Beginner’s Guide to League of Legends – How to Start
Introduction
League of Legends (LoL) is one of the most popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games in the world. With millions of active players and an ever-growing competitive scene, starting out can feel overwhelming. If you’re new and unsure where to begin, don’t worry — this guide will walk you through the basics, help you understand the game’s mechanics, and give you tips to start your journey smoothly.
1. Understanding the Basics
- Objective: Two teams of five compete to destroy the enemy team’s Nexus (the main structure inside their base).
- Map: The main map is called Summoner’s Rift with three lanes (top, mid, bottom), jungle areas, and each team’s base.
- Roles: Every player takes a role — Top, Mid, ADC (Attack Damage Carry), Support, or Jungle.
2. Choose a Beginner-Friendly Champion
As a new player, stick with champions that are easier to learn. A few great beginner picks are:
- Garen (Top): Simple melee fighter, durable and strong.
- Annie (Mid): Straightforward mage with powerful spells.
- Ashe (ADC): Easy ranged carry with slow effects.
- Soraka (Support): Healer that helps allies stay alive.
- Warwick (Jungle): Beginner-friendly jungler with sustain and easy ganks.
3. Learn the Controls and Interface
- Movement: Right-click to move.
- Attacking: Right-click on enemies to auto-attack.
- Abilities: Each champion has 4 abilities (Q, W, E, R). Practice using them.
- Summoner Spells: Choose from options like Flash (teleport a short distance) or Heal.
4. Focus on Farming (CS)
- “CS” stands for Creep Score — killing minions to earn gold.
- Gold lets you buy stronger items.
- Last-hitting minions (landing the final hit) is crucial to growing stronger than your opponent.
5. Map Awareness and Warding
- Keep an eye on the mini-map to avoid enemy ambushes.
- Buy and place wards (vision tools) in bushes or objectives to see where enemies might be.
6. Objectives Matter
Winning isn’t just about kills. Focus on objectives:
- Turrets: Defend and destroy towers in each lane.
- Dragons: Elemental buffs that boost your team.
- Baron Nashor: Powerful late-game monster that strengthens your whole team.
7. Communication & Teamwork
- Use pings (G key) to alert teammates.
- Respect your role and support your team.
- Toxicity is common in LoL — mute negative players and focus on learning.
8. Play Co-Op vs AI First
- Start against bots to practice without pressure.
- Once comfortable, move into Normal PvP matches.
9. Keep Learning
- Watch pro matches or streamers to understand strategies.
- Explore guides on websites like Mobalytics or OP.GG for build paths.
- Experiment with different champions until you find your style.
10. Don’t Rush – Have Fun
League of Legends has a steep learning curve. You’ll make mistakes, and that’s okay. Every game teaches you something new. With patience, you’ll improve over time and enjoy the thrill of competitive matches.
Conclusion
Starting League of Legends can be intimidating, but breaking it down into small steps makes it manageable. Focus on learning one champion, practicing farming, and working with your team. Over time, you’ll not only improve your skills but also discover the fun that has kept millions of players engaged for more than a decade.
