League of Legends (LoL) is one of the most popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games in the world. With over 100 million active monthly players, this free-to-play game has a thriving esports scene and incredibly passionate fanbase. If you’re new to LoL and looking to start playing, here is a beginner’s guide on how to play League of Legends:
Getting Started
First, you’ll need to download and install League of Legends on your computer. It’s available for free on the official League of Legends website. Once installed, you’ll need to create an account and choose a unique username and password.
After logging in, you’ll be prompted to complete a short tutorial. This covers the absolute basics like moving, attacking, abilities, leveling up, buying items, and more. Completing the tutorial rewards you with enough in-game currency to unlock your first champion.
Understanding the Map
League of Legends is played on a square map called Summoner’s Rift. There are three main lanes – top, middle, and bottom. Five players on each team start in the bottom and top lanes, while a single player goes mid.
There are also two areas called the jungle located between the lanes. This where neutral monsters spawn that give gold and XP when killed. Between the lanes are structures called turrets that defend each team’s side of the map.
The ultimate goal is to push past your opponent’s defenses, destroy their structures and “Nexus” located at their base. This requires slowly gaining advantages across the map through farming, getting kills, securing objectives like Baron and dragons, and winning teamfights.
Choosing Your Champion
League of Legends has over 140 different champions to choose from. Champions have unique abilities and fight using a combination of melee, ranged, or magical attacks. There are several basic champion types or roles:
Tanks – Tough champions that can absorb damage for the team. Examples: Amumu, Malphite Fighters – Versatile champs good at brawling and skirmishing. Examples: Garen, Renekton Mages – Ranged magic damage dealers. Examples: Annie, Orianna Assassins – Mobile champs that quickly kill enemies. Examples: Zed, Katarina Marksmen – Ranged physical damage carries. Examples: Ashe, Caitlyn Supports – Champs that healing and directly assist allies. Examples: Soraka, Nami
It’s recommended that new players start with simple champions like Ashe, Master Yi, Garen, and Annie. This allows you to learn the fundamentals before playing complex champs.
Queuing Up for a Match
League of Legends matches are played in two main modes: 5v5 Summoner’s Rift and ARAM (All Random All Mid). As a beginner, you’ll want to focus on 5v5, which offers the core League experience.
To queue up for a 5v5 game, click the large Play button on the home screen. You’ll be able to select your game mode, champion, and position preference before entering matchmaking. Matches typically take 30-45 minutes to complete.
The matchmaking system will pair you with and against players of similar skill. Your first few normal matches may seem imbalanced as the system tries to calibrate your skill – don’t get discouraged!
Learning the Fundamentals
During a match, your goal is to out-farm, out-level, and ultimately out-play the enemy team. Here are some fundamental concepts and objectives:
- Farming minions – Killing AI minions provides gold and XP to level up faster
- Poking enemies – Using abilities to deal damage and zone opponents away
- Vision control – Using wards to gain vision and avoid ganks
- Objective control – Taking dragon, Baron, turrets when opportunities arise
- Teamfights – Grouping up to overwhelm enemies with abilities
- Carrying – Getting fed as a damage dealer to single-handedly win fights
Focus on improving one or two skills at a time. For example, concentrating on CSing better or looking at the mini-map more often. Review your replays to identify areas for improvement. It takes lots of practice over many matches to improve your gameplay.
Getting to Level 30
Initially, you’ll be limited to normal Blind Pick games. Once your account reaches level 10, Draft Pick unlocks. At level 30, ranked mode becomes available where you can compete against players of similar skill and climb the ranks from Iron to Challenger.
Reaching level 30 can take 200-300 matches – be patient and focus on learning. Use mute liberally, report toxic players, and find friendly players to team up with. League becomes exponentially more fun when playing with friends. You could also use lol smurfs services to help you buy level 30 ready accounts.
Expanding Your Champion Pool
As you get comfortable with League fundamentals, you can begin expanding your champion pool for more flexibility in drafts. Try out different types of champions to find playstyles you excel at and enjoy.
Look up guides on Mobafire, Probuilds, and YouTube channels like ProGuides to learn new champions. Stick to simpler, meta picks at first before experimenting with complex champs.
Last Words
Lastly, remember to HAVE FUN! League is a complex and challenging game that rewards dedication and practice. Stay positive, focused on improvement, and you’ll be dominating the Rift in no time. See you on the Fields of Justice, Summoner!