š“ Riftbound 2026 Bologna Regional Open ā Decks & Meta Report
The Riftbound 2026 Regional Qualifier inĀ Bologna, Italy delivered one of the most exciting showings of competitive Spiritforged play to date. With 1,719 players competing for $25,000 in prizes and a shot at Regional Championship qualification, the event became a true battleground for Riftboundās emerging competitive ecosystem.
š§ Understanding the Spiritforged Format
Before diving into deck lists, itās important to recognize that the Spiritforged format ā featured here ā emphasizes a blend of midrange power, tempo strategies, and highly synergistic champion combos. Unlike Origins, Spiritforged tends to reward proactive plays and flexibility, especially in high-level play.
š Top Performing Decks at Bologna
š„ 1. Ezreal, Prodigal Explorer (Winner)
The champion deck focused on Ezreal, Prodigal Explorer, leveraging card draw, spell synergy, and incremental advantage to outpace opponents.
Key Features:
- Spell-centric core withĀ Arcane Shift, Stacked Deck, and Stupefy
- Recursion and tempo tools that keep threats alive
- Strong mid-to-late game pressure
This build showcased the power of spell-focused control and resource advantage in Spiritforged.
š„ 2. Miss Fortune, Bounty Hunter (Finalist)
A high-tempo pirate archetype centered around Miss Fortune, Bounty Hunter made a strong run to 2nd place.
Highlights:
- Aggressive tempo gains withĀ Fight or Flight, Called Shot
- Balanced chaos/control blend withĀ Sabotage and Last Rites
- Flexible tools to pressure opponents early
This build demonstrated how aggressive champions can still compete with control-oriented strategies.
š„ 3. Draven, Glorious Executioner (Top 8)
Draven was everywhere in Bologna, with several versions reaching Top 8 and Top 16 finishes.
Deck Strengths:
- Strong midrange threats with solid removal suite
- Synergy with aggressive pressure tempo
- Reliable matchup spread against slower, control-oriented decks
Variants ranged from straight midrange to hybrid builds focusing on board control and tempo.
š¹ 4. Irelia, Blade Dancer (Top 4)
Irelia continues to deliver with her aggressive, tempo-playstyle centered around combat synergies.
Core Strengths:
- Efficient units with high combat upside
- Excellent pressure generation
- Tools to transition into mid/late game
Her presence in the Top 4 underscores her continued relevance in Spiritforged.
š® 5. Viktor, Herald of the Arcane (Top 4)
A more control-oriented choice, Viktor leverages disruption and value over longer games:
Key Aspects:
- High-value spells and removal
- Board stabilization through control elements
- Tools to grind advantage against aggressive decks
A compelling alternative in a meta that often leaned aggressive.
š§© Other Notable Decks & Meta Trends
Beyond the Top 8, the Bologna metagame exhibited significant diversity with solid performances from:
- Sivir, Battle Mistress ā aggressive midrange with strong synergy
- KaiāSŠ°, Daughter of the Void ā tempo-focused builds with burst potential
- Master Yi, Wuju Bladesman ā niche spike power decks
- Jinx, Loose Cannon & Teemo, Swift Scout ā fun, high-variance plays emerging from the broader field
Notably, several Legends like Lucian, Jax, and Volibear also posted competitive records, illustrating that the meta wasnāt strictly dominated by a single deck archetype.
š§Ŗ What This Meta Says About Spiritforged
The Bologna Regional Open revealed several important trends:
š„ 1. Diverse Playstyles Can Thrive
Whether you prefer control, tempo, or midrange aggression, the Spiritforged format allows a variety of champions and decks to compete ā provided pilots understand matchups and resource management.
š„ 2. Spell Synergy and Resource Generation Matter
Decks like Ezreal showed how strong card advantage and flexible responses can overcome raw aggression.
š„ 3. Aggression Still Has Power
Miss Fortune and Draven showed that proactive strategies still put immense pressure on slower builds ā a critical insight for players preparing for future events.
š§ Looking Ahead
With upcoming Regionals in Las Vegas (Feb 27āMar 1) and Lille, France (Apr 17ā19), the Bologna meta will continue evolving. Players should expect new tech, adapting counters, and fresh innovations as Spiritforged play deepens.
š¬ Final Thoughts
The Bologna 2026 Regional Open was a landmark event in Riftboundās competitive journey ā showcasing both the depth of Spiritforged and the creativity of its player base. Whether youāre grinding ladder, theorycrafting new tech, or preparing for your next event, the strategies that emerged in Italy will shape competitive Riftbound for weeks to come.