League of Legends
Overview
League of Legends (abbreviated as LoL) is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed and published by Riot Games. First released in North America on October 27, 2009, it gained explosive popularity worldwide and has become a flagship esports title. Players select a character with unique abilities called a 'champion' and form a team of five to destroy the enemy team's 'Nexus'. The game requires a combination of strategy, teamwork, and individual skill, with new content and balance adjustments introduced through updates each season.
Main Content
Gameplay
League of Legends is played on a map called Summoner's Rift. The map is divided into three lanes (top, mid, and bottom) and a jungle area, with each team of five players taking on specific positions (top, jungle, mid, ADC, and support). The objective is to destroy the enemy team's Nexus. To achieve this, players earn gold and experience by defeating minions, monsters, and enemy champions, and purchase items to grow their champion. Games typically last 20 to 40 minutes, with strategies evolving through early laning phase, mid-game team fights, and late-game macro play.
Champions
As of 2025, League of Legends features over 160 champions. Each champion has a unique skill set and role (tank, damage dealer, support, mage, assassin, etc.), allowing players to choose champions that fit their playstyle. New champions are continuously added, and existing champions are frequently reworked. Notable champions include Ahri, Yasuo, Darius, and Caitlyn, and each champion can change their appearance through various skins.
Ranked System
League of Legends operates a ranked system to evaluate player skill. Ranks are divided into Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger, with each tier subdivided into four divisions (4 to 1). Players earn LP (League Points) by winning ranked games, and upon reaching a certain LP threshold, they can advance to a higher tier through promotion series. Ranked seasons typically run on an annual basis, with rewards distributed at the end of each season.
Esports
League of Legends has one of the largest esports ecosystems in the world. Riot Games hosts the annual League of Legends World Championship (Worlds), featuring 12 regional leagues (LCK, LPL, LEC, LCS, etc.) from around the globe. Worlds attracts millions of viewers and offers prize pools worth millions of dollars. Additionally, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and regional Spring/Summer Splits are major tournaments. South Korea's LCK has traditionally been strong, with prominent teams such as T1, Gen.G, and DK.
Items and Runes
In-game items provide various stats such as attack, defense, magic, and movement speed, and players must combine items according to the situation. In Season 14 (2024), the item system underwent a major overhaul, with Mythic items removed and Legendary items becoming the focus. The rune system consists of traits selected before the game, chosen from five rune paths: Domination, Precision, Sorcery, Resolve, and Inspiration. Runes play a crucial role in maximizing a champion's playstyle.
Recent Trends
Through 2024 and 2025, League of Legends has undergone significant changes. In Season 14 (2024), a large-scale map rework introduced new jungle monsters such as Rift Scuttler and Voidgrubs, and the effects of Baron and Dragon were also changed. In particular, Voidgrubs increased the importance of early jungle skirmishes. In 2025, the success of 'Arcane' Season 2 led to an in-game Arcane-themed event, and the release of the new champion 'Ambessa' generated buzz. Additionally, Riot Games has continuously announced client optimizations and matchmaking system improvements to enhance the player experience. On the esports front, the 2025 World Championship is scheduled to be held in South Korea, further boosting the popularity of the LCK. Moreover, the global expansion of 'League of Legends: Wild Rift' has extended the game's influence on mobile platforms.
Related Topics
- [[Riot Games]]
- [[World Championship (League of Legends)]]
- [[LCK]]
- [[MOBA]]
- [[Esports]]