Best Card Games as Alternatives to Legends of Runeterra

Not sure what's next after Legends of Runeterra? Here are 8 different card games to consider!

Riot Games’ title, Legends of Runeterra, didn’t quite reach the heights anticipated, despite its roots in the expansive League of Legends universe.

Legends of Runeterra boasts stunning visuals and arguably the most user-friendly interface among digital card games. Setting itself apart from the norm, Runeterra is notably generous in its approach to card acquisition, sparing players the pressure to spend money on card packs.

While Runeterra managed to foster a dedicated community and competitive scene, Riot Games struggled to effectively monetize the game, leading to financial challenges. In a last-ditch effort to maintain interest, the company shifted focus from PvP (Player versus Player) to Path of Champions, a PvE (Player versus Environment) mode. This decision signaled reduced updates and content for PvP, leaving its future uncertain.

This shift dealt a significant blow to the PvP community, prompting many players to seek refuge in alternative games. In this article, I’ll introduce several card games that could serve as your next gaming destination post-Runeterra. I’ll delve into their mechanics and distinctions from LoR, ensuring you’re well-informed before making a choice.

Hearthstone

Hearthstone is a digital collectible card game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. Released in 2014, it has maintained a solid player base and continues to receive regular updates and expansions. It’s known for its accessible gameplay, charming visuals, and strategic depth, making it one of the most popular digital card games globally.

  • Combat Mechanics: In Hearthstone, players use cards representing minions, spells, and weapons to attack their opponent’s hero and minions. Minions can attack each other or the opponent’s hero directly. The game features a simple turn-based combat system where players take turns playing cards and using their minions to control the board and reduce their opponent’s health to zero.
  • Deck Building: Players build decks from a wide variety of cards, including minions, spells, weapons, and hero cards. Each player selects one of the game’s classes, such as Mage, Warrior, or Shaman, each with its own unique cards and abilities. Deck building involves selecting 30 cards that synergize well together and suit the player’s preferred playstyle and strategy.
  • Card Acquisition: Hearthstone primarily relies on card packs that can be purchased with in-game gold or real money, though there are also opportunities to earn cards through gameplay. Additionally, players can earn cards through the game’s crafting system, where duplicate cards can be disenchanted to create new cards of their choice. Hearthstone is less generous than Runeterra and can be a grindy experience to build a competitive deck without putting any real money into the game.

Shadowverse

Shadowverse’s art style heavily draws from anime aesthetics, featuring expressive characters, vibrant colors, and fantastical themes commonly associated with the genre. Released in 2016, it has garnered a dedicated player base and continues to expand its content through regular updates and expansions. Shadowverse is renowned for its intricate gameplay mechanics, captivating anime-inspired visuals, and diverse card pool, making it a prominent player in the digital card game market.

Although the game has lost its initial popularity, Cygames is planning to release Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond, the sequel to the card game Shadowverse. It will be available in the summer of 2024. This is the perfect time to pick up Shadowverse and start learning the game in preparation for Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond.

  • Combat Mechanics: Shadowverse features a strategic card-based combat system where players summon followers and cast spells to battle their opponent. Players take turns playing cards and using their followers to attack the opponent’s leader (hero) or followers. Each follower has attack and defense stats. Unlike LoR, you cannot attack with followers on the same turn they’re played unless they either have the Rush or Storm keyword.
  • Deck Building: In Shadowverse, players build decks using cards from one of eight different classes in addition to neutral cards, each with its own unique playstyle and mechanics. Decks consist of 40 cards, including followers, spells, and amulets.
  • Card Acquisition: Players earn card packs by completing missions, winning matches, and participating in events. Card packs can also be purchased with in-game currency or real money. Additionally, players can earn cards through the game’s crafting system, where unwanted cards can be liquefied to create new cards of their choice. Shadowverse is generous with its rewards, making it relatively easy for players to build competitive decks without spending money.

Marvel Snap

Marvel Snap is a digital collectible card game developed by Second Dinner. Released in 2022, the game features a collection of different characters from the Marvel Universe. It’s a fast-paced game where games are usually over on turn 6. It first came out as a mobile game and with the massive popularity it garnered, a PC version was later released. If you’re looking for a card game that doesn’t consume a lot of time and has great UI, then Marvel Snap might be the game for you.

  • Combat Mechanics: There is no actual attacking phase in Marvel Snap. Players assemble decks and battle for control over three different locations, each with their own unique properties. Whoever controls at least two locations after six turns—in some special conditions, seven turns—wins the game. To control a location you need to develop characters in different locations. The Power of all your characters on a specific location will be combined, and the player with the higher overall Power wins the location. Characters have unique abilities that can synergize with one another and set up your game plan.
  • Deck Building: Marvel Snap’s deck building is simple, and you’ll mostly look to create decks with card synergy. Each deck in Snap can contain up to 12 cards each, and none of these cards can be duplicates of one another. There are no regions in Marvel Snap, all cards are available to be put in the same deck.
  • Card Acquisition: It relies on a tiered system where new cards are initially costly and gradually become more accessible over time. Players earn tokens through gameplay, which they can spend to acquire cards from different series. However, the process can be frustrating as the drop rates and series progression are unpredictable, leading to uncertainty about when to spend tokens. Additionally, some powerful cards may be intentionally kept limited, favoring paying players. Overall, while the game offers exciting gameplay, the card acquisition system may deter some players due to its reliance on aggressive microtransactions.

Magic: The Gathering Arena

Magic: The Gathering Arena is a digital collectible card game developed and published by Wizards of the Coast. Released in 2019, it has quickly become a popular choice among fans of the Magic: The Gathering franchise. With regular updates and expansions, Magic: The Gathering Arena maintains a dedicated player base. It is celebrated for its faithful adaptation of the intricate gameplay mechanics of the physical card game, stunning visuals, and vast card pool, solidifying its position as a leading contender in the digital card game market.

  • Combat Mechanics: combat occurs during the combat phase of a player’s turn. Players use creatures to attack their opponents or defend against attacks. Damage is assigned based on creature power and toughness, with creatures destroyed if they receive damage equal to or greater than their toughness.
  • Deck Building: MTG Arena involves constructing a deck from a wide selection of cards. Players select cards that fit their chosen strategy or archetype, such as aggro, control, or midrange, and adhere to deck-building rules like a minimum of 60 cards and a maximum of four copies of any individual card (excluding basic lands).
  • Card Acquisition: Cards are acquired through booster packs purchasable with in-game currency or premium gems. Players can also earn wildcards of varying rarities to exchange for specific cards. Daily and weekly quests, as well as events like drafts, provide additional card rewards. LoR is more generous, offering many ways to earn cards without spending money. MTG Arena provides more control over specific card acquisitions but may require more investment.

Pokemon TCG Online

The Pokémon TCG Online is a digital adaptation of the popular Pokémon TCG developed by The Pokémon Company International. Originally released in 2011, it has since gained a devoted following. The game regularly updates its content and features, keeping its player base engaged. Renowned for its accessible gameplay, vibrant visuals, and extensive collection of Pokémon cards, the Pokémon TCG Online offers a captivating experience for both casual players and competitive enthusiasts alike,

  • Combat Mechanics: In Pokémon TCG Online, players battle using Pokémon cards, aiming to reduce their opponent’s Pokémon’s HP to zero. Each Pokémon has specific attacks and abilities requiring Energy cards. Players strategically manage resources and choose attacks to win battles. When a Pokémon is knocked out, its owner takes one of their opponent’s face-down Prize cards and adds it to their hand. The first player to collect all of their opponent’s Prize cards wins the game.
  • Deck Building: Players construct decks of 60 cards, consisting of Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy cards. Decks are built around specific strategies or themes, such as focusing on a particular type of Pokémon or employing a specific combination of cards.
  • Card Acquisition: Cards are obtained through booster packs, theme decks, and trades/purchases. Boosters offer randomized cards, while theme decks provide pre-built options. Players can also trade with others or purchase singles for specific card needs. You can play without spending real money. The game offers a generous starter experience with pre-constructed theme decks and provides various ways to earn in-game currency and booster packs through gameplay.

One Piece TCG

One Piece TCG is a popular physical card game by Bandai Namco. Released in 2022, the game has been gaining popularity as it started attracting the English Global players. The competitive scene is thriving, with community tournaments held weekly, either at local events or through the digital client. The game does not have an official digital client. Instead, players rely on the 3rd party OPTCG SIM to play online. This can be discouraging for Runeterra players who are used to a supported, official digital client with a better interface.

  • Combat Mechanics: A strategic card-based combat system where players summon Characters, cast Events, activate Trigger effects, and use Counter effects. The mana system is referred to as Don!!! cards. Those cards will increase every turn by 2 to a maximum of 10 and can be used to play your cards or increase the Power of your attackers.
    One Piece Characters do not have health, instead, they have a Power stat. If the attacking card’s power level is equal to or greater than the defending card’s power level, the attacking player’s card wins the battle. Some Characters have a Counter effect, allowing you to increase the Power of your Leader or Character on defensive turns.
    The Leader ( Nexus) works differently in One Piece than Runeterra, as they too have their own Power and can attack like Characters. Leader’s health is a Life Area with Life Cards. You lose a Life Card every time an opponent’s attack goes through. Unlike LoR, you cannot attack with Characters on the same turn they’re played unless they have the Rush keyword.
  • Deck Building: Players build decks around the Leader they choose. Each Leader has a different color, some with two colors. Colors in One Piece are like Regions, each with a unique playstyle and mechanics. Decks consist of 50 cards + Leader.
  • Card Acquisition: If you’re looking to play One Piece TCG online, the third-party SIM has all the cards available and unlocked so you can try any decks you want. You can download OPTCG Sim here.

Dragon Ball Super Fusion

Dragon Ball Super Fusion is a newer, more simplified version of Dragon Ball Super Master. It’s primarily a physical card game with an official digital client. The game is still in its early stages, but the UI hasn’t been appealing to Dragon Ball fans.

  • Combat Mechanics: A strategic card-based combat system where players summon Characters, cast Events, activate Trigger effects, and use Counter effects. Players take turns playing cards and using their Leader and Characters to attack the opponent’s Leader or Character.
    Characters do not have health, instead, they have a Power stat. If the attacking card’s power level is equal to or greater than the defending card’s power level, the attacking player’s card wins the battle.
    The Leader ( Nexus) works differently in One Piece than Runeterra, as they too have their own Power and can attack like Characters. Leaders have 8 health and will lose a health every time an opponent’s attack goes through.
  • Deck Building: Players build decks around the Leader they choose. Each Leader has a different color. Colors in DBS Fusion are like Regions, each with a unique playstyle and mechanics. A deck can have 51 to 61 cards including Leader.
  • Card Acquisition: Cards are obtained through booster packs. The game offers pre-constructed decks to start playing early on. Buying physical card boosters gives you a code that can be used on the digital client to get a pack with random cards.

Lorcana

Disney Lorcana is a collectible card game released by Ravensburger in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company in late 2023. It features characters from throughout Disney’s film history. Lorcana is a physical trading card game with a third-party digital client. There have been rumors that an official digital client might be in future plans, but there haven’t been any official announcements about it. The fact that it is a third-party digital client might deter Legends of Runeterra players, as it lacks the polished visuals of Runeterra.

  • Combat Mechanics: A character can be turned to exert to gain lore points if a lore value is given to the character, the player that reaches 20+ lore points first, wins the game. To stop your opponent from reaching 20 lore points and winning the game, you must destroy their characters. This is done by exerting one of your own characters and choosing a character card of your opponent that is also turned to exert. A character that is ready cannot be designated as a target.
  • Deck Building: The deck must contain at least 60 cards, and you can’t have more than 4 copies of the same card. You must have no more than two Ink types in a deck.
  • Card Acquisition: If you’re trying out the third-party digital client, all cards are accessible for free and you can start building any deck the second you hop on the game. You can download Pixelborn and play Lorcana on different systems.