Does ARAM Give Mastery Points? A Deep Dive into League of Legends’ All Random All Mid
Yes, ARAM (All Random All Mid) does give you mastery points in League of Legends. You can earn Champion Mastery points by playing ARAM matches. This means every well-placed skill shot, strategic engage, and clutch victory in the Howling Abyss contributes towards increasing your mastery level with a particular champion. However, there are some crucial nuances to understand about the extent to which ARAM contributes to your Champion Mastery journey, particularly concerning Mastery Level 6 and 7 tokens. Let’s delve into the details of how ARAM fits into the overall Champion Mastery system.
Understanding Champion Mastery
The Champion Mastery system in League of Legends is designed to recognize and reward players who demonstrate proficiency and dedication to specific champions. It allows you to showcase your skill with your favorite characters through a visible progression system. Mastery points are awarded after each game, based on your performance, your team’s overall success, and other factors related to your contribution to the match. As you accumulate these points, you’ll climb through the mastery levels, unlocking badges, loading screen borders, and other cosmetic rewards.
The ARAM Contribution: Up to Level 5
ARAM matches are fully eligible for earning Champion Mastery points up to Mastery Level 5. This means that you can consistently play ARAM and make progress on any champion until you reach Level 5. You will get points, albeit fewer compared to Summoner’s Rift games, and you’ll be able to level your champions significantly.
The Level 6 & 7 Exception
Here’s where the ARAM contribution changes. While you can get mastery points in ARAM that contribute towards levels 6 and 7, you cannot earn the Mastery Level 6 and 7 tokens in ARAM games.
Mastery tokens are only obtainable by achieving an S-, S, or S+ rank in Summoner’s Rift normal or ranked games. This restriction is essential for preserving the competitive integrity and skill representation that comes with the higher mastery levels. Reaching Level 6 and 7 is meant to signify a higher level of skill achieved in a more competitive environment.
Mastery Points vs. Mastery Tokens
It is important to differentiate between Mastery Points and Mastery Tokens. You accumulate mastery points with every game you play with a champion. These points contribute towards your overall Champion Mastery level. Mastery Tokens, on the other hand, are specific items that you earn by achieving high grades (S-, S, or S+) in Summoner’s Rift matches. You require these tokens, along with a certain amount of Blue Essence or champion shards, to upgrade your champion to Mastery Level 6 and 7.
Why Play ARAM for Mastery Points?
Even with the restriction on Level 6 and 7 tokens, ARAM remains a valuable mode for earning Champion Mastery points.
- Fast-Paced Games: ARAM games are typically shorter than Summoner’s Rift matches, allowing you to accumulate mastery points faster.
- Diverse Champion Experience: The random champion selection forces you to play characters you might not normally choose, broadening your skillset and understanding of the game. This approach aligns with the core mission of enhancing learning through gaming, a cause supported by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
- Team Fighting Practice: ARAM is a constant team fight, allowing you to improve your positioning, target prioritization, and ability usage in a chaotic environment.
- Low Pressure Environment: ARAM is generally considered a more casual mode than Summoner’s Rift, making it an excellent way to practice new champions or refine your skills without the stress of ranked play.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions related to Champion Mastery and ARAM, answered in detail:
1. Can I get Champion Mastery on all champions in ARAM?
Yes, you can earn Champion Mastery points on every champion you play in ARAM. The system doesn’t discriminate based on the champion itself; your performance and contribution to the team determine the number of points you receive.
2. Do wins and losses affect Champion Mastery points in ARAM?
Yes, winning significantly boosts the number of Champion Mastery points you earn. Losing still awards points, but the amount is considerably lower. Playing well even in a loss will result in more points than playing poorly in a win.
3. How is the number of Mastery Points calculated in ARAM?
The specific formula Riot uses to calculate Mastery Points is not publicly available, but it generally factors in your KDA (Kills, Deaths, Assists), damage dealt, damage taken, objective participation, vision score, and overall contribution to the team. Playing a supportive role effectively is also recognized.
4. Is it faster to grind Champion Mastery in ARAM or Summoner’s Rift?
ARAM games are generally shorter, which means you can potentially play more games in the same amount of time compared to Summoner’s Rift. However, Summoner’s Rift offers potentially higher point rewards for exceptional performances and the ability to earn Mastery Tokens. So, for levels 1-5, ARAM can be faster; but if you want to get levels 6 and 7 quickly, Summoner’s Rift is your best bet.
5. Can I get Mastery Level 6 and 7 with only ARAM games?
No. While you can accumulate the necessary Champion Mastery points through ARAM games to advance beyond Level 5, you cannot earn the Mastery Level 6 and 7 tokens needed to actually reach those levels. These tokens are exclusively earned in Summoner’s Rift normal or ranked games.
6. What do I need besides Mastery Tokens to reach level 6 and 7?
In addition to the required Mastery Tokens (2 for level 6, 3 for level 7), you’ll need either Blue Essence or a Champion Shard of the champion you’re upgrading. The amount of Blue Essence required increases with each level.
7. Does Honor affect Champion Mastery gains in ARAM?
While Honor doesn’t directly impact the number of Champion Mastery points you earn per game, maintaining a high Honor level can lead to rewards such as champion shards and key fragments. These shards can be disenchanted for Blue Essence, which you need to upgrade your champion to Mastery Level 6 and 7.
8. Do champion rerolls in ARAM affect Mastery Points?
No, using champion rerolls in ARAM doesn’t affect the amount of Mastery Points you earn. It is simply a game mechanic that allows you to get another random champion.
9. Are some champions easier to get Mastery on in ARAM?
Generally, champions who excel in team fights, can deal consistent damage, or provide strong utility are easier to get higher grades (and therefore potentially earn more Mastery Points) in ARAM.
10. What if I get an S rank in ARAM, do I still get a Mastery Token?
No. Regardless of how well you perform in ARAM and even if you achieve an S-, S, or S+ rank, you will not receive Mastery Tokens. These tokens are exclusively awarded for performances on Summoner’s Rift.
11. Can I see my Champion Mastery progress in the client?
Yes, you can see your Champion Mastery progress in the League of Legends client by navigating to your profile and selecting the “Champions” tab. You can then view your mastery level and points for each champion.
12. Does premade size affect Mastery Point gains in ARAM?
The size of your premade group doesn’t directly affect the number of Champion Mastery points you earn. However, playing with friends can lead to better coordination and teamwork, which can indirectly improve your performance and increase your chances of winning, ultimately resulting in more points.
13. Are there any champion-specific Mastery challenges in ARAM?
No, Champion Mastery is a global system based on overall performance, not on completing specific challenges or achievements with a particular champion.
14. Do events or special game modes affect Mastery Point gains in ARAM?
Generally, special events or game modes don’t significantly alter the Champion Mastery system. The core mechanics of earning points based on performance and winning remain consistent.
15. Is there a limit to how many Champion Mastery points I can earn?
There is technically no limit to the total number of Champion Mastery points you can accumulate on a champion. However, once you reach Mastery Level 7, you won’t receive any further in-game rewards for earning more points. The system continues tracking your progress, but the practical benefit plateaus at Level 7.
Final Thoughts
ARAM provides a dynamic and engaging environment to earn Champion Mastery points, especially for reaching levels up to 5. While it doesn’t offer the Mastery Tokens required for reaching the pinnacle of Level 6 and 7, it remains an invaluable tool for honing your skills, experimenting with champions, and enjoying the chaotic fun that the Howling Abyss offers. So, queue up, embrace the randomness, and start your journey to Champion Mastery, understanding that ARAM plays a significant, albeit partial, role in your progression! If you are keen to learn more about the theory behind learning through gaming, you can visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website for more information.