Riot Games is set to release Vendetta, the fourth expansion for its League of Legends trading card game, on July 31. Ahead of its launch, a hands-on preview offered a deep dive into the set's new mechanics, Empower, Burn, and Flow, as demonstrated by the new Zed vs. Shen Showdown decks.
New Keywords: Empower, Burn, and Flow
Vendetta introduces three new keywords designed to create fresh strategic possibilities. Empower allows players to activate an additional ability on a card, typically by expending runes or banishing another card. Senior designer Jon Moormann likened Empower to an alternative way of drawing cards, providing players with more options for board development when they have excess runes but limited card plays. Moormann highlighted that Body cards (orange) and Legends like Ambessa (red/yellow) feature heavily in Empower mechanics. For Legends, Empower can upgrade their abilities from an early-game state to a more potent version. The Zed Legend, for instance, utilizes Empower to enhance its offensive capabilities.
Burn involves sending cards from the top of the deck to the trash. While some cards can inflict Burn on opponents, its primary utility lies in synergy with the Flow mechanic. Flow enables players to cast cards from their trash for their Flow cost, after which they are banished. Moormann explained that Flow effectively provides 'free cards,' especially when combined with mechanics that encourage discarding or burning cards.
Examples of cards benefiting from Burn and Flow include the Jinx Legend, whose variants gain advantages from discards. The battlefield Minefield is also noted to become more valuable with Flow mechanics, offering multiple opportunities to draw into Flow cards. Red Rumble, Hotheaded, is another card that synergizes with Burn mechanics.
Zed vs. Shen Showdown Decks
Vendetta introduces two-player Showdown Decks, with the initial offering being Zed vs. Shen. Each $34.99 USD box contains two complete 56-card preconstructed decks, each including 40 cards, 12 runes, one Champion Legend, and three battlefields, along with two Vendetta booster packs. The Zed deck is designed for aggressive, fast-paced plays, while Shen focuses on defensive strategies and protecting its units.
Legend Zed, Master of Shadows, leverages the new mechanics for offense, utilizing Burn and Flow to bring Shadow Clones into play. Legend Shen, Eye of Twilight, on the other hand, is a more straightforward defensive Legend. Shen's playstyle revolves around a 'Hold' strategy, encouraging players to maintain exactly two units on the battlefield to receive significant payoffs. Shen's Champion Units offer additional benefits when paired with exactly one other unit: Shen, Leader of the Kinkou Order (yellow) provides an extra point, and Shen, Scourge of the Shadows (green) draws a card.
During a hands-on session, playing as Zed proved challenging without prior knowledge, while Shen's defensive approach felt more accessible. The preconstructed decks were described as evenly matched, with Shen excelling at holding the board and Zed at aggressive offense. Both decks effectively showcase Vendetta's new mechanics, alongside established ones like Tank, Shield, Assault, Ambush, and movement triggers.
The Vendetta expansion will release globally on July 31, featuring over 160 cards, 50 Showcase cards, and nine Champion Legends. Prerelease events at local game stores will begin on July 24, offering an early opportunity to experience the new set.