finding one will be like uncovering a trove of treasure.
Will There Be Organized Play For Riftbound?
Yes, there will be organized play for Rfitbound, starting in December 2025. This will include Local Play, Premier Play, and Organized Play with Advancement. Players can get started at a local level and then take their skills to a Regional Qualifier. If they make it, they will head off to a Regional Championship and then to the World Championship.
Prizes for winning include special Riftbound swag, Cash Prizes, and top player prizes.
Our time with Riftbound was incredible. It’s been a long time since I’ve picked up a TCG that made me forget the time. I could have spent hours just going from match to match, challenging others and delighting in the strategies they brought to the table. It doesn’t matter if you are a League of Legends super-fan or are brand new to Riot’s major IPs; this TCG game is great for anyone who loves to play tabletop.
We’ll have more on Riftbound soon, so please subscribe to our newsletter to get more details as soon as they go live!
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