Why is Riftbound So Expensive?
You’ve heard all the hype about Riftbound, especially if you came from the League of Legends universe. It’s one of the most thrilling trading card games (TCGs) right now, and we’re super excited to be the #1 choice for Riftbound cards online here at Danireon!
But why is Riftbound so expensive? A single Origins booster box can cost over $400, and building a competitive deck can cost even more. Really, the reasoning is quite simple. Supply shortages. The game is super new, and people are obviously rushing to claim their stake. The rarity structure Riot Games has come up with has made chase cards super scarce, too.
Learn more about what it costs to get started with Riftbound and how you can join the movement without breaking the bank. Or, simply bite the bullet and get in on the fun at Danireon today!
Key Takeaways
- Riftbounder booster boxes range from $249.99 (Vendetta) to $429.99 (Origins).
- The most affordable way to start playing Riftbound is a Champion Deck, starting at $34.99.
- You can find singles for as little as $1, but the more sought-after chase cards are over $100.
- Riot Games dramatically underestimated demand for the game, so booster boxes surged past $300 on the secondary market.
- Danireon offers the best pricing on Riftbound cards online, backed by world-class service.
How Expensive is Riftbound?
Let’s start with the basics. How much does a Riftbound deck cost? It all depends on how you build it! That’s part of the fun. You can make this TCG a lot more affordable than you may have been led to believe.
A Champion Deck, for example, gives you a 56-card deck that’s ready to play for only $34.99. It includes a booster pack, playmat, and deckbox. The Vendetta Showdown Deck is $36.99 and gives you two complete decks in a single box.
So why is Riftbound so expensive? We’d argue it’s honestly not that bad! Either of those decks gets you playing the same day you open them for under $40.
Most of the sticker shock our customers have is when they see the price of sealed booster boxes. For example, the Riftbound booster box is $429.99 right now. Spiritforged was $299.99, and Unleashed was $289.99. Both of those are sold out now, so you can expect to pay a premium on the secondary market.
But think about what you’re getting. Every booster box has 24 packs, each containing 14 cards. That’s a TON of cards! You might never need to buy another booster box again. Or, you can keep the cards you want and resell the rest to make the purchase more economical.
As for Riftbound singles, they’re really not too bad. We have near-mint commons starting at less than $0.30. Obviously, though, competitive staples and chase foils are going to cost more. Kai'Sa - Survivor (Origins Foil) goes for $104.34 right now! Building a top-tier competitive deck from singles gets really expensive. But if your goal is to win Riftbound games, that may be worth it to you.
Why is Riftbound So Expensive?
This is a simple case of supply and demand. It’s not a phenomenon that’s exclusive to Riftbound, but any TCG - from Pokémon to Magic: The Gathering!
However, Riftbound is honestly in its infancy. Riot Games and UVS Games couldn’t have imagined it would be off to such a smashing success this early on. Riot itself has admitted, “the excitement and demand greatly surpassed our wildest expectations.”1
That’s why despite MSRP starting at $150 per booster box, they have surged past $300 on the secondary market. More than double what you’d pay directly from the retailer.
Now, reprints have pulled prices down a little bit. But Origins product still commands a premium. Think about it - it’s the debut set for a game tied to one of the biggest IPs in gaming (League of Legends). Of course it’s expensive! People are obsessed with LoL.
But there’s also the rarity structure, which isn’t doing you any favors as someone trying to get started in this game. Signature cards pop up once every 30 sealed booster boxes. Showcase alt-arts are even harder to come by. Pull rates like these keep the secondary market inflated.
Then there are certain competitive staples that you can only get in the Proving Ground starter kit. They don’t even show up in booster packs. Two that come to mind are Flash and Master Yi. You may have no choice but to buy multiple starter kits or pay the singles markup if your deck calls for three copies of Flash. That can be really frustrating.
For what it’s worth, though, Riftbound isn’t the only expensive TCG right now. As a whole, the market is climbing. Pokémon booster boxes, for instance, jumped from around $110 to $160 in just a year. Magic: The Gathering booster boxes regularly cost over $1,000.
The fact of the matter is more and more people are playing TCGs, and that’s pushing prices up. The global TCG market hit nearly $8 billion in 2025 and shows no signs of slowing down!2
What’s the Most Expensive Riftbound Card Right Now?
One of the most common questions we get asked is where to check Riftbound card prices. You can always head over to our collection of Riftbound singles to get your finger on the pulse of the market. Here are some of the most expensive Riftbound cards we carry at Danireon:
- Kai'Sa - Survivor (Origins Foil): $104.34
- Time Warp (Origins Foil): $89.48
- Rengar - Trophy Hunter (Unleashed Foil): $54.57
- Irelia - Fervent (Spiritforged Showcase Foil): $45.50
- Thousand-Tailed Watcher (Origins Foil): $36.31
You’re likely starting to see the common theme - Origins Foils are the most expensive because supply just hasn’t kept pace with demand.
Tips For Enjoying Riftbound on a Budget
We don’t want you to feel deterred from joining the Riftbound movement because of price. It can actually be quite affordable if you go about it the right way. You don’t have to spend $400 on a booster box. Here’s how we suggest getting started:
- Start with one of our Riftbound starter decks for only $34.99. You get a 56-card deck, a booster pack, and a playmat.
- Buying individual cards costs way less in the long run than buying booster boxes and hoping to pull them in packs. If you know what you need, buy it directly.
- Understanding the Riftbound deck-building rules saves you from buying cards that don't fit your strategy. Figure out how you want to construct your deck before you spend a dime.
- Wait for price dips. Older singles plummet in price when new sets drop or reprints get released. Be patient!
So, why is Riftbound so expensive for most players? Because they’ve been led to believe the only way to be competitive is by purchasing booster boxes. That’s not the case. Set yourself up for success without spending an arm and a leg - head over to Danireon today!
Frequently asked questions
Is Riftbound expensive to get into?
It can be if you buy booster boxes and chase rare cards. But a starter deck is only $34.99.
Why is Riftbound Origins so expensive?
Because demand has dramatically outpaced supply. The stuff that originally cost $150 is now going for over $300 on the secondary market.
What are the best budget decks for Riftbound?
Any Champion Deck is a solid starting point. Upgrade from there with affordable singles instead of trying to build from scratch across multiple sets at once.
Related Resources
What size are Riftbound cards? | Riftbound sideboard rules
References
- Radcliffe A. "Riftbound Has A Serious Product Problem." TheGamer. TheGamer
- Research and Markets. "Trading Card Games Analysis Report." Yahoo Finance, 2025. Yahoo Finance
