Riftbound (game)
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Riftbound
Riftbound, previously referred to internally as Project K, is an upcoming trading card game set within the world of 
Runeterra developed by 
Riot Games and published by UVS Games.
Gameplay[edit | edit source]
To play Riftbound, you'll need a deck. You can build one from scratch or start with a preconstructed deck, then swap out cards as you collect more, learn more, and develop your own strategy.
The most important card in your deck is your champion legend. This is the card you build your deck around—it determines your starting chosen champion, who enters the board face up and fights for you, and it sets the domains (colors) of the cards you can include. In Origins, all legends have two domains to build around.
Your legend and champion define your core strategy—whether that means fast, aggressive plays; building up a massive, unstoppable army; or relying on a single, powerful, and mobile fighter. Supporting them are your other units (including additional champions), spells to give you the edge, and gear to empower your team.[2]
In order for players to feel rewarded for their skill and experience progression while taking part in the Riftbound tournament structure, an engaging and balanced metagame is key for that to happen. One of the ways to achieve that goal is through Rotation, cycling older sets out of legality and into an eternal format. This process will begin no earlier than 2028.[3]
Battlefields[edit | edit source]
Each player brings a battlefield as part of their deck, but once the game begins, all battlefields are in play for anyone to contest. You'll move your champion and other units across the board to take control of these battlefields throughout the game. Every time you successfully claim a battlefield, you score a point. If you maintain control into your next turn, you score another. Reach 8 points to win (or 11 in team games), and victory is yours!
Of course, seizing a battlefield isn't always easy. If your opponent already controls it, you'll have to fight for it. Units use their might (combat strength) to deal damage to opposing forces. If your units are the only ones left standing after the clash, you win the battle and take control of the battlefield.[2]
Runes[edit | edit source]
All of these powerful cards don't come for free. Each card in your deck has a cost, which you pay using special resource cards called runes, drawn from a separate side deck.
Each turn, you gain two new runes. You can use them in one of two ways: exhaust them (turn them sideways) to temporarily pay for standard costs, or spend them (return them to your rune deck) to play more powerful cards. Runes will cycle back over time.[2]
Rules[edit | edit source]
The Riftbound Core Rules (CR) are the foundational rules that govern gameplay at all levels. They are one part of the broader Official Rules Documents (ORD). The Core Rules define the precise mechanics of Riftbound, including deckbuilding requirements, the timing and resolution of cards and abilities, the layering of effects, and all other fine-grained details that shape how the game is played in every configuration.
These rules are always in effect, even in casual play—though you can enjoy casual games without ever needing to reference them.
Think of the Core Rules as the engine behind a Riftbound game. Most people don’t need to understand how an engine works to drive a car, but digging into the mechanics can be both useful and rewarding.
The Core Rules will be updated regularly. At a minimum, they’ll be revised with each new set release to ensure that new cards and abilities work as intended. They will likely be updated more frequently in the early stages of the games, as Riot works to make them more robust and complete.[4]
The Riftbound Core Rules can be viewed here
Tournament Rules[edit | edit source]
The Tournament Rules (TR) are the other major component of the Official Rules Documents, which will be released later when Riot shares more about their plans for Organized Play.
The Tournament Rules will outline event-specific modifications and additions to play procedure, including deckbuilding standards for various play formats, start-of-match procedures, and changing your deck in between games in a match using sideboards. You'll be free to use these guidelines in casual games if you want, but they aren't a core part of the Riftbound play experience, so they don't appear in the Core Rules. The Tournament Rules will also provide additional guidance for running tournaments and adjudicating issues that arise during play.[4]
Organized Play[edit | edit source]
Through a collaborative partnership, Riot and UVS plan to create a competitive experience at every level of play. While things are still tentatuve, this is the current overview for Organized Play (OP) in Riftbound.
One of the most important aspects of the Riftbound Organized Play ecosystem is its competitive structure, which connects local-level events (typically those hosted at retail stores) to premier events held by official tournament organizers. Riot and UVS's goal is to combine the accessibility and community atmosphere of in-store play with opportunities for meaningful progression, culminating in advancement to higher-level, premier events.[3]
Local[edit | edit source]
Upon the release of Riftbound later this year, retail stores will host a one-time Origins Release Event. This introductory event is designed so that all players, both new and experienced, can begin to experience the game in person and engage with the Riftbound community. This event is low stakes, focused on participation and the experience of playing and tweaking a Riftbound deck for the first time.
Beginning with sets following Origins, stores will offer Prerelease Events held in advance of each set's official launch. These events provide players with an exclusive opportunity to access and play with new cards before their general release. Riot and UVS will make special prerelease kits that include booster packs from the upcoming set, allowing players to build decks and experience gameplay in a limited format environment alongside their friends.
Following the launch of Origins, participating stores may also run Nexus Nights, a weekly Riftbound gathering (at the store's chosen night of the week) tailored for casual competitive play. These events are designed to be fun and rewarding for those returning to the store week over week. During the Origins season, Nexus Nights will utilize player-constructed decks and will not be connected to the broader competitive advancement structure.
The next tier of Organized Play is Summoner Skirmish, the highest level of competitive play available at the local store level. Each set will feature two Summoner Skirmishes, one near the beginning of the season and one near the end. Players who participate will earn cool prizes including Promos (alternate versions of existing cards within the current set), while the champion will receive one round bye at their next Regional Qualifier.[3]
Premier[edit | edit source]
At the Premier level, competition advances to the Regional Qualifier series. These large-scale events expand the tournament experience beyond the local store and into broader regional venues, and can include hundreds or even thousands of players. Regional Qualifiers are open-entry events, welcoming all competitive players regardless of prior performance or ranking. They will be held at select locations across the globe and will feature a wide range of rewards. In addition to Promos, players competing at Regional Qualifiers are eligible for cash prizes. Exclusive "Best of" prizes will also be awarded to the top performing player of each champion. The highest placing competitors at each Regional Qualifier will earn invitations to the Regional Championship, with the number of invites awarded based on overall event attendance.
The penultimate level of competition in Riftbound is the Regional Championship, an invite-only tournament for the highest skill players. Players who earn invitations through Regional Qualifiers may select which Regional Championship they wish to attend, and each Championship will also feature an on-site Last Chance Qualifier for those seeking a final opportunity to compete. These events offer elevated rewards, including premium promo cards and larger cash prize pools.
Beginning as early as 2027, the highest placing competitors at each Regional Championship will earn a coveted invitation to the final and most prestigious level of play: the Riftbound World Championship. Currently no details have been shared about the World Championship.[3]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Riftbound was originally planned to only release in China,[5] but was changed to global release later in development.[6]
Media[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
References
- ↑ Introducing Project K: The League of Legends Trading Card Game
- ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 2.2 How to Play - Quick Start Guide
- ↑ Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Battle You on the Rift: Introduction to Riftbound Organized Play
- ↑ Jump up to: 4.0 4.1 How to Play Riftbound: Core Rules and Gameplay Guide
- ↑ SmilelyJoe on Riftbound China Release
- ↑ SmilelyJoe on Riftbound Global Release
Riftbound
Runeterra developed by Riot Games and published by UVS Games.
- Platform
- Physical Purchase
Riot Games, Inc.