League of Legends: Every Summoner Spell Explained

In League of Legends, every player enters the battlefield equipped with two summoner spells, chosen before the match begins. These spells, pivotal to gameplay strategies, remain unchangeable throughout the game, except when players opt for the Unsealed Spellbook rune which allows for adaptability.

Each of the nine summoner spells available in League of Legends is distinctive, equipped with unique cooldowns that can be decreased solely through the Cosmic Insight rune or by purchasing the Ionian Boots of Lucidity. As players progress and gain levels, the potency of these spells can increase, adding a layer of strategic depth to the game.

Moreover, certain spells, such as Smite and Teleport, undergo transformations during a match, offering dynamic gameplay options based on the game’s progression. This guide delves deep into each summoner spell, explaining their functions, strategic uses, and how to maximize their effectiveness in your games. Let’s dive into the details and enhance your understanding of these game-changing abilities.

#9: Flash

Flash stands as the quintessential summoner spell in League of Legends, offering unparalleled utility and versatility. This spell grants players the ability to instantly teleport a short distance to a targeted location, making it indispensable for nearly all champions.

The strategic importance of Flash lies in its dual capability: defensively, it provides a crucial escape mechanism. Players can use Flash to swiftly move away from imminent threats or navigate across terrain barriers, such as walls, to evade pursuers. Additionally, Flash can be a game-changer in dodging lethal skill shots that could otherwise be fatal.

Offensively, Flash allows players to engage or reposition themselves aggressively. It enables them to close in on opponents unexpectedly, initiate team fights, or execute precise maneuvers to turn the tide of battle. A notable example of Flash’s offensive prowess is the “Kick-Flash” technique used by Lee Sin players, where they reposition an enemy with a well-timed Flash during the execution of their ultimate ability.

Given its significant impact, Flash has a substantial cooldown of 300 seconds. A pro tip for seasoned players is to meticulously track the enemy’s Flash usage. By knowing when an opponent’s Flash is on cooldown, players can capitalize on their vulnerability, orchestrating aggressive plays when they know their foe lacks this crucial escape tool.

#8: Ignite

Ignite is a potent offensive summoner spell in League of Legends, tailored for champions looking to aggressively secure early kills and establish dominance. When used, Ignite burns an enemy with true damage over a span of 5 seconds, ensuring that the damage is not mitigated by armor or magic resistance. This makes it highly effective against all types of opponents.

Additionally, Ignite provides crucial utility by granting vision of the target and applying Grievous Wounds. This latter effect is particularly impactful as it reduces the effectiveness of any healing received by the target by a significant percentage, thwarting champions who rely heavily on healing abilities or items.

With a relatively short cooldown of just 180 seconds, Ignite can be utilized frequently throughout the game to continually pressure opponents. It is important for players to coordinate with their team, however, as Ignite’s effects do not stack. Using Ignite while it is already applied by an ally is wasteful, so communication is key to maximize its effectiveness. This strategic deployment makes Ignite an excellent choice for players aiming to capitalize on early game skirmishes to build a lead and control the pace of the game.

#7: Barrier

Barrier is a straightforward yet powerful summoner spell in League of Legends, primarily designed to enhance a player’s survivability in critical moments. When activated, Barrier provides a temporary shield that absorbs incoming damage for 2 seconds. The potency of this shield increases as the player levels up, making it increasingly effective throughout the game.

With a cooldown of just 180 seconds, Barrier can be deployed more frequently than many other summoner spells. This frequent availability makes it an excellent choice for champions with low durability, often referred to as “squishy” champions, who are susceptible to quick eliminations by burst damage.

Additionally, the strategic use of Barrier can turn the tides during close encounters. Savvy players often activate Barrier at the last possible second to maximize its effect, potentially baiting opponents into overcommitting to a fight they think they can win. This can lead to advantageous situations where enemies find themselves out of position or low on resources, allowing for a swift counterattack.

#6: Heal

Heal is a versatile summoner spell in League of Legends that offers both restoration and a tactical advantage. When activated, Heal not only restores health to the player but also to a nearby ally, making it a staple choice in the bot lane where teamwork is crucial. In addition to its healing effect, Heal provides a short burst of movement speed to both affected players, enhancing their ability to engage or disengage swiftly.

This spell is particularly valuable during close encounters, enabling players to turn the tide of battle by quickly recuperating from incoming damage while simultaneously repositioning. The utility of Heal extends beyond mere recovery; its speed boost can be pivotal in chasing down fleeing enemies or escaping from perilous situations.

Players in the same lane should coordinate their summoner spells, as Heal is less effective if used on someone who has recently been healed by another Heal due to diminishing returns. This necessitates strategic planning and communication to maximize its effectiveness.

With a cooldown of 240 seconds, using Heal judiciously is essential. The healing amount it provides scales with the player’s level, ensuring its relevance throughout all stages of the game. Thus, Heal is not only a tool for survival but also a strategic asset that can influence the flow and outcome of lane battles.

#5: Ghost

Ghost is a dynamic summoner spell in League of Legends that significantly enhances player mobility. Upon activation, Ghost boosts the player’s movement speed by 24% to 48% for 10 seconds, with the increase scaling according to their level. This surge in speed is accompanied by the ability to ignore unit collision, allowing players to move through minions and other obstacles unhindered.

One of the unique features of Ghost is its potential for extension. If a player secures a kill while Ghost is active, its duration extends by an additional 4 to 7 seconds, depending on the player’s level. This reset capability makes Ghost particularly effective in aggressive play scenarios such as skirmishes and teamfights, where the prolonged mobility can turn the tide of battle.

Although it can also serve as an escape tool, the real strength of Ghost lies in its offensive applications. It enables players to chase down enemies, engage in continuous combat, or reposition quickly during fights. With a cooldown of 240 seconds, it’s important to time the use of Ghost strategically to maximize its impact in critical game moments. This summoner spell is a powerful option for players looking to amplify their presence and influence across the map.

#4: Exhaust

Exhaust is a crucial summoner spell in League of Legends that serves both defensive and offensive purposes. When cast on an enemy, it reduces their movement speed by 30% and their damage output by 35% for 3 seconds. This makes Exhaust exceptionally effective against high damage-per-second (DPS) champions who are reliant on burst to win fights.

The ability to slow an opponent significantly enhances its utility, allowing players to either close in on a fleeing enemy or retreat from a dangerous foe. The damage reduction is particularly valuable in mitigating the impact of enemy carries during critical phases of the game, making Exhaust a favored choice in the bot lane, where it can be strategically used to weaken the enemy’s ADC during key engagements.

While typically seen on supports due to their role in safeguarding and setting up kills for their carry, Exhaust is also viable in other lanes, such as mid, where it can be used to great effect in duels and small skirmishes. The spell shines brightest in team fights, where a timely application can cripple the enemy’s main damage dealer, potentially swinging the momentum in your team’s favor.

With strategic deployment, Exhaust can dramatically alter the outcome of battles, underlining its role as a game-changing tool in a player’s arsenal.

#3: Cleanse

Cleanse is an essential summoner spell for players needing to counter heavy crowd control (CC) and debilitating effects in League of Legends. It swiftly removes most types of CC and also eliminates debuffs from enemy summoner spells like Ignite. Beyond its immediate cleansing effect, it grants the user a 65% tenacity boost for 3 seconds, significantly reducing the effectiveness of any subsequent CC that might be applied.

However, it’s important to note that Cleanse does not affect suppression effects, such as Malzahar’s ultimate. In cases involving suppression, players would need to invest in a Quicksilver Sash to escape.

With a cooldown of 210 seconds, Cleanse is particularly valuable for squishy carries who are vulnerable to CC that could quickly lead to their downfall in skirmishes and team fights. This spell is especially potent in the hands of players who can react swiftly to incoming threats, making it a favorite in high-level play where quick reflexes and split-second decisions are crucial.

Employing Cleanse effectively requires not only good timing but also an understanding of when to prioritize its use over other defensive summoner spells, depending on the enemy team’s composition and the specific threats posed during the game.

#2: Teleport

Teleport is a pivotal summoner spell in League of Legends, offering strategic mobility across the map. For the first 10 minutes, Teleport allows players to target an allied turret for a 4-second channel, facilitating quick returns to lane after shopping or recovering from an early defeat. Initially, this spell has a lengthy cooldown of 360 seconds, demanding careful timing and decision-making.

After the 10-minute mark, Teleport evolves into Unleashed Teleport. This enhanced version expands its capabilities, allowing players to teleport not only to turrets but also to allied minions and wards. The cooldown of Unleashed Teleport decreases with the player’s level, ranging from 330 to 240 seconds, thereby increasing its usability as the game progresses.

Early game use of Teleport typically focuses on maintaining lane presence and maximizing farm uptime. However, as the game develops and players gain access to Unleashed Teleport, the strategic potential of this spell grows exponentially. Players can execute flanking maneuvers, swiftly respond to unfolding team fights, or pressure multiple lanes simultaneously, making it indispensable for top laners who specialize in split-pushing but also valuable for mid laners and some bot laners.

The ability to join team fights or secure objectives from across the map makes Teleport a key tool for exerting global influence, shaping not only individual skirmishes but the overall flow and outcome of the match.

#1: Smite

Smite stands out as one of the most specialized and indispensable summoner spells in League of Legends, tailored specifically for Junglers. This spell is not only crucial for effectively navigating the jungle but is also necessary for purchasing the initial Jungle item. This item is vital as it unlocks the appropriate benefits from defeating jungle monsters, enabling Junglers to thrive and scale in their unique role.

Initially, Smite deals 600 true damage to jungle monsters, minions, and pets, making it a powerful tool for fast and efficient jungle clears. After feeding a jungle pet 20 treats, Smite upgrades to Unleashed Smite, which increases its damage to 900 true damage. Unleashed Smite also gains the ability to target enemy champions, dealing a smaller amount of damage that includes a slowing effect, adding a strategic layer to skirmishes and ganks.

With an additional 20 treats, Smite evolves into Primal Smite, further boosting its damage to a formidable 1200 true damage against the same types of targets. This progression highlights the growing power and utility of Smite as Junglers advance through the game.

Crucially, Smite has a cooldown of 15 seconds and can hold two charges, each recharging in 90 seconds. This allows Junglers to maintain readiness for pivotal moments in the game, such as securing major objectives like the Dragon or Baron. The ability to deliver substantial true damage precisely when needed makes Smite a game-changer in contesting these high-stakes targets.

Understanding and mastering the timely use of Smite, along with its strategic deployment against champions and objectives, is essential for any Jungler looking to dominate their role and impact the broader game.

Conclusion

Mastering summoner spells in League of Legends is fundamental to optimizing your gameplay and enhancing your strategic impact across the map. Each spell offers unique advantages that can shift the dynamics of the game, from securing kills and escaping danger to controlling opponents and aiding allies. Whether you’re a novice learning the ropes or an experienced player refining your skills, understanding the nuances and proper timing of each summoner spell is crucial.

This guide has walked you through each of the nine core summoner spells, detailing their effects, strategic uses, and the scenarios in which they excel. By incorporating this knowledge into your game plan, you can make informed decisions that not only boost your individual performance but also contribute significantly to your team’s success.

Remember, the key to mastering these spells lies in practice and adaptation. Keep experimenting with different spells in various game situations to discover how they can best serve your style of play and help lead your team to victory. Whether it’s turning the tide of a team fight with a well-timed Flash, securing a critical objective with Smite, or saving a teammate with Heal, the power to change the game is at your fingertips. Embrace it, and see just how far your skills can take you in the ever-evolving world of League of Legends.