Riot Unveils League of Legends Classic – a Nostalgic Return to the Game's Early Days

Full text

Riot Games has unveiled League of Legends Classic, a new version of its phenomenally successful MOBA designed to tap into nostalgia for the game as it was over 15 years ago.

Classic is the biggest change to League of Legends in more than a decade, with gameplay that recreates the feel of the MOBA’s early days, while modernizing select systems for today’s players. Over the years, League of Legends has evolved into a substantially more complex game, with more diverse champion fantasies, skill expression, and mobility, Riot said. In League Classic, combat pacing is more similar to how it was in the past and champions have sharper strengths and weaknesses, encouraging more strategic decision making.

The idea is to deliver a “greatest hits” feel from across League’s early years, rather than a singular moment in time, Riot explained. Classic will feature the original Summoner’s Rift map, a starting roster of 60 champions, old-school items, runes, masteries, and mechanics. The developer will add additional champions over time, but Classic won’t include every champion released up to the present day. The League Classic map features targeted improvements to lighting, textures, and shadows, to heighten gameplay clarity.

You’ll unlock Runes and Masteries by playing Classic, though progression will be much faster than it was in the past and everyone will have access to default pages from the start. Classic also includes modern improvements like matchmaking updates, server infrastructure, performance improvements, modern pings, spell buffering, and optional WASD controls.

Expect Riot to issue regular balance updates, but Classic will have its own balance philosophy focused on preserving what makes it unique, the developer said. Meanwhile, Riot has added The Council, a community voting system that will help guide the future of Classic.

League of Legends Classic starts on Season 3 with a single PvP draft queue, Co-op vs AI, and customs, Riot confirmed. The Council will allow the community to vote on future choices such as Champion additions, skins made for Classic, and even gameplay changes, with Classic Level granting you a stronger voice, rewarding the most committed players.

Executive producer Paul Bellezza said: “League Classic is personal for us. You've been asking for this for years, and honestly, a lot of us at Riot have missed that early League feeling too. There's real nostalgia there. We're not going for a one-to-one recreation of the old times. We want League Classic to scratch that itch while still bringing something new to the table. At its core, this is about honoring League's roots. Whether you've been here since the beginning or you're coming back after years away, we want this to feel like home.”

Classic launches on July 29 alongside Patch 26.15. Here’s all the information you need to know, direct from Riot:

League of Legends Classic Launch Champion Roster

Ahri

Jax

Rammus

Alistar

Karthus

Ryze

Amumu

Kassadin

Shaco

Andropivia

Katarina

Singed

Annie

Kayle

Sion

Ashe

Kog’Maw

Sivir

Blitzcrank

Lee Sin

Skarner

Brand

Leona

Sona

Cho’Gath

Lulu

Soraka

Corki

Lux

Taric

Dr. Mundo

Malphite

Teemo

Evelynn

Malzahar

Tristana

Ezreal

Master Yi

Tryndamere

Fiddlesticks

Miss Fortune

Twisted Fate

Gangplank

Morgana

Twitch

Garen

Nasus

Vayne

Gragas

Nidalee

Veigar

Heimerdinger

Nunu & Willump

Warwick

Janna

Olaf

Wukong

Jarvan IV

Pantheon

Zilean

Queues & Progression

At launch, League Classic will support a single PvP draft queue, Co-op vs AI, and custom games.

Classic Levels are a free progression track that all players will be able to access.

Players can gain levels by playing games of League Classic and can earn Runes, Masteries, IP, BE, and a variety of cosmetics, by increasing their Classic Level.

Upon reaching Classic Level 10, players will start their Summoner’s Journey, with progression from Salt to Legend.

Classic Levels are a one-time progression system akin to account levels.

Champions

League Classic will launch with a roster of 60 champions, featuring the original 40 and 20 additional champions released between 2009-2013. More champions will be added after launch.

Players who already own these champions will have immediate access to them in League Classic. Otherwise, players will be able to unlock Classic champions through their Classic Level or from the Shop.

Each champion’s base model has been updated with old-school inking outlines. Some champions have also received VFX, animation, and sound updates to match their Classic kits.

Items, Runes & Masteries

Many iconic classic items and item combinations are returning in League Classic, with a focus on memorable builds of the past.

The old Runes and Masteries are also returning, though with a simpler and faster unlock system. Players will unlock Runes, Masteries, and additional Rune Pages, through gameplay and increasing their Classic Level.

Default Runes and Masteries will be provided to players to allow for a more even playing field while unlocking more options.

Passes, Skins, and Portraits

League Classic features Seasonal Classic Passes, similar to Battle Passes in that they have a free and paid track, granting various rewards including IP, BE, Rune Pages, emotes, titles, and Classic Skins and Portraits.

Classic Skins are skins that bring back the iconic look of Classic champions as they sported during the 2009-2013 era.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.