Riftbound TCG is Riot Games' trading card game set in the League of Legends universe. You pick a champion Legend, build a 40-card deck around them, and fight over battlefields to be the first player to score 8 points. It launched with the Origins set on October 31, 2025, and by the fifth set, Radiance, it had become one of the fastest-growing card games in local game stores across Canada.
This guide is the starting point for our Riftbound library. It explains what the game is, how a match plays out, what you need to own before your first game, and which guide to read next.
What is the Riftbound TCG?
Riftbound is a two-player (and team) strategy card game built by Riot Games, the studio behind League of Legends, Valorant and Teamfight Tactics. UVS Games handles much of the physical distribution and retail support. The cards feature League of Legends champions, regions and items, but you don't need to have played League to enjoy it. The game teaches its own rules from scratch.
Three ideas make Riftbound feel different from other card games:
- You score points instead of reducing life. There is no life total to attack. You win by controlling battlefields.
- Your resources live in their own deck. A separate 12-card rune deck gives you mana every turn, so you never draw a hand full of resources and nothing to cast.
- Your champion is always on the table. Your Legend sits face-up for the whole game and shapes everything your deck can do.
If you've played Magic: The Gathering, the rune deck will feel like a fix for mana screw. If you've played Yu-Gi-Oh! or Pokémon, the battlefield race will feel closer to a board game than a damage race.
How does a Riftbound game work?
Each player brings a deck with four parts: a Legend, a 40-card main deck, a 12-card rune deck and three battlefield cards. At the start of the game each player puts one of their battlefields into play, so a standard 1v1 game has two battlefields to fight over.
On your turn you ready your cards, score any battlefield you are still holding, channel two runes from your rune deck, draw a card, and then take actions: play units, cast spells, equip gear and move units to battlefields. When your units move into a battlefield the opponent controls, a fight breaks out. Win it and you take control.
Scoring works in two ways:
- Conquer: take control of a battlefield you didn't control, and score 1 point.
- Hold: still control a battlefield at the start of your turn, and score 1 point.
The first player to 8 points wins a 1v1 game. Riftbound also has team formats such as 2v2, where a team needs 11 points. For the full turn-by-turn breakdown, read our guide on how to play Riftbound.
What do you need to start playing Riftbound?
You need one legal deck. That's it. Most new players get there in one of three ways:
| Route | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| A preconstructed deck | Learning the rules with a friend | Ready to play out of the box; upgrade later with singles |
| Booster packs | People who enjoy opening packs and collecting | Random contents, so building a specific deck takes longer |
| Singles | Players who already know which Legend they want | The most direct way to finish a specific list |
We break down each option in our Riftbound starter deck guide. If you already know which champion you want to play, you can shop Riftbound singles and buy exactly the cards your list needs.
You'll also want sleeves. Riftbound cards are standard size, the same as Magic and Pokémon cards, so standard sleeves fit. See our Riftbound sleeves and storage guide for details.
The six Riftbound domains
Every Riftbound card belongs to one of six domains: Fury, Calm, Mind, Body, Chaos and Order. Each domain has its own colour and playstyle. Your Legend has two domains, and your main deck and rune deck can only use cards from those two. Picking a Legend is really picking a pair of domains and a game plan. Our Riftbound domains guide covers what each one does well.
Every Riftbound set so far
| # | Set | Code | English release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Origins | OGN | October 31, 2025 |
| 2 | Spiritforged | SFG | February 13, 2026 |
| 3 | Unleashed | UNL | May 8, 2026 |
| 4 | Vendetta | VEN | July 31, 2026 |
| 5 | Radiance | RAD | October 23, 2026 |
Riot has also announced Legacy (January 29, 2027) and The Reckoning (April 30, 2027). No set has rotated out of Standard yet, so every card from Origins onward is still legal unless it is banned. See every Riftbound set in order for the details of each set.
Is the Riftbound TCG good for beginners?
Yes, for three practical reasons. First, the rune deck removes the most frustrating beginner experience in card games: losing because you drew too much or too little mana. Second, the points race makes it obvious who is winning and why. Third, local stores are still full of players who started recently, so you won't be the only new face at a Nexus Night.
The learning curve shows up later, in timing. Riftbound has reactions, showdowns and spell speeds, and you'll get those wrong a few times. Our list of common Riftbound beginner mistakes will save you some of those games.
Where to play Riftbound in Canada
Riftbound has a full organized play program run by Riot. Weekly Nexus Nights at local game stores are the casual entry point, and the competitive ladder runs up through Regionals, Continentals and a World Championship. Since September 2026, store events are listed and registered through Riot's official PlayRiftbound.com, where you sign in with your Riot ID. Our Riftbound tournament guide explains each tier, and our Riftbound Canada guide covers buying and playing across the country.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to play League of Legends to play Riftbound?
No. Knowing the champions helps you recognize the characters, but the card game has its own rules and you can learn it with no League experience.
How many cards are in a Riftbound deck?
A constructed deck has a Legend, a 40-card main deck that includes your Chosen Champion, a 12-card rune deck and three battlefields. You can also bring an optional 8-card sideboard for best-of-three matches.
How many points do you need to win Riftbound?
8 points in a standard 1v1 game, and 11 points for a team in 2v2.
What is the newest Riftbound set?
Radiance (set code RAD), the fifth set, releases October 23, 2026. Legacy follows on January 29, 2027.
Is Riftbound only in English?
No. Riftbound is printed in several languages. Vendetta was the first set to release in English, Italian, Japanese and Chinese on the same day.
Start your Riftbound collection
Ready to build? Browse Riftbound singles at Ultima Cards: every card is 100% authentic, we ship across Canada, and orders over $199 CAD ship free. Then read the Riftbound deck building guide to turn a pile of cards into a deck that wins.
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