The Riftbound prize era has officially begun! In episode 20 of The Winning Point, Blevins and Casanova break down the massive $30,000 Chinese National Open prize pool — including the first-ever championship ring — plus new Spiritforged prerelease kits, and the community’s heated reaction to a collector buying four Miss Fortune prize cards.

They also dive deep into the new best-of metal promo cards, discussing how their rarity could be worth thousands and might even change how tournaments are played.

💭 In this episode, we discuss:

💵 $30K National Open prize breakdown + Championship ring reveal

📈 Riftbound “best-of” metal promos and secondary market value

😱 Reddit’s wild reaction to prize card resales

🪷 New Spiriforged prerelease kits for Set 2

📊 Latest City Challenge results — is Kai'Sa still too strong?

Riftbound just hit the big leagues. 💰 The first-ever prize card — The 1st Place Miss Fortune from the Hangzhou Regional — just sold for over $9,000 USD, marking a massive milestone for Riot’s new TCG.

In this episode of The Winning Point, Blevins, Casanova, and Charmer break down what this sale means for Riftbound’s future — from collector demand to competitive growth — and how it stacks up against other games like One Piece, Lorcana, and Flesh & Blood.

We also dive into:

🔥 The new Worlds Bundle reveal (Panda Teemo, gold foil playmat, collector FOMO)

📦 Riot’s Set 1 Restock for local game stores🃏 Which decks we’re building first for locals (Yasuo, Annie, Leona, and more

🧠 Developer insights from Dave on Discord on Aurora, Whiteflame Protector, and precon decks

✉️ Mailbag: Does going second actually help? And which League regions we want next?

EP 12 - What Riot Just Announced – Arcane Set & Regional Recap

We’re back after the first Guangzhou Regional, and the results are in! Over 500 players showed up, and the meta delivered plenty of surprises. Kai’Sa wins it all, Yi dominated in numbers, and even Teemo found his way into the Top 8.

In this episode, we talk about:

- The Arcane Collector Set ($70 alt-art cards)

- New promos from Nexus Knights, including Teemo and the hilarious GG EZ promo

- Reflections on Riot’s approach to collectors vs. LGS support

- Predictions for the Beijing Regional and how the meta could evolve from here

- A spicy mailbag on future legends and Set 3 speculation

Between collector hype, promos, and big tournament results, Riftbound’s competitive scene is growing fast.

👉 What did YOU think of Guangzhou? Was Teemo’s Top 8 run the biggest surprise, or was it Kai’Sa dominance? Let us know in the comments!

The Winning Point Ep. 11 – Guangzhou Regional PreviewThis week, Riftbound enters its biggest moment yet — the first official Regional in Guangzhou.

We break down the current meta, give our blind predictions for who takes the crown, and recap a huge $1K Luxury Gaming tournament where Hook Darius claimed the title.

Alongside the tournament hype, we also cover a recent exploit found in TTS that players should be aware of if they’re competing online, plus the latest on Fight Night’s return and how local game stores are starting to adopt Riftbound

With Darius, Sett, Yi, Kai’Sa, Viktor, and even Chaos decks in the mix, this Regional will shape Riftbound’s competitive scene for months to come.

The Riftbound community just had its busiest week yet, and Episode 10 of The Winning Point is absolutely loaded with updates.

In this episode we cover:

🏆 The busiest Riftbound tournament weekend so far

💰 A new $1K event series announced by Luxury Gaming

🖥️ Pixelborn returning with a Riot-compliant version in development

📦 Riftbound cards already hitting eBay and Chinese pack openings going live

🔮 Riot teasing Set 2: Spiritforged, with first champions and artwork revealed

📖 The Core Rules FAQ for Set 1, with key clarifications and errata

💌 Mailbag questions on card value, accessibility, and reprints

Between tournaments, Pixelborn’s comeback, new rules updates, and Set 2 on the horizon, Riftbound’s competitive scene is moving faster than ever.

👉 Which update excites you the most: Pixelborn, Spiritforged, or the rules FAQ? Let us know in the comments!

Riftbound Collectors Tips + Gen Con Spoilers & Chaos Hype 💎

Episode 9 of The Winning Point is PACKED with collectible talk, Gen Con spoilers, and hot takes on the next big Riftbound meta shift.

We break down:

🃏 Pull Rates & Rarity – What to expect from packs, where the value is, and how to find those top-tier cards.

🎪 Gen Con Spoilers – Fresh reveals straight from the floor.

💜 Chaos/Purple Meta Watch – Is it secretly the most powerful domain?

📦 The Proving Grounds Problem – Why you might need to buy all of them… three times.

🎙️ Winning Point Ep. 8 — Riot Just Killed Pixelborn

This week, Riot’s digital tools policy officially took aim at Pixelborn — the online way to play Riftbound. The community’s not taking it lightly, and we’re diving in.

💥 What does it mean for digital play?

📦 Will organized play be enough to replace it?

🏆 Plus: a 128-player tournament recap, meta shakeups, and Q&A.

👉 Chapters below — subscribe for weekly Riftbound coverage and competitive insight.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Cold Open Chaos

03:55 – RIP Pixelborn: Riot's Policy Update

05:15 – Community Reaction Poll + Discussion

21:00 – Organized Play Revealed (Sideboarding, Sealed, Judges)

28:00 – Sealed Deck Rules Breakdown

40:00 – Set Rotation + Bans Schedule Breakdown

45:00 – Biggest Riftbound Tournament Recap (Top 8)

55:00 – Mailbag: Victor Sideboards, Shakedown Opinions, More

🎙️ Winning Point Podcast Ep. 7 – The Full Riftbound Set is Here!

The Riftbound: Origins set has been fully revealed—and we’re diving headfirst into the chaos.

Cas and Pastrytime are back, brewing up wild combos, control lists, and aggro piles using the full pool of cards. From Ahri control with mask synergy, to Yasuo + Ride the Wind bounce loops, to Miss Fortune Pack of Wonders gear decks, this is the golden age of tech.

PLUS:

💬 Blevins returns with a Show & Tell segment featuring comparisons to Magic cards, powerful new tools, and underrated cards you’re probably not playing (yet).

✅ Week Zero testing

✅ Hidden combo potential

✅ Favorite Battlefields

✅ The real post-reveal sleeper hits

👇 Full chapters and tags below.

00:00 – Intro: The Set Is Finally Out

01:26 – First Impressions & Card Overload

06:51 – Yasuo Combo Decks w/ Ride the Wind

12:41 – Ahri Control & Mask Synergies

19:08 – Miss Fortune Gear Decks & Pack of Wonders Madness

23:55 – Blevins’ Show & Tell: Kai'sa

32:49 – Blev's Boomer Flashbacks (MTG Card Comparison)

39:10 – Timeline + Baited Hook: S Tier Combo?

42:24 – Cas's Endless Turn Deck

49:52 – Red Gear Review - Mandatory?

55:25 – Favorite Battlefields + Flavor Mechanics

🎙️ Winning Point Podcast Ep. 6: LAST CALL BEFORE ALL CALLS!

This episode is a time capsule—recorded just before Riot Games revealed the full Riftbound card set.

We look back at the final tournament meta, analyze what was working, and make predictions for a card pool we hadn't yet seen. Some of us were right. Some of us were... very wrong. 😅

🔥 Topics Covered:
✅ Orange domain surging pre-reveal
✅ Snapvine, Bloom Predator & board control tech
✅ Set Brawler loops + Leona 6-drop discussion
✅ Commander Ledros: meme or future staple?
✅ Mind + Chaos strategies with Teemo, Nocturne, Yi
✅ Kaisa + Falling Star counterplay
✅ Buff-based finishers & low-curve efficiency
✅ How we expected the meta to shift

🧠 This is your last look at how players and deckbuilders were solving Riftbound before the floodgates opened. View it as strategy, reflection… or just nostalgia.

👥 Hosted by: Blevins, Charmer, Casanova

🎴 Subscribe for new Riftbound content weekly: podcasts, gameplay, meta coverage, and deck techs.

💬 Drop your favorite wrong prediction or underrated pre-reveal card in the comments!

#Riftbound #RiotGames #TCGPodcast #WinningPoint #CardGames #TurnEmSideways #RevealSeason

🎙️ Winning Point Podcast Ep. 5: Tournament Talk & Proving Grounds Analysis!

We’re back with another packed episode of the Winning Point, your go-to Riftbound podcast. This week Blevins, Casanova, Charmer, and Pastrytime break down the first-ever North American Riftbound tournament (32 players!) and what it says about the early meta.

✅ Full Top 8 Breakdown:

• 🥇 Viktor decks dominating

• Ahri control's early success

• Jinx aggro finding its place

• Shen splash tech

• Ravenbloom Students everywhere

✅ We also rant about:

• Proving Grounds starter decks (are they actually competitive?)

• “Order is broken” jokes...but is it?

• How early Riftbound meta is shaping up without full sideboards or cards

• How to build consistent early-game plans with limited sets

• The difference between floor vs. ceiling in deckbuilding

⚔️ New segment: Tournament Talk💬 Viewer mailbag questions📈 Our predictions for how the Riftbound meta will evolve

✅ Drop your questions in the comments for next week’s mailbag!

Subscribe for weekly podcasts, deck techs, meta discussion, reveals, and gameplay all about Riot’s Riftbound TCG.

🔥 Follow us on Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram: @TurnEmSideways🔥 Join our Discord to discuss deckbuilding, spoilers, tournaments, and strategy.

🔥 Welcome to The Winning Point Podcast, Episode 4!

This week Casanova and Pastrytime dive deep into Riftbound’s Reveal Season and dissect Riot’s Proving Grounds starter product. Is it a must-buy for competitive players?

We break down new legend cards and spells including:

✅ Annie the Dark Child (Fury Chaos recursion)

✅ Master Yi’s defensive synergy and ganking power

✅ Lux’s powerful card-draw engine

✅ Garen’s underwhelming payoff (sorry Garen fans!)

✅ Qiyana insane 4-drop value (Ramp, Draw, Rune channel)

✅ Spells like Flash, Gentleman's Duel, Blast of Power, Firestorm, Incinerate

PLUS:🗂️ We debate if starter products forcing you to buy for staples is good or bad.

💬 Viewer mailbag with questions about Teemo’s double-trigger ruling, Leona deck tech tips, and Brazil’s TCG scene.

✅ Honest talk about how Legends of Runeterra mechanics and design are evolving in Riftbound.

🧭 Topics Covered:- Riot’s Proving Grounds: Must-Buy Debate- New Reveal Season Cards & Mechanics- Competitive Meta Predictions- Starter Product Design Philosophy- Viewer Questions & Discord Community Chat

👥 Hosted by: Casanova & Pastrytime.

🃏 Subscribe for weekly Riftbound reveals, meta analysis, deckbuilding tips, and competitive TCG talk.

🔥 It’s a BONUS episode of The Winning Point!

This time we’re doing quickfire breakdowns of even more new Riftbound Reveal Season cards from Riot Games’ upcoming TCG.

We’re talking synergy setups for Lee Sin, Set, Udyr, graveyard hate tech, giant buffs, and tank-focused combos that make Ari even scarier.

If you want to get ahead on Riftbound deckbuilding before launch, don’t miss these first-look reactions, meta predictions, and spicy design talk.

🧭 What’s Inside:
✅ Buff payoff & synergy engines (Mistfall, Primal Strength)
✅ Graveyard hate with Forge of the Future
✅ Karma’s recycle synergy potential
✅ Tank keyword & Leona support
✅ Calm’s new tricks with Last Stand
✅ Taric’s role protecting Blue Ahri
✅ Bonus mailbag-style banter

👥 Hosts: Blevins, Casanova, Charmer
🃏 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering Riot's Riftbound reveals, gameplay, meta talk & expert TCG analysis.

👇 Got questions or deck ideas? Drop a comment to get featured next episode!

🔥 Riftbound is officially going BIG!

In this episode, we break down everything from the Vegas 10K event, the sold-out Houston Regional Qualifier, and what to expect for Riftbound’s next era of competitive play.

Anu joins the crew to talk about how Turn ’em Sideways is bringing Riftbound’s biggest Western tournament as of yet to life, and the team speculates on what to expect from the new Legends coming in Spiritforged set.

💬 In this episode:

🪷 The debut of two new Legends in Riftbound's next expansion: Spiritforged

🆕 12 brand new Legends incoming

⭐ Star City Games - Vegas $10K broadcast plans and what to expect

📩 Mailbag Q&A: What colors and combos should define the future meta?

💪 Community optimism and store allocation discussion — how to keep your local scene strong

🎙️ Hosted by Blevins, Casanova, Charmer, and special guest Anu

🔔 Subscribe for weekly Riftbound content: gameplay, analysis, deck techs, and interviews.

🔥 Welcome to The Winning Point, Episode 3!

We’re diving deep into Riot’s new TCG Riftbound, breaking down the latest Reveal Season cards: Ahri Inquisitive, Teemo Strategist, Nocturne, Victor Innovator, Fiora, Udyr, Kog’Maw, and more.

We debate if Ahri is already meta-defining, Teemo’s hidden synergy, and Nocturne’s insane build-around potential. Plus: Victor’s control payoff, Rune Prison stun tech, and how Fiora and Udyr slot into buff-heavy decks.

ALSO: Listener mailbag Q&A with early deckbuilding thoughts and how to play Riftbound right now using proxies!

👥 Hosted by: Blevins, Casanova & Charmer.
🃏 Weekly Riftbound meta analysis, strategy talk, and TCG podcast banter.

👉 Follow for new episodes every week!

🚨 Riot just dropped their most broken card reveal yet... and it might reshape Riftbound’s entire meta.
Welcome to The Winning Point — your weekly deep-dive into Riot’s brand-new card game, Riftbound.

In Episode 2, we break down the Immortal Phoenix combo, analyze Vayne, Draven, and Yasuo Windrider, and explore how these legends could dominate or flop at launch. If you're a League of Legends or Runeterra fan looking for your next favorite card game — this is where you start.

👥 Hosted by TCG veterans @The_Blevins, @Pastrytime, @CasanovaCasts & @ThatCharm3r

🎙️ Subscribe now for weekly Riftbound reveals, meta breakdowns, and pro-level takes before the game even launches.

👇 Drop your hot takes or deck ideas in the comments to get featured next episode!

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Winning Point — your new go-to show for all things Riftbound and competitive trading card games!

This week, Blevins, Pastrytime, Cas, and Charmer dive deep into Riftbound’s first set: Origins. We break down every Legend reveal, explore the core mechanics like Seals, Hidden, Ganking, and Buffs, and share early hot takes on the strongest legends like Ahri, Set, Kai'Sa, Miss Fortune, and more.

We also talk alt-arts, signature cards, and the differences between Riftbound and games like Magic: The Gathering, Flesh and Blood, and Legends of Runeterra.

💬 Which legend are you most hyped to play on Day 1? Drop a comment and let us know!

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes, tournament coverage, and expert gameplay content.

🎙️ Welcome to The Winning Point — Episode 0!
In our very first episode, Blevins, Casanova, Charmer, and PastryTime dive headfirst into Riftbound, the upcoming card game from Riot Games, with a mix of competitive insight, community stories, and personal takes.

🔥 From cold opens to cold reads of the 65-page rulebook, this is a candid, funny, and genuinely hyped conversation between longtime card game creators and casters.

In this episode:

Whether you're a Magic veteran, a Flesh and Blood grinder, or just curious about Riot's new card game, this is the perfect jumping-off point for following Riftbound's competitive scene and community growth.

🃏 Featuring:

• Blevins – LoR caster, whatnot pack opener, cold open specialist

• Casanova – TFT and card game caster, competitive grinder

• Charmer – Card game historian, digital & physical coverage expert

• PastryTime – League of Legends commentator, Magic lore junkie

👍 Like what you hear?

Hit Subscribe and join us for new episodes, card game commentary, and Riftbound updates. Drop us a comment and let us know what you think — this is just the beginning.

#Riftbound #CardGames #Podcast #TCG #LegendsOfRuneterra #FleshAndBlood #MagicTheGathering #LeagueOfLegends #RiotGames #RiftboundTCG #TheWinningPoint

George’s story is one of the wildest in Riftbound so far. He flew to China without a guaranteed spot, fought through the lottery system, locked in on Kai’Sa, and came out as the Number 1 Player in China.

In this interview, George shares:

✈️ What possessed him to fly across the world to compete without a confirmed spot

🃏 Why he locked into Kai’Sa and how his prep team shaped his run

🎮 His struggles with language barriers and judge calls on stage

📸 The surreal experience of becoming a minor celebrity in the Chinese Riftbound community

🔮 His thoughts on the Chinese meta, Western perceptions, and Riftbound’s future

Welcome back to The Winning Point Podcast – Episode 17!This week, Casanova, Pastrytime, and Charmer break down some of the biggest Riftbound news yet:

🎉 Houston Regional Qualifier Announced – happening December 5–7 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

⚡ The best-of-one format sweeping Chinese City Challenges. Does it work for Riftbound or is it fundamentally flawed?

🤝 Why 2v2 Riftbound might be the most fun casual format you’re not playing yet.

🛡️ Underexplored Battlefields and how they could shape future competitive play.

✉️ Mailbag: what makes Riftbound so fun, and which mechanics we’re excited to see expanded.

You saw a snippet of it on episode 15 of The Winning Point and now you have the full interview! In case you missed it, we sat down with Yuuj, a former professional Heroes of the Storm currently living in Shanghai, to talk about their competitive experience in the Riftbound scene so far.

In this interview we cover:

📈 Riftbound’s insane growth in China, with 3,000+ player Regionals

🏆 Highlights from Hangzhou, Beijing, and Guangzhou Regionals

🪑 The Hangzhou chair incident and the 90-minute delay it caused

🃏 The meta battle: Kai’Sa vs Yi dominance, Viktor’s fall, and Ahri’s rise

💰 The upcoming $30,000 Shanghai Regional and what it means for Riftbound esports

🔮 Yuuj’s insights on China’s ranking/points system and how it shapes competitive play

Aurora is everywhere in Riftbound right now. Is it actually broken, or just overhyped? In Episode 16 of The Winning Point, Blevins, Casanova, and Charmer break down Riftlab Clash IV, the latest Aurora debate, and how new decks like Viktor Control and Darius Hook are attacking the meta after the Chinese regionals.

We also talk about Riot’s production choices, how Master Yi still defines play patterns, and what it means for Riftbound as it gets closer to global release.

In episode 16 of The Winning Point:

💪 Aurora’s dominance in Riftbound — is it really too strong?

⚔️ Riftlab Clash IV Decks (Viktor, Darius, Kai'Sa)

👑 Imperial Decree Breakdown

🎮 Riot’s Event Production/What to Expect for Global Launch

Whether you’re following the Aurora problem, the rise of Viktor and Darius decks, or just want to hear a podcast about Riftbound’s competitive scene, this episode covers it all.

In this episode we cover:

🎤 A special interview with Yuuj

⚠️ The moment when a judge was threatened with a chair

⏱️ How it led to a 90-minute delay as players were removed and banned

😱 Misplays, punts, and the pressure of playing on stream

🎭 Emotional reactions from players and community fallout

🌀 Deck stories like Eggplant Yi and Green Ahri Time Warp that got lost in the chaos

💬 Why these kinds of incidents are flash-in-the-pan growing pains for any young competitive scene

This wasn’t just a tournament recap — it was Riftbound’s most dramatic Regional yet.

🎙️ The Winning Point Ep. 14 – Falling Star, Judge Controversies, Paris Open Confirmed, and more!

This week, the crew covers:

• Falling Star under fire → Is Riftbound’s most talked-about card too strong? Game Director Dave responds in Discord.
• Judge controversies → Are strict rulings helping or hurting competitive play?
• Paris Open Confirmed → Riot announces Riftbound’s Paris event this December.
• Chongqing Regional Recap → Surprising Lux run into Day 2, new deck - innovations, and Prismatic Schism’s Annie deck.
• Mailbag → Is Yasuo underrated? Weirdest combos we’ve seen so far.

🎙️ The Winning Point Ep. 13 – Riftbound’s Arcane Set & Meta Debate

This week’s episode dives into the biggest news Riftbound has had yet: Riot’s game director casually confirmed on Discord that the team already has 20 sets planned.

We break down what that means for Riftbound’s long-term future, what lessons can be learned from other TCGs with long life cycles, and what the community’s reaction has been so far.

We cover:

👉 What do YOU think — is Kai’sa really a Tier Zero deck, or just the current best choice? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Welcome to Episode 21 of The Winning Point! This week, MTG legend Jim Davis joins Casanova and Blevins to talk about the past, present, and future of trading card games — from his years on the Pro Tour to helping playtest Riftbound at Riot Games.We dig into everything surrounding Riftbound’s launch:

⭐ Walmart’s early pack release fiasco

👀 Incorrect rarity print errors and UVS' response

📄 Riot releasing “patch notes” for a physical TCG

🏬 How Riftbound could revive local game stores

🏅 And what’s next for competitive play in Vegas and Houston

Riftbound has officially launched! Welcome to Episode 22 of The Winning Point. This week, we have Blevins, Casanova, and Charmer covering topics from the release weekend to the Shanghai National Open.

❓ Which starter decks actually performed best at local release events?

📈 Product Availability & the Singles Market

🆕 New Riftbound Tournament Sealed Box

🏆 The Best-of prizing makes it's debut at the Shanghai National Open

😱 Teemo Cheating Scandal

In episode 23 of The Winning Point, the team welcomes a legendary voice in esports commentary, Uber (Valorant, Overwatch, FaB), for a hilarious and insightful chat about the early days of Riftbound, multiplayer madness, and the fine art of live casting.In this episode, the crew dives into:

⚖️ Riftbound's designs, pros and cons.

👨‍⚖️ Debate: removal of inviting players into combat.

🎧 Casting TCGs.

🤔 Bringing prior casting experience into Riftbound.

🍔 ...Arby's conspiracy about Ravenbloom Student?

Welcome to Episode 24 of the Winning Point!

Spiritforged spoiler season has officially begun, and this episode might be one of the most important Riftbound breakdowns yet. From what has been released so far, this set is already revealing meta implications, controversial combat interactions, and what may be the strongest gear card printed so far.

Today, we’ll be digging into the competitive, strategic, and hype-worthy reveals, including, but not limited to:

🪓 Draven’s Spinning Axe

⚙️ Mechanics behind temporary gear

🦅 Fight or flight ruling

🔍 Riot’s preview article on Spiritforged content

👀 We have a spoiler coming on November 28th?

If you’re aiming to get ahead of the meta, prepare for tournaments, or understand how Spiritforged will influence Riftbound at a high level, this episode gives you everything you need.

Spiritforged just unleashed the biggest wave of spoilers yet — and Episode 26 of The Winning Point breaks down as many major reveals as time allowed. From powerful purple spells to new token engines, counterspells, gear synergies, and combo enablers, this set is shaping up to be quite an impactful first expansion for Riftbound. In this episode, we analyze the most competitive, most hype, and most game-changing Spiritforged cards, including:

🔥 Fizz Trickster – Purple’s new reaction-speed “free spell” engine

🔥 Ornn – Blue/Green gear legend with huge long-game scaling

🔥 Rek'Sai Swarm Queen – The top-deck swarm engine

🔥 Bellows Breath, Downwell, Void Hatchling, and many more!

🔥 META & COMPETITIVE INSIGHTS

We also break down:

• Why Purple and Blue may be the biggest winners of Spiritforged

• Early Spiritforged combos and synergy packages

• Predictions heading into the Houston Riftbound event

There's a few more spoilers on their way, but we dug into those that were released thus far and how they may make an impact — what’s strong, what seems suspicious, and what competitive players should be preparing for.

🎥 TURN’EM SIDEWAYS AT HOUSTONWe’ll be on-site in Houston filming a documentary-style project following players through the event — deck techs, round-by-round reactions, and behind-the-scenes stories from the competitive community.

Welcome to episode 27 of The Winning Point! This week the team returns from the Houston Regional, breaks down early takeaways from the event, and dives into the newest wave of Spiritforged spoilers. Blevins, Casanova, and Charm3r cover what stood out, what surprised them, and how the meta may shift heading into Bologna and Vegas.

🔥 Houston Regional Recap

• Casanova returns with a shredded voice but a full report

• Friends making top finishes, best-of prizing highlights

• Early impressions of how Origins decks performed under pressure

✨ Spiritforged Spoilers

We take a look at several standout new cards revealed since last episode:

• Renata Glasc — A powerful new blue card that can draw or score points directly, giving players another way to break the point curve.

• Teemo Tools: Edge of Night & Switcheroo — New hidden-card interactions that help solve Teemo’s retake problems and open up creative battlefield manipulation.

🗺️ Looking Ahead

• Online set two events have already begun

• Players preparing for Bologna, Vegas, and upcoming skirmishes

• The team reflects on the “lame duck” period of seeing a full new set before being able to play it

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe — your support helps us keep covering events, spoilers, and the evolving competitive Riftbound scene.

Welcome to Episode 28 of The Winning Point! Spiritforged is officially on the horizon for Riftbound and we're closing this year out with a closer look at what's coming next. Spoiler alert: it includes co-streams for upcoming Spiritforged Chinese tournaments. In this episode, the crew breaks down early Spiritforged impressions, discusses hands-on experiences with Riftbound sealed play, and recaps the Paris Open, including what the event felt like on the ground and how Riot’s presence shaped the experience. With Spiritforged already live in China and global release approaching, we talk about how sealed differs from constructed Riftbound, what deck ideas we've come up with, and why the format feels so strong. If you’re preparing for Spiritforged, curious about sealed Riftbound, or want to stay ahead of the evolving meta, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Welcome to our full Fury Domain set review for Riftbound’s Spiritforged expansion.

In this episode, we break down every Fury card, giving first impressions, ratings, and early meta predictions to help players understand what’s worth testing, what’s likely sideboard tech, and what may define the format going forward.

Joined by Prismaticism and Cas, we walk through Fury’s new units, reactions, gear, and champions, discussing how cards like Draven, Ferrous Forerunner, Rumble (Hotheaded), Long Sword, Piercing Light, and more as they fit into aggressive and midrange strategies. We also dive into weapon synergies, mech recursion, accelerate lines, and future combo potential, especially where Fury intersects with champions like Draven, Lucian, Rumble, and Rek'Sai.

📺 This episode is part of a 7-part domain review series, covering every domain in Spiritforged — be sure to check out the rest of it for a full set coverage.

In this video, we continue our Spiritforged set review series by breaking down every card in the Calm domain. Joined by Prismaticism, we go card-by-card to evaluate what Calm brings to Riftbound — from efficient value engines and defensive tools to counterspells, gear synergies, and late-game power plays.

Calm continues to solidify its identity as a control-leaning, value-oriented domain, featuring standout cards like Not So Fast, Lonely Poro, Stellacorn Herder, and powerful gear options such as Heart of Dark Ice and Guardian Angel. We discuss which cards feel like auto-includes, which are meta-dependent tech, and which might struggle to find a home in competitive play.

Whether you’re preparing for Spiritforged tournaments, refining your green decks, or just want a deeper understanding of how Calm fits into the evolving Riftbound meta, this breakdown will help you separate the staples from the traps.

📺 This video is part of a 7-part review series, covering every card in Spiritforged — be sure to check out the rest of the playlist for full set coverage.

The Mind Domain set review dives deep into Riftbound’s most difficult to evaluate color — from powerful gold engines and removal spells to speculative combo pieces and niche tech options.In this video, we break down every Mind Domain card, discussing where each one fits, what decks want them, and which cards are worth building around versus leaving on the sidelines. Cards like Plundering Poro, Dropboarder, and Wages of Pain stand out as efficient role-players, while combo-focused tools such as Hextech Anomaly, Temporal Portal, and Jayce (Man of Progress) show massive long-term potential.We also take a close look at Ezreal synergies, Mind’s evolving removal suite, and how blue decks are gaining access to flexible answers for tokens, gear, and late-game value. Whether you’re interested in Rumble mech builds, blue-yellow gold strategies, or future combo shells, this review breaks down what matters — and what doesn’t.📺 This video is part of a 7-part review series, covering every card in Spiritforged — be sure to check out the rest of the playlist for full set coverage.

The Body Domain set review dives deep into Riftbound’s most straightforward — yet deceptively powerful — domain, focused on board presence, combat efficiency, and relentless pressure.

In this video, we break down every Body Domain card, discussing where each one fits, what decks want them, and which tools are core inclusions versus situational role-players. Efficient stat sticks, combat tricks, and pressure-oriented units define the domain, while standout cards highlight how Body decks can quickly snowball small advantages into overwhelming battlefield control.

We take a close look at how Body supports aggressive and midrange strategies, how it pairs with other domains to reinforce tempo-driven game plans, and which cards are most likely to shape early tournament metas. Whether you’re looking to curve out with efficient attackers, dominate combat phases, or force opponents into awkward defensive positions, this review breaks down what matters — and what can safely be skipped.

📺 This video is part of a 7-part review series, covering every card in Spiritforged — be sure to check out the rest of the playlist for full set coverage.

The Battlefields & Legends set review dives deep into Spiritforged’s most meta-defining cards — covering every new Legend, signature spell, and battlefield, and how they reshape deckbuilding, tempo, and win conditions across Riftbound.

In this video, we break down each Legend and battlefield, discussing where they fit, what decks they fit into, and which effects are true standouts versus situational tech. High-impact Legends like Draven, Ezreal, Orrn, Jax, and Fiora introduce powerful resource engines, combat manipulation, and card advantage tools, while signature spells such as Relentless Pursuit, Void Rush, Arcane Shift, and Riposte offer some of the strongest interaction and tempo swings in the set.

We also take a close look at how Spiritforged’s battlefields influence scoring patterns and deck construction, highlighting options like Ravenbloom Conservatory, Minefield, Ornn's Forge, and Veiled Temple as potential one-sided advantages when built around correctly. Whether you’re optimizing legend-centric engines, planning around repeat spells and equipment synergies, or choosing battlefields that punish specific metas, this review breaks down what matters — and what can be safely ignored.

📺 This video is part of a 7-part review series, covering every card in Spiritforged — be sure to check out the rest of the playlist for full set coverage.

The Order Domain set review dives deep into Riftbound’s most board-focused and value-driven domain — built around tokens, efficient units, and layered interaction that rewards smart sequencing and battlefield control.

In this video, we break down every Order Domain card, discussing where each one fits, what decks want them, and which cards are core engines versus situational role-players. Token generators like Azir's Sand Guards, Royal Guard, and Corina Veraza, define Order’s ability to flood and reinforce the board, while standout tools such as BF Sword, Drag Under, and Rally the Troops offer real power in both tempo and removal-heavy matchups.

We also take a close look at Order’s evolving late-game and Champions Zone impact, highlighting cards like Fiora (Worthy), Undertitan, and Xin Zhao that push Order decks from incremental pressure into legitimate win conditions. Between efficient accelerate options, action-speed interaction, and token-based synergies, Order continues to reward players who can convert small advantages into overwhelming battlefield presence.

📺 This video is part of a 7-part review series, covering every card in Spiritforged — be sure to check out the rest of the playlist for full set coverage.

The Chaos Domain set review dives deep into Riftbound’s most volatile and play-pattern–warping domain — packed with swingy interaction, spell-heavy engines, and high-skill decision points that can completely flip games.

In this video, we break down every Chaos Domain card, discussing where each one fits, what decks want them, and which cards are true standouts versus niche tech options. Powerful interaction like Hard Bargain and Switcheroo give Chaos decks real counterplay and combat tricks, while flexible engines such as Fizz (Trickster), Ezreal (Prodigy), and Irelia (Graceful) open the door for repeatable value and spell-centric strategies.

We also take a close look at Chaos’ growing combo potential, hidden-card synergies, and how purple decks leverage tempo manipulation, cost reduction, and recursion tools like Last Rites to create pressure without committing too hard to the board. Whether you’re interested in Ezreal spell shells, Annie control, Teemo hidden tech, or experimental Chaos-based combo decks, this review breaks down what matters — and what can be safely skipped.

📺 This video is part of a 7-part review series, covering every card in Spiritforged — be sure to check out the rest of the playlist for full set coverage.

A reminder that co-streams will start next week (1/16 around ~8pm CT) with the Fuzhou Spiritforged Event!

Welcome back to The Winning Point, episode 29 — our first episode of 2026 and a deep dive into everything shaping Riftbound right now.

This week, Blevins, Casanova, and Charmer talk about projected content plans for Turn 'em Sideways (including new series like First 40) and break down early Spiritforged results from China. The most recent City Challenge data showied Draven at 36% of Top 8s with Kai’Sa close behind, and had some surprising representation from Irelia, Viktor, and Master Yi. We discuss what these numbers actually mean, which decks may be underrepresented, and why this is far from a solved meta. The pod also had some candid discussion around ticket sales, event capacity, and what Riot can do better long-term.We also talk Spiritforged accessibility, product availability updates, Worlds bundles, wave two distribution, and why panic-buying sealed product rarely pays off. On the competitive side, we unpack Riftbound’s updated tournament time rules, how the new structure impacts control vs aggressive decks, and whether this change actually fixes long round delays.If you’re preparing for Spiritforged events, watching the evolving meta, or just want honest Riftbound discussion, this episode sets the stage for what’s coming next.

In Episode 30, we dive headfirst into the Spiritforged meta explosion, focusing on the rise of purple-based draw engines, Miracle-style Draven builds, and what happens when Riftbound suddenly allows decks to draw nearly their entire library with consistency. From Chinese City Challenges and large proxy events to early testing for Vegas, we analyze how purple cores are warping deck construction — and whether this level of power was intended.We break down why Draven has emerged as the defining legend of the format, how Miracle Draven and “fair” Jund-style Draven coexist, and why Ezreal may quietly be the most important card in Spiritforged. The conversation also explores how decks like Kai'sa, Annie, Ornn, and even under-the-radar picks could adapt — or fail — as consistency and card velocity continue to increase.Along the way, we debate design intent, compare Spiritforged’s power jump to early Magic and other TCGs, discuss why China and the West approach metas differently, and examine what counterplay actually exists against full-deck cycling strategies. If you’re testing for upcoming events, tracking regional trends, or trying to understand where Riftbound is heading next, this episode gives you the context you need.

Spiritforged is almost here and Riftbound just took a massive step forward.In Episode 33 of The Winning Point, the full crew breaks down the latest Riftbound tournament rules update, dives into the evolving Chinese Regional Open meta, and talks through what these changes mean heading into Spiritforged pre-release events worldwide.

We cover:

✅ Mixed-language cards now legal in tournaments

✅ Major policy updates around missed triggers

✅ Draft & limited format rules officially revealed

✅ Ongoing Draven dominance — and why the meta might finally be cracking

✅ Controversial judge rulings from recent CN Regionals

✅ Spiritforged preorder changes & what they signal for the future

With Chengdu and Dalian Regional Opens fresh in the books and Pre-Rift events coming to the West next week, this episode is your essential prep guide for what’s coming next in competitive Riftbound.

Spiritforged is almost here — and the countdown has officially begun.

In episode 32 of The Winning Point, we shift gears from pure meta analysis to full pre-release mode, breaking down everything players need to know as Spiritforged pre-release events hit the West next week.

We start with a quick co-stream recap of the Chengdu Regional Open, highlighting what stood out, what surprised us, and what early Spiritforged gameplay is already teaching us. With Dalian happening tonight, we talk about what to watch for next.

From there, the focus turns to Pre-Rift events, local game store play, and what Spiritforged means for players jumping in fresh. We discuss:- What archetypes feel intuitive for pre-release play- Why Spiritforged rewards proactive decision-making- How early Draven and Fiora narratives should (and shouldn’t) influence your expectations- What new players should prioritize when opening their first pools

This episode is about excitement, preparation, and momentum — bridging the gap between high-level tournament play and the experiences most players are about to have at their local stores. Whether you’re sleeving up for a Pre-Rift event, watching the China co-streams, or just counting down the days, Spiritforged is finally here.🎧 The Winning Point is your weekly Riftbound podcast, covering competitive play, event coverage, and everything that shapes the game — from global regionals to your local prerelease.

This week, we dive deep into the Fuzhou Regional Open, the first major Spiritforged regional in China, and unpack what the results actually tell us beyond the headline numbers. With Draven making up a massive portion of the field, we discuss whether this represents true dominance, early-set convergence, or simply China doing what it does best: identifying the perceived best deck and pushing it to its limits.

We break down the Top 64 and Top 8 legend spread, including strong showings from Fiora, Irelia, Annie, and Ezreal, and analyze why Draven’s representation dropped as the tournament narrowed — even after starting at nearly 40% of the field. From Jund-style “fair” Draven lists to the absence of expected combo builds, we explore how preparation, matchup targeting, and player skill shaped the event.

The episode also tackles one of the biggest conversations of the week: Riot’s Spiritforged errata, including the removal of reflexive triggers and how changes to cards like Falling Star and Icathian Rain impact gameplay clarity, tournament prep, and long-term confidence in physical card text. We debate errata vs bans, growing pains in early sets, and how these decisions affect both competitive and casual players.

To close things out, we zoom out on the broader Spiritforged landscape — discussing aggro vs midrange, why “proactive” decks feel strong early in formats, what might emerge as the next hated-but-not-broken deck, and how the meta could evolve heading into upcoming Chinese Regionals and major Western events.

Riftbound just made one of the biggest competitive changes yet — and it might finally make Best-of-One tournaments actually playable.

In Episode 34 of The Winning Point, we break down the new tournament policy update going live February 9, which allows players to make sideboard adjustments in Best-of-One after legends, battlefields, and turn order are revealed.

This is a huge step forward for competitive Riftbound, and it completely changes how players should prepare for events moving forward.We also dive into the evolving Spiritforged meta across recent Regional Opens, including the growing “triangle” at the top of the format, but with plenty of wild deck choices still sneaking into top cuts. Whether you’re preparing for your next event, testing new tech, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode covers what matters right now.

👇 Let us know in the comments:- Do you like sideboarding in Best-of-One?- What decks do you think benefit the most from this change?- What are you playing at your next event?

🎧 The Winning Point is your weekly Riftbound podcast, covering competitive play, event coverage, and everything that shapes the game — from global regionals to your local prerelease.

Please note the beginning of the episode is a little laggy (it's not your internet). The team had a shorter turnaround time for this episode due to travels (be sure to say hi if you see them at either SCG CON Milwaukee or Bologna for the Regional Qualifiers)!

Welcome to Episode 35 of The Winning Point! This week, we talk about our new website, incoming merch, predictions about what decks we'll see in Top 8 for Bologna RQ, and more!

👇 Let us know in the comments:

- Do you think there will be a surprise deck that ends up in Top 8?

- Thoughts on the new website?

- How will Cas and/or Blevins do in the tournament?

🎧 The Winning Point is your weekly Riftbound podcast, covering competitive play, event coverage, and everything that shapes the game — from global regionals to your local prerelease.

Two Regional Qualifiers have come and gone, and we're finally back and more or less well-rested enough to talk about them. It's not a secret that some of us work on the Riftbound shows or travel to compete in them, but there are definitely stories that come out of the events that are being revealed in this episode. For example: did you know Blevins was the reason Alanzq was late to accept his award in Bologna? We also talk about the discourse on Metal Cards... again.

🎧 The Winning Point is your weekly Riftbound podcast, covering competitive play, event coverage, and everything that shapes the game — from global regionals to your local prerelease.

Cas' is moving and Pastrytime was summoned elsewhere during this week's Winning Point episode, giving us a dynamic duo we didn't know we needed. In episode 37(!), we talk about future plans (both personal and for Riftbound), suggestions we've seen for the Miracle deck floating around, previews for both Unleashed AND Vendetta, and side events with banned decks in China. Also, we have new playmats available. 🎧 The Winning Point is your weekly Riftbound podcast, covering competitive play, event coverage, and everything that shapes the game — from global regionals to your local prerelease.

Warning: spoilers up ahead. Welcome to episode 38 of The Winning Point! This week's episode focuses on everything Unleashed Spoilers. We go over our own spoiler (Gutter Palace), Baron Nashor, and all the revealed Legends. There's so much to cover and so little time. 🎧 The Winning Point is your weekly Riftbound podcast, covering competitive play, event coverage, and everything that shapes the game — from global regionals to your local prerelease.

Viktor's good again... you should get a playmat to celebrate: https://shop.turnemsideways.gg/The tierlist and other decks have been updated: https://turnemsideways.gg/tierlist

Welcome to episode 40 of The Winning Point! We've got a little Lille announcement and we dig further into the banned cards and rules updates discussion. There's so much information and so little time to process it all.

What decks are we looking to play now?

Welcome to episode 39 of The Winning Point! This is more or less a continuation of last week's spoiler episode, but with a twist? We're also going over the Shenzhen National that happened over the weekend and talk about some of the crew's favorite spoilers of Unleashed! 🎧 The Winning Point is your weekly Riftbound podcast, covering competitive play, event coverage, and everything that shapes the game — from global regionals to your local prerelease.