In the fast-paced world of League of Legends, mastering mechanics can make the difference between victory and defeat. One of the most advanced—and widely discussed—techniques is orbwalking.
The term refers to both the manual skill of kiting enemies with precise attack-move commands and the controversial automated scripts that attempt to replicate this precision.
What Is Orbwalking?
At its core, orbwalking is about animation canceling. Auto-attacks in League have a built-in animation: wind-up, projectile release (for ranged champions), and follow-through.
However, the actual damage registers before the animation finishes. Skilled players can issue a movement command immediately after the damage registers, effectively canceling the idle portion of the animation.
This allows players to:
- Keep moving between attacks, rather than standing still.
- Maximize DPS by always attacking as soon as the cooldown allows.
- Reposition constantly, dodging enemy skillshots or closing distance during trades.
The result is a smooth “stutter-step” motion that makes champions feel more fluid and harder to punish.
Manual Versus Scripted Orbwalkers
Traditionally, orbwalking is a manual skill, mastered by ADCs (Marksmen) and other attack-reliant champions. Learning the rhythm of auto-attacks, paired with attack-move hotkeys, is a hallmark of high-level gameplay.
But the term “orbwalker” is also used to describe third-party scripts or programs that automate this process. These tools calculate exact attack timers and issue perfect attack-move commands with inhuman precision. While powerful, such programs are considered cheating and are strictly bannable under Riot’s terms of service.
In essence:
- Manual orbwalking = skill expression and mechanical mastery.
- Scripted orbwalkers = automation, unfair advantage, and account risk.
Why Does Orbwalking Matter?
Orbwalking is more than a flashy trick—it’s a cornerstone of kiting, one of the most important combat techniques in League of Legends. Its benefits include:
- Higher sustained DPS: No wasted time between attacks.
- Improved survivability: Constant repositioning helps dodge abilities and stay at optimal range.
- Superior chase and retreat potential: Attack while moving toward or away from opponents.
- Optimized duels: Especially crucial for ADCs in 1v1 or late-game team fights.
For champions like Jinx, Caitlyn, or Vayne, efficient orbwalking separates average players from elite damage dealers.
Closing Thoughts
An orbwalker in League of Legends can mean two things: the high-level mechanical skill of stutter-stepping attacks, or the controversial scripts that automate it. For most players, mastering orbwalking manually is the path to sharper mechanics, better positioning, and stronger performances in-game.
While scripts may promise perfection, they come at the cost of fairness—and often your account. In contrast, learning the technique yourself is both rewarding and essential to reaching higher levels of play.
Written by:
Christian