League of Legends is one of the most mechanically demanding games in the world, requiring precision, speed, and rapid decision-making. Traditionally played with a mouse and keyboard combo, it’s easy to take for granted the role that each device plays in navigating Summoner’s Rift. But a question that sometimes emerges from players experimenting with accessibility, mobility, or pure curiosity is: Can you play League of Legends without a mouse?
The short answer is yes, technically—but the long answer is far more nuanced.
The Short Version: It’s Possible, But Not Practical
Yes, you can play League of Legends using only a keyboard, but you’ll need to remap controls, rely on keyboard-based camera movement, and accept significant mechanical limitations.
However, if you’re hoping to climb the ranked ladder or play competitively, the lack of a mouse will make the experience incredibly challenging—especially when it comes to precision aiming, pathing, and kiting.
What Does the Mouse Do in League?
In standard gameplay, the mouse serves several key functions:
Champion movement: Right-clicking on the map tells your champion where to go.
Targeting and attacking: Right-clicking on an enemy unit allows for precise basic attacks. Using “attack move” (usually A + left-click or A + right-click depending on settings) also facilitates attacking, typically targeting the nearest enemy to the cursor or your champion.
Camera control: You pan the camera by moving the mouse to the screen edges or dragging.
UI interaction: Clicking on items, shop buttons, or pings is typically done via mouse.
Remove the mouse, and you need workarounds for all of the above.
How to Play League Without a Mouse
To play without a mouse, you’ll need to rely entirely on keybindings and keyboard shortcuts:
- Movement:
- Use “Player Move Click” (default: right-click) and rebind it to a keyboard key like Spacebar or a side arrow.
- Some players map movement to keys like QWERASDF for easier access.
- Abilities:
- Q, W, E, and R still function normally.
- Smart-casting is essential for playing without a mouse—this removes the need to click your target after activating an ability.
- Attack Commands:
- Bind “Player Attack Move” to a key such as A, and adjust “Attack Move on Cursor” to support keyboard-only inputs.
- Camera Control:
- Use the arrow keys to move the camera manually.
- Rebind camera lock toggle (default: Y) to your preferred key if you want the screen to follow your champion.
- UI and Shop:
- Open the shop with P and navigate with arrow keys and enter/tab, though this is very clunky.
- Buy items using recommended hotkeys or use the new Quick Buy feature if enabled.
- Mouse Emulation Tools (Optional):
- Some third-party tools allow you to emulate a mouse cursor with your keyboard, enabling basic pointer movement and clicks using number pads or WASD-style inputs.
Who Would Play League Without a Mouse?
Accessibility needs: Some players with physical disabilities use custom keybindings or adaptive controllers to play without a traditional mouse.
Technical limitations: In rare cases, players might be stuck with a broken mouse and attempt a game with just a keyboard.
Challenge runs: A small subset of the community takes on “keyboard-only” games as a test of skill or creativity, usually with less mechanically intense champions.
Popular streamers have occasionally attempted mouse-free games as content challenges, often picking champions with point-and-click abilities or low skillshot reliance.
Best Champions for Mouse-Free Play
If you’re determined to try it, pick champions that require minimal aiming and movement complexity:
- Annie – Point-and-click burst, reliable auto-targeting.
- Malphite – Straightforward engage with few mechanical demands.
- Garen – No skillshots, simple kit.
- Master Yi – Relies more on movement and auto-attacks than targeting precision.
- Soraka – As a support, your role is more about positioning and timing than precision.
Avoid high-APM or skillshot-reliant champions like Ezreal, Lee Sin, or Thresh.
Is It Viable for Ranked Play?
For the vast majority of players: no. The lack of precise control, especially in fast-paced situations, is a major handicap. In teamfights, jungle pathing, or even simple last-hitting, a mouse is essential for reliable gameplay.
However, in unranked matches or custom games, it’s a fun challenge or a temporary workaround if your hardware fails.
Final Thoughts: A Game of Precision, But With Room for Creativity
League of Legends is fundamentally designed for mouse and keyboard synergy, and the mouse remains the primary tool for success on the Rift. That said, Riot Games has made progress in accessibility features, and the community continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with limited input methods.
So while you can play League without a mouse, the experience will be difficult, inefficient, and—outside of novelty or necessity—uncommon. But for those who try, it’s a reminder of how deep and adaptable the League experience can be.
Written by:
Christian