What is Capture in Legends of Runeterra?

Legends of Runeterra has many card effects that are common enough that they get their own keyword - a word or two that immediately tells you how the card works. Let's take a look at the Capture keyword.

A Captured card is removed from the game. It returns when the Capturing unit leaves play.

Capture is a pretty rare effect, currently only appearing on the card Detain. It's pretty powerful, though, so maybe that's a good thing!

When you use Detain, you pick an ally and then an enemy. Until that specific ally goes away, the chosen enemy will be gone basically forever; but, as soon as the ally is killed or bounced back into your hand, the Captured enemy returns to the table. You are temporarily erasing an enemy from existence, but only so long as you can keep the jailer alive. Preferably a beefy, high-Health unit.

Keywords that Work Great with Capture

Regeneration keeps your ally in fighting shape, insuring that the unit will stay alive as long as possible. Shrug off damage dealt during combat and return to full Health, ready to fight again!

Units with Barrier ignore the first instance of damage dealt to them, making them significantly harder to kill. Slap Barrier on the jailer and laugh as your opponent fails to get through the shield!

Playing Against Capture in Legends of Runeterra

Capture currently only exists on one (Demacia) card, so you know if your opponent is able to play Detain. If they Capture one of your units, be willing to do whatever it takes to kill off that enemy to get your ally back. They're going to play keep-away as long as possible, so you might have to rely on Challenger units to pull the jailer out of hiding, or removal spells to kill/recall them.

Example Legends of Runeterra Capture Cards