Legends of Runeterra

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–PUBLISHER: Riot Games | DEVELOPER: Riot Games
–GENRE: TCG| THEME: Fantasy
–PLATFORM: Download | STATUS: Open Beta (PC) Upcoming 2020 (Android, iOS)

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Legends of Runeterra is Riot Games' trading card game based on the acclaimed MOBA League of Legends. It is also shaping up to be the second game ever released by the studio that achieved fame with a single game.

Despite missing the stride of digital card games, of which Blizzard's Hearthstone represented the peak, Legends of Runeterra has a few things vouching for it. For one, the rich lore of League of Legends inspires the gameplay and the cards, with familiar Champions joining new faces in a battle that is filled with strategy, spells, and unexpected twists. This is a game where skill matters, as you combine cards for important buffs and use spells to turn the tables at the very last moment.

Contrary to other digital card games, the best decks in Legends of Runeterra don't happen by chance. Instead of being forced to purchase random card packs, in this game you purchase the card that you want from the store, but you also earn cards as you play. This design decision removes most of the randomness that comes with such games and gives players a nice incentive to create great decks in Legends of Runeterra without hoping for a lucky streak. Gameplay is dynamic and enables surprising comebacks as you resort to units or spells that you know exactly which kind of reaction they are going to cause.

Champions aren't static either; they level up as long as you fulfill certain conditions. You can learn new abilities, create combos, and ultimately take down the enemy's Nexus.

Every Champion and card comes from one of six regions in Runeterra: Demacia, Noxus, Freljord, Piltover & Zaun, Ionia, and the Shadow Isles. You can combine a couple of these regions in one deck, allowing for a diverse deck that isn't limited by a single Champion and corresponding units.

With free weekly chests and a gameplay style where you will always grow your deck in victory or defeat, Legends of Runeterra is aiming to become the most popular TCG yet. With the backing of League of Legends and a committed player base, it may well turn out to be the case.