How Much Does League of Legends Cost to Play?
Direct Answer: The short answer is that League of Legends (LoL) is completely free to play, at least for the basic gameplay. You can download the game, create an account, and start playing with default champions, Summoner names, and custom game modes without spending a dime. However, there are many additional costs associated with playing the game at a competitive level or purchasing premium features. Let’s dive deeper to explore the various costs involved.
The Basics: What You Get for Free
As mentioned, LoL is free to play, which means you can start playing right away without spending a single dollar. When you download the game, you’ll receive:
• A default champion roster of around 50 champions, including iconic heroes like Ashe, Ryze, and Brand.
• Access to Summoner names and profile customization.
• Limited custom game modes, including Co-op vs. AI, Twisted Treeline, and Howling Abyss.
Riot Points (IP) and Influence Points (IP)
In LoL, you can earn Riot Points (RP) and Influence Points (IP) through gameplay, rewards, or purchases. RP can be used to purchase cosmetic items, skins, and champion summoner icons, while IP can be used to acquire new champions, wards, and other cosmetic items. Riot Points and Influence Points are free to earn and spend.
Microtransactions and Cash Shop Items
Riot, the developer of LoL, has a cash shop called the Riot Store, which offers a range of items and content. Some popular items include:
• Champion skins and chromas
• Cosmetic items, such as summoner icons and ward skins
• Influence and Riot Points (batches or tokens)
• Cosmetic bundles (discounted package deals)
• Custom games and ladder seasons (online competitive tournaments)
These items are entirely optional, and you can continue playing the game without purchasing them. However, some champion skins can change the appearance of your champions, giving them unique looks or special abilities. Skins range in price from 640-1,350 IP (or $7-12) for non-rare champions and 3,250-7,500 RP (or $27-62) for rare and epic skins.
Competitive Play: Professional Teams and Online Tournaments
Professional teams, including teams participating in the League Championship Series (LCS) and other tournaments, often require significant investment. Team ownership, sponsorships, and prize money can lead to expenses of tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
Table: Rough Estimates of LoL-Related Expenses for Competitive Teams
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost (annually) |
|---|---|
| Team Ownership/Sponsorship | $100,000-$500,000 |
| Coaching and Training Staff | $20,000-$50,000 |
| Tournament Prize Money | $20,000-$100,000 |
| Player Salaries (top players) | $50,000-$100,000 |
Conclusion: How Much Does League of Legends Cost to Play?
The base game, including champion customization and basic game modes, is free to play. You can earn Riot Points and Influence Points through gameplay or purchase them in batches or tokens from the cash shop. Some items, like champion skins, may be desirable, but they’re optional and range from $7 to $62. Professional teams and competitive players require significant investments, while casual players can enjoy the game without breaking the bank.
FAQs and Answers:
Q1: Do I need to spend money to play LoL?
A1: No, the basic game is free to play.
Q2: How do I earn Riot Points (RP)?
A2: You can earn RP through gameplay, rewards, or purchases. RP can be used to purchase cosmetic items, skins, and champion summoner icons.
Q3: Are all LoL items and cosmetics required to play competitively?
A3: No, only basic gameplay is required. Items and cosmetics are optional and do not impact competitive gameplay.
Q4: How do I earn Influence Points (IP)?
A4: You can earn IP through gameplay, rewards, or purchases. IP can be used to acquire new champions, wards, and other cosmetic items.
Q5: Are champion skins important for competitive play?
A5: No, champion skins do not impact competitive play and are primarily for cosmetic purposes.
Q6: Do I need a professional team or team owner to play competitively?
A6: No, casual players can still participate in online tournaments and climb the competitive ladder.
Q7: Are there any monthly fees to play LoL?
A7: No, the game is completely free to play, and there are no monthly subscription fees.
Q8: Can I sell my in-game items and characters for real money?
A8: No, LoL does not support item and champion trading, and attempting to sell them can result in account suspensions.
I hope this article helps answer your question on how much it costs to play League of Legends!