The Event Recap
Last Friday, we hosted our first Riftbound Nexus Night tournament. The event was completely free to enter, with Nexus Night packs distributed at the end, and we filled every available spot with sixteen players.
After three rounds, two competitors remained undefeated: Zachary Viel piloting a control-style Teemo list, and Mathieu Duquesne on Miss Fortune Aurora. Both players have been testing since Riftbound was first announced, and it shows. Zachary even claimed the title of Riftbound Proxies League Champion, so their lists and piloting were both top-notch.
TEEMO CONTROL
MISS FORTUNE AURORA
Tournament Structure and Timing
If you participated, you likely noticed that the rounds ran long. With 55-minute rounds plus five active turns, even a small, three-round event stretches into the evening.
That should improve as players get more comfortable with card effects and gameplay interactions. Riftbound is still brand new for almost everyone, so once players recognize cards on sight, the pace will naturally increase.
Prizing and Support
One highlight was the Nexus Night packs themselves; they actually contain valuable cards. Pulling cards like GGEZ Teemo or rare runes gives real excitement and reward to local play. It’s a refreshing difference compared to other TCGs where local-event packs can feel lackluster.
Credit goes to UVS Games for offering free support kits to stores hosting events. It’s a strong move that helps grow the community.
As a smaller retailer, our main challenge right now is the lack of additional Riftbound product to give out as prizes. Every shipment sells out immediately, and even store credit loses appeal when there’s no product left to purchase. It’s a good sign of demand, but still a limitation for organizers.
Gameplay Impressions
Coming from years of playing Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon TCG, I can say that Riftbound successfully blends some of the best mechanics from across the genre.
Having one deck for playable cards and a separate one for resources (runes) makes games flow smoothly and avoids the frustrating “mana screw” issue that plagues many TCGs. It reminds me of the One Piece TCG DON!! system, another design that keeps the pace consistent and decision-making strategic.
The ability to interact during both your own and your opponent’s turns adds another layer of complexity, much like Magic’s instant-speed plays. It raises the skill ceiling without locking new players out, which is exactly what a healthy competitive game needs. Riftbound strikes that balance well: accessible for newcomers, but deep enough for veterans.
Community and Player Feedback
Feedback from players, both at Hobby Expert and at other stores, has been overwhelmingly positive. The general consensus: Riftbound feels great to play, looks fantastic, and hits the sweet spot between competition and collectibility.
The League of Legends theme resonates strongly, the artwork is impressive, and the mechanics encourage both strategy and creativity. As someone who has played League for over twelve years and TCGs for about ten, this one immediately clicked for me. I told myself I was done playing new card games, but Riftbound changed that.
Final Thoughts
If I had to rate it, Riftbound earns a solid 8.5 out of 10. Everything from gameplay design to card art and pacing is excellent. The only drawback is product availability, which currently limits what stores can offer players.
Once supply catches up with demand, Riftbound has everything it needs to become a major player in the competitive TCG scene.
Join the Next Nexus Night
Want to experience Riftbound firsthand?
Visit our Events Page or follow Hobby Expert on social media to stay informed about upcoming Nexus Nights, decklists, and future tournaments.
Ready to try Riftbound TCG? Browse our Riftbound Collection.
