Game modes

Summoner's Rift is the standard game, but it is not the only one. The other modes share champions and most items while changing the map, the team size or the rules.

Summoner's Rift

Ranked

Draft pick with bans, a public ladder and a rank. See ranked system.

Normal draft

The same draft and bans as ranked, without a rank on the line. Where most players learn a champion.

Swiftplay

A shorter game on the same map, for players who want a full match in less time.

Co-op vs. AI

A team of players against bots. A gentle place to try a new champion or role.

ARAM

All Random, All Mid, played on the Howling Abyss: one long lane, five players a side, and a random champion each, with a limited way to trade for another. There is no jungle and you cannot shop again until you die, so fights start in the first minute and never stop. ARAM has its own summoner spells and some items sold only there; the item list filters by map.

Arena

Teams of two fight a series of short rounds against other pairs on small arenas, picking up powerful augments between rounds. The last pair standing wins. Arena has its own item pool and rules, separate from Summoner's Rift.

Rotating modes

Some modes come and go with events rather than staying in the client. Over the years they have included URF (ultra-fast cooldowns and no mana costs), One for All (the whole team plays the same champion), Nexus Blitz and Ultimate Spellbook (a second ultimate borrowed from another champion). Which one is live changes from patch to patch.

Practice tool

A private game where you control the clock, gold and level. It is the place to learn combos, last hitting and item power spikes without a game on the line.