In 2024, Riot Games surprised players by releasing Swarm, a limited-time PvE (player vs. environment) mode inspired by bullet hell and roguelike games. Swarm isn’t just a break from the standard 5v5—it’s a high-octane, arcade-style survival test.
What Is Swarm?
Swarm pits you against endless waves of Void creatures in a top-down, twin-stick shooter format. You control a themed version of a champion (e.g. PROJECT: Jinx) and gather power-ups to survive increasingly difficult rounds.
How to Access Swarm Mode
- Go to the Event tab in the client when Swarm is active
- Choose a champion (options are usually limited and skin-themed)
- Queue solo or duo (up to 2 players)
- Survive waves, collect upgrades, and fight a boss at the end
Gameplay Mechanics
Swarm isn’t like Summoner’s Rift. Here’s what changes:
- No summoner spells or items
- You control your champion with WASD and mouse aim
- Killing enemies drops gold, XP, and power-ups
- You’ll choose from Augments every level or milestone
Augments include:
- Extra damage, size, or projectile speed
- Healing on kill
- Area effects and traps
Swarm Tips for Beginners
- Prioritize mobility over raw damage early
- Learn enemy attack patterns—dodging is crucial
- Always take AoE or crowd-control augments
- Use terrain to kite large waves
- Team coordination matters in duo mode
What Can You Unlock in Swarm?
- Event tokens for the pass (used to buy skins, orbs, and emotes)
- Swarm-themed icons and borders
- Exclusive missions with lore-based content
Though Swarm is a limited-time mode, Riot hinted it could return seasonally, similar to URF or Arena.
Written by:
Christian