4 min read

If you’re even remotely into gaming, you’ve probably heard of League of Legends (LoL) . It’s one of the biggest esports games ever. But now Riot Games is coming out with something new that I, as a collector and TCG enthusiast, am immediately excited about: their own League of Legends Trading Card Game (TCG) .

In this blog I'll tell you what League of Legends exactly is, how Riot is making the move to a physical card game, and what you can expect from this new TCG.

What is League of Legends anyway?

For those who don't know LoL: it's a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena), released by Riot Games in 2009 . Two teams of five players compete against each other on the well-known map Summoner's Rift . Each player chooses a champion , with unique skills and a unique playing style. The goal? Destroy the opponent's base.

However, League of Legends has long been more than just a game. Think of the animated series Arcane , music projects like K/DA and Pentakill , but also board games and other spin-offs. The LoL universe is enormous. The step to a physical TCG therefore fits in perfectly with how Riot is expanding their world further and further.

Why did Riot choose to have its own TCG?

As you know, Riot already has experience with card games through Legends of Runeterra . However, this new project is different. It is a physical collectible card game , with real cards that you can hold, trade and of course play with.

Riot hasn’t shared all the details yet, but they have confirmed that it will be a competitive TCG . A game that is not only aimed at collectors, but also tournament players. As a collector, that immediately makes me curious, because that usually means: multiple sets, weird cards, alt-art prints and maybe even holofoils.

What will the League of Legends TCG look like?

Riot chooses to base the game mechanics on the different regions of Runeterra . You may already know this from Legends of Runeterra. Think of:

  • Demacia
  • Noxus
  • Ionia
  • Pill & Zaun
  • Freljord

Each region has its own style, strategy and type of cards. That will probably make deckbuilding quite interesting. So you can choose a deck that fits your favorite champions or regions.

There is talk of different types of cards, such as:

  • Champions – the core of your deck, probably the rarer cards
  • Spells – based on the abilities from the game
  • Followers / Units – support cards to influence the battle
  • Landmarks / Items – additional effects that can turn the game around

That sounds promising, especially since Riot is directly appealing to both fans of the game and TCG collectors.

What can you expect as a collector?

I find it particularly interesting that Riot is opting for a booster pack structure , similar to Pokémon and Magic . So there will be individual boosters, but probably also starter decks and pre-constructed decks . Ideal for new players, but also handy if you want to have a basic deck quickly.

What I hope for myself? That Riot will choose high quality cards. Think sturdy cardstock, beautiful prints and maybe even limited editions or promo cards. Such details make the difference between a simple card game and a game that is also truly valued as a collector's item.

However, it remains to be seen how they will build the rarity structure exactly. Will they go for Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary? Or will they choose their own system? For collectors, that is of course important information.

My view as a TCG expert

As someone who has been active in the TCG world for years, I see a lot of potential in this project. Riot has the fanbase, the characters and the world to make something beautiful out of it. They have also shown with Runeterra that they understand how a good card game works.

What really makes this League of Legends TCG strong is how well they balance playability and collectibility . Sets with strong gameplay and cards that collectors want, that's the formula for success.

Still, it is important to remain critical. Are there not too many cards being printed? What about the quality of the foils? And how well are the competitive elements supported? These kinds of questions will ultimately determine how seriously this TCG will be taken within the community.

Finally, will this TCG stick?

Whether the League of Legends TCG will really get a permanent place among big names like Pokémon and Magic? Only time will tell. But let's be honest: the ingredients are there. Strong characters, a rich world, and a huge community.

As soon as more is known about the first sets, the exact rules or release date, you will of course read it at RareCards.nl. In any case, I will keep a close eye on it and I am sure that many other TCG lovers will do the same.