Since its release in 2009, League of Legends has grown into one of the world’s most-played and most-watched games. While flashy plays and high kill counts often dominate highlight reels, any experienced player will tell you that kills alone don’t win games. In League of Legends, objectives are the real key to victory.
So, what exactly are objectives in League of Legends—and why are they so crucial?
The Goal of the Game
At its core, League of Legends is a 5v5 strategic game where two teams compete to destroy the opposing team’s Nexus, the heart of their base. But reaching the Nexus isn’t a straight line—it requires securing control of the map, which is done primarily through objectives.
Objectives are elements of the game that give a team an advantage when secured. They can offer gold, experience, vision, map pressure, or buffs—sometimes all at once. Teams that control objectives usually control the pace and flow of the game.
The Main Objectives
Here’s a breakdown of the key objectives that define the competitive landscape of a match:
1. Turrets
Turrets are defensive structures that guard each team’s lanes and base. Destroying turrets grants gold, opens up map control, and exposes deeper layers of the enemy base. Taking down turrets is essential for advancing toward the Nexus.
2. Inhibitors
Found behind the inner layers of each lane, inhibitors unlock the ability to spawn super minions in that lane. These powerful allies push waves harder and force the enemy team to defend more frequently, creating pressure across the map.
3. Dragons (Elemental Drakes)
Spawning in the bottom side of the river, dragons provide powerful buffs depending on their element—Infernal, Mountain, Ocean, and Cloud. Securing four dragons grants the Dragon Soul, a game-changing passive bonus. After that, the Elder Dragon offers a temporary but deadly buff that helps close out games.
4. Rift Herald
Appearing in the early-to-mid game in the top river area, the Herald helps teams siege turrets by charging into enemy structures. It’s a key objective for early snowballing and turret control.
5. Baron Nashor
Baron is often the most pivotal late-game objective. Killing Baron grants a team-wide buff that empowers minions, enhances recall speed, and helps break into the enemy base. Securing Baron often precedes the final push to victory.
6. Jungle Camps & Scuttle Crab
Though less glamorous, controlling neutral jungle camps gives experience, gold, and in the case of Scuttle Crab, vision and movement speed around key areas like Dragon and Baron pits. They’re vital for tempo and resource control.
7. Vision Control (Wards and Sweeping)
While not a “traditional” objective, controlling vision through wards is arguably just as critical. It prevents ambushes, sets up fights, and enables safer rotations around the map. Many pro teams prioritize vision just as much as Dragons or Barons.
Why Objectives Matter
Objectives reward teamwork, timing, and map awareness—the strategic layers that separate casual games from competitive mastery. Strong objective control often leads to gold leads, experience advantages, and pressure that forces opponents to react.
And in the highest levels of play, objective trading (deciding which objective to prioritize or give up) becomes a chess match of risk vs. reward.
The Big Picture
In short, League of Legends isn’t just about kills—it’s about making them count. A flashy 10/0 scoreline means little if your team has no turrets or dragons. But a well-timed Baron call, or a stolen Infernal Soul, can turn the tide of a losing game in seconds. Objectives are the hidden scaffolding of every match—the pillars that support the path to victory.
Written by:
Christian