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Riftbound is quickly becoming one of the most exciting new TCGs on the scene. With so much hype leading up to its western release this Fall, it's becoming a common question of how to actually go about playing Riftbound TCG. Of course, before you can get your hands on your cards, you can print out proxies and go about playing in paper. But, is there a way to play online?
As of yet, there's no official way to play Riftbound online, as Riot haven't announced a digital client for the game whatsoever. But, there are a number of workarounds that people have been using to be able to access the game in a playtest-like state.
None of these are an endorsement of any tools and are only meant to represent how people are playing currently, and most of these could disappear in the time between now and the official tabletop release of the game. But, this guide will go over all the ways that people are playing Riftbound right now, as an example to help understand just how people are playing Riftbound in the build up to release.
Is there an official Riftbound client?
No, as of right now, Riot have not announced a way to be able to officially play Riftbound online with your friends, and are solely dedicated to the Tabletop version of the game. This could change in the future, though, as they do already have the infrastructure for a digital TCG with Legends of Runeterra, but right now their focus seems to be at the tabletop.
This does make a lot of sense looking at the wider TCG market right now. Lots of traditional TCGs are shying away from the digital world (such as Magic: The Gathering Arena) and looking towards tabletop play as the future. And, as we sit among the "death of eSports", it's not looking like a great time to invest resources into a digital TCG client, especially as physical collectibles are more popular than ever.
With this, I don't think Riot will stay away from the digital world forever. But, for now, it's definitely not a priority, which definitely feels like a strong choice in the short-term. Whether they'll be able to support the game well enough to fully forgo the digital aspects, as games like Flesh and Blood and One Piece TCG have succeeded with, is yet to be seen, though.
Ways to Play Riftbound Online
Webcam
Of course, there's always the possibility of playing over webcam with your friends. This would require printing out proxies and then using webcams to be able to play the game as though you're playing on a tabletop.
This can be really fun, especially if you're a fan of actually playing the game with your hands, and will always be there as a way to playtest and have fun with long-distance friends forever. All you really need to do is own some kind of webcam and hover it over your playspace, and you're set to go.
Generally speaking, though, this requires more setup and is less plug-and-play than some of the other options. But, playing over webcam is always a good time if you've got the time to set it up and get going with it. It's my favourite way to play remotely, and nothing for me will ever beat the feeling of physical cardboard in my palms.
Tabletop Simulator
Tabletop Simulator is a game on the Steam Store that's popular for simulating tabletop games online, and is run completely by the Steam Workshop. With this, Workshop Mods exist that allow you to play Riftbound fully, with the ability to import decks and useful features such as a ready button and smart battlefields.
It's a bit difficult to get used to at first, and can be quite overwhelming, and also costs money to play on. But, this is my favourite digital way to play, as it basically provides a 1:1 translation of the tabletop experience digitally, with the ability to control the game manually rather than providing an automated rules system.
Pixelborn
Pixelborn is a fan-made playtesting client made by Pavel "Eraziell" K. It was initially an unofficial made for Disney's Lorcana, but had to be shut down due to an official request from Disney to do so. Ever since, it's been adjusted for use for Riftbound, has gained popularity ever since. Importantly, this is not an official way to play Riftbound, and will probably eventually get taken down by Riot.
There are a few issues with it, as it does have a pretty messy and unpolished UI compared to other TCG clients, even unofficial ones, and it's a little bit clunky due to it being a game rather than a simple simulator. On top of this, a load of cards haven't been programmed in, and so right now most decks aren't playable. But, it's still a way to play casually online provided it sticks around, and has a matchmaking system meaning that you can always find players.
Ultimately, Pixelborn is definitely interesting but probably the worst of the three currently, as it's missing a lot and doesn't really provide the complete gameplay experience that the other methods provide. But, especially if you need a matchmade way to learn the game and like the idea of an automated rules engine, Pixelborn may be of interest provided you're ready for it to shut down at a moment's notice.
Closing Time
With Riftbound's release on the horizon, lots of people are becoming more and more intrigued and wanting to try out the game. But, with no digital client available, it can be difficult to try out the game with friends. These are some of the workarounds people have been using to be able to play the game in the meantime.
If you're looking for Riftbound content as we approach the game's release, check out the rest of Riftbound.gg's content! We've got a ton of guides and information headed your way as we learn more about the game, so keep an eye out and make sure that you don't miss out.
In any case, thank you for your time, and see you in the stars.
