League of Legends — or simply LoL — is one of the most played video games in the world. Launched in 2009 by Riot Games, it brings together more than 150 million registered players every month and tens of millions of daily matches. But what makes it so captivating?
What is a MOBA?
League of Legends belongs to the MOBA genre (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena). The concept is simple: two teams of 5 players face off on a map called Summoner's Rift. The goal is to destroy the enemy Nexus — the central base of the opposing team — before they destroy yours.
Each match lasts an average of 30 to 40 minutes. The map is divided into three lanes (top, mid, bot) connected by a jungle, a wooded area filled with neutral monsters that players can eliminate to gain power.
Champions: the heart of the game
Each player chooses a champion before the match — a unique character with their own abilities, playstyle and story in the Runeterra universe. In 2024, the roster includes more than 160 playable champions.
These champions are divided into broad classes:
- Tanks — robust, they absorb damage to protect the team
- Assassins — fast and lethal, they eliminate priority targets
- Mages — powerful at range, they deal enormous magic damage
- Marksmen (ADC) — fragile but devastating over time
- Supports — they protect, heal or crowd-control enemies
- Fighters — a balance between damage and durability
Roles on Summoner's Rift
In competitive play, each team member fills a specific role:
- Top — the upper lane, often played by durable champions
- Jungle — roams the entire map, controls neutral objectives
- Mid — the central lane, often mages or assassins with high impact
- Bot (ADC) — the bottom lane, a marksman who scales into late game
- Support — accompanies the ADC, protects the team and places vision wards
Why so many players?
LoL's longevity comes down to several factors. First, the game is free — all champions can be unlocked by playing. Second, the strategic depth is almost infinite: mastering a champion can take hundreds of hours, and the meta shifts with every patch.
The competitive aspect is also central. The ranked ladder (from Iron to Challenger) motivates millions of players to improve. And the World Championship draws tens of millions of viewers every year.
The Runeterra universe
Beyond the gameplay, League of Legends has built a rich narrative universe. Each champion has their own story, relationships with other characters, and belongs to a region of the world: Demacia, Noxus, Ionia, Zaun, the Shadow Isles…
This universe has given rise to many spin-offs: the animated series Arcane on Netflix, spin-off games like Legends of Runeterra or Teamfight Tactics, and original music released regularly.
Where to start?
If you're new to LoL, start with the in-game Tutorial mode. Your first matches are protected from experienced players while you find your footing. Choose a simple champion — like Garen, Ashe or Annie — to learn the basics without overloading yourself.
And if you're not sure which champion suits you, the RiftMatch quiz is here for that: a few questions about your playstyle and personality, and you'll discover the champions made for you.