Riot Games is finally doubling down on original artwork for Riftbound, following sustained player feedback questioning the heavy reuse of existing art from other titles, such as old CCG games like from the developer like Legends of Runeterra.
“With every release, you will be seeing more new art on Riftbound cards,” Chengran Chai, the game’s Executive Producer, said in first-ever state-of-the-game blog post. “We’re already ramping up to add more new art to the game, and players will be seeing a larger proportion of original Riftbound art with every new set.”
When Riftbound would begin showcasing more original illustrations instead of relying on assets pulled from elsewhere in Riot’s ecosystem. Chengran confirmed that the transition is already in motion and will continue with every new set release.
According to the developer, Riot is now able to invest more heavily in Riftbound-first illustrations, with future sets introducing a growing share of art made exclusively for the game. With upcoming sets focusing on champions and new, unseen characters from Runeterra, original visuals are set to become a core pillar of the game’s identity.
The third set for the game: Unleashed is expected to release previews by 16 March, 2026. The developer has already teased original artwork tied to the set, including a fresh depiction of Baron Nashor, one of Runeterra’s most iconic monsters, which is a key objective in League of Legends. The tease suggests that Unleashed will not only introduce new gameplay elements like other sets but also define Riftbound’s own art style, separate from its sister titles.
Chengran also addressed why reused art was prevalent in earlier sets, explaining that drawing on existing artwork from games like LoR enabled the team to launch Riftbound more quickly. While those assets helped accelerate development process for the team, they were never meant to be a permanent solution.
In an exclusive interview with the developer last year, he also explained how LoR helped shape Riftbound, strengthening its position within the broader TCG space. For players who want Riftbound to stand apart visually, Unleashed appears to be the first clear step in that direction, with more original art planned across upcoming future expansions.
