Like most card games, Legends of Runeterra will be a favourable ground for new mechanics and many keywords. Here is the list and all their meanings. Some are common to games like Hearthstone and Magic and are rather instinctive, while others are relatively innovative.
Allegiance
- A unit or Champion with Allegiance will trigger its effect if the top card of the player’s deck is of the same region as the card with Allegiance.
Card example: Vanguard Bannerman
Attack
- Effect triggers in combat when the unit is attacking.
Card example: Zed
Barrier
- A unit or Champion with Barrier won't suffer any damage during the next combat phase. This effect only triggers once during the turn when the creature is summoned.
Card example: Lux
Burst
- Effect that triggers immediately when the spell is cast. The other player can't react to this card.
Card example: Back to Back
Capture
- A Captured card is removed from the game. It returns when the Capturing unit leaves play.
Card example: Detain
Can't Block
- An effect that prevents a unit from blocking.
Card example: Legion Rearguard
Challenger
- When a unit or champion with the Challenger keyword attacks, it can force an opponent unit to block her. You just need to drag and drop the wanted unit in front of yours.
Card example: Fiora
Double Attack
- When a unit or champion with the Quick Attack keyword attacks, it inflicts its combat damage before the opponent can retaliate AND can attack a second time.
Card example: Senna, Lucian
Drain
- Heal friendly Nexus for the amount of damage dealt.
Card example: Vile Feast, grasp of the Undying
Elusive
- A unit or champion with the Elusive keyword cannot be blocked except by another unit or champion with the Elusive keyword.
Card example: Ezreal, Teemo
Enlightened
- An Enlightened effect triggers when you reach 10 mana.
Card example: Karma
Ephemeral
- A card or creature with the Ephemeral keyword will be automatically destroyed at the end of the round.
Card example: Spectral Rider
Fast
- Effect that triggers immediately when the spell is cast. The other player can react.
Card example: Will of Iona
Fearsome
- A Fearsome unit or Champion can't be blocked by a creature that has 3 Power or less.
Card example: Elise
Fleeting
- A card with the Ephemeral keyword will disappear from your hand at the end of the round.
Card example: Ezreal's Mystic Shot
Frostbite
- The Power of a Frostbitten unit is reduced to 0.
Card example: Ashe
Last Breath
- These abilities take effect when the unit dies.
Card example: Cursed Keeper
Lifesteal
- Damage dealt heals the unit.
Card example: Herald of Spring
Nexus Strike
- A condition that triggers when a unit or champion inflicts damage to the opposing Nexus.
Card example: Ezreal
Obliterate
- An obliterated unit is completely removed from the game.
Card example: She Who Wanders
Overwhelm
- All additional combat damage inflicted by a unit or Champion with the Overwhelm keyword is reported on the opposing Nexus.
Card example: Darius
Play
- An effect that occurs when a card is played.
Card example: Draven
Quick Attack
- When a unit or champion with the Quick Attack keyword attacks, it inflicts its combat damage before the opponent can retaliate. If the target is destroyed, it inflicts no damage in return. This keyword only works during the Attack phase, and not during the Blocking phase.
Card example: Lucian, Senna
Recall
- To recall a unit send it back into its owner's hand.
Card example: Yasuo
Regeneration
- At the end of the round, a unit with the Regeneration keyword completely heals its HP.
Card example: Garen
Slow
- A card with the Slow effect cannot be played during a combat phase. The opponent player can react.
Card example: Reckoning
Skill
- An ability from a unit that you can respond to.
Card example: Crimson Pact (Vladimir)
Strike
- An effect occurs when unit deals damage with their Power.
Card example: Greenlade Lookout
Stun
- A unit that has been stunned cannot attack not block during this round.
Card example: Yone, Mindchaser
Support
- During the Attack phase, a unit or Champion with Support gives a bonus to the allied creature immediately located on its right
Card example: Kato The Arm
Tough
- Takes 1 less damage from all sources.
Card example: Vanguard Defender
Trap
- Attaches to another card, trapping it. When the trapped card is drawn, perform the effect.
Card example: Poison Puffcap
