Struggling to understand the chaos of League of Legends? Even the most seasoned players started somewhere, and that somewhere is often the in-game tutorial. This guide isn't just about surviving your first match; it's about setting you up for success on the Rift and beyond.
At a glance, you'll learn:
- The specific mechanics the tutorial covers (and, crucially, what it doesn't cover).
- How to optimize your learning experience within the tutorial.
- What to do after the tutorial to solidify your newfound skills.
- How to skip the tutorial if you later want a fresh start.
- Common pitfalls new players face and how to avoid them.
Understanding the League of Legends Onboarding Experience
The League of Legends tutorial is your first taste of the game. It's designed to gently introduce you to the core mechanics without overwhelming you with the complexities of the full game. Think of it as training wheels before you hit the open road of Summoner's Rift. It's your safe space to experiment with champion control, ability usage, and the fundamental objective: destroying the enemy Nexus. This is where you learn how to play league of legends tutorial.
You'll begin on a modified Summoner's Rift, narrowed to focus your attention on the middle lane. The game will guide you through basic movement, attacking minions, leveling up your champion (Miss Fortune, initially), and using your abilities.
Maximizing Your Tutorial Experience
Don't just rush through the tutorial; treat it as a laboratory. While it's tempting to think you can skip ahead, taking the time to internalize these fundamentals will pay off later.
- Experiment with Abilities: Don't just mindlessly follow the prompts. Try different ability combinations. See how they interact with enemy minions and champions. Understand their range and cooldowns. This is your chance to learn Miss Fortune's kit without pressure.
- Master Last-Hitting: The tutorial emphasizes last-hitting minions for gold. This is critical. Gold translates to items, and items translate to power. Practice getting the last hit on each minion.
- Pay Attention to Leveling: As you gain experience, note how your champion's stats increase. Leveling your abilities makes them stronger. The tutorial will guide you on when to level, but try to anticipate when you'll need an extra damage boost or utility.
- Understand Summoner Spells: You’ll be introduced to Flash and Heal. Flash is a vital escape tool and can also be used aggressively. Heal provides sustain in lane. Experiment with using them in different situations. Note the cooldowns; these are powerful abilities, but they aren't always available.
What the Tutorial Doesn’t Teach You
While the tutorial is a good starting point, it intentionally omits several crucial aspects of the game. Be aware of these gaps in your knowledge.
- Role Specialization: The tutorial doesn't explain the different roles in League of Legends (Top, Jungle, Mid, ADC, Support). You won't learn about optimal champion picks for each role or how to coordinate with your team.
- Item Builds: While you'll eventually buy items, the tutorial doesn't delve into itemization strategies. You won't learn about core items for different champions or how to adapt your build to counter the enemy team.
- Map Awareness: The tutorial restricts you to the mid-lane. You won't learn about the importance of vision control, warding, or tracking the enemy jungler.
- Teamwork and Communication: League of Legends is a team game. The tutorial doesn't address communication strategies, objective control, or how to coordinate ganks and team fights.
- Advanced Mechanics: Concepts like kiting, animation canceling, and wave management are completely absent. These mechanics are crucial for optimizing your gameplay at higher levels.
After the Tutorial: Bridging the Gap
The tutorial is a foundation, not the entire house. Here's what to do next:
- Intro Co-op vs. AI Matches: These matches allow you to practice against AI opponents in a more complete Summoner's Rift environment. Experiment with different champions and roles. Focus on improving your last-hitting, item builds, and map awareness.
- Beginner Missions: The game offers beginner missions that provide guidance and rewards. Complete these missions to earn Blue Essence (used to unlock champions) and learn more about the game.
- Practice Tool: The Practice Tool is your personal sandbox. Use it to practice specific mechanics, such as last-hitting under turret, jungle pathing, or ability combos.
- Watch Experienced Players: Observing skilled players can drastically accelerate your learning. Watch professional streamers or tournament matches to learn about advanced strategies and gameplay techniques.
- Draft or Blind Pick Normals: Once you feel comfortable, jump into normal games. Be prepared to face real opponents. Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. Focus on learning from each game.
Skipping the Tutorial: Starting Fresh
If you want to replay the tutorial, it's easily done.
- Access Settings: Click the gear icon in the top-right.
- Interface Tab: Go to "Interface".
- Toggle Tutorials: Turn "Show Beginner Tutorials" off to skip it.
Common New Player Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
- Chasing Kills Instead of Objectives: Don't get tunnel vision on killing enemy champions. Focus on destroying turrets, inhibitors, and the Nexus. Objectives win games, not kill counts.
- Solution: Remind yourself after each kill: "What objective can I take now?"
- Ignoring the Mini-Map: The mini-map is your window to the world. Pay attention to enemy positions, ward locations, and objective timers.
- Solution: Glance at the mini-map every few seconds.
- Building the Same Items Every Game: Item builds should be adapted to counter the enemy team and your own team composition.
- Solution: Research champion-specific item guides, but understand why each item is useful.
- Blaming Teammates: Focus on your own gameplay and identify areas for improvement. Blaming others is unproductive and won't help you win.
- Solution: After a loss, review your own mistakes and focus on improving one aspect of your gameplay in the next match.
- Not Warding: Vision control is crucial for protecting yourself from ganks and securing objectives.
- Solution: Buy Control Wards regularly and place them in strategic locations.
Quick Answers: Your LoL Tutorial FAQs
- Q: What champion should I play after Miss Fortune in the tutorial?
- A: Master Yi is a good option. He's straightforward and focuses on auto-attacks, making him easy to learn. Lux is another decent choice as she focuses on casting spells and crowd control, and both of these champions are beginner-friendly.
- Q: How often should I buy items?
- A: Returning to base to purchase items should become a habit. Ideally, you are aiming to go back to shop when you have enough gold (400-1300) to buy a useful item (Boots, Long Sword, Amplifying Tome, etc.).
- Q: Is it better to get kills or farm minions?
- A: Farming minions is generally more reliable for gold income, especially early game. A kill might be worth 300 gold, but a wave of minions is worth significantly more. Focus on consistent farm throughout the game.
Your LoL Quick-Start Playbook
Here's a simple plan to take you from tutorial trainee to competent player.
- Complete the Tutorial: Pay attention to the fundamentals.
- Co-op vs. AI Matches (5-10 Games): Focus on last-hitting, basic item builds, and exploring different roles.
- Normal Games (Blind Pick): Play a few games to get acquainted with playing with champions.
- Watch a Streamer: Learn 1-2 new tricks from their play.
Remember, learning League of Legends is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself, focus on improvement, and have fun! The Start playing League of Legends pillar article provides even more guidance on taking your first steps into the Rift.