The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Called Shot is already banned in Riftbound’s sanctioned Constructed and 2v2 Constructed formats. Riot announced the Standard Constructed ban on March 30, 2026, effective March 31; the Rules Hub listed it as banned in both formats in its September 18 update. The prediction in the original headline has come true.
When and where Called Shot was banned
Riot’s March 30, 2026 announcement made Called Shot one of the game’s first banned cards, with the ban taking effect March 31 in Standard Constructed. The official Rules Hub, updated September 18, 2026, lists Called Shot as banned in both sanctioned Constructed and 2v2 Constructed. Check that hub before an event or game, since legality can change.
Riot says all sets currently produced are legal in sanctioned play, with Standard Constructed rotation planned to begin in 2028. That broad set-legality rule does not override the ban list: Called Shot remains prohibited in the two listed constructed formats.
Why Riot banned Called Shot
Riot linked Called Shot and Scrapheap to Miracle decks built around a shared Chaos card core. The decks could draw through much of their deck and deploy undercosted units in a single, extended, action-heavy turn. Riot said those turns contributed to tournament-round delays and warned that the strategy could become stronger as the card pool expanded.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
- CHAMPION YOUR STRATEGY: Build your decks and your collection from premium packs filled with 7 Commons, 3 Uncommons, 2 foil Rares or better, 1 foil of any rarity, and 1 token slot. Each booster display contains 24 packs.
- EXPANDED CHAMPION ROSTER: Vendetta introduces fan-favorite League of Legends champions including Mel, Ambessa, Shen, Zed, Nasus, and Renekton. Bring iconic characters into Riftbound and expand your powerful strategy.
- NEW MECHANICS & DOMAIN COMBINATIONS: The Vendetta set enhances Riftbound gameplay with powerful new cards, innovative mechanics, and the first appearance of new domain combinations, giving players deeper strategy.
- MULTIPLE GAMEPLAY MODES: Designed for competitive play. Supports several battle formats including strategic 1v1 duels, fast-paced 2v2 team matches, and intense 4-player free-for-all battles for dynamic tabletop gameplay.
- RANDOMLY ASSORTED: Card packs are randomly selected. Collect them all! The possibilities are endless! Build your collection and unlock countless ways to play.
Riot’s March announcement said, “We do not consider this style of deck to be healthy.” Its stated concern was not simply a card’s raw tournament representation: player experience, turn length and the future risk of the strategy also mattered. The official sources do not give a numerical win-rate, usage-rate or match-time threshold for banning a card.
How Riot says it evaluates bans
Riot described three considerations for a ban. They interact; none automatically triggers a ban on its own.
Rank #2
- COMPLETE OUT-OF-THE-BOX PLAY: Includes prebuilt decks designed for balanced matchups, making it easy for anyone to learn and start battling immediately. 4 character starter decks: Master Yi, Annie, Lux and Garen.
- MULTIPLAYER MAYHEM: Supports 2-4 players with flexible gameplay modes, from head-to-head duels to strategic alliances and shifting battles. Multiple game modes ensure varied and exciting gameplay every session.
- STEP-BY-STEP LEARNING: A guided play experience helps new players master the game quickly, while deck upgrade suggestions provide an easy transition to competitive play through booster purchases (sold separately).
- THE ULTIMATE FIRST STEP: Whether you’re a longtime League fan or a newcomer to trading card games, Proving Grounds is the perfect way to begin your Riftbound journey! It delivers instant action and memorable champions.
- Unhealthy overrepresentation: whether a card or strategy is too prevalent in the metagame.
- Worsening future risk: whether the problem is likely to grow, including as new cards expand the pool.
- Unhealthy play patterns: whether the strategy produces experiences Riot considers harmful, such as long turns that slow tournaments.
In its February 2026 State of the Game, game director Dave Guskin said Riot was considering “Banning one or more cards.” Riot also said it would avoid announcing bans within two weeks of a high-level event when possible, to give players time to adapt. It explained that it would not use power-level errata or rules changes to balance the metagame.
Riot said it preferred a clear ban over restrictions that might make the problem sharper or the rules harder to communicate. That is a policy preference, not a promise that every future balance issue will be handled in the same way.
Rank #3
- TRADING CARD GAME SHOWDOWN DECKS: A fast and easy way to learn to play Riftbound! Showdown decks are built around your favorite League characters and get you right into the game. Shen or Zed - Who is the deadliest?
- READY-TO-PLAY DECKS: 2 full 56-card preconstructed deck featuring Zed and Shen. Designed for accessible and dynamic gameplay These ready-to-play deck include 1 champion legend, a 40-card deck, 12 rune cards, and 3 rare cards.
- EXTRAS TO KEEP YOU IN THE ACTION: Includes a full-size paper playmat, a booster pack for customization, and deck-building tips. Booklet Included – Learn the game with an easy-to-follow rules and deck-building guide.
- UPGRADE WITH EASE: Includes 3 Rares with a clear path to competitive upgrades—perfect for both newcomers and veterans. Forge your path through the Rift with Zed and Shen. DESIGNED FOR BATTLE!
- CUSTOM PAPER DECKBOX: 2 durable, foldable deck boxes that ship flat and assemble quickly, keeping your cards safe and portable. Perfect for home sessions or traveling to your next tournament.
What happened after the first bans
Called Shot was part of a wider March decision: Riot also banned Scrapheap, Draven, Vanquisher and Fight or Flight, along with three battlefields. Later updates expanded the lists.
- July 2026: Riot added Stealthy Pursuer and two battlefields to Standard’s banned list and introduced a separate 2v2 Constructed list.
- August 2026: Riot said, “Yes, we expect to continue to ban cards,” while saying it would try to keep the number of bans low.
- September 18, 2026: Ekko, Recurrent and Stacked Deck joined both the Standard and 2v2 Constructed ban lists.
The sequence shows that Called Shot was not merely a card Riot was considering banning: Riot acted in March, and the current Rules Hub records its legality in both constructed formats.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TRADING CARD GAME CHAMPION DECKS: The fastest and easiest way to learn to play Riftbound! Champion decks are built around your favorite League characters and get you right into the game.
- READY-TO-PLAY DECK: A full 56-card preconstructed deck featuring Rumble, designed for accessible and dynamic gameplay. This ready-to-play deck includes 1 champion legend, a 40-card deck, 12 rune cards, and 3 rare cards.
- ASSEMBLE YOUR MECHA-MINIONS! Each cog in the machines makes your units more powerful, until even the dinkiest clunker can become arena champion. DESIGNED FOR BATTLE!
- EXTRAS TO KEEP YOU IN THE ACTION: Includes a full-size paper playmat, a booster pack for customization, and deck-building tips. Booklet Included – Learn the game with an easy-to-follow rules and deck-building guide.
- CUSTOM PAPER DECK BOX: A durable, foldable deck box that ships flat and assembles quickly, keeping your cards safe and portable. Perfect for home sessions or traveling to your next tournament.
Rank #4
- VENDETTA VAULT COLLECTION: Crack open the Vendetta Vault and expand your Riftbound: League of Legends Trading Card Game collection with a curated bundle designed to complement growing decks and collections.
- INCLUDES BOOSTER PACKS & GAME CONTENT: This Vault bundle includes 6 Riftbound Set 4: Vendetta booster packs, giving players exciting opportunities to discover new cards, champions, and mechanics while strengthening decks.
- RUNES TO POWER YOUR DECKS: The bundle features 36 assorted basic runes, including six of each type, providing essential resources for deck building and strategic gameplay within the Riftbound trading card game system.
- FULL-ART DOUBLE-SIDED TOKENS: Includes 3 copies of a stunning double-sided full-art token card, adding both functionality and collectible appeal while enhancing the visual presentation of your gameplay setup.
- MULTI GAMEPLAY MODES: Packaged in a convenient card storage box to keep your collection organized. Supports exciting formats including strategic 1v1 battles, dynamic 2v2 matches, and intense 4-player free-for-all games.
What players should do
- Before entering a sanctioned Constructed or 2v2 Constructed event, open the official Rules Hub and check the applicable banned-card list.
- If your deck includes Called Shot, remove it for either of those formats. Owning or buying a physical copy does not make it legal there.
- For other formats or casual house rules, confirm the format’s rules with the organizer or your play group; the September listing specifically establishes the two sanctioned constructed formats named above.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
