Yes, players can absolutely play against bots in League of Legends. This feature is not just a relic of the game’s past, but a core, actively maintained training and relaxation tool offered by Riot Games, providing a dedicated space for solo or group practice away from the pressures of competitive play.
Playing against computer-controlled champions—or “bots”—is facilitated primarily through two distinct game types, making it easy for players to find a low-stakes environment for learning or experimentation.
How to Engage the Bots: Co-op vs. AI and Custom Games
The primary avenue for bot matches is the Co-op vs. AI game mode. This option places a team of human players against a full squad of five bots on the classic 5v5 Summoner’s Rift map. This mode is designed to be accessible and offers a rapid matchmaking experience tailored for teaching game fundamentals.
Players can select from three levels of bot difficulty, allowing them to scale the challenge to their current skill level:
- Intro (Easiest): Ideal for first-time players learning basic movement and abilities.
- Beginner: A moderate step up for those grasping champion mechanics.
- Intermediate: Provides a greater challenge for practicing execution and team movements.
Beyond Co-op vs. AI, players can utilize Custom Games. This option grants maximum control, allowing players to manually add any number of bots to either team. This is particularly useful for focused practice, such as creating a 1v1 lane scenario against a specific bot or testing a non-standard team composition.
The Purpose of Practice: Why Bot Matches Still Matter
For a game dominated by fierce Player-vs-Player (PvP) competition, bot games serve several critical functions for the League of Legends player base, spanning both beginners and veterans:
- Foundation for Beginners: For those new to the Rift, bot matches are the safest environment to learn core game mechanics, understand the map, and get familiar with their champion’s abilities without the stress of being constantly outplayed by human opponents.
- Champion and Build Testing: Experienced players frequently use bot games to try out new champions immediately after they are released or to test new item builds and ability combinations. The absence of complex human strategy makes it easier to practice perfect execution of combos.
- Stress-Free Relaxation: Sometimes players simply want a stress-free match. Bot modes offer a place to practice specific scenarios, like last-hitting minions for gold, or simply to enjoy a quick, low-stakes victory.
The Advancing AI and Its Limitations
While bot matches are an excellent training resource, players must understand they will not fully replicate the complexity, unpredictability, or psychological pressure of a real PvP match. Bots follow predictable movement patterns and generally adhere to rigid, scripted behaviors.
However, Riot Games has consistently improved the bot AI. Recent updates have made the bots more sophisticated, enabling them to:
- Enter the Jungle: Bots are now capable of moving into the jungle, taking jungle camps, and engaging in more complex pathing.
- Objective Focus: They demonstrate better coordination in taking major objectives like the Dragon and the Rift Herald.
In summary, playing against bots in League of Legends remains a core, valuable feature. Whether you are taking your first steps on Summoner’s Rift or an experienced player looking for a rapid, stress-free way to master a new combo, bot modes offer a perfect training environment before you “Ride Out!” into the high-pressure world of PvP.
Written by:
Christian