12 Riftbound Beginner Mistakes (and the Tips That Fix Them)

Every Riftbound player makes the same handful of mistakes in their first few weeks. The good news is that each one has a simple fix. These Riftbound tips cover the twelve most common beginner errors, roughly in the order you'll run into them. If you're still learning the basics, read how to play Riftbound first.

1. Keeping a slow opening hand

The mistake: keeping four cards that all cost 4 or more.

The fix: you can mulligan up to 2 cards. Use it. Your first two turns decide who controls the early battlefields, and you need cheap units for them. Send expensive cards to the bottom and look for plays on turns 1 and 2.

2. Recycling runes without a plan

The mistake: recycling runes for power whenever a card needs it, then running short of energy.

The fix: every rune you recycle leaves the board, so it's one less energy next turn. Before recycling, ask whether you'll miss that rune. Build your deck so key early cards don't need heavy power costs.

3. Forgetting that units enter exhausted

The mistake: playing a unit and expecting it to contest a battlefield this turn.

The fix: units usually enter exhausted. Plan a turn ahead: play the unit now, move it next turn. Units with Accelerate are the exception if you pay the extra cost. See our Riftbound keywords glossary.

4. Ignoring the final point rule

The mistake: sitting on 7 points, conquering one battlefield and expecting to win.

The fix: you usually can't win your last point by conquering only one battlefield while another is unscored that turn. Plan your final point from about 6: either hold a battlefield into your next turn, or conquer both in the same turn.

5. Spreading units too thin

The mistake: sending one small unit to each battlefield and losing both fights.

The fix: concentrate force. Winning one battlefield decisively is usually better than contesting two weakly. Units at one battlefield can't help at another unless they have Ganking.

6. Overcommitting into Reactions

The mistake: moving everything into a battlefield and losing it all to one Reaction spell.

The fix: if your opponent has unspent runes and cards in hand, assume they have a response. Commit enough to win the fight, and keep something back.

7. Playing Reactions too early

The mistake: casting a Reaction on your own turn because you could.

The fix: Reactions are strongest when the opponent has committed. Hold them for the opponent's turn or a key showdown. That's what makes them Reactions.

8. Forgetting to score holds

The mistake: skipping straight from Awaken to playing cards and forgetting you held a battlefield.

The fix: say it out loud. "Awaken, Beginning: score holds, Channel, Draw." Scoring happens in your Beginning Phase. Temporary units die before you score.

9. Choosing battlefields for the art

The mistake: picking three battlefields you like the look of.

The fix: each battlefield's effect works for whoever controls it. Pick ones that help your plan more than your opponent's. Our Riftbound battlefields guide has a four-question test.

10. Building with too few units

The mistake: a deck full of cool spells and not enough bodies.

The fix: you score by controlling battlefields, and you control them with units. Most decks want 20 or more. See our Riftbound deck building guide.

11. Using banned cards

The mistake: turning up to an event with a banned battlefield.

The fix: check the Riftbound ban list before every event. Battlefields are the easiest bans to miss.

12. Upgrading with random packs

The mistake: opening packs hoping to finish a deck.

The fix: packs are random and spread across six domains. If you need specific cards, buy them as Riftbound singles. Our singles vs. booster boxes guide explains why.

Bonus Riftbound tips for getting better faster

• Play the same deck for a while. You learn the game faster when your own deck holds no surprises.
• Ask your opponent questions after the game. Most Riftbound players are happy to talk through a tricky turn.
• Go to Nexus Nights. Weekly casual events are the best practice available. See our tournaments guide.
• Track your losses. Write down why you lost each game. Patterns show up quickly.

Frequently asked questions

What's the most common Riftbound beginner mistake?

Keeping a slow opening hand. Use the mulligan to find cheap units for your first two turns.

How do you win your last point in Riftbound?

Hold a battlefield into your next Beginning Phase, or conquer every battlefield in the same turn. You usually can't win the final point by conquering just one.

How many units should a Riftbound deck have?

Most decks run 20 to 24 units. Aggressive decks run more, control decks fewer.

When should I play Reaction spells?

Usually during your opponent's turn or a showdown, after they've committed units or resources.

How can I practise Riftbound?

Play weekly at Nexus Nights, stick with one deck while you learn, and review the games you lose.