# Budget Riftbound Decks: Build One Cheap

_2026-06-08 · RiftCompare_

How to build a competitive Riftbound: League of Legends TCG deck on a budget — and price every card before you buy.

You don't need a huge budget to play **Riftbound** competitively. Here's how to build a strong deck cheaply — and price it before you buy.

## Start from a known list

The quickest budget route is to start from a proven decklist and trim the expensive cards. Paste any published list into the **[deck builder](/deck)** — it shows a **live build cost** card by card, so you can see what a deck costs in your region before committing.

## Price your deck before you buy

Paste any decklist into the **[deck pricer](/deck)** and it matches every card to its cheapest live price across stores, then totals it up. Tweak the list, re-price, and watch the cost drop — the fastest way to find the cheapest version of a deck.

## Budget-building tips

- **Lean on Commons and Uncommons** — they do most of the work for a fraction of chase-rare prices.
- **Use base printings, not alt-arts** — the base card plays identically for far less. RiftCompare labels each printing in the card name so you can pick the cheap base version on the **[card database](/browse)**.
- **Buy singles, not boxes** — for a specific list, singles are almost always cheaper.
- **Consolidate orders** — buying several cards from one store can unlock free shipping and beat splitting an order.
- **Price the whole list first** — the **[deck pricer](/deck)** totals a decklist across every store before you commit to buying.

[[shop]]

## Then find the cheapest cards

Once you've locked a list, **[search the database](/browse)** for each card and buy from whichever store is cheapest — or read our **[where to buy Riftbound cards guide](/guides/where-to-buy-riftbound-cards)** for the best option in your region.

Build smart, compare prices, and you'll have a competitive Riftbound deck without overspending.

Once you have a list, **[Best Basket](/guides/best-basket-cheapest-riftbound-deck)** finds the cheapest combination of stores to buy the whole thing from, postage included — usually not the one that is cheapest card by card.

## FAQ

**How do I build a cheap Riftbound deck?**

The quickest route is to start from a proven decklist and trim the expensive cards out of it, rather than building from scratch. Paste a published list into the [deck builder](/deck) and it shows a live build cost card by card, so you can see what the deck costs before committing.

**How much does a Riftbound deck cost to build?**

That depends on the list and where you shop, so it is worth pricing rather than guessing. Paste your decklist into the [deck pricer](/deck) and it matches every card to its cheapest live price across stores and totals it up.

**Is it cheaper to buy singles or booster boxes for a deck?**

If you are chasing a specific list, singles are almost always cheaper than opening boxes. Check the current prices of the cards you actually need on the [card database](/browse) before you decide.

**Do I need alt art cards to play Riftbound competitively?**

No — the base printing plays identically to the alt-art version and costs far less. RiftCompare labels each printing in the card name, so you can pick the cheap base version when you [browse the database](/browse).

**What rarities should I focus on in a budget Riftbound deck?**

Lean on Commons and Uncommons. They do most of the work in a deck for a fraction of what chase rares cost.

**Where is the cheapest place to buy a whole Riftbound decklist?**

It is usually not the store that is cheapest card by card, once postage is counted. [Best Basket](/guides/best-basket-cheapest-riftbound-deck) works out the cheapest combination of stores to buy the whole list from, postage included.

Source: https://riftcompare.com/guides/budget-riftbound-decks