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Here’s how to play Riftbound, Riot Games’ upcoming physical trading card game, launching at the end of the year.
Riftbound, formerly known as Project K, is scheduled for release in October 2025. Riot Games has provided some helpful guides to assist players in learning the fundamentals of the physical card game, including information on decks, domains, spells, and much more.
Meet Riftbound – Riot Games TCG Project K now named!
Riot Games apparently had to fight for the new name of their TCG, Riftbound.
XC Enriquez
How to play Riftbound
If you have never played any trading card game (TCG) before, here are some basics you need to know before diving into the rules of Riftbound. To play this game, you will need adeckthat you’re able to either build from scratch or start with a preconstructed one and swap out cards as you collect more to develop your own strategy.
The most important card in your deck is yourchampion legend, which serves as the foundation for your deck. This card determines your options for thechosen champion, who starts face-up on the board and fights on your behalf. It also defines thedomains(colors) of the cards in your deck. During the game, you’ll have additionalunits(other champion units) to send to fight,spellsto boost your team, and evengearto overpower you.
Each player brings a battlefield to the game, but once play begins, any battlefield can be claimed. Move your champion and units to take control, scoring a point each time you do, and one more at the start of each turn you hold it. Reach eight points (or 11 in team play) to win a Riftbound game. Taking control isn’t easy. If your opponent already has a battlefield, a fight breaks out. Units deal damage based on theirmight(or combat strength), and the last side standing takes control.
However, these powerful cards are not for free. Each card in your deck requires payment usingrune cardsfrom a separate deck. You gain two new runes each turn. Use them temporarily by turning them sideways, or spend them completely by returning them to your rune deck to play stronger cards. Don’t worry — they’ll return!
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Riftbound’s core rules
The core rules lay the foundation for Riftbound gameplay. InRiot’s 65-page document, you’ll find detailed guidance on deckbuilding, rules, timing, card resolution, effect layering, and everything that shapes how the game flows.
These rules will be updated regularly. Riot has stated they’ll release updates with every new set to ensure all cards and abilities function as intended, and may revise them even more often early on to improve clarity and completeness.
Coming soon are the Riftbound tournament rules, a separate document that covers event-specific procedures and modifications. It will include guidelines for deckbuilding across formats, start-of-match protocols, and how to use sideboards to adjust your deck between games in a match.
While optional for casual play, these rules aren’t part of the core experience and won’t appear in the core rules. The tournament rules will also offer guidance for running events and resolving in-game disputes. Riot plans to release them alongside more details about organized play.
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