Mastery chests in League of Legends are a coveted reward for players looking to showcase their skill with specific champions. Introduced as part of Riot Games’ Champion Mastery system, these chests offer cosmetic and loot-based rewards such as skin shards, champion shards, and Orange Essence. But despite their apparent simplicity, many players find themselves unsure about how mastery chests work, how to earn them, and how to maximize their gains each season.
In this article, we break down the mastery chest system, from requirements and limitations to tips on unlocking them efficiently.
What Are Mastery Chests?
Mastery chests are loot boxes tied to your performance in games with specific champions. Earning a high grade in a match—typically an S-, S, or S+—can unlock a chest. These chests contain Hextech Crafting loot and are closely connected to the Champion Mastery system, where you level up your familiarity with a champion through good in-game performance.
You can access these chests via the Loot tab in the League of Legends client. They’re an important way to earn content without spending real money.
How to Earn Mastery Chests
To get a mastery chest, a few conditions must be met:
1. Earn an S-, S, or S+ Grade
You need to play well enough in a matchmade game to earn one of the top grades. Grades are awarded based on various performance metrics like kills, deaths, assists, damage dealt, vision score, and objective control. Importantly, grading is role- and champion-specific, so your performance is compared to other players playing the same champion in the same role.
2. Play a Matchmade Game
Only matchmade games count. This includes:
- Normal (Blind & Draft Pick)
- Ranked Solo/Duo and Flex
- ARAM
- Clash
Custom games do not count. Nor do special modes like URF, unless otherwise stated during temporary events.
3. Champion Mastery Level
You can only earn a chest on a champion if you haven’t already earned a chest with them this season. You can track which champions still have chests available in the Champion Select screen—look for a small chest icon next to their portrait.
4. You Must Own the Champion
Even if you play a champion through free rotation, you won’t earn a chest unless the champion is owned.
5. Have a Chest Available
Each player can earn up to four mastery chests per month. These chests refresh once per week, with one chest being added to your available total (up to a max of four). You can check how many are available in your Profile > Loot section.
Can You Get Chests With Friends?
Yes—and this is where strategy can come in. If you’re grouped with friends and one of them earns an S-grade (and you meet the other requirements), you can still receive a chest, even if you didn’t get the S yourself. This is an excellent way to farm chests while playing support roles or off-meta picks that might not typically earn top grades.
What’s Inside a Mastery Chest?
Each chest contains one or more of the following items:
- Champion Shards
- Skin Shards
- Ward Skin Shards
- Summoner Icons
- Orange Essence
- Occasionally, Gemstones or Hextech Exclusive loot
You’ll also receive a Key Fragment, which is needed (in sets of three) to forge a key and open the chest.
Tips to Maximize Your Chest Gains
- Play Champions You Excel At
The faster you can earn S-grades, the faster you’ll get chests. - Play With Friends
You can earn chests off their S-rank games, so group up with skilled teammates. - Track Which Champions Have Earned Chests
Rotate your pool frequently to keep unlocking chests with new champs. - Monitor Your Chest Availability
Don’t let your chest cap fill up—play consistently to earn them as they refresh weekly. - Aim for Objectives and Vision
Grades reward map control, not just flashy plays. Warding, dragon control, and assists matter.
Final Thoughts
Mastery chests in League of Legends offer a fun and rewarding incentive to improve with your favorite champions. By understanding the system and optimizing your playstyle, you can collect valuable loot while showcasing your mastery. Whether you’re grinding ranked or just playing for fun, the chase for that shiny S-grade is one more reason to stay sharp on the Rift.
Written by:
Christian