Riftbound’s first set, Origins, hasn’t even fully dropped in English yet, but from what I’ve played and seen so far, I have strong confidence this TCG is going to carve out a lasting spot in the collectible card game scene. The design feels sharp, the flavor is full of League of Legends energy, and there’s enough strategic depth that I don’t see it fading anytime soon.
So when Set 2, Spiritforged, was teased, my excitement jumped immediately. Based on the early reveals, here’s what I hope to see (and what I think we will see) in this next chapter of Riftbound.
What we know so far about Riftbound: Spiritforged
Spiritforged is set to introduce more than 200 new cards to Riftbound’s growing roster, alongside two new Champion Decks designed to make it easy for players to dive straight in. Several new Champions are confirmed for the expansion, including Ezreal, Fiora, Irelia, Lucian, and Rumble—each bringing their own signature mechanics and playstyles that promise to shake up the current meta. The set launches in December 2025 in China, followed by an English release in February 2026.
This expansion is meant to build on the strong foundations of Origins rather than reinvent the wheel. Expect more original artwork, tighter card design, and additional alt-art variants to collect. The early details suggest that booster boxes will still contain 14-card packs, keeping consistency for players while expanding the card pool significantly.
Legends I’d love to see in Riftbound: Spiritforged
While the confirmed lineup is already exciting, I’ve got my own shortlist of Legends I’d love to see debut in Spiritforged, or at least teased for a future release.
At the top of that list is Ornn, the demigod of forging himself. If there’s any champion that embodies the “Spiritforged” name, it’s Ornn. If we’re taking the set name literally, it feels like such a natural fit that I’d be shocked if he doesn’t appear.
Then there’s Sion, one of my favorite Legends from League of Legends and a character who could easily define an entire archetype. His unstoppable undead nature would be perfect for a “Deathrattle” or graveyard synergy mechanic. Imagine a deck that thrives on destruction, every fallen ally triggering devastating effects that bring Sion closer to his rampaging peak.
And of course, I have to include Shyvana, my all-time favorite. She’s been at the top of my wishlist since Riftbound was first announced. I’ve always pictured her as the perfect candidate for a dual-sided or “flip” card mechanic, transforming between her human and dragon forms based on some kind of rage counter. Even if it doesn’t happen in Spiritforged, I’ll keep holding out hope that she’ll make her fiery entrance soon.
What I hope Spiritforged brings
Beyond the champions themselves, I’m hoping Spiritforged deepens Riftbound’s mechanical variety. Thematically, the name alone hints at ideas like transformation, reforging, and rebirth. That could mean new ways to upgrade cards, bring fallen units back stronger, or channel the lingering energy of defeated allies into new plays.
I’d also love to see the set expand regional or faction identity. Origins did a great job establishing the flavor of each faction, but there’s plenty of room to reward players who build around a single theme or region. On the flip side, flexible hybrid decks—combining champions or mechanics from different regions—could open up even more creative strategies. Spiritforged feels like the perfect opportunity to strike that balance.
For newer players, I hope the next wave of Champion Decks continues to make the game approachable. Riftbound is easy to learn but has surprising depth, and having ready-to-play decks themed around iconic champions helps lower the barrier to entry. It’d also be great to see some story-driven content that ties the world of Runeterra more directly into the cards—mini campaigns, lore inserts, or even flavor text that builds bridges between Origins and Spiritforged.
Why Spiritforged feels like a big deal
There’s something special about how Riot is handling Riftbound’s rollout. Announcing a second set before the first even releases in English signals long-term confidence. Riftbound already has strong momentum behind it, and Spiritforged could be the moment where it fully establishes its identity. Between the new champions, the expanded card pool, and the potential for fresh mechanics, this feels like the point where the game’s meta—and its community—will really start to take shape.
I’m especially curious to see how cards from Origins and Spiritforged interact. Early metas are always fun to watch, but when two sets start to blend, that’s when deck-building creativity really shines. Whether it’s forging weapons, resurrecting spirits, or unlocking the full power of a champion like Rumble or Irelia, there’s a lot of room for innovation.
Final Thoughts
Riftbound has already made a strong first impression, but Spiritforged feels like the true test of what this TCG can become. It’s the set that will determine whether Riftbound is just a promising experiment or a new heavyweight in the trading card scene.
Personally, I’m all in. The blend of League of Legends flavor and modern TCG design has already hooked me, and Spiritforged looks like the perfect next step. Between the 200+ new cards, new champions, and all the potential for mechanics tied to forging, death, and transformation, I can’t wait to see where this set takes the game.
Stay tuned for my hands-on impressions of Riftbound: Origins soon.
