Riftbound Is A Solid TCG Adaptation Of League Of Legends That Gets Better With Time (Review)

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Riftbound is a promising new trading card game that successfully brings the world of League of Legends to tabletop gaming. Created by Riot Games as a competitor to games like Magic: The Gathering and Lorcana, Riftbound cleverly adapts League of Legends’ lane-based strategy to a deck-building format. The challenge was to represent the large-scale battles of League, where individual champions are supported by numerous units, in a card game setting.

Riot Games found success with Riftbound, a fast-paced and fun game that stands out in its genre. It cleverly combines strategic deck-building with elements of board games, creating a unique experience. Though it might seem complicated initially, Riftbound is a welcome addition for fans of trading card games.

Review: 4/5

Pros: Cons:
Gameplay depth that feels like a clever adaptation of the central mechanics of League of Legends. New gameplay mechanics can be tricky to adjust to for seasoned TCG players.
Gorgeous artwork gives the game a stunning visual touch. Champion Legend focus limits deck-building in certain ways.
Multiple gameplay styles add natural variety for 2-4 players.

A New Champion Contender

Riftbound can seem complicated when you first start playing, but it quickly becomes a really enjoyable game for those who get into it. It uses familiar card types like units, spells, and weapons found in other trading card games, but with some interesting changes that add extra strategy. The main way to win is by controlling Battlefields – each deck comes with one, and games are played with two to four players.

Capturing and holding key locations on the battlefield gives players points and special benefits. Players earn points each turn they control a location, and the first to reach 8 points wins. When you take a location from an opponent, a battle begins, similar to games like Magic: The Gathering or Lorcana, where winning depends on using powerful units, spells, and items. You can play with up to four players, but even a two-player match is enjoyable.

The game’s combat is exciting and a bit unpredictable, especially when players start using well-developed strategies. A major change involves Champion Legends and cards, which give each deck a unique feel. However, this system can restrict how decks are built. For example, if you choose Lee Sin as your Champion Legend, you must include a Lee Sin unit in your deck. This helps new players learn the ropes by focusing their builds, but it can also reduce the freedom to try wildly different strategies that many deck-building games offer.

As a fan, I really appreciate how Riftbound feels like League of Legends in a lot of ways. Your hero is truly you on the battlefield – just like in League, you’re stuck with one champion and have to take on waves of enemies and the other team. What I especially like is how controlling different areas on the map adds a whole new layer of strategy. It’s not just about fighting; you’re thinking about where you are on the map and planning your attacks from a safe base. It’s a cool way to make the space between battles feel like a core part of the game, which is a really refreshing change of pace.

The Glory Of Runeterra

A standout feature of Riftbound is its beautiful card design, which perfectly captures the characters and creatures from Runeterra in a trading card game format. The cards feature stunning artwork, showcasing everything from adorable creatures to intimidating monsters that Champions face in battle. Despite their variety, all the designs work together seamlessly.

The cards feature brand-new artwork created by both Riot’s artists and the team at Fortiche. They successfully blend the look of the original game with the popular designs seen in shows like Arcane. Each champion and region has its own distinct art style, making them easily recognizable and fitting seamlessly into the game’s overall world.

I’m really struck by how beautiful the character designs are – they’re polished without feeling fake. It reminds me a lot of the art style in League of Legends and Arcane, that cool mix of gritty and glamorous that just pulls you in. Honestly, Riftbound is a stunning game to look at, and it’s so well-designed. Everything is clear – the setup, the abilities, how everything works together – it’s a fantastic addition to my collection as a TCG and tabletop gamer.

How Riftbound Stacks Up In The TCG Space

The biggest hurdle for Riftbound is making it easy for new players to jump in and start playing. While its Battlefield and Legendary Champion systems are different and interesting, they take some getting used to, even for those familiar with trading card games. Similarly, the game’s emphasis on moving units forward and backward takes practice, particularly once Champion Legends become central to building decks.

Once players get the hang of it, Riftbound strikes a great balance between complex board games and the quick customization found in deck-building card games. It’s perfect for those who enjoy League of Legends or Arcane and want to see those characters and world in a new way. But even if you’re not familiar with those games, Riftbound is simply a fun and engaging deck-builder for players of all levels.

The best part of any trading card game is discovering powerful new combinations of abilities, and Riftbound is no different. Its easy deck-building system, combined with a focus on moving around the game board and taking over territory, creates a sense of a bigger conflict than just individual battles. It might take a little getting used to, but Riftbound offers a fresh and enjoyable take on the classic tabletop card game experience.

Riot provided Comicbook.com with pre-set Riftbound decks for the purposes of this review.

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2025-11-04 09:11