Curious about League? Being introduced by friends? Eager to dive into the universe of Arcane? If so, stay with us to discover everything you need to get started with League of Legends as a newcomer.

Are you curious about League of Legends? If so, you’ve come to the perfect spot, as we have everything you need to understand the game! In this guide, we’ll cover essential information for newcomers, including Champions, Lanes, the Map, and the primary objectives of the game. If you’re seeking a solid foundation to begin your League of Legends journey, you’ve found the ideal resource.

What is League of Legends?

Let’s begin with a straightforward explanation of League of Legends. It is classified as a MOBA, which stands for Multiplayer Online Battle Arena. In this genre, players choose distinct characters and engage in competition with others in an arena, typically featuring various objectives or goals that contribute to a team or individual victory.

The main competitive format of League of Legends is a 5v5 setup played on a map called Summoner’s Rift. This map and its related game modes are the focus of the professional League of Legends scene, and a significant portion of Riot’s resources is dedicated to maintaining balance and introducing changes through regular updates. Additionally, League offers more casual game modes, such as ARAM (All-Random-All-Mid), which features a single-lane 5v5 format and is adjusted as the main alternative to the primary mode. There are also numerous rotating game modes, like Arena, Nexus Blitz, and One for All, each introducing its own set of rules and unique variations to the gameplay experience.

No matter which mode you choose to play, League of Legends revolves around its distinctive characters, known as Champions. These Champions are the core elements that contribute to the game’s captivating and enjoyable experience.

Champions of League of Legends

In every match of League of Legends, you take charge of one of over 160 Champions. Each Champion boasts a distinct identity, characterized by their personality and gameplay style, and fits into one of the five primary Roles in the game: Top, Jungle, Mid, Bot (often referred to as ADC), and Support.

With over 160 Champions available, newcomers may find the learning process overwhelming. However, if you have experience with other games featuring character classes or RPG elements, you’ll notice that League of Legends operates with comparable concepts. Champions are categorized into broad Classes, such as Tanks, Marksmen, and Mages, which are further divided into subclasses that highlight the unique strengths and design philosophies of each character.

Moreover, the majority of Champion archetypes are intentionally crafted to maintain uniformity across the various Roles, often referred to as Lanes. Below is a brief overview of the Roles along with the Classes and Subclasses associated with each.

  • Top Lane: The domain of Tanks, Fighters, and the specialized category of Slayers known as Skirmishers or Duelists.
  • The jungle is primarily inhabited by Tanks, Fighters, and Slayers, along with a few Mages.
  • Mid Lane: Spellcasters, Assassins, and Ranged Fighters
  • Bottom Lane: Ranged Attackers and Spellcasters
  • Assistance: Controllers, Tanks, and Spellcasters

On our website, we have thoroughly explored the various Classes and their Subclasses, detailing the strengths, weaknesses, and objectives associated with each Role. For further insights into these classifications, you can refer to our article on Classifying Classes and our overview of the Core Concepts of Each Lane. These resources will provide you with a clearer understanding of the standard expectations for Champion archetypes in League of Legends, as well as what to anticipate for each Role in the game.

Ultimately, Champions in the League are not merely the avatars you control in the game; they are integral characters within the ever-growing universe of Runeterra, the fictional realm that serves as the backdrop for their stories. Each Champion hails from a specific region, possesses distinct ambitions and motivations, and often exhibits similar visual styles or engages in unique interactions with other Champions that share narrative ties within the game. A prime illustration of this can be found in Riot’s acclaimed Netflix series, Arcane, where characters from Piltover and Zaun, such as Caitlyn, Jinx, Vi, Jayce, and Viktor, take center stage as the main protagonists.

Moreover, Champions have featured in various other games, including Riot’s auto-chess game Teamfight Tactics, the upcoming fighting game 2XKO, and the digital card game Legends of Runeterra, among others. Therefore, if you have a favorite character, you’ll probably discover them connected to several of Riot’s titles in addition to League of Legends.

The Rift of Summoners

Let’s revisit the structure and layout of League of Legends, where the Champions we discussed earlier engage in fierce battles for supremacy. The arena for this is known as Summoner’s Rift, the setting for the main 5v5 player-versus-player mode in LoL. In this environment, players strive to obliterate the enemy’s Nexus to secure victory, while also vying for various smaller objectives scattered throughout the map, which provide gold, buffs, and valuable resources to the teams that capture them.

Instead of discussing the Nexus, let’s analyze each objective on the map and explore its significance:

Minions emerge from every Nexus, advancing along the various Lanes of the map and launching assaults on the opposing side. They engage enemy Minions, Players, and Structures, continuing their onslaught until the match concludes. Players can eliminate Minions to earn a resource called Gold, and their defeat also provides Experience to nearby allies.

Turrets are fixed structures located along each lane, supporting their respective teams. They inflict damage on enemy teams and provide visibility over their surroundings. When a turret is destroyed, the team responsible receives gold, and the subsequent turret in the lane becomes susceptible to damage.

Inhibitors – Once all Turrets in a lane have been eliminated, the Inhibitor becomes vulnerable. These Inhibitors resemble miniature Nexus structures, and when they are destroyed, they generate allied Super Minions in the corresponding lane. Super Minions are stronger and yield more Gold compared to standard Minions, making them highly effective in advancing the push and concluding the match.

In League of Legends, the map is symmetrical, which means that the Blue and Red buffs are positioned identically on both sides. Although these buffs are relatively small in scale, they provide Champions with passive advantages in combat and resource management upon their defeat.

Void Grubs, Rift Herald, and Baron all appear in the same area of the map, specifically in the neutral River Pit situated between the Top and Mid Lanes, yet each serves a distinct purpose.

Void Grubs appear in groups of three and can be found spawning twice in the initial stages of the game. When a team eliminates a Void Grub, their basic attacks gain a damage boost against enemy structures. This means that the more Grubs you defeat, the more powerful the stacking buff becomes.

The Rift Herald can appear twice throughout the match, emerging once the Void Grubs have completed their time on the map. Upon defeat, the Herald drops an eye that can be collected by the team that eliminated it. This eye replaces the player’s trinket, enabling the summoning of the Herald at a different location. Once summoned, the Herald will automatically advance down the closest lane, attacking minion waves and eventually focusing on a turret to inflict significant damage. Alternatively, players have the option to control the Herald directly, allowing for a quicker tackle, or utilize its displacing charge as a strategic engagement tool.

The Baron is the ultimate spawn from the upper pit and will keep appearing every 20 minutes until the match concludes. Defeating Baron provides your team with a damage enhancement that scales with the number of times you’ve defeated Nashor. Additionally, every time Baron is vanquished, he bestows a purple buff that enhances allied minions, increasing their speed and strength to aid in pushing lanes and securing objectives to win the game.

The Elemental Dragons and Elder Dragon – Finally, situated on the far side of the map, nestled between the Mid and Bot lanes, lies the Dragon Pit. This area is arguably the most crucial neutral objective in League. There are four varieties of Elemental Dragons: Infernal, Ocean, Cloud, and Mountain, each providing unique buffs to the team that defeats them.

Initially, the enhancements are modest, but players can accumulate them by defeating Dragons, leading to a significant and lasting boost known as Dragon Soul once a team has vanquished their fourth Dragon. The enhancements include the following:

  • Infernal provides percentage-based damage enhancements to the team that defeats it, while the Infernal Soul bestows a periodic surge of additional damage to the attacks of the teams that obtain it.
  • Ocean provides a passive health regeneration boost with every kill, which accumulates over time. When a player achieves Ocean Soul, they experience a surge of healing that occurs while attacking foes.
  • Cloud provides the team that secures the kill with enhanced movement speed and resistance to slows. Additionally, the Cloud Soul grants a significant speed boost right after the players from the slaying team activate their ultimate abilities.
  • Mountain provides the slaying team with cumulative resistances, enhancing their survivability. This effect culminates in the Mountain Soul, which bestows a regenerating shield on each team member, tailored to their damage output and health.
  • Hextech provides the team that secures the kill with enhanced ability haste (reduction in cooldowns) and boosts their attack speed. Acquiring the Hextech Soul bestows Champions with a chain lightning effect upon dealing damage, which also impedes the movement of their opponents.
  • Chemtech offers a team that defeats the Dragon, granting Tenacity along with healing and shielding benefits for each stack. Additionally, it bestows the team with Chemtech Soul, enhancing damage and reducing damage taken when their health drops below 50%.

In League of Legends, a significant aspect of gameplay revolves around obtaining Souls, which serve as a potent win condition. The passive enhancements and the Soul buff are incredibly strong, often rendering certain Champions overwhelmingly powerful if they manage to secure the Soul buff or accumulate several layers of a Dragon’s lesser effects. However, the ultimate Dragon to discuss is the formidable Elder Dragon.

The Elder Dragon appears once a team has secured a Dragon Soul. It is larger and more formidable than any other Dragon and, similar to the Baron, has the potential to dramatically shift the momentum of a match or serve as a decisive factor in securing victory for the team that defeats it. Upon its defeat, Elder grants a passive burn effect to the attacks of the victorious Champions for a duration of 150 seconds. If any enemies affected by Elder’s burn drop below 20% health, they are instantly executed with a surge of damage, with only Invulnerability effects able to protect them.

Here’s a summary of the various objectives in League of Legends, along with a brief overview of their significance and impact. We’re nearing the conclusion of our guide, so stay tuned for the final segment where we will clarify…

Runes and Gear Selection

One important aspect of League of Legends’ MOBA mechanics that players need to consider is Champion customization. Although the abilities of Champions and their progression rates are stable across matches, players have the opportunity to enhance a Champion’s performance or even alter their gameplay approach by choosing specific Items and Runes.

First, let’s take a quick look at Runes, as they are a choice you make before the game begins. Runes function as a skill tree system and are categorized into five distinct archetypes, each crafted to enhance and complement specific playstyles. Here’s a brief overview of each:

  • Precision enhances offensive capabilities and ensures consistent damage output.
  • Domination – Explosive damage and ability to reach targets.
  • Magic – Enhanced powers and control over resources.
  • Resolve – Resilience and crowd management
  • Inspiration – Innovative resources and breaking the rules of creativity.

Every tree features three Keystones, which are significant runes designed to either enhance a Champion’s strengths or alter their gameplay strategy. For instance, Aftershock is frequently chosen by aggressive Tanks, as it provides a reward for successfully using their abilities, temporarily increasing their durability during skirmishes. In contrast, Guardian is ideal for defensive Tanks focused on safeguarding crucial teammates. The choice of Keystones can profoundly influence a player’s gameplay style and can significantly impact a Champion’s effectiveness in both Ranked and Professional competitions.

In addition to Runes, there’s another aspect of in-game customization known as Items. Itemization, which involves selecting items for your Champion, can significantly alter your gameplay approach. Certain Champions are crafted to offer various playstyles, providing players with diversity and introducing an additional layer of strategy and adaptability for everyone in the game.

A great illustration of this is the champion Shyvana. She offers two distinct playstyles: one as a Fighter, which enhances her abilities to boost her auto-attacks and create chaos in the midst of battle with her ultimate, and the other as a Mage, where the build disregards her Fighter traits to capitalize on the mechanics of her ability, Flame Breath. While one playstyle often proves to be more effective in competitive scenarios, Shyvana fans enjoy the added layer of diversity in gameplay, allowing for personal expression.

Runes and itemization play a crucial role in player expression and Riot’s balancing efforts. Modifications to items that could disrupt gameplay or changes in Rune synergies with specific Champions can significantly alter the dynamics of strengths and weaknesses of various picks with each patch. Players need to keep themselves informed or actively explore what becomes effective with each update.

Closing

That’s a wrap, everyone! You now have all the essential information to embark on your journey in League of Legends. We invite all newcomers to explore the extensive selection of Champions available and discover which ones resonate with you, whether it’s through their gameplay style or visual design. Choosing a Champion you enjoy and playing them consistently is a fantastic way to enhance your experience. And if you find that it’s not quite your style, don’t worry—there are over 160 Champions to try, so you can find the perfect fit for your gaming experience.

Wishing you the best as you embark on your journey in the world of League of Legends!