Unleashed keeps being the most surprising set in Riftbound's short history. This weekend was especially packed, with a regional tournament in each region, and both pointing in very different directions.
In Changsha, the leading trio dominated, with Irelia and Diana sharing the top four spots, while Master Yi took from #5 to #8, although one was a surprising Unleashed best from its Wuju Master form.
Utrecht on the other end, saw other legends battle for the win. Annie, Sett, Viktor and Darius reached their first top 8, while Irelia missed it for the first time in Unleashed. This could have jeopardized her spot in our rankings, but her win in Changsha made up for her disappointing top 32 in Utrecht.
With the first three spots still the same, the biggest shake-up this week is Azir joining the top tier due to being the third legend to win two regional wins. It is a bit odd for the only legend with just one win, Diana, to be ranked #1, but her steak over the past six regionals is too strong to ignore. Two semifinals and four finals, Diana could have won three regionals with a couple more wins in those big matches.
Behind the now four frontrunners, the situation is a bit more chaotic. Indeed, those with the most potential to challenge for a top 8 are losing momentum lately. Sivir, Vex or LeBlanc, a trio with multiple top cuts early in Unleashed, have all failed to be in a top 8 over the past three regionals.
Filling in for them are Annie, who finally managed to get to the quarterfinals, and legends with an irregular track record, such as Viktor, Sett or Rek'sai.
With very few large events in Unleashed, it is pretty clear what to expect from both regions. In China, the top tier legends are expected to dominate the competition. On the other hand, there is more room for another legend to make a deep run in the West. Lately, the fury domain has been doing quite well, with Rengar, Annie, Darius and Rek'Sai all in the last eight in either Vancouver or Utrecht. This feels like Western players have kept trying to innovate, and find ways to beat, or at least surprise the current metagame. Chinese players however, seem more keen on working with the established best legends.
Riftbound Unleashed Meta Tier List
Tournaments used to create this Meta Tier List:
- Suzhou Regional Open
- Sydney Regional Qualifier
- Xi'an Regional Open
- Vancouver Regional Qualifier
- Tianjin Regional Open
- Utrecht Regional Qualifier
- Changsha Regional Open
- 38 tournaments with 64+ players since May 15, 2026
| Tier | Legend Best Performance in Regional Tournaments Top Cut Performances in 64+ Tournaments |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Diana Chinese Regionals: Top 32 / Top 2 / Top 2 / Top 2 Western Regionals: Top 4 / Win / Top 4 64+ Players tournaments: 7 Win / 31 Top 8 |
| Tier 1 | Irelia Chinese Regionals: Top 2 / Top 4 / Top 8 / Win Western Regionals: Win / Top 8 / Top 32 64+ Players tournaments: 4 Win / 27 Top 8 |
| Tier 1 | Origins Master Yi Chinese Regionals: Win / Top 16 / Win / Top 8 Western Regionals: Top 16 / Top 4 / Top 8 64+ Players tournaments: 2 Win / 56 Top 8 |
| Tier 1 | Azir Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Win / Top 128 / Top 32 Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 8 / Win 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 17 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | LeBlanc Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 8 / Top 64 / Top 32 Western Regionals: Top 8 / Top 32 / Top 16 64+ Players tournaments: 6 Win / 18 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | Annie Chinese Regionals: Top 32 / Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 32 Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 16 / Top 8 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 3 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | Sivir Chinese Regionals: Top 4 / Top 32 / Top 256 / Top 128 Western Regionals: Top 2 / Top 8 / Top 32 64+ Players tournaments: 9 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | Ezreal Chinese Regionals: Top 8 / Top 32 / Top 32 / Top 32 Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 32 / Top 128 64+ Players tournaments: 2 Win / 8 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | Rek'Sai Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 256 / Top 4 / Top 128 Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 64 / Top 8 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 3 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | Vex Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 8 / Top 16 / Top 128 Western Regionals: Top 4 / Top 128 / Top 128 64+ Players tournaments: 17 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | Fiora Chinese Regionals: Top 32 / Top 32 / Top 16 / Top 64 Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 16 / Top 128 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 13 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | Viktor Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 64 Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 16 / Top 2 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 12 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | Rengar Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 32 / Top 128 Western Regionals: Top 16 / Top 2 / Top 32 64+ Players tournaments: 3 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | Kha'Zix Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 16 / Top 128 / Top 32 Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 32 / Top 64 64+ Players tournaments: 2 Top 8 |
| Tier 2 | Miss Fortune Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 32 / Top 32 / top 32 Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 128 64+ Players tournaments: 2 Win / 4 Top 8 |
| Tier 3 | Draven Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 16 / Top 64 Western Regionals: Top 16 / Top 64 / Top 64 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 6 Top 8 |
| Tier 3 | Sett Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 64 Western Regionals: Top 16 / Top 128 / Top 4 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 6 Top 8 |
| Tier 3 | Darius Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 16 / Top 64 / Top 64 Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 8 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8 |
| Tier 3 | Lillia Chinese Regionals: Top 32 / Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 64 Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 64 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 2 Top 8 |
| Tier 3 | Pyke Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 256 / Top 4 / Top 256 Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 32 / Top 128 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8 |
| Tier 3 | Kai'Sa Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 64 Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 16 / Top 256 64+ Players tournaments: 6 Top 8 |
| Tier 3 | Lux Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 32 / Top 512 Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 64 / Top 32 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8 |
| Tier 3 | Teemo Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 128 Western Regionals: Top 8 / Top 64 / Top 256 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8 |
| Tier 4 | Unleashed Yi Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 8 Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 512 / Top 256 64+ Players tournaments: None |
| Tier 4 | Poppy Chinese Regionals: Top 4 / Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 128 Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 64 / Top 256 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8 |
| Tier 4 | Volibear Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 256 Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 256 / Top 16 64+ Players tournaments: None |
| Tier 4 | Ahri Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 32 / Top 64 Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 256 / Top 512 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8 |
| Tier 4 | Jax Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 256 / Top 64 / Top 64 Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 512 / Top 256 64+ Players tournaments: None |
| Tier 4 | Lucian Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 256 Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 256 64+ Players tournaments: None |
| Tier 4 | Ornn Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 256 Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 256 / Top 256 64+ Players tournaments: None |
| Tier 4 | Vi Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 512 / Top 128 Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 256 64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top |
| Tier 5 | Jhin Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 256 / Top 256 / Top 256 Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 512 / Top 64 64+ Players tournaments: 2 Top 8 |
| Tier 5 | Yasuo Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 28 / Top 128 / Top 256 Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 256 / Top 128 64+ Players tournaments: None |
| Tier 5 | Lee Sin Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 128 Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 256 / Top 512 64+ Players tournaments: None |
| Tier 5 | Leona Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 128 Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 512 / Top 512 64+ Players tournaments: 1 top 8 |
| Tier 5 | Jinx Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 128 Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 512 / Top 256 64+ Players tournaments: 1 top 8 |
| Tier 5 | Ivern Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 256 / Top 256 Western Regionals: Top 512 / Top 256 / Top 256 64+ Players tournaments: None |
| Tier 5 | Renata Glasc Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 256 / Top 256 Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 256 / Top 1024 64+ Players tournaments: None |
| Tier 5 | Rumble Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 256 / Top 128 /Top 256 Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 512 / Top 1024 64+ Players tournaments: None |
| Tier 5 | Garen Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 512 / Top 256 Western Regionals: Top 512 / Top 512 / Top 512 64+ Players tournaments: None |
- Tier 1: Expected top cut performer and potential winner in high-stakes tournaments.
- Tier 2: Top 16 or 32 contender, typically a wins or two short of top 8.
- Tier 3: Expected to compete for Top 64 spots with an experienced pilot, combining both a good understanding of this legend and the tournament metagame.
- Tier 4: Competitive sparks here and there, capable to reach the top 64 when the draws align or in the right environment.
- Tier 5: Best-of cards are worth good money.
Tier 1
The main change to this first tier is the arrival of Azir, who earned his spot thanks to an undefeated run to win Utrecht.
With one more win in Chinese regional tournaments, Diana could be discussed as an S tier legend. Indeed, while she is the toughest legend to pilot out of these four, her three lost finals in Xi'an, Tianjing and now Changsha keep her a fair competitor while winning those three matches would have the Scorn of the Moon be discussed as a potential juggernaut.
Diana
Chinese Regionals: Top 32 / Top 2 / Top 2 / Top 2
Western Regionals: Top 4 / Win / Top 4
64+ Players tournaments: 7 Win / 31 Top 8
Irelia
Chinese Regionals: Top 2 / Top 4 / Top 8 / Win
Western Regionals: Win / Top 8 / Top 32
64+ Players tournaments: 4 Win / 27 Top 8
Master Yi - Wuju Bladesman
Chinese Regionals: Win / Top 16 / Win / Top 8
Western Regionals: Top 16 / Top 4 / Top 8
64+ Players tournaments: 2 Win / 56 Top 8
Azir
Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Win / Top 128 / Top 32
Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 8 / Win
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 17 Top 8
Tier 2
The pack of legends able to fight for a top 8 spot keeps growing, especially as four new ones reached that threshold for the first time in Utrecht. Obviously, more legends able to compete for a top 8 also means more will be disappointed not to reach it. Yet, this uncertainty as to whom will join Diana, Irelia and Master Yi at the top is what makes Unleashed tournaments so interesting to watch.
In the Chinese metagame, those top cut spots are much harder to earn. On average, Tier 1 legends represent half the competitors left in the quarterfinals, with the finals has been Diana against either Azir, Master Yi or Irelia three different times. In the west, there is a bit more room for other legends to fight for the win. Rengar reached the finals in Vancouver, while Viktor was the Cinderella story in Utrecht.
Overall, China seems to reward the ability to beat, or pilot, the top tier legends more than the western region. There, sheer skill and a clever list are the ultimate tiebreaker.
LeBlanc
Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 8 / Top 64 / Top 32
Western Regionals: Top 8 / Top 32 / Top 16
64+ Players tournaments: 6 Win / 18 Top 8
Annie
Chinese Regionals: Top 32 / Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 32
Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 16 / Top 8
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 3 Top 8
Sivir
Chinese Regionals: Top 4 / Top 32 / Top 256 / Top 128
Western Regionals: Top 2 / Top 8 / Top 32
64+ Players tournaments: 9 Top 8
Ezreal
Chinese Regionals: Top 8 / Top 32 / Top 32 / Top 32
Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 32 / Top 128
64+ Players tournaments: 2 Win / 8 Top 8
Rek'Sai
Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 256 / Top 4 / Top 128
Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 64 / Top 8
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 3 Top 8
Vex
Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 8 / Top 16 / Top 128
Western Regionals: Top 4 / Top 128 / Top 128
64+ Players tournaments: 17 Top 8
Fiora
Chinese Regionals: Top 32 / Top 32 / Top 16 / Top 64
Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 16 / Top 128
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 13 Top 8
Viktor
Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 64
Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 16 / Top 2
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 12 Top 8
Rengar
Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 32 / Top 128
Western Regionals: Top 16 / Top 2 / Top 32
64+ Players tournaments: 3 Top 8
Kha'Zix
Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 16 / Top 128 / Top 32
Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 32 / Top 64
64+ Players tournaments: 2 Top 8
Miss Fortune
Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 32 / Top 32 / top 32
Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 128
64+ Players tournaments: 2 Win / 4 Top 8
Tier 3
Draven, Sett and Darius all make a case for the upper Tier, but lack something to be undisputable Tier 2 contenders.
Dravens ends in the top 64 a lot more than it manages to keep its run alive, making the Glorious Executioner a solid pick to earn a continental invite, but typically unable to compete for.
Sett and Darius both got their big break in Utrecht, with a top 4 and 8 spot respectively. Unfortunately, unless you are a world class player, willing to spend countless hours refining your craft on that legend, you are more likely to miss, or barely make day 2.
This is more or less the story of every legend in this tier, except the more we go down the list, and the tougher the road to a top 64 spot will be.
Draven
Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 16 / Top 64
Western Regionals: Top 16 / Top 64 / Top 64
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 6 Top 8
Sett
Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 64
Western Regionals: Top 16 / Top 128 / Top 4
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 6 Top 8
Darius
Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 16 / Top 64 / Top 64
Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 8
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8
Lillia
Chinese Regionals: Top 32 / Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 64
Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 64
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Win / 2 Top 8
Pyke
Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 256 / Top 4 / Top 256
Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 32 / Top 128
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8
Kai'sa
Chinese Regionals: Top 16 / Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 64
Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 16 / Top 256
64+ Players tournaments: 6 Top 8
Lux
Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 32 / Top 512
Western Regionals: Top 256 / Top 64 / Top 32
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8
Teemo
Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 128
Western Regionals: Top 8 / Top 64 / Top 256
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8
Tier 4
Every legend in this tier got a pair of top 64 finishes or one deep run during a regional tournament.
Unfortunately, every legend in this tier also failed to make day 2 on multiple occasions.
Up until tier 3, a strong list is enough to compete for a top 64 spot, meaning a good deck builder could compete even without perfect piloting skills. Plus, even if the legends in the tier above have specific synergies or play styles tied to their ability, they can be played multiple ways, or at least have room for flexible or match-up specific cards.
With the legends in this tier, it feels like both deckbuilding and piloting need to be on their A game to stand a fighting chance. Indeed, all of these legends basically reveal their game plan at the moment their opponent knows who they are.
In that context, it takes a fantastic pilot, an hopefully a favorable metagame for these legends to compete with those in the upper tiers.
Master Yi - Wuju Master
Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 8
Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 512 / Top 256
64+ Players tournaments: None
Poppy
Chinese Regionals: Top 4 / Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 128
Western Regionals: Top 32 / Top 64 / Top 256
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8
Volibear
Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 256
Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 256 / Top 16
64+ Players tournaments: None
Ahri
Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 32 / Top 64
Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 256 / Top 512
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top 8
Vi
Chinese Regionals: Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 512 / Top 128
Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 256
64+ Players tournaments: 1 Top
Jax
Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 256 / Top 64 / Top 64
Western Regionals: Top 128 / Top 512 / Top 256
64+ Players tournaments: None
Lucian
Chinese Regionals: Top 256 / Top 128 / Top 64 / Top 256
Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 256
64+ Players tournaments: None
Ornn
Chinese Regionals: Top 64 / Top 128 / Top 128 / Top 256
Western Regionals: Top 64 / Top 256 / Top 256
64+ Players tournaments: None
Tier 5
Jhin finally got a good run in a regional tournament, reaching Utrecht's top 64 after failing to make day 2 in the previous six regional tournaments.
This is the Tier 5 highlight from a weekend packed with Riftbound tournaments, as most of those legends otherwise proved they simply don't have more than a top 128 in them. Typically, that performance will happen in the Chinese metagame, with 600 players competing rather than the 2.000 present in the West. There, 128 typically means playing in day 2, something several legends in this tier have yet to accomplish.
