League of Legends, the juggernaut MOBA, continues its reign after 15 years, fueled by Riot Games' relentless expansion into diverse media. From comics and the acclaimed Arcane animated series to spin-off games like Ruined King, Teamfight Tactics, Bandle Tale, Song of Nunu, and Legends of Runeterra, the franchise's reach is vast. Now, in an unexpected twist, Riot Games is adding a new experience directly into the League of Legends client: The Demon's Hand.
The Demon's Hand: A Card Game Within League
This new addition is a mini-game, drawing inspiration from card-battling roguelikes like Inscryption and Balatro. However, it's important to note that it will not be a Runeterra based card game.
Gameplay Teaser
The Demon's Hand plunges players into roguelike battles against monstrous foes. A recent Instagram teaser showcased gameplay elements, highlighting map exploration, card power-ups, and resting periods between encounters. Battles are resolved based on the numerical value of the player's hand against the monster's.
Deeper Than It Seems?
The game's description as "a totally normal game of cards," coupled with visuals seemingly tied to the upcoming LeBlanc rework, suggest hidden depths. This tease indicates that there might be more to The Demon's Hand than meets the eye. LeBlanc rework set to be detailed on Wednesday April 2.
LeBlanc Connection and Lore Implications
Datamining efforts and prior teases link The Demon's Hand to a League of Legends event centered around LeBlanc. This event is expected to include a new emote, the card battler mini-game, and narrative content delving into Noxian history.
What about Legends of Runeterra?
While the arrival of The Demon's Hand is intriguing, it also raises questions about the future of Legends of Runeterra. The surprise launch might suggest that a return to Legends of Runeterra is further off than many had anticipated.