Riftbound 2v2 Guide: Team Rules, Strategy and the 2v2 Ban List

Riftbound 2v2 puts you and a teammate against another pair, with a shared score and three battlefields to fight over. It's one of the most social ways to play Riftbound, and it has its own competitive scene and its own ban list. This guide covers the rules that differ from 1v1, how to build decks as a team, and the other multiplayer modes.

Riftbound 2v2 rules at a glance

Rule	1v1	2v2
Points to win	8	11, shared by the team
Battlefields in play	2	3
First player chooses a battlefield?	Yes	No
First player draws on turn 1?	Yes	No
Extra rune on first channel	Second player	Player who takes the last turn in the first round
Ban list	Standard	Standard plus 2v2-only bans

Shared points

Points are shared: both players on a team always have the same total, and if either player gains or loses points, the team does. The first team to 11 wins. If one player loses or concedes, the whole team loses.

Turn order

Turns alternate between teams: the first player, then an opponent, then the first player's teammate, then the second opponent. You can play Reaction cards during your teammate's turn, which is a big part of team strategy. Teams can sit in a cross or square layout. Agree on which before the game starts.

Battlefields in 2v2

There are three battlefields in play. The first player doesn't contribute one. A key restriction: only two players can have units at a given battlefield, so you and your teammate can't both have units in the same place. Teams need to decide early who is contesting which battlefield. Our Riftbound battlefields guide explains how to evaluate battlefield choices, and those principles apply here with an extra question: does this battlefield help my partner too?

The Riftbound 2v2 ban list

Riot launched a separate Constructed 2v2 ban list in July 2026. It includes every Standard ban, plus Master Yi, Wuju Bladesman, which is banned only in 2v2 and stays legal in 1v1. Riot labels bans that apply to both formats. Otherwise, don't assume a ban carries over. See the full Riftbound ban list.

2v2 strategy: building as a team

The best 2v2 teams build their decks together, not separately:

• Split the roles. A common structure is one partner pressuring battlefields while the other controls and protects. Two all-in aggressive decks can run out of steam. Two slow decks can fall behind on points.
• Cover each other's weaknesses. Look at our Riftbound domains guide. If one deck struggles with card flow, the other should bring it. If one lacks removal, the other should have plenty.
• Value Reactions. You can play Reactions on your partner's turn, so cheap Reaction spells are worth more in 2v2.
• Plan the battlefield split. Since you can't both have units at the same battlefield, decide who takes which before the game, and adjust as the board changes.
• Talk. Communication between teammates is part of the format. Check your event's rules on what's allowed.

Other Riftbound multiplayer modes

Riftbound also supports free-for-all games:

• Skirmish: three players, each for themselves.
• War: four players, each for themselves.

In both, the first player doesn't draw on their first turn and doesn't put in a battlefield. Each other player contributes one, so there's one fewer battlefield than there are players. The first to 8 points wins, and the last player in the first round channels an extra rune.

Is 2v2 good for beginners?

Yes, especially when paired with an experienced partner. You can learn the timing rules while your teammate helps with decisions. The shared score also takes some of the pressure off a new player.

Frequently asked questions

How many points do you need to win Riftbound 2v2?

11, shared by the team.

How many battlefields are in a 2v2 game?

Three. The first player doesn't put one into play.

Can teammates have units at the same battlefield?

No. Only two players can have units at any battlefield, so teammates can't share one.

Is Master Yi banned in Riftbound?

Master Yi, Wuju Bladesman is banned in 2v2 only. It's legal in 1v1 Standard.

What is Magma Chamber in Riftbound?

It's another name for the 2v2 team mode.

Build your team decks

Coordinate your lists, then pick up the pieces from our Riftbound singles. Our Riftbound deck building guide covers the rules both decks need to follow.