Popular LoL Arena Mode returns for a third time on May 1, 2024, with loads of changes! Riot Games has taken on player feedback and gone all out by doubling the capacity, expanding the map, debuting a brand-new Ring, and adding a captivating Prismatic item rarity to the mix.
These changes breathe new life into the Ring and offer additional ways to test your skills in thrilling battles—and we’re barely scratching the surface! Discover all the changes to Arena Mode in LoL right here, as well as a breakdown of the game mode, how to play, and an exploration of the ranking system.
Check out the 5 best duos in Arena mode.
Lol Arena Mode Table of Contents
What Is Arena Mode In LoL?
Arena Mode is a fast-paced 2v2v2v2 game mode in LoL, offering an alternative to Summoner’s Rift. The mode debuted in 2023 as a limited-time event and is slated for a prismatic return on May 1, 2024. It will be released with patch 14.9, running for the entirety of Split 2.
Arena Mode follows a kind of auto-battler style format, comprising up to eight teams of two (or solo combatants) that battle across five maps (or “Rings”) in a series of rounds. These include Ancestral Woods, Desert Oasis, Frostbite Thicket, Magma Chamber, and the brand-new map called Koi Pond.
The objective of LoL Arena Mode is relatively simple: whittle down the opponent’s team health to zero until only one duo remains! Once defeated, teams can either spectate the remaining rounds or leave without penalty. They can also surrender if things aren’t going their way.
How To Play the LoL Arena Mode
Players prepare for combat in the lobby with a semi-draft pick and ban phase and will equip the same summoner spells (Flash and Flee). They also receive gold or a selection of special Augments (a type of permanent bonus) to customize their playstyle and pull off some cracked combos!
Teams will then be transported to one of five Rings to battle other pairs. The damage for each defeat doubles with every round. And if matches run longer than 30 seconds, a ring of fire shrinks the battlefield, forcing conflict and dealing percentage-based true damage to anyone caught within it.
Here’s a breakdown of the damage for each defeat in LoL Arena Mode:
Round | Damage For Defeat |
1-3 | 2 |
4-6 | 4 |
7-9 | 6 |
10-12 | 8 |
13-15 | 10 |
Players who eliminate an enemy will earn an extra 350 gold each round. You can use the gold to buy items or temporary buffs (called “Juice”) during the Shop Phase, available for 45 seconds every round. You can also complete Arena-specific challenges to earn special titles during the match.
What Changes Are Coming To Arena Mode 2024?
Arena Mode returns with many significant changes, aiming to boost the overall gameplay experience and longevity. Here’s a summary of the key changes:
Lobby Size
Arena Mode is expanding to eight teams of two (previously, it was four teams of two). This change will result in a wider diversity of champion compositions and strategies. It will also make games more unique and exciting while reducing that feeling of stagnancy or repetitiveness.
Several UI improvements will enhance lobby scouting and match tracking, with updates to the scoreboard focusing on direct opponents. Pacing adjustments will also ensure the duration of Arena Mode games stays consistent despite there being more teams.
New Map Changes
To keep Arena Mode fresh and exciting, players can enjoy a new map called “The Koi Pond.” This addition comprises three circular islands separated by terrain walls and a river. A unique element called the “Bloom Bridge” will also open and close during the round, affecting champ mobility.
While the Bloom Bridge will let players move between the islands, the map also features Hexgates and explosive Blast Cones. This means you’ll have loads of ways to outplay your opponents. Beyond this, the map has been expanded to fit all the teams and includes a new shop area!
Prismatic Items And Anvils
Arena Mode will add a new “build-defining” item tier called “Prismatic,” which will be presented to players randomly each round. This means no more copy-pasting OP builds. Instead, Prismatic items will encourage new, unconventional strategies, whether it’s a tank Master Yi or AP Zac.
You can also acquire Prismatic items via Anvils. These purchasable consumables offer three randomized item choices from one of three categories: Prismatic, Legendary, or Stat, enabling adaptability and strategic planning. Will you reroll your options or save your Anvils for subsequent rounds?
These are the different types of Anvils, each offering some randomness to spice up your LoL Arena Mode matches:
- Prismatic: Randomized choice between all Prismatic items.
- Legendary: Randomized choice between Legendary items within your desired category. Categories will use the shop classification for classes (fighter, mage, etc).
- Stat: Randomized choices between raw stat upgrades.
Cameos
Champions (or rather “cameos”) that are not player-controlled will appear briefly in Arena Mode matches during combat rounds, adding an element of unpredictability. These champs include Lux, Sett, Thresh, Pyke, and Jhin. But be on guard: cameos have no agency and are untargetable (besides Sett).
QoL Changes
Riot Games has also made a few quality-of-life adjustments to LoL Arena Mode. These include champion-specific changes, Legendary item balancing, removal of Mythic items, and even an option to spectate and view replays..
How Will The Ranked System Work In LoL Arena Mode?
The ranking system in Arena Mode is a simplified version of the LoL ranked ladder. To rank up, players accumulate ranked points by finishing 1st or 2nd in a lobby. Winning a match earns points while losing matches deducts points. The system will also consider individual performance.
The LoL Arena ranked system is divided into five tiers: Wood, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gladiator, providing a clear progression path for players. All players will initially seed in the “Wood” tier at 500 Ranking Points and be protected from losing points during the first five placement matches.
Arena Tiers
Rank Tier | Ranking Points |
Wood | 0 to 1,399 |
Bronze | 1,400 to 2,599 |
Silver | 2,600 to 3,299 |
Gold | 3,330 to 3,999 |
Gladiator | 4,000+ |
Note: The ranked system for LoL Arena will be on hold until a couple of weeks after it launches. This is so Riot can see how things play out without the leaderboard system. Arena Ranked will officially begin with patch 14.10.
Enter The LoL Arena
We’re thrilled to see Arena Mode making a comeback, especially with its exciting updates. This fast-paced mode introduces a variety of enhancements, including an expanded lobby size, several UI improvements, and a brand-new map. We can look forward to a more dynamic gameplay experience with added Prismatic item tiers and the strategic use of Anvils, offering randomized item selections.
All of these updates aim to enhance the overall playability and inject fresh strategies into the game. Whether you’re battling across the maps or customizing your playstyle, new and returning players will find plenty of reasons to check out the revamped Arena Mode.
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