ARAM Mayhem Beginner Guide: Best Strategies and Tips

ARAM Mayhem is one of the most chaotic and fun limited-time modes ever added to League of Legends, and if you love nonstop fighting on the Howling Abyss, this version takes it even further. Unlike regular ARAM, this mode introduces powerful augments that completely change how champions scale, fight, and carry games. Every match feels different, and small decisions can snowball fast. On top of that, players earn Mayhem XP (MXP) to progress through 32 reward levels packed with exclusive unlocks, which makes every game feel like it matters. Since ARAM Mayhem is only available for a limited time, learning how it works early gives you a real advantage. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to understand the mode, win more games, and climb through the reward track as efficiently as possible.

What Is ARAM Mayhem and How Does It Work?

ARAM Mayhem is a limited-time game mode in League of Legends that keeps the classic All Random All Mid format but adds a powerful augment system that completely changes how each match plays out. You still get a random champion, there are no bans, and everything takes place on maps like Howling Abyss, Butcher’s Bridge, and Koeshin’s Crossing, with games usually lasting around 20 minutes. The big difference is that throughout the match you unlock augments, which are special upgrades that boost your champion’s abilities in major ways. These augments come in three tiers — Silver, Gold, and Prismatic — with each tier becoming stronger and more game-changing. You choose your augments at the start of the match and again when you reach levels 7, 11, and 15, but you can only select them while your champion is dead, which adds a strategic layer around timing your resets. Runes are completely disabled in ARAM Mayhem, Flash is mandatory as one summoner spell, and your second spell can be anything except Exhaust. The mode also includes exclusive items and special mechanics designed for its higher damage and faster pace. On top of that, players earn Mayhem XP (MXP) by playing games and completing simple objectives, such as playing multiple matches in a week, which helps unlock rewards across the 32-level Mayhem progression track.

ARAM Mayhem Augments and Progression Explained

Augments are what truly define ARAM Mayhem in League of Legends, and understanding how they work is the key to winning more games and progressing faster. Every match gives you four moments to choose an upgrade: right at the start, then again when your champion reaches levels 7, 11, and 15. However, you can only lock in your augment while your champion is dead, which means timing your reset can actually matter more than people think. Each time you’re offered three random choices, and you get one reroll per selection if none of them fit your playstyle or team comp. Augments come in three power tiers — Silver, Gold, and Prismatic. Silver usually gives lighter stat boosts, Gold adds strong effects that noticeably shift fights, and Prismatic upgrades can completely change how your champion functions in teamfights.

Recent updates also introduced Augment Sets, which reward you for stacking upgrades from the same theme. There are nine different sets available, including Firecracker, Stackasaurus Rex, and Snowday. If you collect multiple augments from the same set, you unlock extra bonuses on top of the individual effects. For example, stacking two Snowday augments can dramatically increase your Snowball impact with bonus Ability Haste and extra damage. The more pieces of a set you gather, the stronger the bonus becomes, which adds another layer of strategy when choosing between raw power and long-term synergy.

Outside of the match itself, the Mayhem Progression Track adds even more incentive to play. There are 32 reward milestones tied to Mayhem XP (MXP), which you earn simply by participating in games and completing basic objectives like playing two matches for 200 MXP or finishing three games in a week for 600 MXP. Rewards include cosmetic items such as icons and emotes, along with additional augments that expand your future draft pool. When you unlock a new augment (except Silver-tier ones), it is guaranteed to show up in your next eligible game if it fits the draft, giving you a direct payoff for progressing through the event.

Best Beginner Strategies and Champion Tips For ARAM Mayhem

In ARAM Mayhem, the biggest mistake beginners make is focusing only on the champion they rolled instead of the augments they choose. This mode is designed around power spikes, and the right augment can completely change how your champion functions. Some upgrades convert stats in creative ways, letting you build items that normally wouldn’t make sense and still scale hard. That’s why flexibility is so important. Instead of forcing a standard build path, look at your augment options first and adapt your items around them. When you understand how stat conversion and scaling interact, you unlock way more carry potential than players who just follow normal ARAM builds.

Certain champion and augment synergies naturally perform better because their kits trigger bonus effects multiple times. Damage-over-time champions benefit heavily from augments that amplify burn, crit abilities, or repeated spell damage. Sustain-based champions become extremely hard to deal with when they combine scaling augments with health-based items. Even tanks can turn into real threats if they pick upgrades that reward crowd control or AoE impact. The key is recognizing which augments multiply what your champion already does well instead of trying to patch weaknesses.

Augment Sets add another layer of strategy. If you draft multiple upgrades from the same set, you gain stacking bonuses that grow stronger with each piece. This is especially powerful for scaling champions who rely on stacking mechanics or extended fights. Committing to a set can be risky early, but if you hit multiple pieces, your late-game power becomes overwhelming. On the flip side, mixing strong standalone augments can give you immediate impact and help secure early momentum.

Gold-generating augments are also underrated for beginners. Extra income means earlier item completions, and in a fast-paced mode like ARAM Mayhem, hitting your first or second core item ahead of everyone else can decide the next big fight. A small economic advantage often snowballs into map control and turret pressure. If you combine smart augment selection, flexible builds, and proper timing on your power spikes, you’ll win more consistently and climb the Mayhem progression track much faster.

FAQs

What is ARAM Mayhem in League of Legends?

ARAM Mayhem is a limited-time mode in League of Legends that keeps the classic All Random All Mid format but adds powerful augments during the match. These augments drastically boost your champion’s abilities, creating faster games, bigger power spikes, and more chaotic teamfights compared to normal ARAM.

How do augments work in ARAM Mayhem?

You choose augments at the start of the game and again at levels 7, 11, and 15. However, you can only select them while your champion is dead. Each time, you’re offered three random options and one reroll. Augments come in Silver, Gold, and Prismatic tiers, with Prismatic being the strongest and often game-changing.

Are runes and summoner spells different in ARAM Mayhem?

Yes. Runes are completely disabled in this mode, and Flash is automatically assigned as one of your summoner spells. Your second spell can be almost anything except Exhaust. This keeps the mode aggressive and focused on fast teamfights.

What are Augment Sets and why do they matter?

Augment Sets are themed groups of upgrades that give bonus effects when you collect multiple pieces from the same set. The more augments you gather from one family, the stronger the bonus becomes. This rewards long-term planning and can create huge scaling advantages in late-game fights.

How do you earn rewards in ARAM Mayhem?

You earn Mayhem XP (MXP) by playing matches and completing simple objectives like playing a certain number of games each week. As you gain MXP, you progress through a 32-level reward track that includes cosmetics, icons, emotes, and additional augments. The more you play, the more rewards you unlock before the mode ends.

Conclusion

ARAM Mayhem is not just another fun side mode in League of Legends — it completely changes how ARAM is played. With powerful augments, scaling set bonuses, faster power spikes, and a dedicated progression track, every match feels high impact from start to finish. The key to winning consistently isn’t just mechanical skill, but understanding how augments work, timing your selections properly, and adapting your builds around the upgrades you receive. If you focus on smart decisions, flexible item paths, and playing around your power spikes, you’ll not only win more games but also progress through the Mayhem reward track much faster. Master the fundamentals, experiment with strong combinations, and make every augment choice count — that’s how you truly dominate ARAM Mayhem.