Card interactions can seem a bit like magic when it comes to Legends of Runeterra, and keeping track of champion level-up conditions, spell stacks, and round mechanics can serve to distract you from the shiny, glowing hallmarks of a potentially game-changing move. While LoR isn't here to hand-hold, the game is often trying to highlight options for you, and we mean literally! It's time to talk about the miracle of card borders!
Above, you'll see our Crimson Disciple. While this vampiric acolyte may be contemplating future buffs gained by taking one for the team, beneath them is where our interests lie. Two. Glowing. Borders. With 3 mana at our disposal, let's take a look at our options.
Blue Card Borders
By far the most common card border you'll see, blue card borders represent cards that can be played with the mana you have remaining. If I had had, say, 3 spell mana but only 2 regular mana, our Mighty Poro would be unplayable. Lucky for us, we have just enough mana to play this overwhelming fluff. But is he truly the best option in this scenario?
Gold Card Borders
Keep your eye out for these golden card borders because it means you done something right! Gold borders only appear when you've fulfilled a special requirement beyond mana cost. The Trifarian Hopeful, here, gets +2/+0 if I have another Noxian card on the board. Three cheers for the Crimson Disciple, since a two-cost 5/2 is a scary early-game prospect indeed!
Which should I play?!
To play, or not to play, that is...entirely up to you! While it's always good to see which special effects you've triggered with a gold border, it can also be worth saving those cards, and their effects, as trump cards for upcoming scenarios. Just remember that, whether blue or gold, card borders are your friends. After all, you can't play a card without them!