League of Legends

Riot Games · Riot Games

League of Legends, usually just called League or LoL, is Riot Games' free-to-play MOBA, first released in 2009. Two teams of five champions fight on Summoner's Rift, a map with three lanes and a jungle between them, aiming to destroy the enemy team's Nexus. League is one of the most-played PC games in the world and the centre of a huge esports scene, including the annual World Championship. It has well over 160 champions, each with their own playstyle, abilities and lore. Each player usually takes a role: top lane, jungle, mid lane, bot lane carry (ADC) and support. Early in the game, players farm minions in their lanes for gold and experience. Later, teams group up to take objectives such as dragons, Baron Nashor and towers. Not everything is a 40-minute ranked match, though. ARAM (All Random All Mid) puts both teams on a single-lane map with random champions; it is fast, chaotic and great for groups who just want to fight. There are also rotating game modes and a co-op versus AI mode for practice. Cafe setup League is a PC game. Any cafe PC can run it, and a good mouse and headset help. You will need a Riot account. Riot's Vanguard anti-cheat is required, so it is best played at a cafe that keeps League installed and updated. Tips for new players Start with the tutorial and co-op vs AI games. Pick simple champions: Garen, Annie, Ashe and Malphite are easy to learn. Focus on last-hitting minions for gold. Watch the minimap; most deaths come from enemies you did not see coming. In ARAM, stay with your team and do not chase too far. Time A standard Summoner's Rift match takes 25 to 40 minutes. ARAM is around 15 to 20. A group should plan two hours for a few games. Who is it for Friends who want a strategic team game, players interested in esports, and groups who want quick ARAM fights. It is rated T.