League of Legends has long been known for its colorful, stylized visuals rather than raw graphical fidelity. But with Riot Games’ recent introduction of RTX ray tracing support, players with compatible hardware can now experience Summoner’s Rift in a new light—literally.
Dynamic shadows, realistic reflections, and enhanced lighting effects bring a more immersive feel to a game that has thrived for over a decade.
Requirements and Preparation
Before enabling RTX, players need to ensure their system meets the necessary requirements:
- Compatible Hardware: An NVIDIA RTX graphics card is required (RTX 2060, 3060, 4060, or newer).
- Updated Drivers: Install the latest NVIDIA Game Ready drivers to ensure stability and proper RTX functionality.
Meeting these prerequisites ensures that ray tracing runs smoothly and integrates properly with League’s client.
How to Enable RTX in League of Legends
Turning on RTX is a straightforward process once your system is ready:
- Launch League of Legends: Open the Riot Client, log in, and start the game.
- Open Settings: Click the gear icon in the top-right corner of the client to access the menu.
- Navigate to Video Settings: Head to the Video or Graphics tab.
- Locate the RTX Option: Under advanced graphics settings, look for “Ray Tracing” or “RTX.” Toggle this setting On.
- Adjust Visual Parameters: Balance resolution, frame rate cap, shadows, and effects to optimize performance if needed.
- Save and Test: Apply changes and enter a match. Players should immediately notice improved lighting, deeper shadows, and more lifelike reflections—particularly in team fights and map areas with complex visuals.
Performance Considerations
While RTX adds cinematic flair, it is resource-intensive. Even powerful GPUs may see reduced frame rates, especially during large-scale fights. To maintain smooth gameplay, Riot recommends:
- Lowering secondary graphics settings (such as shadows or effects).
- Reducing resolution if necessary.
- Disabling RTX entirely if performance compromises competitive play.
For players focused on ranked climbing, fluid gameplay often outweighs visual fidelity. RTX is best suited for those who want a richer aesthetic experience without sacrificing responsiveness.
The Bigger Picture
The arrival of ray tracing in League of Legends marks a subtle but significant shift. Riot isn’t trying to overhaul the game’s visual identity, but instead to give players an optional upgrade that modernizes the look of a classic title.
With RTX, Summoner’s Rift becomes not just a battleground of strategy but also a showcase of evolving technology—bridging the gap between competitive reliability and cutting-edge graphics.
Written by:
Christian