Key information
Riftbound’s fifth set, Radiance, is launching with musically-inspired designs and new mechanics intended to disrupt the current meta. Executive producer Chengran Chai notes that these additions aim to increase the game's strategic complexity.
Radiance introduces three primary keywords: Disarm, Show Off, and Deploy. Disarm reduces an enemy unit's might, while Show Off grants additional effects if a qualifying card is revealed during play. Deploy allows Gear to be placed directly onto a battlefield, though it is destroyed if an opponent holds that location. Chai suggests Deploy will significantly alter defensive strategies.
Reviewer Casey DeFreitas found the new mechanics challenging but rewarding. While the Bomb strategy requires careful management to be effective, the Jarvan IV Legend ability provides strong synergy with Deployable Gear. DeFreitas noted that while the set adds significant depth, its complexity might be daunting for absolute beginners compared to previous releases.
Radiance features various collectible cards, including Riot Games music crossovers like Heartsteel and K/DA. The set’s rarest card, the Packed Amphitheater Battlefield, appears in approximately 0.025% of booster packs. Pre-Rift tournaments begin at local game stores on Oct. 16, with general retail availability for booster boxes and packs starting Oct. 23.
