How Much XP Do You Get Per League Game?
The amount of XP (Experience Points) you earn per League of Legends game is not a fixed number. It’s a dynamic value determined by several factors, primarily the game mode, the length of the game, and whether you win or lose. On average, you can expect to earn between 180-300 XP for a Summoner’s Rift game (depending on win/loss and game length), with ARAM and rotating game modes generally yielding slightly less. This XP contributes towards leveling up your account, unlocking Summoner Spells, Runes, and other in-game features.
Understanding XP Gains in League of Legends
The core principle is that longer games and winning games award more XP. Let’s break down the major elements influencing your XP earnings.
Game Mode Matters
- Summoner’s Rift (Normal & Ranked): This is the primary game mode and generally provides the most XP per minute played. Due to its typically longer duration, you stand to gain the highest XP amounts here.
- ARAM (All Random All Mid): ARAM games are shorter on average, resulting in lower overall XP gains compared to Summoner’s Rift.
- Rotating Game Modes: The XP awarded in rotating game modes (like URF, One for All, etc.) varies, but it usually falls somewhere between ARAM and Summoner’s Rift. Riot often adjusts XP gains in these modes to balance enjoyment and progression.
- Teamfight Tactics (TFT): While also contributing to your overall Riot Account level, TFT’s XP system is separate from League of Legends’ Summoner’s Rift, ARAM, and rotating game modes. The place you finish and time played significantly affect TFT XP gains. This article primarily focuses on League of Legends (Summoner’s Rift, ARAM, and Rotating Game Modes).
The Length of the Game
The longer the game, the more XP you’ll receive. This is because the game calculates XP based on a base amount plus a per-minute bonus. A quick 20-minute surrender will obviously yield less XP than a grueling 45-minute slugfest. The longer you spend playing, the more the per-minute XP bonus will accumulate.
Win or Lose?
Winning a game grants a significant XP bonus. Losing still awards XP, but considerably less. This encourages players to strive for victory, adding a layer of incentive beyond simply enjoying the gameplay. Winning generally provides at least double the base XP you’d receive for a loss of comparable length.
XP Boosts
Riot offers various XP boosts that can significantly increase your XP gains. These come in two main forms:
- Duration-Based Boosts: These boosts last for a specific number of days and provide a bonus to all XP earned during that period, regardless of the number of games played.
- Win-Based Boosts: These boosts provide a bonus to the XP earned from each win.
Stacking XP boosts can dramatically accelerate your leveling progress. These are particularly useful for new accounts trying to unlock all features quickly, or for veteran players seeking to reach higher levels for cosmetic rewards.
Calculating Approximate XP Gains
While the precise formula Riot uses for XP calculation is not publicly available, we can estimate XP gains using the following guidelines:
- Base XP: Consider a base XP value for each game mode (e.g., Summoner’s Rift: 80 XP, ARAM: 60 XP). This is just a starting point.
- Per-Minute Bonus: Add a per-minute bonus (e.g., Summoner’s Rift: 4 XP/minute, ARAM: 3 XP/minute).
- Win Bonus: Multiply the total by a win bonus multiplier (e.g., Win: 2x, Loss: 1x).
- Boosts: Apply any XP boost multipliers.
Example:
Let’s say you win a 30-minute game on Summoner’s Rift with an XP boost providing a 100% bonus.
- Base XP: 80 XP
- Per-Minute Bonus: 30 minutes * 4 XP/minute = 120 XP
- Total Before Win Bonus: 80 XP + 120 XP = 200 XP
- Win Bonus: 200 XP * 2 (win) = 400 XP
- Boost Bonus: 400 XP * 2 (100% boost) = 800 XP
In this scenario, you’d earn approximately 800 XP. Remember, this is an approximation, and the actual XP gained might vary slightly.
Strategies for Maximizing XP Gains
- Play Summoner’s Rift: If your primary goal is to maximize XP gains, focus on playing Summoner’s Rift, as it offers the highest potential XP rewards.
- Strive for Victory: Winning is crucial. Focus on improving your gameplay and teamwork to increase your win rate.
- Invest in XP Boosts: If you’re serious about leveling up quickly, purchase XP boosts, especially during periods when you have ample time to play.
- Play Consistently: Regular playtime is key. Even short play sessions can contribute significantly to your overall XP accumulation.
- Party Up with Friends: Some events or missions offer bonus XP for playing with friends, so consider grouping up to maximize your rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does my champion mastery level affect the amount of XP I gain?
No, champion mastery level does not affect the amount of account XP you earn per game. Champion mastery is a separate system.
2. Does playing custom games grant XP?
Generally, custom games do not grant account XP. They are designed for practice and casual play, not for leveling up.
3. If I AFK (Away From Keyboard) during a game, will I still receive XP?
If you AFK for a significant portion of a game, you will likely receive a reduced amount of XP, or potentially no XP at all. The system detects inactivity and penalizes players who are not actively participating.
4. Does the time spent in champion select or loading screen count towards the game length for XP calculation?
No, only the actual in-game time counts towards the game length used for XP calculation.
5. Are there any events that offer bonus XP?
Yes, Riot frequently hosts events that offer bonus XP. Keep an eye on the official League of Legends website and in-game announcements for details on these events.
6. Can I check how much XP I earned after each game?
Yes, the post-game lobby displays the amount of XP you earned in that particular game, along with any bonuses from boosts.
7. Does leveling up become more difficult as I reach higher levels?
Yes, the amount of XP required to level up increases as you progress to higher levels. This is designed to make leveling more challenging over time.
8. What are the benefits of leveling up my account?
Leveling up your account unlocks various features, including Summoner Spells, Runes, the ability to play Ranked games, and cosmetic rewards.
9. Do different roles (e.g., Support, ADC) affect XP gains?
No, your role in the game does not affect the amount of XP you gain. XP is primarily determined by game mode, length, and win/loss.
10. If I dodge a game in champion select, will I lose XP?
Dodging a game in champion select results in a time penalty but does not directly affect your XP. You won’t gain XP, but you also won’t lose any.
11. Do first win of the day missions grant bonus XP?
No, first win of the day missions usually grant bonus Blue Essence (BE) or Orange Essence (OE), not XP.
12. Are there any differences in XP gains between playing solo and playing in a premade group?
There is no inherent difference in XP gains between playing solo and playing in a premade group unless an event or mission specifically offers bonus XP for playing with friends.
13. Does being honor level 5 give you extra XP per game?
No, being honor level 5 does not grant you extra XP per game. Honor levels primarily affect end-of-season rewards and loading screen flairs.
14. Are XP boosts worth it?
Whether XP boosts are “worth it” depends on how frequently you play. If you play a lot, the boosts are very cost-effective. If you only play occasionally, the value decreases.
15. Are XP gains consistent across all regions?
XP gains are generally consistent across all regions for standard game modes. However, Riot may occasionally implement regional events or promotions that could temporarily affect XP rates.