With over 160 champions and counting, League of Legends offers a staggering variety of characters—each with their own playstyle, personality, and strategic niche. From shadowy assassins to battlefield healers, magical artillery to brutish tanks, the possibilities can feel endless. So, one of the most common questions new and returning players ask is: Which League of Legends character should I play?
The answer depends on more than just aesthetics—it’s about how you think, react, and enjoy games. Here’s how to figure it out.
Know Your Playstyle
Before picking a champion, it helps to ask: How do you like to play?
Here are a few basic archetypes:
- Aggressive and fast-paced? Try assassins like Zed or Katarina, who thrive on burst damage and quick kills.
- Supportive and strategic? Champions like Janna, Thresh, or Lulu enable teammates and control the flow of teamfights.
- Big plays and teamfight dominance? You may enjoy champions like Malphite or Miss Fortune, who can swing a match with a single ultimate.
- Outplaying opponents with clever moves? Pick high-skill champions like Lee Sin, Riven, or Akali.
- Safe and consistent? Champions like Annie, Garen, or Ashe offer reliable damage and straightforward mechanics.
Think about your personality, too: Do you enjoy being the center of attention or working quietly in the background? Do you like quick reactions or long-term planning?
Pick a Role First, Not a Champion
League of Legends has five main roles:
- Top lane: Often tanks or bruisers who duel 1v1 and later help in teamfights.
- Jungle: Roam the map, secure objectives, and gank lanes. Requires good map awareness.
- Mid lane: Usually mages or assassins. Fast-paced and high-impact.
- Bot lane (ADC): Ranged damage dealers who scale into late game.
- Support: Helps the ADC survive and influences the map through vision and utility.
Choosing a role first can help narrow down the champion pool. For example, if you like roaming and controlling the map, jungle champions like Amumu, Vi, or Kayn might suit you. If you enjoy ranged combat and dodging skillshots, you might love bot lane ADCs like Jhin or Ezreal.
Try Before You Main
Not sure if a champion suits you? You don’t have to commit right away. Try them in:
- Practice Tool: No pressure testing ground.
- Bot games: Learn basic mechanics without PvP stress.
- ARAM: Randomized picks can introduce you to new champions you might unexpectedly love.
- Free rotation: Every week, several champions are playable for free.
Consider Champion Difficulty
Some champions are mechanically complex and take time to master (like Azir, Yasuo, or Aphelios). Others are much more forgiving and beginner-friendly (Malphite, Annie, Warwick).
If you’re new, starting with simpler champions lets you focus on learning core game mechanics like positioning, map awareness, and objectives—before diving into flashy combos.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single “best” champion in League of Legends – only the one that best fits you. Whether you’re here to climb the ranks, pull off highlight plays, or just have fun with friends, there’s a character out there who matches your mindset and mechanics.
The good news? You don’t have to choose just one. Try a few. Experiment. And remember: the most powerful champion is the one you enjoy playing.
Written by:
Christian