Zhonya’s Hourglass instantly stakes its claim as one of Riftbound’s must-have defensive tools.
Dropping in at two mana, this green gear does more than just shore up your back line—it redefines how you protect high-impact units in clutch moments.
In a format where tempo swings can decide games, having a permanent “get out of jail free” card makes Zhonya’s Hourglass an intriguing inclusion for midrange and control pilots alike.
Gameplay / Cool Mechanics
At its core, Zhonya’s Hourglass reads: Hidden
“The next time a friendly unit would die, kill this instead. Recall that unit exhausted.”
This mechanic gives you a second lease on life for your most valuable units. Whether you’re preserving a crucial rune engine, safeguarding a win-condition champion, or keeping a legendary unit poised to swing a showdown, the hourglass trades itself so your board presence survives.
Its zero-cost reaction ensures the timing window is as tight as spear blocking—no worries about missing a trigger.
It slots into any green deck that wants resilience over raw speed, and shines especially in shells that lean heavy into buff synergies or run-heavy strategies.
Visuals
The artwork echoes Zhonya’s temporal mastery. A polished, golden hourglass hovers above a glowing pedestal, rays of light bursting from its core like the dawn of a new era.
Dust motes swirl in the warm luminescence, emphasizing the relic’s ancient power. The gear icon is subtly integrated into the hourglass’s frame, signaling its place among Piltover’s most coveted inventions.
This visual promises both precision and permanence—exactly what you want when you’re rewriting your unit’s destiny.
Pull Rate & Value Speculation
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Set Number: 077/298
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Rarity: Rare
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Foil Status: Available in standard foil and alt-art overnumbered (077a)
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Market Insight: Early listings place non-foil copies around $8–$10, with foils nearing $15. In control metas where protecting key units is paramount, expect demand—and price—to tick upward as players refine their lists.
Zhonya’s Hourglass isn’t flashy, but its quiet utility can steal games when your opponent thinks they’ve clinched victory.
If you run green and value consistency over risk, this little relic will earn its keep.
