Malcolm Graves, a popular "jungler" from Riot Games' popular MOBA League of Legends, is making his debut in the company's physical trading card game, Riftbound. The new card, titled Graves, Blasting Through, will be part of the upcoming Radiance set, scheduled for a global release on October 23.
Graves is characterized as a mercenary, gambler, and wanted criminal known for wielding a large double-barreled shotgun. In League of Legends, he is considered an S-tier jungler, a role focused on clearing neutral monster camps and ambushing enemy players. His prominence in the MOBA has led to his long-awaited inclusion in Riftbound.
Gameplay Mechanics of Graves, Blasting Through
Graves, Blasting Through is classified as a rare Champion Unit and requires 5 Energy and one Fury (Red) Rune to play. Upon entering the battlefield, he possesses 4 Might. His unique ability triggers whenever he attacks or defends, dealing damage equal to his Might to every enemy unit on the battlefield. Notably, this damage is not conventional combat damage.
This mechanic directly translates Graves' signature shotgun attack from League of Legends, where his basic attacks fire pellets in a wide cone, and his ultimate ability can damage multiple targets. In Riftbound, this translates to an area-of-effect ability that can potentially eliminate multiple enemy units simultaneously, rather than engaging them one-on-one.
Strategic Value and Limitations
With 4 base Might, Graves' ability is capable of eliminating several weaker enemy units outright when attacking or defending. The persistent threat of his ability, even when he is not actively attacking, can deter opponents from challenging a battlefield he occupies. This defensive trigger is particularly potent, forcing opponents to consider the splash damage he will inflict if they attempt to contest control.
Furthermore, Graves scales effectively with effects that increase his Might, enhancing both his survivability and his damage output. However, his 5 Energy cost is a significant investment for a unit with only 4 base Might, and he requires an attack or defense to activate his ability, leaving him vulnerable to immediate removal, stunning, or other forms of neutralization before he can act. Units that survive his blast can still retaliate, and Graves himself does not deal additional combat damage.
Despite these limitations, Graves' potential impact on the board is substantial. He can potentially clear an entire group of enemy units with a single ability activation, offering a powerful swing turn.
Deck Synergies
Graves belongs to the Fury Domain, making him compatible with any Legend whose dual-domain identity includes Fury. His ability is relatively self-contained, requiring no specific Legend or additional cards to function. He is particularly effective in Fury decks designed to manage crowded battlefields, especially when paired with cards that can boost his Might.
The full potential of Graves, Blasting Through will also depend on the introduction of a corresponding Graves Champion card in the Radiance set, as Riftbound decks require both a Legend and a Chosen Champion card featuring the same character. With preview season for Radiance underway, the anticipation is high for the reveal of Graves' Champion card, which will likely complement his existing unit card and further solidify his role in competitive play. His inclusion ensures that Graves will bring his aggressive playstyle to the forefront of Riftbound's strategic landscape.
