Riot Games has quietly built a portfolio of tabletop experiences that are delighting deck-builders, miniature movers, and strategy gamers alike. Here’s a tour through three standout hobby titles set in the League universe: Legends of Runeterra, Mechs vs Minions, and the upcoming Riftbound.
League of Legends helped shape the rise of esports, delivering explosive matches, frantic team fights, and streamers whose volume rivaled their decision-making. But there’s a new frontier for Runeterra—and it’s not digital. Riot Games has quietly built a portfolio of tabletop experiences that are delighting deck-builders, miniature movers, and strategy gamers alike.
Here’s a tour through three standout hobby titles set in the League universe: Legends of Runeterra, Mechs vs Minions, and the upcoming Riftbound.
Legends of Runeterra marked Riot’s first major step into card gaming, and it hit the ground running. This digital TCG combines immersive lore, crisp animations, and deep mechanical complexity—all in a free-to-play package that respects your wallet. Champions like Jinx and Thresh don’t just show up—they evolve mid-game, transforming your playstyle as the match progresses.
One of the most engaging elements is its reactive gameplay. Rather than taking full turns like Magic: The Gathering, players alternate actions in short, strategic bursts, a style that fans of Altered will recognize. With each faction offering a distinct identity (Demacia’s noble aggression, Piltover’s tech-driven trickery) Runeterra rewards both creativity and careful planning.
Launched in 2016, Mechs vs Minions still ranks among the most beloved co-op board games, currently sitting at #80 on BoardGameGeek. In this campaign-based game, players embody Yordle engineers piloting clunky, chaotic mechs through waves of rampaging minions.
The core mechanic of simultaneous action programming is what makes it sing. Players have to quickly draft command cards and stack them into a register, then execute their actions in order. The result is a glorious blend of unintended consequences and laugh-out-loud moments. It also subtly solves the problem some coop games have of “quarterbacking,” as each player manages their own mech’s chaos. One moment you’re charging into battle, the next you’re spinning in place and accidentally flamethrowering a friend.
Between its inventive mechanics, modular campaign structure, and astonishing production value (painted minis, custom trays, sealed story envelopes), Mechs vs Minions is still a benchmark of what licensed games can be.
Coming October 2025, Riftbound is Riot’s first physical trading card game—and early looks suggest it’s going to make a splash. Developed in partnership with UVS Games, Riftbound brings League’s iconic champions to life with original art, diverse strategies, and plenty of personality.
The launch set, Origins, includes over 300 cards and features champions like Jinx, Viktor, and Lee Sin. New players can start with 56-card Champion Decks, while collectors and competitive players can explore booster packs and the multiplayer-ready Proving Grounds starter set. The inclusion of acrylic standees (inspired by games like Altered) adds table presence without compromising gameplay speed.
Riftbound supports 1v1 duels, 2v2 team battles, and free-for-all brawls—making it just as viable for casual kitchen-table chaos as it is for the tournament scene.
Each of these games captures something essential about the League of Legends experience:
Legends of Runeterra channels the tense, tactical pacing of a good duel.
Mechs vs Minions brings the late game team fight feel to the table.
Riftbound promises big plays, big personalities, and big replay value.
What’s clear is that Riot isn’t just reskinning existing ideas, well maybe Altered's, they’re investing in smart, fun design that makes sense for both the theme and the mechanics. Whether you're a longtime LoL player or someone new to Runeterra, there’s something here for you to shuffle, draft, or smash.
And with Riftbound on the horizon, it’s safe to say: Runeterra isn’t just conquering the Rift—it’s taking over the tabletop too.
