Your Guide to Purchasing Riftbound: League of Legends Starter Sets, Booster Boxes, and Exclusive Merchandise
As a pro gamer familiar with product drops and scalper cycles, I walk you through the best buys for Riot Games‘ first physical TCG, Riftbound. This guide explains where to shop, what to prioritize, and how to avoid inflated listings while staying ready to play League of Legends-themed card battles.
Where to Buy Riftbound Starter Sets and Booster Boxes
Retail availability has been volatile since the set launch, so knowing which outlets restock reliably matters. Riot’s own store ships when in stock but may carry a shipping fee, while national retailers vary by region.
- Buy direct from Riot Games when stock is available; expect a shipping fee around $20.
- Check local game stores (LGS) for restocks and event promos — great for singles and community play.
- Major retailers: Amazon, Walmart, Target, GameStop — watch for official restock windows and MSRP listings.
- Collector and resale markets: eBay, TCGPlayer — useful for singles but often marked up for sealed product.
- Pop culture vendors sometimes carry special sets: Hot Topic and Merchoid may stock exclusive merch packs.
Read the English release details and the Riot release announcement for official windows and pre-order notes.
Choosing the right shop first saves money and secures product without relying on scalpers.
Proving Grounds Starter Set: Best First Purchase
The Proving Grounds starter box is the recommended entry point for casual and group play. It’s designed to teach players and get a four-player match running quickly.
- Contents: Four prebuilt decks featuring Annie, Garen, Lux, and Master Yi.
- Price: Street MSRP settles around $29.99 when restocked.
- Value: Each deck includes upgrade suggestions so you can use Origins booster packs to refine a list.
Maya, a pro player I coach, used the starter to introduce teammates at a house session; within two evenings they felt comfortable upgrading decks from singles and a couple of booster packs.
The starter set is the fastest route to playable matches and a clear roadmap for first upgrades.
Champion Decks and Booster Boxes: Which To Buy First
Riot offers 56-card Champion Decks centered on champions like Jinx, Lee Sin, and Viktor. These are ideal for a focused single-deck experience and are priced to be approachable.
- Champion Deck MSRP: roughly $19.99 each after initial market corrections.
- Each deck includes a booklet, a paper playmat, and an Origins booster pack for quick upgrades.
- Booster Packs: 14 cards per pack with a fixed rarity distribution for pack economy.
- Booster Box: 24 packs, MSRP around $119.99, advertised to include “more than two special alt-art cards” per box.
Maya prioritized a Champion Deck plus a booster box to both master a champion’s playstyle and supply upgrades for tournament-ready tuning.
For new competitive players, one Champion Deck plus targeted boosters hits the best balance of learning and investment.
Collector and Limited Merchandise: Arcane Box Set and Worlds Bundle
Collector sets target fans and speculators. The Arcane Box Set and the Worlds 2025 Bundle add exclusive art, oversized cards, and promos that appeal to collectors.
- Arcane Box Set: features exclusive art for champions like Jinx and Viktor; sold out during launch waves.
- Worlds Bundle: includes an oversized promo (e.g., Panda Teemo), playmat, deckbox, and sleeves; MSRP ~ $99.99 but often marked up on resale.
- Availability: collector items frequently appear on eBay and boutique retailers at premiums; patience pays when Riot increases print runs.
Scalper pressure was visible in the pre-order frenzy, but Riot has signaled plans for additional print runs to ease scarcity.
Collectors should weigh immediate desire against expected restocks; holding off often avoids paying reseller premiums.
Smart Buying Tips to Avoid Scalpers and Maximize Value
When I scout product drops before events, I track official windows and local store stock. Use a mix of patience and targeted buys to build a collection without overspending.
- Monitor Riot’s official channels and the Riftbound overview for restock notices and product details.
- Prefer local game stores for singles and community testing; they often offer better long-term value than big-box scalped listings.
- Use secondary markets like TCGPlayer for specific singles; avoid sealed product marked far above MSRP on eBay or third-party storefronts on Amazon.
- Set alerts on retailer pages (Target, Walmart, GameStop) and follow community restock trackers to buy at MSRP.
- Consider buying a booster box for sustained value rather than chasing specific pulls in individual packs.
For detailed context on the market dynamics and Riot’s messaging, see the article about Riot printing plans and community response in the Riot acknowledgment and the production overview.
Smart shoppers combine official store alerts, local shops, and patience to beat scalpers and secure fair pricing.
Quick Shopping Checklist for Immediate Play
When you want to get a group playing tonight, follow this short checklist that Maya uses for drop nights.
- Buy one Proving Grounds starter or a Champion Deck plus a few booster packs.
- Reserve funds for a Booster Box if you plan to build multiple decks or chase alt-art cards.
- Check TCGPlayer and local stores for singles to fix deck weaknesses instead of opening excessive packs.
- Avoid marked-up auctions on eBay and non-official third-party listings on Amazon.
Following this checklist gets you playing and improving without unnecessary expense.
For a full champion roster and to plan which champion deck fits your playstyle, consult the confirmed champions list and the introductory coverage at Discovering Riftbound.