Riftbound, the League of Legends card game, has launched its fifth booster set, Radiance, featuring a collaboration with Riot Games Music. The set introduces new mechanics, new Legends such as Evelynn and Mordekaiser, and two-player starter decks centered around Evelynn and Seraphine. This music-themed expansion also includes content related to Riot's musical groups K/DA and HEARTSTEEL.
Radiance brings three new keywords: Deploy, Show Off, and Disarm. Deploy offers a new approach to gear, focusing on battlefield control. For example, the Bushwhack Trap gear allows for hidden cards to be played on a controlled battlefield, even when one card is already present. Show Off enables players to activate certain abilities by revealing a card from their hand or a friendly card on the field. The spell Rousing Display, for instance, allows a player to reveal a card with an energy cost of 7 or more to play four token units instead of two. Disarm functions as the inverse of Assault, reducing an enemy unit's might during an attack rather than increasing the attacker's own might. The author notes that the Deploy keyword adds a strategic layer, requiring consideration of timing and battlefield control, with a counterplay of simply holding the battlefield to remove deployed gear.
The included two-player starter decks, Evelynn vs. Seraphine Showdown Decks, are designed to introduce new players to the set's mechanics and Legends. The Evelynn deck emphasizes hiding cards for advantages, with Legend Evelynn Agony's Embrace allowing card draws when a hidden or facedown card is revealed. The Bandle Scouts' Academy battlefield also grants a Gold gear token when a card is hidden. Champion unit Evelynn In Control provides an additional point if she occupies a battlefield with a facedown card. In contrast, the Seraphine deck focuses on deploying numerous units to maximize card effects. Legend Seraphine Starry-Eyed Songstress can exhaust herself and three friendly units to reduce a spell's cost, while champion unit Seraphine Not Alone gains might for each other exhausted unit controlled. The author found the Evelynn deck to be quicker to set up than the Seraphine deck, which they felt was slower due to its reliance on Show Off and higher-cost cards.
For competitive play, players might consider incorporating cards into existing meta decks. The Irelia Blade Dancer deck, which utilizes Calm (green) and Chaos (purple) colors and focuses on spells and unit survivability, could benefit from cards like Satchel Charge, which moves a friendly unit and places a bomb token on a battlefield. Hush is suggested as a counter to expensive cards, and the Resplendent Rostrum gear could offer a might buff, hand refresh, and rune count restoration.
The Azir Emperor of the Sands deck, a Calm (green) and Order (yellow) build that relies on equipment and Sand Soldier tokens, could integrate new spells. Battle Preparations grants a unit might and can ready two runes if a gear card is Show Off-ed. Command: Attack allows players to search their deck for a gear card. Raucous Anthem can ready units and grant them might for the turn, potentially aiding in offensive pushes.
Beyond established Legends, Ziggs Hexplosives Expert, capable of placing bomb tokens on battlefields, is highlighted for its disruptive potential. Paired with Ziggs Short-Fused, these bombs can deal extra damage. Units with Deflect are noted as a counter to bomb mechanics. The Fury (red) and Chaos (purple) colors of Ziggs may also allow for synergy with cards from the Draven archetype, such as Falling Star or Kai-Sa Survivor.
The musical collaboration within Radiance, featuring K/DA and HEARTSTEEL, is a significant aspect of the set. This theme aligns with Riot Games' broader musical initiatives, as noted by executive producer Chengran Chai, who stated the team leaned into a "music moment towards the end of the year." This aspect of the set is intended to appeal to both players and fans of Riot's music groups.
Overall, the Radiance set offers new gameplay mechanics and unique cards, alongside a notable crossover with Riot Games Music. The introduction of new keywords and the thematic musical collaborations are expected to impact the game's competitive landscape and attract a broader audience to the Riftbound community.