Runeterra is coming to the real world for the second time, as Riot Games reveals Project K – a physical League of Legends TCG. Taking after the likes of Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, the trading card game involves building a themed deck with a playstyle that suits you in order to take on up to three opponents.
Simply known as the League of Legends Trading Card Game, champions, locations and other iconography from the MOBA are represented, granting a variety of options for how you’d like to play. Similar to Magic, a mana system provides the engine, with each player getting two runes at the beginning of each turn.
The reveal video, led by executive producer Chengran Chai and game director Dave Guskin, goes through some of the basics. The LoL TCG has been designed from the ground up for smooth gameplay for up to four players. That can be either an all-out skirmish or, if you’re feeling tactical, in teams, which is always more fun (if threatening to any pre-existing relationships).
This means that Project K isn’t just a recreation of Legends of Runeterra. It’s a whole other multiplayer game that aims to capture the spirit of League and bring it to an all-new setting and apparatus, though it’s mentioned that assets from Runeterra have been employed, alongside nods from across the wider franchise.
Beyond the game itself, Riot will be organizing a competitive scene to help keep players hooked. This includes local events once the TCG kicks off, and tournaments going right up to regional level. So far, the only confirmed launch is in China, where cards, accessories, and competitions are coming in early 2025.
Other plans are coming in the “very near future”, and 2025 seems a safe bet for the English-language version across multiple regions. The TCG marketplace has seen an influx of major IP in recent years, with the Dragon Ball Super CCG and Disney’s Lorcana. Then you have stalwarts like Pokémon, Magic, and Yu-Gi-Oh holding steady.
It’s not the easiest place to break through, but Riot Games has the infrastructure, and League is on an upswing thanks to Arcane, so we’ll see how things look when people get to playtest Project K properly.
While we wait to see more, why not have a look at our LoL tier list and guide to what LoL skins are on sale, or boot up the original fantasy game.
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