Riftbound Beginner Guide: What to Buy and How to Start

What Is Riftbound?

Riftbound is the League of Legends trading card game. Players use champions, units, spells, and other cards to contest battlefields. You can enjoy the card game without having played the video game; learning the tabletop rules is the starting point.

This guide focuses on choosing an entry product and getting comfortable at the table. It is designed to remain useful as different sets and champions become available.

Choose a Starter Deck or a Shared Learning Set

For one player joining someone who already plays, a ready-to-play starter or Champion Deck is a practical first purchase. It gives you a defined strategy to learn before you begin building from loose cards. Compare the exact product contents and choose a play style that interests you.

For a group starting together, Proving Grounds is designed for two to four players and includes four preconstructed decks, playmats, tokens, and a rulebook. A shared learning set can simplify the first session because everyone uses the same teaching materials.

If you buy individual decks for two new players, make sure both players have a complete play setup. Do not assume that buying one deck also equips an opponent.

Understand the Core Game Plan

Your Champion Legend helps determine your deck’s domains and strategy. Runes provide resources, while your units contest battlefields. The standard goal is to reach eight points by taking and holding battlefields; different formats can have different requirements.

For the first game, keep the official quick-start guide open. Work through setup, resources, movement, combat, and scoring in order. Learning when points are earned is more valuable than memorizing every card in a new expansion.

When Do Booster Packs Make Sense?

Boosters can expand a collection and provide options for later deckbuilding. They are a different purchase from a complete starter deck: the cards you open may not support the champion or strategy you want to play.

Start with a playable deck, then decide whether you enjoy opening packs, collecting a set, or making specific upgrades. If your goal is a particular change, write down the cards you need before buying. Check current format rules and card legality when preparing for an event.

How to Choose Your First Champion

Begin with how you want your turns to feel. Do you like taking the initiative, building a board over time, or holding resources for a response? Read the deck’s product description and ask for a demonstration when possible.

A favorite League character can make a deck more appealing, but it should also be a game plan you enjoy. Give yourself several games with one deck before deciding that the champion needs replacing.

Upgrade a Few Cards at a Time

After each game, note where your deck struggled. Did you run out of useful actions, lose control of a battlefield, or fail to use a card you kept drawing? Those observations give upgrades a purpose.

Keep the original decklist so you can undo changes. Test a small batch of substitutions and compare several games rather than rebuilding after one loss. Check the official rules when a card interaction is unclear.

Accessories and Local Play

Sleeves and a deck box help keep your cards organized. Bring the tokens, counters, and play aids your deck uses, plus the current rules or quick-start guide. A playmat provides a clean surface but does not replace the required game components.

Browse current trading card game listings at Salt City Games and check the events page for Riftbound sessions. Confirm the format, start time, and any entry requirements before visiting.

Browse trading card games: https://saltcitygames.shop/collections/trading-card-games

View current events: https://saltcitygames.shop/pages/events

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know League of Legends to play Riftbound?

No. You can learn Riftbound from its own rules and teaching materials.

What should I buy to start Riftbound?

Choose a ready-to-play starter or Champion Deck for one player, or consider Proving Grounds when a group is learning together.

Can I start with booster packs alone?

Boosters expand a card pool but do not guarantee a complete deck with a coherent strategy. A preconstructed deck is a more direct starting point.

Do I need the latest expansion to learn?

No. Start with an appropriate learning product, then check current format rules before buying cards for organized play.