The Art of First Mate from Riftbound TCG

There’s a blast of sunlight and sea air the moment you look at First Mate. It doesn’t ask for your attention—it boards it like a pirate ship.

The immediate vibe is chaotic joy: the kind of party where swords are waved in celebration and violence might just break out in song.

This isn’t just a pirate; it’s a man mid-bellow, caught between a war cry and a laugh. It’s disarming in the most dangerous way.

Illustration Breakdown

Slawomir Maniak frames First Mate right at the edge of movement. The diagonal of the raised weapon slices the composition upward, leading your eye toward a sky awash in golden haze.

Netting, rigging, and mast details crowd the background, giving the scene both texture and narrative weight—we are fully aboard.

The figure himself is all roundness and power, with a visible belly tattoo that hints at both character and culture. He’s shirtless but armored by confidence.

The tattoo spirals toward his heart, and paired with that mischievous smirk, the vibe is clear: this guy lives for mayhem and likes you better if you do too.

What sells it most is the lighting. That deep, honey-glazed glow over the deck bathes everything in warmth—but the kind that precedes a cannon blast.

It’s not serene. It’s anticipatory. It’s loud before it’s loud.

Gameplay Integration

First Mate comes down for 3 mana as a 3/3—standard fare. But his ability to “ready another unit” the moment he hits the board is where the art and gameplay sync.

This is a card about momentum. He’s not just present; he brings the party with him. Mechanically, it’s a tempo swing. Visually, it’s a boarding action.

He activates allies like he kicks down doors: loud, fast, and unapologetic.

Whether it’s enabling a second attack, resetting a key ability, or simply letting a bruised buddy punch again, First Mate enforces the idea that one unit is never enough. Where he goes, others follow.

Collector Details / Value Mention

First Mate is card 132/298 in the Riftbound base set.

Based on the simplicity of the effect and the clean 3-drop profile, this looks like a Common or Uncommon, but its visual flavor feels like it should’ve cost you a rare slot.

As of now, there’s no known foil or alternate art version, but if First Mate ever gets the shimmer treatment, expect those golden rays across the sails to absolutely pop.

No overnumbered or signature hints yet, but the design is screaming for a cheeky variant—maybe a “boozed-up” alt with tankards instead of a blade.

This probably won’t be a chase card for power-level reasons, but in any Bilgewater-themed build or pirate collection, it’s a cornerstone—an aesthetic and emotional anchor.

There’s something bold about First Mate from Riftbound TCG. Not flashy, not cryptic. Just a loud, human character doing what he loves: making noise, starting fights, and telling you to loosen up and enjoy the ride.

Read more – The Art of Last Stand from Riftbound TCG