Riftbound cards bring the champions of League of Legends to the tabletop. Riftbound is Riot Games’ own trading card game, and since its English launch in October 2025 it has grown into one of the most talked-about new card games, with a new set roughly every three months. This guide explains how the game works, every set so far, the cards collectors chase and the best way to start.
Browse our full range of English Riftbound cards, including booster displays from every recent set.
What is Riftbound?
Riftbound is a trading card game set in Runeterra, the world of League of Legends. Each player chooses a champion, such as Jinx, Viktor or Lee Sin, and builds a deck around them. Games are fast and interactive, and the cards feature both well-known champions and characters from the wider League of Legends universe.
The game first launched in China in August 2025, and the English version of the first set, Origins, followed on 31 October 2025. Riot has said it plans to release a main set about every three months.
Riftbound and League of Legends
League of Legends is one of the most played online games in the world, and its champions have also starred in the animated series Arcane. Riftbound draws on all of that. Champions such as Jinx, Vi and Viktor, who fans will know from Arcane, appear alongside long-time favourites from the game, and the artwork brings the regions of Runeterra to life. If you love the characters, the cards are a great way to collect them.
How to play Riftbound
Each player picks a Champion Legend, the star of their deck, and builds a main deck of cards that match their champion’s domains. Players fight over battlefields in the middle of the table, scoring points by conquering and holding them. The first player to reach the target score wins.
- Choose a Champion Legend. Your legend decides which domains your deck can use.
- Build your deck from units, spells and gear in those domains.
- Use runes to pay for your cards.
- Fight for battlefields to score points.
- Reach the target score to win.
Cards are grouped into six domains, each with its own style of play, so there are many different champion and domain combinations to try.
Types of Riftbound cards
- Legends: the champion who leads your deck.
- Units: the characters who fight for battlefields, including champion units.
- Spells: one-off effects that can turn a fight.
- Gear: equipment that stays in play and supports your units.
- Runes: the resources you use to pay for cards.
- Battlefields: the locations both players fight over.
Building your first Riftbound deck
Start with a champion you like and a starter product, then play a few games before changing anything. Once you know how your deck plays, add booster packs and swap in cards that suit your style. Many players keep their first deck close to the original and build a second deck for a different champion, which is a good way to learn how the domains work.
Riftbound sets in order
| Set | English release | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Origins | 31 October 2025 | The first set, with champions such as Jinx, Viktor and Lee Sin |
| Spiritforged | 13 February 2026 | Over 200 new cards and 12 new champions |
| Unleashed | 8 May 2026 | Champions including Vi, Rengar and Master Yi |
| Vendetta | 31 July 2026 | 166 cards, 9 new champion legends including Akali and Zed |
| Radiance | 23 October 2026 | 180 new cards, champions including Ekko, Seraphine and Evelynn |
Vendetta was also the first Riftbound set with a single unified release date for China and the United States, a step towards worldwide release dates for future sets.
Origins: where it all started
Origins introduced the core rules and the first Champion Legends, and it remains the foundation of the game. Many collectors want a complete Origins set because it was the first, and its cards are still legal for competitive play. The Origins booster box is the easiest way to open the set.
Radiance: the newest set
Radiance is the fifth Riftbound set, released on 23 October 2026 after Pre-Rift events from 16 to 22 October. It adds 180 new cards, including 60 Showcase cards, and nine new Champion Legends, with Ekko, Seraphine and Evelynn among them. Keep an eye on our pre-orders page and the English Riftbound cards range for new Radiance stock.
Champion Legends
Every Riftbound deck is built around a Champion Legend. Origins and Spiritforged each introduced 12 legends, while Vendetta and Radiance each added nine. As each set adds new legends, the number of possible decks grows, which keeps the game fresh for regular players.
Popular champions from the game tend to be the most popular Champion Legends too, so fans of a particular League of Legends champion can usually find a deck to suit them.
Showcase cards and chase cards
Showcase cards are premium versions of Riftbound cards with special artwork and finishes. They are the main chase for collectors, and some Showcase cards from Spiritforged have become very valuable. Vendetta included more than 50 Showcase cards and Radiance 60, so there is plenty to hunt for in every set.
Overnumbered cards, which are numbered beyond the main set, are also popular with collectors, much like secret rares in other games.
Which Riftbound product should you buy first?
- For complete beginners: Origins Proving Grounds is a starter product designed to teach the game.
- For collecting: a booster display, such as the Vendetta booster display or the Unleashed booster display, gives you plenty of packs.
- For the first set: the Origins booster box contains the cards that started it all.
- For Spiritforged fans: the Spiritforged booster box has some of the most valuable Showcase cards.
English and Chinese Riftbound cards
Because Riftbound launched in China first, Chinese products are a popular way to collect. Our range includes the Chinese Spiritforged Jumbo Booster Box, the Chinese Slim Booster Box and the Chinese Origins Advanced Booster Box. Browse our Chinese Riftbound cards to compare.
If you plan to play at UK stores, English cards are the best choice, as they are the ones used at local events.
What is in a Riftbound booster display?
A booster display contains a full box of sealed Riftbound booster packs from one set. It is the best way to build a collection quickly and gives you the best chance at Showcase cards. Exact pack counts and contents can vary between sets and products, so check each product page before you buy.
Playing Riftbound in the UK
Many UK game stores now run Riftbound events, and each new set has Pre-Rift events, Riftbound’s version of a prerelease, about a week before the wide release. They are a great way to try a new set, meet other players and win promo cards.
Will older Riftbound cards stay legal?
Riot has shared a long-term plan for rotation. The first rotation is planned for the start of 2028, when the first five sets are expected to leave the Standard format. That means cards from Origins through Radiance should stay legal in Standard for a good while yet.
Is Riftbound good for beginners?
Yes, especially if you already know League of Legends. The champions and their abilities will feel familiar, and starter products make it easy to learn. Even if you have never played League of Legends, the rules are straightforward and games are quick.
Tips for collecting Riftbound cards
- Sleeve Showcase cards straight away. Premium finishes scratch easily.
- Collect your favourite champion. Building a binder around one champion is a fun goal.
- Keep sets separate. Track each set by its card numbers.
- Buy sealed from trusted shops to avoid resealed packs.
Riftbound cards as a gift
Riftbound cards make a great present for anyone who plays League of Legends or watched Arcane. A starter product is ideal for someone new to card games, while a booster display suits an existing player or collector. If you are unsure which champion they like, a booster display from a recent set gives them plenty of choice and a chance at Showcase cards.
For collectors who also enjoy other games, our Lorcana cards guide and One Piece OP17 guide cover two more popular card games.
Riftbound cards FAQs
What is Riftbound?
Riftbound is the official League of Legends trading card game, made by Riot Games.
When did Riftbound come out in English?
The first set, Origins, released in English on 31 October 2025.
How often do new Riftbound sets release?
Riot aims for a new main set about every three months.
What are Showcase cards?
Showcase cards are premium versions with special artwork and finishes, and they are the main chase for collectors.
Do I need to play League of Legends to enjoy Riftbound?
No. The card game stands on its own, although fans of League of Legends and Arcane will recognise many of the champions.
Which Riftbound set should I start with?
Any current set works, as all of them are legal in Standard. Origins is a good choice if you want to start at the beginning, while the newest set gives you the latest champions.
Are Chinese Riftbound cards the same as English ones?
The artwork is shared, but the text is in Chinese. English cards are best for UK events.
Where can I find official Riftbound information?
Riot publishes rules and news on the official Riftbound website.
