With the arrival of Swarm: Operation Anima Squad, Riot Games has introduced a thrilling bullet-heaven PvE mode that feels unlike anything else in League of Legends. Amidst the chaos of Primordians, explosive augments, and boss battles, players have stumbled upon a new collectible: Ancient Sparks. But what exactly are they—and more importantly, how do you get them?
Here’s a closer look at this mysterious currency and how it fits into Riot’s evolving League universe.
What Are Ancient Sparks?
Ancient Sparks are a special currency introduced in the Swarm game mode. Unlike Blue Essence or Riot Points, Ancient Sparks are tied specifically to Swarm and cannot be earned through regular Summoner’s Rift matches.
Their primary function? To unlock permanent upgrades that enhance your Swarm runs. These include:
- Champion stat boosts
- New augments
- Ability enhancements
- Bonus loot or event progression
In short, Ancient Sparks make each future Swarm run more powerful and more rewarding.
How to Earn Ancient Sparks
There are several ways to collect Ancient Sparks, and they’re all connected to Swarm activity:
1. Complete Swarm Missions
Riot typically ties new currencies to event missions, and Ancient Sparks are no exception. Missions may include:
- Surviving a specific number of waves
- Defeating a boss on a certain map
- Using specific Anima Squad champions
- Completing multiple Swarm runs
Completing these challenges grants you Ancient Sparks directly or rewards (like capsules or caches) that contain them.
2. Progress Through the Event Pass
If you’re playing during a major League event, such as Operation: Anima Squad, Ancient Sparks can be earned through:
- Free pass milestones
- Premium Event Pass track (if purchased)
- Weekly and milestone objectives
The more you engage with the pass system, the more Sparks you earn.
3. In-Game Performance
Some Swarm milestones award Sparks based on your performance in matches—especially on higher difficulty levels. Completing runs, especially on Veteran or higher, increases your chances of earning currency drops.
4. Event Shop Exchanges
In limited-time event shops, you might be able to trade Tokens or Capsules for Ancient Sparks or bundles containing them. These often appear in premium sections or through special offers.
What Can You Do With Ancient Sparks?
Ancient Sparks are used to permanently upgrade your power in Swarm mode, adding a roguelike progression layer to the experience. Think of them as a way to:
- Boost champion stats across runs (like HP, cooldown, or damage)
- Unlock new augments and passive effects
- Improve your survivability or loot chance
- Gain edge in tougher difficulty levels
As you gather more Sparks, your runs become less about raw reflexes and more about strategy, build choices, and progression management.
Are Ancient Sparks Permanent?
Yes. Unlike most event currencies that vanish when the event ends, Ancient Sparks are designed for long-term progression within Swarm, especially as Riot experiments with PvE systems. If Swarm becomes a recurring mode, Sparks could carry over into future iterations.
However, if the event is sunset, Sparks may be retired or converted—so use them while they’re relevant.
Final Thoughts
Ancient Sparks bring meaningful progression to League of Legends’ PvE scene, offering a satisfying sense of growth and investment. For players who enjoy the high-speed chaos of Swarm mode, these sparks are more than a collectible—they’re a gateway to deeper gameplay and higher challenge tiers.
If you’re grinding the mode and aiming to unlock every augment and stat buff, Ancient Sparks are your most valuable resource. Play smart, dive deep, and let the sparks fly.
Written by:
Christian