Riot Games' trading card game Riftbound is set to introduce a new layer of deckbuilding complexity with its upcoming fourth expansion, Vendetta. The set will feature the debut of Champion Legends with opposing domains, allowing players to combine card colors with traditionally conflicting core ideals. Senior designer Jon Moormann discussed the rationale behind selecting Kennen, Akali, and Jayce as the inaugural champions for these unique color pairings.
Akali: Fury and Calm
The Akali, Rogue Assassin Legend card merges the Red (Fury) and Green (Calm) domains. Its primary ability allows players to move a friendly unit in a showdown to their base on their turn, with an added effect to ready the unit if it is Empowered. Empowered is a new keyword in Vendetta that players can activate on their turn for a cost, granting the card an additional ability. Moormann explained that Akali's Champion Units are designed to synergize with her Legend, focusing on ability and attack triggers. The strategy encourages aggressive plays followed by tactical retreats, mirroring Akali's playstyle in League of Legends. Her Signature Spell, Shuriken Flip, is a low-cost card that facilitates this approach.
Jayce: Body and Mind
Jayce, Defender of Tomorrow, embodies the Orange (Body) and Blue (Mind) domains. His Legend card allows players to ready a gear by exhausting one rune, and if the gear is Empowered, two gears can be readied for the same cost. This design reflects a two-stage approach where the Legend is initially less powerful but can be enhanced through investment. Moormann described Jayce's playstyle as combo-oriented, revolving around deploying and readying gears and units. The inclusion of Hextech Gears further enhances this synergy.
Kennen: Order and Chaos
Kennen, Heart of the Tempest, represents the Yellow (Order) and Purple (Chaos) domains. This pairing is designed to showcase the new Flow mechanic, which allows cards to be played from the trash for a cost before being banished. Kennen's Legend grants Assault 2 to an Attacker when a card is played from outside the hand, but this ability disempowers the Legend, requiring it to be re-empowered. This interplay between playing cards from unexpected zones and managing the Legend's state is central to Kennen's kit. The new Burn mechanic, which sends cards from the top of the main deck to the trash, also complements Kennen's abilities and his Signature Spell, Lightning Rush. Moormann noted that the Order and Chaos domain pairing was the most challenging to design thematically and mechanically.
Vendetta is scheduled for release on July 31 and will include over 160 cards, 50 Showcase cards, and nine Champion Legends. The expansion aims to set a new standard for Champion Legends in future sets. The opposing domain Legends, while challenging to implement, are expected to appear again in future Riftbound expansions.