Troubleshooting In-Game Purchases And Free Content In Legends Of Runeterra

Legends of Runeterra is a digital collectible card game from Riot Games that offers players various ways to acquire new cards, cosmetics, and other in-game items. While the game features a store where players can purchase items directly, it also provides opportunities to earn content through events and other activities. When players encounter issues with receiving items they believe are free or have purchased, the problem often lies with the game's store or account system. The provided documentation focuses on troubleshooting steps for in-game purchase issues and lists historical event content, which can help players understand how to resolve problems and what types of free content have been available.

Understanding the Types of Available Content

Legends of Runeterra offers a mix of free and premium content. Players can earn cards, shards, and cosmetics by playing the game, completing quests, and participating in special events. The game also features a store where players can purchase premium currency, bundles, and specific items directly.

The official support documentation categorizes content under "Purchases & Earned Content." This indicates that the game's systems differentiate between items bought with premium currency and items earned through gameplay. Historical event pages, such as the "Soul Fighter Event 2023," "Dragonmancer 2023," "Bloodwoven 2022," "Arclight 2022," and "Corrupted 2022," suggest that seasonal or thematic events are a primary method for distributing new and sometimes exclusive content to players.

Common Issues with Receiving Free or Purchased Items

Players who report not receiving items—whether they are free event rewards or paid store purchases—may be experiencing technical issues with the game's store or their account. The troubleshooting guide addresses several common scenarios that can prevent items from appearing in a player's collection.

Store-Specific Problems

The support guide identifies that issues can arise specifically when trying to buy something from the store, whether it is a direct item purchase or a purchase of premium currency. The first recommended step is to check for ongoing store issues by visiting the official game channels or the Riot Games Service Status page. This ensures that the problem is not due to a widespread, temporary outage affecting all players.

Game Version and Device Issues

An outdated version of the game can cause features, including the store, to malfunction. Players are advised to check for and install any pending updates for the game on their device. For Android users, a specific technical step is to clear the game's cache. It is important to note that the instructions specify to clear only the cache, not the data, as clearing data could result in losing additional information saved on the device. For iOS users, the guide does not mention a specific cache-clearing procedure, focusing instead on other troubleshooting steps.

Connection and Session Problems

A stable internet connection is critical for the store to function correctly. The documentation notes that a connection drop or unstable Wi-Fi can cause store errors. Players are advised to configure their connection, and a link to a "Connection Troubleshooting Guide" is referenced for further assistance. Additionally, simply restarting the game app can resolve temporary hiccups. The guide emphasizes that the game should be fully closed, not running in the background, and players should wait a few seconds before relaunching it.

Account and Reinstallation Considerations

If other troubleshooting steps fail, reinstalling the game is suggested as a final technical fix. However, this step comes with a critical warning: any data saved in the app will be erased. The documentation states that if a player has not upgraded to a Riot Account, the support team will be unable to recover the account after a reinstall. This highlights the importance of having a linked Riot Account for account recovery and data preservation.

Historical Free Content and Event Models

While the provided data does not detail the specific rewards for each event, the listing of past events like "Soul Fighter Event 2023" and "Dragonmancer 2023" confirms that Legends of Runeterra has a history of offering themed content through time-limited events. These events typically involve gameplay objectives that reward players with cards, shards, cosmetics, and other items. Players who believe they did not receive free content should verify if the content was tied to a specific event and if they completed the necessary requirements within the event period.

Recommended Action Plan for Missing Items

For a player in the United States who did not receive what they believe is free content or a purchased item, the following steps, derived from the official support guide, are recommended:

1. Verify the Source: Determine if the item was a free event reward or a store purchase. Check the official game channels or event pages to confirm the item was indeed available and if there were specific eligibility requirements.
2. Check for Store Issues: Visit the Riot Games Service Status page to see if there are any reported outages affecting the store or game services.
3. Update the Game: Ensure the game is updated to the latest version available on your device.
4. Restart the Game: Fully close the game app and relaunch it to refresh the session.
5. Check Your Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection. Refer to the Connection Troubleshooting Guide if needed.
6. Clear Cache (Android Only): If on an Android device, clear the game's cache following Google's instructions, being careful not to clear data.
7. Submit a Support Ticket: If all other steps have been tried and the item is still missing, submit a ticket to the Riot Games Support Team for further investigation.

Conclusion

When players in Legends of Runeterra do not receive items, whether free or purchased, the issue is often technical and related to the game's store functionality, account status, or device configuration. The official troubleshooting guide provides a clear sequence of steps to resolve common problems, from checking for service outages and updating the game to restarting the app and, if necessary, reinstalling it with caution for account data. The game's history of seasonal events, such as Soul Fighter and Dragonmancer, indicates that free content is regularly distributed, but players must ensure they meet event requirements and that their game is functioning correctly to receive these rewards. For unresolved issues, contacting the official support team is the final recommended course of action.

Sources

1. Purchases & Earned Content - Legends of Runeterra Support
2. Legends of Runeterra Freebies Tag - Out of Games
3. In-Game Store Troubleshooting Guide Mobile - Legends of Runeterra Support