Everything we know about Riot’s Tellstones: King’s Gambit

Riot filed a trademark for a new tabletop game called Tellstones: King’s Gambit last year, and now it’s finally coming into fruition.

Tellstones is a game of “bluffing, strategy, and recollection,” according to the board game’s website. But the ins and outs of the Tellstones still remain to be seen.

Here’s everything we know about Tellstones so far.

What did League’s Patch 9.20 tell us about Tellstones?

To celebrate League’s 10th anniversary in October 2019, a set of new tips were added to the loading screen with Patch 9.20. Tellstones has since been mentioned as part of a fictional game in the world of Runeterra.

The patch gave fans a glimpse at what’s to come for Tellstones.

The tips read: 

“King Santon of Demacia avoided civil war with a game of Tellstones, saving thousands of lives.”

“Demacians play a variant of Tellstones called “King’s Gambit”, in honor of Santon the Great.”

“Despite the game’s popularity across Runeterra, no one seems to know where Tellstones originated…”

“The Dauntless Vanguard play their own version of Tellstones, and use it to settle disputes within the ranks.”

But what does it all mean? Tellstones is a part of the League of Legends universe and will almost certainly include some familiar faces from the Rift. Like Teamfight Tactics and Legends of Runeterra, Tellstones will build on League’s expanding lore.

What do we know about the Tellstones trademark?

This isn’t the first time Riot has created a tabletop game. In 2016, Mechs vs. Minions launched and sold out in a matter of hours.

Tellstones is a tabletop game, but according to a trademark issued last year, Riot may have plans for a digital version of the game. In the Goods and Services section of the Riot’s JUSTIA trademark, it includes: “entertainment services, namely, providing online video games.”

This is clearly speculation, but this could suggest a physical and online version of the game are on the cards.

What else do we know about Tellstones?

Tellstones: King’s Gambit is an “unforgettable game of bluffing, strategy, and recollection from the world of Runeterra,” it says on the official Tellstones website. “To win, you’ll need to focus on playing the player, not the game.”

The tabletop is a two or four-player game that lasts around 10 to 20 minutes. It’s for players aged 14 and above, and it’s coming out soon, according to Riot.

When will Tellstones be released?

Tellstones is “coming soon,” according to the tabletop’s website.

Riot recently posted a trailer for Tellstones on the League of Legends YouTube channel, meaning a 2020 release should be expected.