Use your favourite features in-game with our Desktop AppIf Riftbound is your first entry into trading card games, you may be wondering where to begin. With a variety of products at different price points, knowing what to buy could be difficult for those who are unfamiliar with the genre.
In this quick guide we’ll break down every type of product you can expect to find in your local game store, hopefully aiding you towards an informed decision. Let’s dive in!
The English Riftbound supply has been extremely limited, all the way from when its preorders initially launched. Booster Boxes are pretty much unobtainable without paying a significant markup, and even the prices of singles are all over the place.
Additional waves of product are on the way, but for the time being, please take everything with a grain of salt. The original MSRP will still be listed for reference, though we’ll be focusing more on what’s included rather than what’s worth buying.
MSRP: $29.99 USD
The Proving Grounds box set consists of four basic pre-constructed decks, along with their matching cardboard playmats and acrylic champion accessories. It’s essentially Riftbound packaged as a board game, making it a great starting point for players who are new to TCGs.
It’s worth noting that while many of the cards included are from Origins (Set 1), Proving Grounds actually has some exclusives. In fact, the four Champion Legends aren’t part of the main set, nor are their Champion Units or Signature Spells.
For now, the only way to acquire these cards is by purchasing this box, or hunting down the singles. Although I imagine it’s only a matter of time before they get reprinted elsewhere.
Additionally, while all Rares/Epics and above are generally printed in foil, this is not the case for Proving Grounds. No card is foil, including the “Origin” Rares that are within the decks.
MSRP: $19.99 USD
The Origins set offers three different Champion Decks to choose from: Jinx, Lee Sin, and Viktor. Each pre-constructed deck contains combos and synergies built around their Legend, with varying playstyles depending on what you choose.
They’re a little more refined compared to the Proving Grounds decks, offering a nice out-of-the-box play experience for anyone getting into the game.
Additionally, each deck also contains one sealed Origins Booster Pack, giving you the chance to get some spicy additions for your collection (and possibly upgrades for the deck).
MSRP: $119.99 USD (Box)
Opening booster packs and/or boxes is the most common way to acquire new cards for your collection. A box contains 24 packs, and each pack consists of 14 cards.
Let’s take a closer look.
Note: All Rares and above always come in foil.
Beyond the standard hit rate, there’s varying odds for Epics (the highest regular rarity), Alternate Arts, and rare chase cards with unique texturing (also signatures!).
Of course, as fun as it is to open packs, always remember that you’re never guaranteed to find the cards you want. Unless you’re specifically looking for the experience, buying singles is typically the way to go.
Due to a printing error with Set 1, there are a small number of packs that unfortunately include less Rares than advertised (instead there’s a second foil common/uncommon).
If you happen to encounter this error, be sure to take an image of the affected pack. Make sure it shows the pack’s bar code, each card (with the rarity gem visible), and a note with “Riftbound QA” and the current date. Then you can go here to submit and claim your replacement cards.
Buying singles is pretty much the standard when it comes to playing a trading card game. It’s by far the easiest way to complete your deck, and allows you to focus your funds accordingly.
However, it can be hard to buy singles if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Unless you’re someone who likes to research everything in advance, chances are you’ll probably begin with some sealed product.
If none of the pre-constructed decks interest you (and you don’t want to purchase many packs/boxes), consider taking a deeper look into the set as a whole. You can always test things out with an online simulator, or even proxy (print fake copies) a few decks to play in paper.
At the end of the day, feel free to do whatever works best for you. Whether you decide to dip your toes in the water or dive head first, there’s something fun for everyone to enjoy.
