If you’re a fan of card games, you’ve probably heard of Legends of Runeterra, the card game from Riot Games set in the League of Legends universe. Over the past four years, Runeterra has experienced a remarkable journey, generating massive hype at launch and developing an esports scene that, unfortunately, didn’t last.
If you’re seeking a digital card game that doesn’t require a significant financial investment to get your hands on powerful cards, Runeterra is a great choice. However, despite years of efforts by Riot Games to grow a competitive scene, they were unable to make it profitable and decided to shut down the official tournaments, shifting the focus from PvP to the PvE game mode.
Riot Games has shifted their focus for Legends of Runeterra towards the PvE aspect, responding to the preferences of the majority of their player base. This transition has led to the development of extensive content around the PvE game mode, offering players a rich, roguelike experience with regular updates and new challenges, similar to popular titles like Slay the Spire.
If you lean towards PvP, your enjoyment of Runeterra will depend on your goals. Are you a casual player who wants to learn card games and enjoy executing your deck’s strategy? If so, Runeterra remains a solid option despite the shift to PvE. The game still boasts a healthy player base and short queue times.
Even though there is a lack of new PvP content, there are plenty of champions, cards, and archetypes for new players to explore, providing months of enjoyment. There are two PvP game modes: Standard and Eternal. In Standard, certain cards are banned to create a more balanced game, while in Eternal, all cards are allowed, so you won’t have to worry about your favorite champion being banned. Riot also implements a Rotation system every few months to shake up the Standard meta. Both Standard and Eternal have their own Ranked Ladder systems for players to climb.
However, if you are a competitive player looking to make a living through tournaments, Legends of Runeterra is not the game for you. With the discontinuation of the hyper-competitive scene, it’s best to invest your time and resources into a different card game.