Riftbound token cards are a special type of game object created during play by card effects. They are not part of your deck, they cannot be shuffled in, and when they leave play they stop existing entirely. If you have just had one appear at your table, or pulled one from a booster pack and are wondering what you are holding, this page covers everything you need to know.
Page last updated: 11 May 2026. Rules sourced from the Riftbound Core Rules (last updated 30 March 2026).
What Is a Token Card?
A token is a Game Object that did not exist before the game started. Some card abilities or spells say something like “create a [Token name] token” when they resolve. That instruction causes the token to appear on the board. It was not in your deck, it was not in your hand, and it did not come from anywhere outside the game.
According to the Core Rules (rule 176), tokens are Game Objects created by spells and abilities during play. They are not cards. The rules are explicit on this: rule 182 states “Tokens are not cards” and rule 350.2 confirms that while tokens can still be Played, they do not follow card rules in the same way regular Main Deck cards do.
The word TOKEN appears on a token’s type line as a supertype. This is what makes it identifiable at a glance. According to rule 133.7.c, Token is a supertype applied to temporary game objects of any card type, which means a token can be a unit, a spell, or another card type, but the Token supertype is always present.
The key rule in plain English: Token cards are created by other cards during a game. They are not part of any deck. When they leave play, they stop existing and cannot be retrieved.
How to Identify a Token Card Visually
Token cards have a distinct look that separates them from regular Main Deck cards. Here is what to look for on the card itself.
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Type line | The word TOKEN appears here. This is the clearest way to confirm you are holding a token card. |
| Collector number | Token cards have no collector number in the standard set numbering. The bottom of the card will not show a number like 042/150. |
| Rarity symbol | Token cards have no rarity symbol. They do not count as a Common, Rare, or Epic. |
| Might value | If the token is a unit, its Might value is printed on the card face. This is the stat used during combat while the token is in play. |
| Card back | Token cards have a unique card back that is visually different from the standard Riftbound card back. See image placeholder below. |
If you want a full breakdown of where each element appears on a regular Riftbound card, the Riftbound Keyword Index covers all keyword symbols you may see on any card, including tokens.
Token Card Rules
Everything below is sourced from the Riftbound Core Rules. Token behaviour is consistent across all sets.
Tokens are not in your deck
Token cards are never shuffled into your Main Deck or Rune Deck. You do not draw them, they do not count toward your deck size, and you cannot put them into your deck intentionally. They begin the game outside the game state entirely.
Tokens are created by card effects only
A token only enters play when a spell or ability specifically says to create one. The card effect will name the token and may also specify its stats, where it enters play, or whether it enters ready or exhausted. If no card effect has said “create a token,” no token exists.
Multiple copies can exist simultaneously
There is no limit to how many tokens of the same type can be in play at once. If two separate effects each create a Sand Soldier token, both are in play at the same time as independent game objects.
What happens when a token leaves play
When a token is killed or otherwise removed from play, it stops existing. It does not go to the Trash (discard pile). It does not go to Banishment. It simply ceases to be a game object. Rule 438.6 confirms that a token that enters Banishment through a Replace effect stops existing at that point. No card effect can retrieve a token that has left play, because there is nothing left to retrieve.
Common mistake: Tokens do not go to the Trash when killed. If you or your opponent has a card that triggers off units going to the Trash, a token being killed does not trigger it, because the token never arrives in the Trash. Verify this against your specific card text.
Tokens follow normal unit rules while in play
While a token is on the board, it behaves as a normal unit of its type. It can attack, defend, be targeted by spells, take damage, and use any abilities printed on it. The Token supertype does not make it immune to anything or grant it any special protection.
Tokens in Booster Packs
Token cards appear in Riftbound booster packs in a dedicated token slot. One token card is included per pack. This slot is separate from the main card slots in the pack.
The Core Rules (rule 178) confirm that printed token cards are included in Riftbound booster packs, but are not required to play a token. When a card effect creates a token during a game, you can use any object to represent it if you do not have the printed version to hand.
Pulling a token from a pack is not a bad pull. The token sits in its own slot and does not replace any Rare or Epic card that would otherwise appear in the standard slots. Your rare slot and your token slot are independent.
Unleashed Vault full-art tokens
The Unleashed Collector’s Vault includes full-art token cards as part of its premium contents. These are the same token cards in terms of gameplay, but with upgraded art suited to the Vault product. If you are a collector, this is the main reason to seek out a Vault specifically for its token variants.
Known Tokens by Set
The table below will list all confirmed token cards by set once the full card list is verified against official sources. Token names sourced from the Core Rules examples include Sand Soldier (referenced in the Repeat rules section). Full verification against the official Riot card gallery is required before this table can be completed.
Alex flag: Token table requires post-publish completion. Verify all token names, creating cards, and stats against the official Riot card gallery at riftbound.leagueoflegends.com before adding to this table. Do not list token names from memory alone.
Quick Reference Summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this card part of my deck? | No. Tokens are never in any deck. |
| Where did it come from? | A card effect created it during the game. |
| What does it do while in play? | It works like a normal unit of its type. Check the stats and abilities printed on the card. |
| Where does it go when it dies? | It stops existing. It does not go to the Trash. |
| Can I get it back? | No. Once a token leaves play it ceases to exist entirely. |
| Why is one in my booster pack? | Booster packs include one token card in a dedicated slot. It did not replace your rare card. |
| Do I need the printed card to play a token? | No. Any physical object can represent a token during play. |
If you are new to Riftbound and want to understand how the rest of the card types work, the How to Play Riftbound hub on RiftboundGuide.com covers the full basics.