How Does ARAM Champions Work? A Comprehensive Guide
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ARAM (All Random All Mid) champions are determined by a unique and intriguing system designed to encourage diverse gameplay and unpredictable team compositions. The core mechanic is random champion selection from a pool of champions that includes those owned by the player and a selection of free-to-play champions specific to ARAM. Before the game starts, players can use rerolls to shuffle their assigned champion for a new, equally random one from the available pool. This system ensures that every ARAM match is a fresh experience, challenging players to adapt to different playstyles and team compositions on the single-lane battlefield of the Howling Abyss.
The Champion Pool: What’s Available?
The ARAM champion pool is broader than simply the champions you own. It consists of two main categories:
- Owned Champions: Any champion you own on your account is automatically included in the pool of champions you could be assigned. The more champions you own, the more diverse your ARAM experience can be.
- Free-to-Play ARAM Champions: Riot Games maintains a rotating pool of free-to-play champions specifically for ARAM. This selection changes periodically (typically every patch) and provides access to a range of champions even if you don’t own them. This ensures newer players and those with smaller champion collections have a fair and engaging experience.
This combination creates a large and constantly evolving roster, preventing the game mode from becoming stale and encouraging experimentation.
The Random Selection Process
At the start of the champion select screen, each player is randomly assigned one champion from the combined pool of their owned champions and the free-to-play ARAM champions. The randomness is true to its word – there’s no weighting or bias applied to favor certain roles or champions. This leads to the chaotic and often hilarious team compositions that make ARAM so unique. The selection is client-side, meaning the random number generated is unique to each player, preventing any pre-game manipulation or knowledge of other players’ rolls.
Rerolls: Your Chance to Change Fate
If you’re unhappy with your randomly assigned champion, you have the option to use a reroll. Rerolls are earned by playing ARAM games.
Earning Rerolls
You gain reroll points over time by playing ARAM games. The exact number of points earned per game varies slightly depending on the game length, but a general rule is you accumulate points relatively quickly. These points are then converted into rerolls. Rerolls have a cap, preventing players from hoarding an excessive amount.
Using Rerolls
Clicking the reroll button will randomly assign you a new champion from the available pool. This new champion can be one you already own, one from the free-to-play rotation, or the same champion you just rerolled away (although this is statistically unlikely). Any champion you reroll away becomes available to your teammates. This allows for strategic champion swapping and teamwork during the champion select phase. After you use a reroll, a short cooldown period prevents you from rerolling again immediately.
Champion Swapping
ARAM allows players to swap champions with their teammates. This provides a crucial layer of strategy and teamwork. If you roll a champion that would be more beneficial to a teammate, or if they roll a champion that better suits your playstyle, you can swap. To swap, simply request a trade with the desired player, and they can accept or decline. Champion swapping is a vital tool for optimizing team composition and covering weaknesses.
Why Randomness Matters
The random champion selection is central to ARAM’s appeal. Here’s why it’s so important:
- Forces Adaptation: Players must learn to play a wide variety of champions, expanding their game knowledge and versatility.
- Creates Unpredictability: No two ARAM games are ever the same, leading to exciting and unexpected scenarios.
- Encourages Teamwork: Champion swapping and strategic thinking become essential for success.
- Levels the Playing Field: Less experienced players aren’t penalized for not owning a large champion pool.
- Provides a Casual Environment: The randomness removes some of the pressure of ranked play, creating a more relaxed and fun atmosphere.
ARAM FAQs: Your Questions Answered
1. How many champions do I need to own to participate in ARAM?
Technically, you can participate in ARAM with no champions owned. You’ll only have access to the free-to-play ARAM champions, but you can still play! Owning more champions, however, greatly increases your chances of getting a champion you’re comfortable with.
2. Are all champions available in the ARAM free-to-play rotation?
No, the ARAM free-to-play rotation is a specific subset of champions chosen by Riot Games. Some champions may be intentionally excluded for balance or other reasons.
3. Can I see which champions are in the ARAM free-to-play rotation?
Yes, you can view the current free-to-play ARAM champions on the League of Legends client, typically within the champion select screen for ARAM games.
4. What happens if everyone on my team uses their rerolls?
If all players use their rerolls, and no champion swaps occur, then each player is locked in with their final randomly assigned champion.
5. Can I reroll into the same champion I just rerolled away?
Yes, it’s statistically possible, although unlikely, to reroll into the same champion. The random selection process doesn’t exclude champions you’ve previously rerolled.
6. Do rerolls expire?
No, rerolls do not expire. You can save them up to a maximum amount. Check your account to determine the maximum amount of rerolls you can hold at any one time.
7. What happens if I dodge an ARAM game after the champion select screen?
Dodging an ARAM game incurs a penalty, which usually consists of a temporary queue delay and a loss of League Points (LP) if you’re playing ranked ARAM (if this is implemented).
8. Is ARAM considered a “for fun” game mode?
Yes, ARAM is generally considered a “for fun” game mode. While some players take it very seriously, the random nature of the champion selection promotes a more casual and less competitive atmosphere compared to Summoner’s Rift.
9. Does champion mastery affect ARAM games?
No, champion mastery levels do not directly affect ARAM games. However, your experience and familiarity with a champion, gained through playing them, will naturally translate into better performance in ARAM.
10. Are there specific ARAM balance adjustments for certain champions?
Yes, Riot Games often implements specific balance adjustments for champions in ARAM. These adjustments can include changes to damage dealt, damage taken, healing received, and other stats to ensure that no single champion is overwhelmingly dominant in the ARAM environment. These changes are intended to make the gameplay more balanced, fair, and enjoyable.
11. Do I get less experience or rewards for playing ARAM compared to Summoner’s Rift?
The experience and reward structure for ARAM is slightly different from Summoner’s Rift. Generally, ARAM games tend to be shorter, so the experience and rewards are adjusted accordingly. You still earn experience, Influence Points (IP), and champion mastery points, but the exact amount may vary depending on the game length.
12. Is there a ranked ARAM queue?
Riot has experimented with ranked ARAM queues in the past but hasn’t yet introduced it as a permanent feature. Currently, ARAM is primarily a non-ranked game mode. However, keep an eye on future announcements, as Riot Games is always exploring new features and game modes.
13. Can I queue for ARAM with friends?
Yes, you can queue for ARAM with friends in pre-made groups. This allows you to coordinate champion swaps and strategies with your team.
14. Does the ARAM map (Howling Abyss) have different items or mechanics than Summoner’s Rift?
Yes, the Howling Abyss has a different shop selection, and some items are modified for ARAM. For instance, there are often items designed to help with sustain and mana management, which are crucial on the single-lane map. The map also lacks a traditional jungle and has health relics scattered around the map for players to use.
15. What strategies are effective in ARAM?
Effective ARAM strategies often revolve around:
- Poke Compositions: Champions with long-range abilities can harass the enemy team and wear them down.
- Engage Compositions: Teams with strong engage tools (e.g., Malphite, Leona) can force fights and create opportunities.
- Sustain: Having a source of healing or shielding is vital for surviving the constant poke damage.
- Objective Control: While there are no turrets to take, controlling the health relics and strategically pushing the lane are crucial.
- Team Composition: Balancing damage types (AD and AP) and having a mix of frontline and backline champions is important. Champion swapping is vital in this stage.
Understanding these strategies and adapting to the random champion assignments are key to success in ARAM!