Riftbound Bans: 10 New Cards and Battlefields Restricted November 23 — November 13, 2026 Update

Verified November 13, 2026, at 3:02 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−05:00), Canada; 20:02 UTC. The official Riftbound announcement and Rules Hub were checked for this article. Review the latest official text again immediately before playing.

Riftbound has announced ten new bans for Constructed play, effective November 23, 2026. On November 13, Riot Games named eight cards and two battlefields that will become illegal in sanctioned Standard Constructed and 2v2 Constructed tournaments in applicable circuits. The effective date matters: players in Canada should not confuse an announced future ban with a rule already in force at a match scheduled before November 23. The earlier bans remain active. Source: Riot’s November 13 ban announcement.

The announcement directly affects decks built around Riven, Kennen and other major strategies, but it does not announce a general ban on the Riven or Kennen Legends. Riot also established regional exceptions: the new bans will not immediately take effect in Korean and Traditional Chinese competitive regions. Canadian players should verify their tournament format and sanctioning circuit before submitting a list.

Highlights (Destaques)

• Timing: Ten new banned entries become effective November 23, 2026, in applicable competitive circuits.
• What changes: Eight cards and two battlefields are added; earlier restrictions are not lifted.
• Format matters: Standard and 2v2 already have banned cards, and 2v2 also bans Master Yi, Wuju Bladesman as a Legend.
• Before your event: Check the official announcement, your deck and battlefields, the organizer’s rules and any regional exception.

Which Riftbound cards are banned starting November 23?

The eight newly announced cards are Riven, Broken Blade; Zhonya’s Hourglass; Stellacorn Herder; Nocturne, Horrifying; Rhasa the Sunderer; Brynhir Thundersong; Dazzling Aurora; and Baited Hook. The two newly banned battlefields are Emperor’s Dais and Star Spring.

Riot says these changes apply to both Standard Constructed and Constructed 2v2 in eligible regions beginning Monday, November 23. A tournament taking place November 20–22 should not automatically apply these future bans; follow its organizer’s published rules. Riot did not specify a universal hour for the effective date, so do not invent a midnight conversion between Canadian and international time zones.

What is the current Riftbound banned list before November 23?

At the time of verification, the Riftbound Rules Hub still lists the Constructed legality document as last updated September 18, 2026. Seven cards are already banned in Standard: Called Shot, Ekko, Recurrent, Draven, Vanquisher, Fight or Flight, Scrapheap, Stealthy Pursuer, and Stacked Deck. Five battlefields are already banned: The Arena’s Greatest, Aspirant’s Climb, Dreaming Tree, Obelisk of Power, and Reaver’s Row.

The 2v2 Constructed list includes the same seven cards and five battlefields, with the additional banned Legend Master Yi, Wuju Bladesman. Master Yi’s specific 2v2 restriction does not mean the Legend is banned in ordinary 1v1 Standard play. The September ban announcement confirms that the previous wave, Ekko, Recurrent and Stacked Deck, became illegal September 18.

For a November 23 or later event, check the newer Radiance announcement in addition to the September-dated Rules Hub. A page showing an older last-updated date does not nullify Riot’s newer official announcement.

Why did Riot announce another wave of bans?

Riot said it was responding to tournament results, internal playtesting and gameplay patterns that were becoming unhealthy. Its figures for the European Regional Championship showed Riven at 43% of registered decks and three of the top four finishes. Kennen accounted for about 15% of registrations and won the tournament. The Riot’s European Championship analysis also documents the unusually heavy concentration of those strategies in the field.

Several Riven-associated cards let units attack or conquer with limited risk, according to Riot. The developers also cited Kennen interactions involving Nocturne and Rhasa, while Brynhir Thundersong could create oppressive turn-denial sequences. Dazzling Aurora and Baited Hook were singled out for enabling extremely powerful units at unusually low cost. Riot said Baited Hook might create further issues with upcoming cards, but that concern is a developer assessment rather than an observed outcome from future tournaments.

How should you check your Riftbound deck before a tournament?

1. Confirm the match date. Determine whether your sanctioned match falls before or on or after November 23, 2026.
2. Identify the format. Ask whether the event uses Standard Constructed, 2v2 Constructed, or another ruleset. Do not transfer a 2v2-only Legend restriction to 1v1 automatically.
3. Cross-check the official rules. Use Riot’s current Rules Hub and the most recent effective-dated ban announcement.
4. Inspect the entire registered list. Check each card, battlefield and any sideboard. Alternate artworks or promotional printings of a banned card are not substitutes for legal cards.
5. Check errata separately. Errata change the official wording of cards; they do not by themselves declare a card banned. Use the Rules Hub’s latest Core Rules, Tournament Rules and errata documents.
6. Ask the organizer. If your local store, tournament software or online deck builder disagrees with official documents, clarify the format, circuit and deck submission deadline with event staff or a judge before the match.

Do the November 23 Riftbound bans apply everywhere?

No. Riot expressly says the new entries will not affect Korean and Traditional Chinese regional competitions until Radiance releases in those regions, and effective dates may differ by region. This marks a change toward region-specific lists when set release schedules diverge. Players participating in a Canadian event normally need the applicable Canadian/global competitive regulations; those traveling to another circuit should verify that circuit’s legality list instead of assuming every region changes on the same date.

What could change for Canadian players after the bans?

Players using the ten announced entries will need new legal configurations for affected matches starting November 23. Removing a key early-game unit, card-draw engine or battlefield can alter energy curves, combat plans and consistency. Testing replacements before submitting a decklist is more useful than swapping cards without rechecking the strategy.

Riot expects improved competitive balance and has outlined planned ban windows for 2027. However, it is too early to declare which deck will dominate after the changes. Claims about post-ban win rates, prices or tournament outcomes would be speculative until matches occur under the new rules. Riot also said that, despite monitoring 2v2 balance, it is not imposing additional 2v2-only bans with this announcement.

Official sources for Riftbound legality

Start with Riot’s November 13 ban announcement for the November effective date and regional exceptions. Use the Riftbound Rules Hub for the standing ban lists, Core Rules, Tournament Rules and errata. Consult the September ban announcement for the preceding wave and Riot’s European Championship analysis for Riot’s explanation of the competitive conditions behind this decision. Recheck the official links just before registration.

FAQ

Are Riven and Kennen banned in Riftbound?

Riot did not ban the Riven or Kennen Legends outright in its November 13 announcement. It banned specified cards such as Riven, Broken Blade and cards used in Kennen strategies, effective November 23 in applicable circuits.

Can I use the ten newly listed cards before November 23?

The new bans take effect November 23, 2026, in applicable regions. Older bans already apply, and an organizer’s event format and published restrictions must still be checked.

Where can I verify the official Riftbound ban list?

Use the official Rules Hub, then read more recent Riot ban announcements and their effective dates before playing in a sanctioned match.