Riot Revealed New Bandle Scouts Academy Card
The upcoming Battlefield card will introduce a new mechanics-based strategy for Riftbound players.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in eSports
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Riot has unveiled the Bandle Scouts Academy card for the Riftbound card game, set to arrive alongside the Set 5 Radiance expansion. The card features the Hidden keyword mechanic, which allows players to play cards face-down to activate them later for free.
Why it matters
The card offers consistent access to free runes, which is expected to boost deck tempo significantly. Developers anticipate this addition will increase the usage of Teemo cards within the current game meta.
The Bandle Scouts Academy card introduces a Gold gear token mechanic that adds power and generates a rune when exhausted. It is one of 44 cards in the upcoming set to utilize the Hidden keyword.
The players
Riot
Riot is the major publisher and developer behind competitive gaming titles including the digital card game Riftbound.
The details
Players use the Hidden keyword by hiding a card face-down at full cost to trigger it later without additional spending. Once a card is hidden, the Bandle Scouts Academy creates a Gold gear token, which players can then exhaust to gain a rune.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: Riftbound Set 5 Radiance launches globally.
December 4, 2026: The Gift of the Rift bundle ships with an Akali promo card.
Season Trajectory
This reveal establishes the mechanical direction for the upcoming competitive season by emphasizing rune-based tempo play. The new expansion significantly alters the viability of existing card archetypes like Teemo decks.
Players should prepare to adjust their deck builds to account for free rune generation from Bandle Scouts Academy. The introduction of the Gift of the Rift bundle on December 4 provides a specific opportunity to acquire the Akali promo card.
The takeaway
The addition of mechanics that reward face-down card play will likely slow down the early game as opponents adapt to hidden threats. Strategic players should focus on managing their Gold gear token usage to maximize rune output throughout the match.
Further reading
For more on the evolving competitive landscape, see our eSports section.
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