When League of Legends launched on October 27, 2009, the game featured a humble roster compared to the 160+ champions available today. The first champions laid the foundation for what would become the most played game in the world.
The Original 40 Champions
At launch, League of Legends featured 40 champions, each with a unique play style, personality, and backstory. Some of the most iconic names included:
- Annie – The pyromancer with Tibbers
- Ashe – The frost archer and tutorial guide
- Ryze – The blue mage (and Riot’s poster boy)
- Master Yi – The Wuju bladesman
- Alistar – The tanky Minotaur
- Sivir – The Battle Mistress
These champions were designed to showcase various roles — tank, support, mage, marksman, and assassin — setting the foundation for the roles we know today.
Legacy Champions Still Popular Today
Many of the original 40 remain fan favorites:
- Ezreal – Introduced slightly after launch, but a staple in ADC play
- Morgana and Kayle – Lore-linked sisters with different alignments
- Teemo – Love him or hate him, he’s a legacy icon
While some have received reworks over the years (like Sion, Poppy, and Ryze), their place in League history remains untouched.
Riot’s Approach to Early Design
The original champion designs were relatively simple, focusing more on core mechanics than complexity. This simplicity gave players room to learn the game without being overwhelmed by overloaded kits or complicated combos.
Written by:
Christian