In League of Legends, understanding damage is essential to improving gameplay—and that means learning the stats that reduce it. One such stat, often seen on items, champion abilities, and in post-game breakdowns, is MR. But what is MR in League of Legends, and why does it matter?
Whether you’re a tank looking to survive longer or a mage trying to burst down opponents, Magic Resist—abbreviated as MR—is one of the game’s most critical defensive mechanics. Here’s what it means, how it works, and when to build it.
What Does MR Stand For?
MR stands for Magic Resist. It is a stat that reduces incoming magic damage, which typically comes from AP (Ability Power) champions like mages and some hybrid damage-dealers.
In the same way that armor reduces physical damage, MR reduces magic damage—making it a key counter-stat when facing champions like Ahri, Syndra, or Brand.
How MR Works in Combat
The math behind Magic Resist is similar to armor. The more MR a champion has, the less magic damage they take.
For example:
- At 0 MR, a champion takes 100% of incoming magic damage.
- At 50 MR, incoming magic damage is reduced by roughly 33%.
- At 100 MR, that damage reduction jumps to around 50%.
This scaling makes MR especially valuable on tanks and bruisers who need to soak up spell damage during fights.
Who Needs MR and When?
Not every game calls for Magic Resist, but there are key moments when building it can drastically improve your survivability.
You’ll want to build MR when:
- You’re facing multiple AP champions
- The enemy mid-laner is fed
- You’re getting one-shot by magic-based combos
- Your champion is frontline or needs to survive extended trades
Champions like Ornn, Malphite, and Mundo often prioritize MR items when facing magic-heavy teams.
Common MR Items
There are several go-to Magic Resist items in League’s current item system, each with unique passives and use cases:
- Spirit Visage – Increases healing and shielding received
- Force of Nature – Grants movement speed and stacks MR over time
- Abyssal Mask – Debuffs enemies near you and increases their magic damage taken
- Maw of Malmortius – Ideal for AD champions who need a shield against magic burst
- Mercury’s Treads – Provides MR and tenacity (reduced crowd control duration)
Choosing the right MR item depends on your champion, role, and the enemy’s damage profile.
MR Reduction and Penetration
Some AP champions can reduce or bypass Magic Resist using tools like:
- Magic Penetration (e.g., Void Staff)
- MR shredding abilities (e.g., Amumu’s passive)
This is why simply stacking MR isn’t always enough—you also need to play smart and position well against magic threats.
Final Thoughts
MR—or Magic Resist—isn’t just a stat on the sidebar. It’s a vital part of League of Legends’ combat system and a crucial counter to AP-heavy enemy teams. Knowing when to build it, how it works, and which items to choose can be the difference between surviving a burst combo and watching the grey screen.
Whether you’re a top lane tank, a jungler ganking mid, or just trying to outlast that fed Lux, building the right amount of MR can turn the tide—and keep you in the fight.
Written by:
Christian