ARAM Clash: Dominate the Howling Abyss!
So, you want to know how ARAM Clash works? Buckle up, summoners, because we’re diving deep into the icy depths of the Howling Abyss to break down this exciting game mode! ARAM Clash is a special, periodically available tournament in League of Legends that throws the traditional strategic gameplay out the window and embraces the chaotic, all-random, all-mid action that ARAM is known for. It retains the competitive structure of regular Clash, with bracketed tournaments and escalating prizes, but with a unique ARAM twist.
Here’s the gist: You and four teammates form a team, lock in during a designated window, and battle through an 8-team bracket. Everyone plays three games each day, regardless of whether they’re vying for first place or battling it out for seventh. The team that wins all three matches takes home the trophy and the best rewards. However, even losing teams will secure prizes, with the rewards increasing with each victory.
It’s a fantastic way to test your champion pool diversity, teamwork under pressure, and adaptation skills in the face of complete randomness. Think of it as a celebration of ARAM’s inherent silliness, but with the added thrill of competition and sweet, sweet loot on the line.
Understanding the Core Mechanics
Team Formation & Lock-In
Just like standard Clash, you need to form a team of five players. Team formation opens on Monday of Clash Week, giving you plenty of time to find your ARAM comrades. The actual battles take place on Saturday and/or Sunday.
Lock-in phases are staggered depending on your team’s tier:
- Tier IV: Can lock in at any time during the two-hour lock-in window.
- Tier III: Can lock in 30 minutes after the lock-in window opens.
- Tier II: Can lock in one hour after the lock-in window opens.
- Tier I: Can lock in for the last half-hour of the lock-in window.
This staggered approach helps ensure balanced brackets and minimizes wait times. If your entire team doesn’t lock in within the designated 30-minute window, you won’t participate, but your tickets will be returned.
Tier Placement
Your team’s tier determines the level of competition you’ll face. Tiers range from I (highest) to IV (lowest). Individual tiers are determined by your Flex or Solo/Duo ranking, and your team’s previous Clash history will also contribute to your tier placement. The system prioritizes matching teams of similar skill levels to ensure fair and competitive matches.
Tickets and Rewards
You’ll need either a Basic or Premium Ticket to participate in ARAM Clash. Basic Tickets grant entry, while Premium Tickets offer the chance at even greater rewards. Each player chooses their own ticket type, and individual rewards scale accordingly. Winning matches earns you Victory Points (VP), which unlock banners and trophies for your Summoner’s Rift profile. The higher your placement, the more VP you earn.
The ARAM Twist: Random Champions and More!
The heart and soul of ARAM Clash is, of course, the All Random, All Mid gameplay. You’re assigned a random champion at the start of the game, forcing you to play outside your comfort zone and adapt to unfamiliar playstyles. To alleviate the frustration of getting a truly awful champion (we’ve all been there), Riot grants each player two rerolls per game. Use them wisely! Also, all champions are unlocked in Clash, removing the need to coordinate champion trades.
ARAM Clash: A Different Kind of Challenge
ARAM Clash isn’t just about raw mechanical skill or meta knowledge. It’s about:
- Adaptability: Can you effectively play a champion you’ve never touched before?
- Teamwork: Can you coordinate with your team and develop a strategy on the fly?
- Creativity: Can you find innovative ways to utilize your champion’s kit in the chaotic ARAM environment?
- Fun: Remember, ARAM is meant to be a lighthearted, enjoyable experience. Embrace the chaos and have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often does ARAM Clash happen?
Clash is a monthly tournament, which means ARAM Clash is scheduled even less frequently. Keep an eye on the League of Legends client and official Riot Games announcements for upcoming ARAM Clash dates.
2. Do I need to be ranked to play ARAM Clash?
No! While your Flex or Solo/Duo ranking influences your team’s tier placement, you don’t need to be ranked to participate in ARAM Clash. You do, however, need to be account level 30 and have SMS verification enabled.
3. Can I play ARAM Clash on both Saturday and Sunday?
Yes! Your team can join an 8-team bracket on either day (or both!). If Saturday doesn’t go your way, you can regroup and try again on Sunday with the same team or a new one.
4. What happens if we win all three games in ARAM Clash?
If you win all three games, you’ll get a trophy and awesome prizes! The more games you win, the better your rewards.
5. What kind of prizes can I get in ARAM Clash?
Prizes include trophies, banners, logos, skins shards, and other cosmetic goodies. The value and type of rewards depend on your team’s placement and the ticket type you used (Basic or Premium).
6. Does rank matter in ARAM Clash matchmaking?
Yes, but indirectly. Your Flex or Solo/Duo ranking helps determine your team’s tier, which affects the level of competition you’ll face. The system uses the highest player Rank in the team to ensure that matches stay as balanced as possible. Individual MMR are not considered for matchmaking purpose.
7. How long does an ARAM Clash game last?
The same rules from regular ARAM apply. By 65 minutes, structures will start to damage themselves at a fixed rate in order (towers in order, then inhibitors, then nexus turrets, then the nexus). By 70 minutes, one team will have won the game.
8. Can I spectate ARAM Clash games?
You can spectate Custom Games, your friends’ matchmaking games, and random matchmaking games from the front page of the client. Note that for friends’ games, you must wait three minutes before the option becomes available.
9. How many rerolls do I get in ARAM Clash?
Each player receives 2 rerolls per game in ARAM Clash.
10. Are all champions unlocked for ARAM Clash?
Yes! All champions are unlocked in Clash, so you don’t have to worry about trading.
11. How are ARAM Clash tiers determined?
Individual tiers are determined by your Flex or Solo/Duo ranking – and at launch, you’ll also have a rating that is derived from your previous Clash history.
12. Is a Premium Ticket worth it for ARAM Clash?
That depends on how confident you are! A Basic Ticket lets you participate, but a Premium Ticket offers the chance at even greater prizes. Each teammate chooses their own ticket entry, and their individual rewards scale off that.
13. Can I play the same ARAM Clash twice?
Your team can only join one Clash bracket each day, and once you’ve joined, that team is locked in for the entire bracket. However, if things don’t go well for you on Saturday, you can still come back Sunday and try again (with the same team, or even a new one!).
14. What happens if a player disconnects during an ARAM Clash game?
The standard League of Legends disconnection rules apply. If a player disconnects, their team can pause the game for a limited time. If the player doesn’t reconnect within a reasonable timeframe, the game will continue without them, putting their team at a disadvantage.
15. Where can I learn more about teamwork and strategy in games?
To learn more about the power of teamwork and strategy, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org is dedicated to understanding how people learn through games and how to design games for effective learning.
Final Thoughts
ARAM Clash is a unique and exciting game mode that offers a refreshing twist on the traditional League of Legends experience. It’s a chance to test your skills in a chaotic environment, bond with your friends, and earn some sweet rewards along the way. So gather your team, brush up on your champion knowledge, and prepare to dominate the Howling Abyss! Good luck, and have fun!