When you’re new to League of Legends, few things are more exciting than unlocking a new champion. With over 160 characters—each with unique abilities, personalities, and play styles—League offers something for everyone. Whether you want to snipe enemies from afar, tank damage for your team, or dive headfirst into battle, your ideal champion is out there. The question is: how do you get them?
Let’s take a closer look at the different ways you can unlock champions in League of Legends—and how to do it efficiently.
1. Use Blue Essence: The Core Currency
The most common method for unlocking champions is through Blue Essence (BE), the in-game currency you earn just by playing. You can collect BE by:
- Leveling up, which grants Champion Capsules containing champion shards
- Disenchanting champion shards you don’t want
- Completing missions during events
- Opening Hextech chests, which sometimes contain BE
Once you’ve saved enough, you can go to the Store > Champions tab and purchase your desired champion directly. Prices vary based on the champion’s age and popularity, ranging from 450 to 6,300 BE.
Pro Tip: Don’t rush to spend your BE—if you’re unsure about a champion, try them in the Practice Tool or during the free weekly rotation before committing.
2. Champion Shards: A Shortcut in Your Loot Tab
Champion shards, found in capsules, chests, or mission rewards, offer a shortcut to unlocking characters at a discount. You have three options:
- Disenchant the shard for Blue Essence
- Upgrade the shard into a permanent champion (at a reduced BE cost)
- Reroll three shards into one random permanent champion
If you’re focused on efficiency, upgrading shards is often the best route. It saves BE and gives you more control than rerolling—which is random and can give you a champ you don’t want.
3. Free Champion Rotations and Trials
Every week, Riot offers a free rotation of champions—usually around 15—available for all players. It’s a great way to test new champions without spending BE or RP.
Additionally, Riot occasionally offers Champion Trials during events or promotions, where you can play certain champions for free for a limited time. Use these chances to try before you buy.
4. Event Missions and Champion Capsules
Participating in seasonal events (like Worlds, Lunar Revel, or Star Guardian) can reward you with tokens, loot, and even champion shards. Completing missions tied to these events is a great way to stockpile resources toward unlocking new champions—especially if you don’t want to pay a dime.
And don’t forget about Honor Capsules (earned through good in-game behavior) and milestone rewards—they often contain champion shards or BE.
Final Thoughts: Be Strategic With Your Unlocks
In a game where mastery matters, expanding your champion pool should be a thoughtful process—not a mad dash to unlock everything. Focus on learning a few champions well, then grow your pool based on your favorite roles or team needs.
League rewards patience, consistency, and smart resource management. So whether you’re a new player building your first roster or a veteran hunting for that final champion, the path to unlocking characters is just another way the game challenges your strategy—and rewards your effort.
Because in League of Legends, knowledge is power—but so is the right champion at the right time.
Written by:
Christian