Riftbound is going to mess with your instincts in a way that feels unfair at first. Not because it's "hard," but because you'll be right for the wrong reasons, then punished for the habits you've been rewarded for in your main game. That's the tricky part.

Here's the payoff: you don't need to "forget" your old TCG. You need to translate it. Once you know which mental models to carry over and which ones to put on a shelf, Riftbound gets way easier to learn, and your testing actually starts producing real answers.

With that in mind, this is a set of conversion cheatsheets. Not rules text, not card-by-card breakdowns, just the practical "how do I think" translation so you can sit down, play games, and improve fast.

What are we converting, exactly?

You're not converting "mechanics." You're converting decision patterns.

Most experienced players do three things automatically:

1. Spend resources efficiently
2. Sequence actions to reduce risk
3. Predict what the opponent can do next

Riftbound will still reward those, but the "shape" of those decisions can feel different depending on what you're coming from. The goal is to spot your default autopilot and replace it with a Riftbound-friendly version.

The one drill that works for every game

Play three games where you do this every turn:

• Say out loud: "What's my plan this turn?"
• Then: "What's my plan if I get interrupted?"
• Then: "What's my opponent representing?" (even if you're not sure)

If you do nothing else, do that. It forces your brain to stop speed-running turns based on old habits.

If you're an MTG player: "Open mana" brain, but don't over-respect it

Magic players bring two superpowers: range evaluation (what could they have?) and sequencing discipline (play the safe line first). That's huge.

However... MTG players also have a tendency to:

• Assume every pause is a trap
• Slow down into "draw-go" paranoia
• Miss proactive windows because they're playing around everything

Translation cheatsheet (MTG into Riftbound)

Keep these:

• "If they can interact, lead with the action you can afford to lose."
• "Don't spend your whole turn before you know what matters."
• "Count the game in chunks, not turns." (early setup, mid stabilization, late closing)

Unlearn these:

• "They always have it."
• "If I can't protect it, I shouldn't play it."
• Overvaluing small efficiency over board position (sometimes you take the slightly awkward line to keep tempo)

Concrete "if X then Y" lines

• If the opponent leaves resources/options available and does not commit, then assume they're holding interaction or a swing turn, and sequence your least-committal play first.
• If your hand has two competing lines, one that develops and one that reacts, then choose development unless you can name the exact threat you lose to by developing.

(You'll adjust once you learn what interaction exists in Riftbound, but the structure stays useful.)

If you're a Pokemon player: Prize mapping energy, but don't tunnel on the "one big turn"

Pokemon players are quietly some of the best planners in TCGs. Prize mapping, turn planning, and "what do I need by turn two or 3" thinking translates really well.

Now on the surface... Pokemon also trains you to fixate on building one clean, explosive line. In a different environment, that can turn into tunnel vision where you ignore the opponent's pressure until it's too late.

Translation cheatsheet (Pokémon into Riftbound)

Keep these:

• "What's my win condition and how many turns does it take?"
• "What's my setup checklist?" (resource, engine piece, pressure)
• "If I miss X by turn Y, what's Plan B?"

Unlearn these:

• Assuming you'll always get enough time to set up
• Over-committing to one attacker line (or one core plan) without a pivot
• Treating disruption as "bad luck" instead of something to plan around

A simple planning framework

Before you play your first card/action each turn, pick one:

• Advance: improve your position even if nothing happens
• Stabilize: prevent yourself from losing right now
• Convert: turn advantage into damage, points, or a decisive lead

If you can't name which one you're doing, you'll default into "setup because that's what I do," and Riftbound might not forgive you.

If you're a Yu-Gi-Oh! player: Combo clarity is great, but you need a throttle

Yu-Gi-Oh! players understand sequencing like it's a second language. You know what a line is, how to bait disruption, and how to route into a backup plan when something gets stopped. That's elite.

However... Yu-Gi-Oh! also trains you to press every advantage immediately. In some games, that becomes overextension: you dump your hand, expose yourself, and lose to the first swing back.

Translation cheatsheet (Yu-Gi-Oh! into Riftbound)

Keep these:

• "What's the minimum line that accomplishes my goal?"
• "Force the response, then punish the response."
• Tracking hidden information and representing options

Unlearn these:

• The urge to do the entire line just because you can
• Treating every turn like it has to be a knockout turn
• Ignoring "resource tomorrow" because you're focused on "advantage now"

The throttle rule (actionable)

Any time you're about to commit a third "extra" piece to a line, ask:

• "What do I lose if this gets answered?"
• "Does this extra piece win the game, or just look impressive?"
• "If I hold it, does it protect me next turn?"

If the answer is "it just looks impressive," stop. Make them prove they can beat the smaller line.

If you're a Lorcana player: Tempo and racing translate, but you must re-check your threat math

Lorcana players are used to racing, managing "when do I push vs when do I interact," and navigating games where you can be behind on board but ahead on the real win condition. That mindset is extremely transferable.

However... Lorcana also builds a habit of thinking in "quest math" and specific pacing assumptions. If Riftbound's pacing is different (it might be faster, slower, or just shaped differently), your threat assessment can be off by a full turn.

Translation cheatsheet (Lorcana into Riftbound)

Keep these:

• "If I'm ahead, trade safety for inevitability."
• "If I'm behind, force them to answer my pressure."
• Knowing when to pivot from value plays into closing plays

Unlearn these:

• Assuming you can always take one more hit "because my clock is faster"
• Autopiloting into midrange value when a clean race is correct
• Treating interaction as optional (some environments demand it)

The "two clocks" habit

Track two clocks every game:

• Your clock: how many turns until you can realistically win
• Their clock: how many turns until they can realistically win

If your clock is slower, you must disrupt or accelerate. If your clock is faster, you must avoid unnecessary risk.

That sounds obvious, but writing "my clock: 3 turns, their clock: 2 turns" in your notes will fix a lot of losses.

What should your Riftbound practice look like?

If you're new to organized play, this matters a lot: you don't improve by playing 50 random games. You improve by playing 15 focused games where you're testing one thing.

Here's a simple practice plan that works even before you know all the cards:

• Session 1: Play only for clean sequencing (no fancy lines, just stable plays)
• Session 2: Play only for identifying "what is the scary thing they can do next?"
• Session 3: Play only for endgame planning (how do I actually close?)

Write down one note after each game:

• "I lost because I misread X."
• "I won because I prioritized Y."
• "Next time I'll try Z earlier."

That's it. Small notes compound fast.

What now?

With that... here are your next steps:

1. Pick the cheatsheet that matches your main TCG and play 5 Riftbound games while actively fighting your biggest "unlearn" habit.
2. After each game, write one sentence: "The moment I started losing was when I ____."
3. Build your personal mini-glossary: when you hear a Riftbound term or concept at locals, write what it means in decisions, not just definition-level stuff.

If you jam Riftbound this week, what's the first habit you're trying to break, sequencing like MTG, setup mapping like Pokemon, combo throttling like Yu-Gi-Oh!, or racing like Lorcana? And if you've got a "wait, THAT's how Riftbound works?" moment (good or painful), tag me on X at @_EmeraldWeapon_.