Before there was Blue Essence, there were Influence Points—a now-retired in-game currency that shaped the early economy of League of Legends. For long-time players, the term “IP” still brings a wave of nostalgia. For newer summoners, it might sound like some long-lost artifact. But understanding what Influence Points were and how they worked provides valuable insight into how League has evolved as a game and a platform.
What Were Influence Points?
Influence Points (IP) were the primary currency in League of Legends from its release in 2009 until 2017. Players earned IP by playing matches, and it was used to unlock key in-game content such as:
- Champions
- Runes (before the Rune Reforged system)
- Rune Pages
- Certain Summoner Icons
The system was designed to reward time investment: the more you played, the more you earned. Unlike Riot Points (RP)—which had to be purchased with real money—IP offered a completely free way to progress.
How Did You Earn IP?
IP was rewarded after each match, with the amount depending on several factors:
- Win or loss (wins granted slightly more)
- Match duration
- Game mode
- First win of the day bonus (150 IP)
There were no shortcuts or loot boxes—just grind. A single champion could cost anywhere from 450 to 6,300 IP, meaning unlocking the full roster took serious dedication.
Why Was It Replaced?
By 2017, the IP system had grown outdated. With more than 130 champions in the game and a growing focus on player experience and accessibility, Riot Games reworked the entire progression system.
Here’s why IP was phased out:
- Too slow: New players found it hard to unlock the champions they wanted.
- Separate currency for runes: Runes and champions used the same currency, which created an awkward conflict for newer players.
- Inflexible: IP couldn’t be used for cosmetic items or newer systems like loot and crafting.
In Preseason 8, Riot replaced Influence Points with Blue Essence (BE) and overhauled the leveling system. Instead of capping at level 30, accounts could now level infinitely, earning Blue Essence along the way.
What Is Blue Essence, and How Is It Different?
Blue Essence serves as the modern replacement for IP. Like IP, it’s earned through gameplay—but it’s tied to leveling up, event missions, and Hextech crafting.
Key differences:
| Feature | Influence Points (IP) | Blue Essence (BE) |
| How you earned it | Playing Matches | Leveling up, disenchanting shards |
| Used for | Champions, runes | Champions, event content, Upgrades |
| Available today? | No | Yes |
| Conversion rate | 1 IP = 1 BE (during swap) | Ongoing |
This shift also made room for event passes, missions, and Hextech chests, adding more variety to how players earn rewards.
IP’s Legacy in League of Legends
Though IP is gone, it played a huge role in League’s early years:
- It kept the game free-to-play, allowing anyone to unlock content without spending money.
- It encouraged regular play, building long-term engagement.
- It laid the foundation for modern reward systems like Blue Essence, Mythic Essence, and the Event Pass structure.
Veteran players still remember grinding IP for weeks to buy their first favorite champion. That kind of memory builds loyalty—and community.
Final Thoughts
Influence Points may no longer exist in League of Legends, but they’re a major part of the game’s history. Their eventual replacement with Blue Essence marked a shift toward a more modern, flexible, and rewarding progression system.
If you ever hear a veteran player reminiscing about farming IP for a champion like Riven or waiting for the First Win of the Day bonus, now you know why—it wasn’t just currency. It was part of a different era of League.
Written by:
Christian