# Riftbound for Beginners: How to Start

_2026-06-08 (updated 2026-08-13) · RiftCompare_

New to Riftbound: League of Legends TCG? Here's how the game works, how to start playing, and exactly what to buy first without overspending.

## The short version

- **Riftbound is Riot Games' physical League of Legends card game**, published in English by UVS Games — a real, official product, not a fan project.
- **The cheapest way in is a ready-to-play product** (a preconstructed deck or a Proving Grounds kit), not a booster box.
- **Five sets are out so far**: Origins, Origins: Proving Grounds, Spirit Forged, Unleashed and Vendetta — see [every set in order](/guides/riftbound-sets-in-order) for the full picture, including what's next.
- Coming from League of Legends itself rather than another card game? [Here's how the two connect](/guides/is-there-a-league-of-legends-card-game).

**Riftbound** is the **League of Legends Trading Card Game** from Riot Games (published in English by UVS Games). If you're brand new, here's how to start playing — and exactly what to buy first without overspending.

## What is Riftbound?

Riftbound is a collectible card game set in the League of Legends universe. You build a deck around a **Legend** (your champion) using cards across the game's domains — **Fury, Calm, Mind, Body, Chaos, Order** and Colorless — and card types like **Units, Spells, Gear, Runes and Battlefields**. Five sets have released so far: **Origins (OGN)**, **Origins: Proving Grounds**, **Spirit Forged (SFD)**, **Unleashed (UNL)** and **Vendetta (VEN)** — see [every Riftbound set in order](/guides/riftbound-sets-in-order) if you want the full picture, including what's coming next. Coming from the video game rather than another card game? [Here's exactly how Riftbound connects to League of Legends](/guides/is-there-a-league-of-legends-card-game).

Want the full rules before you buy anything? The **[interactive learn page](/learn)** walks through a whole game step by step, domain by domain, free and with no signup.

## The easiest way to start

1. **Grab a ready-to-play product.** A preconstructed deck or a Proving Grounds kit gives you a complete, playable deck out of the box — the cheapest way in. Compare prices on the **[sealed products page](/sealed)**.
2. **Learn the deck**, then upgrade it card-by-card with **[singles](/browse)** — far cheaper than buying booster boxes hoping to pull what you need.
3. **Find the cheapest copies** with RiftCompare — see our **[where to buy Riftbound cards guide](/guides/where-to-buy-riftbound-cards)**.

## What to buy first (on a budget)

- **A preconstructed / Proving Grounds deck** — instant playability.
- **A handful of singles** to upgrade weak spots — look up exact prices on the **[card database](/browse)**.
- **Skip the chase cards at first** — alt-arts and Signatures look great but aren't needed to play well.

## Tips for new players

- **Browse the meta** on the **[decks page](/decks)** to see what top players run — and what it costs to build.
- **Price it before you buy** — drop a decklist into the **[deck pricer](/deck)** to see the full cost across stores before committing.

Ready to dive in? **[Browse the Riftbound card database](/browse)** or **[compare sealed products](/sealed)** to get started.

## FAQ

**What do I need to start playing Riftbound?**

A single preconstructed deck or Proving Grounds kit is enough to play your first game — it comes complete and ready to play, no singles required.

**Is Riftbound expensive to get into?**

Not if you start right. A preconstructed deck is a fixed, modest cost, and you can upgrade it one card at a time with cheap singles rather than buying booster boxes hoping to pull what you need.

**How many Riftbound sets are there for a beginner to worry about?**

Five have released — Origins, Origins: Proving Grounds, Spirit Forged, Unleashed and Vendetta — but you don't need to know all of them to start. A single starter deck from any set is a complete, playable game on its own.

**Do I need to learn the full rules before buying anything?**

No — buy or borrow a starter deck first, then learn by playing. RiftCompare's interactive learn page walks through a full game step by step if you want the rules before you sit down.

Source: https://riftcompare.com/guides/riftbound-for-beginners