League of Legends: All Game Modes & Maps

Over the years, League of Legends has introduced a wide variety of game modes, each offering a unique twist on the gameplay that fans love. Many of these modes have been widely praised by the community, with some players even calling for their permanent inclusion in the game. However, Riot Games often rotates these modes in and out of availability, citing low player engagement as the main reason for keeping them in the vault.

If you’ve ever wondered about all the game modes Riot has released in League of Legends, this article is here to provide a comprehensive list. With over 23 game modes introduced so far, including two permanently discontinued ones—Twisted Treeline and Dominion—we’ll explore each one and its unique gameplay experience. Let’s dive in!

#23: Summoner’s Rift

Summoner’s Rift is the flagship and most iconic game mode in League of Legends. Played on a three-lane map, it features two teams of five players battling to destroy the opposing team’s Nexus, located in their base. Each team must work together to push through top, mid, and bot lanes, guarded by turrets and inhibitors, while also navigating the jungle that separates the two sides.

The map’s jungle is home to powerful neutral objectives like Baron Nashor, Dragons, and jungle camps, all of which grant significant advantages to the team that secures them. Players choose from over 160 champions, each with unique abilities and roles, and must farm gold, gain experience, and strategically build items to grow stronger throughout the match.

Summoner’s Rift emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and skill, making it the core competitive mode of League of Legends. It is used in ranked play and professional tournaments like the World Championship, solidifying its position as the most recognizable and enduring game mode in the League universe.

#22: ARAM (All Random All Mid)

ARAM (All Random All Mid) is a popular and permanent game mode in League of Legends played exclusively on the Howling Abyss map. Unlike Summoner’s Rift, ARAM features a single lane where teams of five face off in non-stop combat with randomly assigned champions.

The focus is on fast-paced, skirmish-heavy gameplay, with no jungle or side lanes to distract from the action. Players receive increased gold and experience over time, enabling faster power spikes and shorter matches. Healing relics periodically spawn in the lane, and champions cannot return to the base to heal, adding an extra layer of strategic resource management.

ARAM is perfect for casual and quick games, offering players a chance to experiment with champions they might not normally play. Its emphasis on teamfights and fun makes it a favorite for players looking for a break from the strategic depth of Summoner’s Rift. As a permanent mode, it remains one of the most played and loved game modes in League of Legends.

#21: Ultra Rapid Fire (URF)

Ultra Rapid Fire (URF) is one of the most popular and fun game modes in League of Legends. In URF, every champion gets 80% cooldown reduction, infinite mana/energy, and extra attack speed for ranged champions. This makes the game super fast and full of constant action, where players can spam abilities and enjoy crazy fights.

The mode is played on Summoner’s Rift but feels completely different because of the nonstop skirmishes and overpowered combos. Champions like Ezreal, Zed, and Sona perform really well in URF because of their strong abilities. Players love URF for its fun and chaos, but Riot only brings it back as a temporary mode to keep it fresh and exciting.

URF is perfect for players who want a break from serious games and enjoy a mode full of laughter and mayhem.

#20: One for All (OFA)

One for All (OFA) is a fun and unique game mode in League of Legends where all five players on a team play as the same champion. Before the match starts, everyone votes for a champion, and the one with the most votes is picked for the entire team (a random selection is made in case of a tie). This leads to hilarious and chaotic gameplay where identical abilities stack, creating unique and sometimes overpowered interactions.

The mode is played on Summoner’s Rift, and teamwork is key to making the most of the chosen champion’s abilities. Some champions like Malphite, Yasuo, or Teemo are particularly strong in this mode due to their synergy when combined. One for All is a fan-favorite mode that Riot brings back occasionally, offering a refreshing and lighthearted experience compared to the usual competitive matches. It’s perfect for having fun with friends and exploring wild strategies!

#19: Doom Bots

Doom Bots is a challenging and chaotic game mode in League of Legends where players face off against AI-controlled bots that are significantly stronger than usual. These bots are equipped with “Dooms,” which are special enhancements that make their abilities more powerful, unpredictable, and, often, downright unfair. For example, Lux’s ultimate might fire multiple beams, or Morgana’s bindings could split and hit multiple players.

The game is played on Summoner’s Rift, with the player team tasked with defeating waves of Doom Bots and ultimately destroying their Nexus. As the game progresses, the bots become increasingly difficult, gaining additional Dooms that push players to the limits of their skills and coordination.

Doom Bots is designed to be a fun and intense PvE experience, blending humor with high difficulty. While it’s not a permanent mode, it’s one of the most memorable challenges Riot has introduced, giving players a chance to test their skills against some truly outrageous AI.

#18: Nexus Blitz

Nexus Blitz is a fast-paced and action-packed game mode in League of Legends, designed for shorter matches and constant excitement. Played on a smaller, unique map, Nexus Blitz features two junglers per team and focuses on team skirmishes and map-wide events that spice up gameplay.

The mode includes unique events like King of the Hill, Battle Royale, and Bardle Royale, where players compete for rewards such as map buffs or gold. These events create chaotic and unpredictable scenarios that make every match feel fresh. Nexus Blitz also features a sudden death mechanic, where teams must fight to destroy each other’s Nexus if the game reaches a stalemate.

Nexus Blitz is perfect for players who want quick, fun games with less downtime and more action. While not a permanent mode, it remains a fan favorite when it appears in Riot’s rotating game modes, offering a refreshing break from traditional Summoner’s Rift matches.

#17: Legend of the Poro King

Legend of the Poro King is a fun and whimsical game mode in League of Legends played on the Howling Abyss map. In this mode, players summon and fight alongside the Poro King, a powerful ally that provides buffs and assists in sieging towers.

To summon the Poro King, players must land Poro Tosses (skill shots that launch poros) on enemies. Once enough hits are landed, the Poro King is summoned, providing team-wide healing and mana regeneration while acting as a tanky frontline for pushes. The opposing team can summon their own Poro King by completing the same objective, creating dynamic and chaotic battles as teams fight to control the map.

Legend of the Poro King emphasizes teamwork, fun, and a lighthearted atmosphere, making it a favorite for players looking for a casual break from competitive play. It’s part of Riot’s rotating game modes and a must-try whenever it returns!

#16: Hexakill

Hexakill is a unique and chaotic game mode in League of Legends where the standard 5v5 format is expanded to 6v6. It was originally introduced on Summoner’s Rift but later featured on the Twisted Treeline map before that map’s retirement. The extra player on each team added an additional layer of strategy, teamfighting, and unpredictability to the game.

The mode retained the core objectives of traditional League gameplay but amplified the chaos with larger teamfights, more crowd control, and over-the-top skirmishes. Champions with strong AoE abilities or teamfight control, such as Malphite, Amumu, or Orianna, often thrived in this mode.

Hexakill offered a refreshing twist on the classic League experience, giving players a chance to enjoy more action-packed and unconventional strategies. While no longer a regular mode, it remains a nostalgic favorite for fans who enjoyed its unique dynamics.

#15: Ascension

Ascension is a fast-paced, objective-based game mode in League of Legends played on the Crystal Scar map. In this mode, two teams of five compete to capture relics, earn kills, and fight for control of the Ascension buff by defeating the Ancient Ascendant Xerath, who spawns at the center of the map. The goal is to reach a set score limit before the opposing team.

Players earn points by capturing relics scattered across the map or by defeating enemy players. The Ascension buff, granted to a champion after killing Xerath, provides massive bonuses to damage, health, and cooldown reduction, turning the Ascended champion into a deadly force. However, the Ascended champion cannot heal from most sources, making them a high-risk, high-reward threat.

Ascension was a highly engaging mode with constant skirmishes and intense battles over objectives. Though it is no longer part of Riot’s rotating game modes, its unique mechanics and fast-paced gameplay left a lasting impression on fans.

#14: Black Market Brawlers

Black Market Brawlers was a limited-time game mode in League of Legends introduced during the 2015 Bilgewater: Burning Tides event. This mode, played on Summoner’s Rift, added a unique twist to standard gameplay by introducing a new in-game currency called Kraken Coins and recruitable Brawlers that players could customize to assist them in battle.

Players earned Kraken Coins by killing enemies, farming minions, and taking objectives. These coins could be spent in a special shop to hire and upgrade Brawlers, AI-controlled minions that fought alongside the team. Each Brawler had different abilities and roles, adding an extra layer of strategy to the game. The mode also featured exclusive items like Pox Arcana and Typhoon Claws, which were only available in this game mode, further diversifying gameplay.

Black Market Brawlers offered a unique and experimental experience, blending traditional gameplay with new mechanics. While it was only available for a short time, it is remembered as one of Riot’s most innovative and ambitious game modes. Fans still hope for its return in future events or updates.

#13: Dark Star: Singularity

Dark Star: Singularity is a unique and highly thematic game mode in League of Legends set in the vast emptiness of space. Played on a custom map called the Cosmic Ruins, this mode features Thresh as the only playable champion, and the objective is to push enemy players and NPC units (called Celestial Remnants) into the black hole at the center of the map.

Teams consist of three players each, and the game is fast-paced, focusing on positioning, timing, and teamwork. Thresh’s Death Sentence (Q) and Flay (E) are the primary tools for hooking, dragging, and throwing enemies into the black hole, earning points for the team. The first team to reach the target score wins.

Dark Star: Singularity stands out for its simplicity, competitive nature, and immersive cosmic theme. It offers a fun and chaotic break from traditional gameplay while emphasizing mechanical skill and coordination. This mode is a fan favorite whenever Riot includes it in the rotating game mode schedule.

#12: Definitely Not Dominion

Definitely Not Dominion was a lighthearted and chaotic game mode in League of Legends that paid homage to the retired Dominion mode while adding a humorous twist. Played on the Crystal Scar, it featured fast-paced, objective-focused gameplay with random and unpredictable elements.

In this mode, players captured control points to damage the enemy Nexus, similar to Dominion, but with added modifiers to make matches more entertaining. These modifiers included silly mechanics and events, such as sudden buffs, random map changes, or comical effects that spiced up the gameplay.

The mode was introduced as part of an April Fool’s event, blending nostalgia for Dominion with over-the-top humor. Though it was only available for a limited time, Definitely Not Dominion is remembered for its fun, chaotic matches that offered players a fresh take on a retired classic. Fans still hope for its occasional return in Riot’s rotating game modes.

#11: Invasion

Invasion was a co-op PvE game mode in League of Legends, introduced during the Star Guardian Event. Played on a modified version of Valoran City Park, this mode had players team up as Star Guardians to fend off waves of invading monsters and enemies controlled by AI, culminating in an epic boss fight.

Players chose from a select pool of champions with a Star Guardian theme, and teamwork was crucial to survive the increasingly difficult waves. Each wave had unique objectives, such as defending a zone, defeating all enemies, or escaping an onslaught of powerful foes. The final boss, The Harbinger, was a massive and challenging opponent that required coordination and skill to defeat.

Invasion stood out for its cooperative gameplay and narrative-driven experience, offering a break from the traditional PvP modes. Fans loved the mode for its unique mechanics, the Star Guardian aesthetic, and the intense boss battles, making it one of Riot’s most memorable event-specific game modes. While it hasn’t returned in recent years, it remains a beloved part of League of Legends history.

#10: Odyssey: Extraction

Odyssey: Extraction was a co-op PvE game mode in League of Legends, introduced during the Odyssey event. Played on a modified map resembling the Crash Site of an alien planet, this mode tasked a team of five players with rescuing Ziggs and escaping the planet while battling waves of enemies, culminating in an intense boss fight against Kayn.

Players could select champions from the Odyssey universe, each equipped with unique augmentations that enhanced their abilities, allowing for customized playstyles and team synergies. The mode featured escalating difficulties—Normal, Hard, Expert, and Onslaught—offering increasing levels of challenge and rewards. Players faced swarms of alien creatures, dangerous obstacles, and powerful mini-bosses before the final confrontation with Dark Star Kayn.

Odyssey: Extraction was celebrated for its cooperative gameplay, innovative champion augment system, and immersive story-driven experience. It provided a refreshing change from traditional PvP gameplay and is fondly remembered as one of Riot’s most engaging PvE game modes. Fans continue to hope for its return in future events.

#9: PROJECT: Overcharge

PROJECT: Overcharge was a fast-paced, team-based game mode introduced during the PROJECT event in League of Legends. Played on a futuristic-themed map, this mode featured a 3v3v3 format where three teams of three competed to achieve the highest score by killing enemies and collecting points.

The main objective was to secure the Overcharge Buff, which was granted to a team when they achieved enough kills. The Overcharge Buff made players stronger, faster, and untargetable by auto-attacks, turning them into deadly hunters capable of dominating the battlefield. Teams had to work together to eliminate opponents, secure objectives, and deny other teams the opportunity to snowball their lead.

PROJECT: Overcharge was a unique addition to League of Legends with its three-team dynamic and futuristic aesthetic, creating high-energy, chaotic matches. While it was only available during the PROJECT event, its innovative mechanics and exciting gameplay made it a standout among the game’s rotating modes. Fans often recall its fast-paced action and teamwork-focused objectives with nostalgia.

#8: Snowdown Showdown

Snowdown Showdown was a winter-themed game mode in League of Legends, introduced during the Snowdown events. Played on the Howling Abyss map, it featured 1v1 or 2v2 battles that emphasized mechanical skill and strategic decision-making.

The win conditions were simple:
• First Blood: Securing the first kill resulted in victory.
• 100 CS: Reaching 100 minion kills won the match.
• Tower Destruction: Destroying the opponent’s tower ended the game.

This mode offered a stripped-down, combat-focused experience, perfect for players who wanted quick, high-stakes matches with friends or to test their skills against rivals. Its small-scale battles provided a refreshing break from standard team-based gameplay.

Although Snowdown Showdown has not returned in recent years, it remains a nostalgic favorite, fondly remembered for its fast-paced and competitive nature during winter events.

#7: Ultimate Spellbook

Ultimate Spellbook is a rotating game mode in League of Legends that adds an exciting twist to traditional gameplay. In this mode, players choose their champion as usual but then select a second ultimate ability from a pool of ultimates belonging to other champions. This gives players the ability to mix and match ultimates, leading to unique and chaotic combinations.

The gameplay follows the standard Summoner’s Rift objectives, but the addition of a second ultimate adds a layer of creativity and unpredictability. For example:
• A Jinx with Miss Fortune’s Bullet Time can unleash devastating AoE damage.
• A Malphite with Karthus’s Requiem becomes an unstoppable force in teamfights.

The mode emphasizes fun and experimentation, allowing players to discover new synergies and outrageous combos. Ultimate Spellbook has quickly become a fan favorite due to its mix of familiar gameplay and fresh mechanics. Riot periodically brings it back as part of the rotating game modes lineup, giving players a chance to enjoy its creative chaos.

#6: Hunt of the Blood Moon

Hunt of the Blood Moon is a fast-paced, assassin-focused game mode in League of Legends that takes place on Summoner’s Rift with a dark, eerie Blood Moon theme. In this mode, only a select pool of champions—primarily assassins and burst mages—are available, emphasizing high-speed combat and execution-heavy gameplay.

The objective is to earn points by:
• Killing enemy champions: Each kill rewards points based on the streak and shutdowns.
• Hunting Spirits of the Blood Moon: These neutral spirits appear around the map and grant points when defeated.
• Sacrificing at Altars: Players can channel at special altars on the map to earn additional points for their team.

There are no towers, and games are designed to be fast and action-packed, with players constantly roaming and hunting. Champions gain bonus movement speed, reduced cooldowns, and gold income over time, ensuring constant skirmishes.

The first team to reach the target score wins, making it a high-energy mode perfect for fans of assassins and aggressive playstyles. Hunt of the Blood Moon is a favorite among players for its thematic appeal and intense, combat-heavy matches. Riot occasionally brings it back as part of the rotating game modes lineup.

#5: Nemesis Draft

Nemesis Draft is a unique and strategic game mode in League of Legends where players don’t pick their own champions—instead, they pick champions for the enemy team. This twist forces players to give their opponents difficult or unconventional picks, often resulting in hilarious and challenging matches.

Played on Summoner’s Rift, the core gameplay remains the same, but the champion draft phase is where the fun begins. Teams strategize to select champions that will be hard for their opponents to play effectively, such as weak laners, off-meta picks, or champions with steep learning curves. However, since each team is subject to the same rules, players need to make the most out of the odd champions they are given.

Nemesis Draft emphasizes creativity, adaptability, and a sense of humor, as players work with unexpected compositions and try to make the best of their situation. It’s a lighthearted and refreshing mode, offering a break from the seriousness of traditional matches. While not a permanent mode, Nemesis Draft is fondly remembered for its chaotic and entertaining matches whenever it returns in Riot’s rotating game modes.

#4: Nexus Siege

Nexus Siege is a fast-paced, attack-and-defense game mode in League of Legends where teams take turns defending or assaulting a Nexus. Played on a modified version of Summoner’s Rift, this mode focuses on strategic play, teamwork, and tactical use of resources to either destroy the Nexus or protect it.
• Attacking Team: The attacking team’s goal is to push through defensive turrets and destroy the Nexus within the time limit.
• Defending Team: The defenders aim to hold off the attackers by eliminating them, clearing minions, and using special tools to fortify their base.

Unique to Nexus Siege are siege weapons, purchasable with points earned during the game. These include tools like the Shield Totem, which boosts defenses, and the Siege Ballista, a long-range weapon that helps attackers break through tough defenses.

After one round, teams switch roles, and the team that destroys the Nexus faster (or defends it longer) wins. Nexus Siege is loved for its high-energy, objective-focused gameplay and innovative mechanics. While it’s not a permanent mode, fans eagerly await its return in Riot’s rotating game modes lineup.

#3: Swarm

Swarm, also known as Operation: Anima Squad, was a co-op PvE game mode in League of Legends, introduced during the Anima Squad event. In this mode, players teamed up to battle waves of enemies and challenging bosses while progressing through a narrative-driven mission. The gameplay emphasized teamwork, strategy, and adapting to escalating difficulty.

Players could choose from a roster of Anima Squad-themed champions, each equipped with unique augmentations to customize abilities and enhance gameplay. As the team advanced, they faced increasingly difficult waves of enemies, culminating in a showdown with a powerful final boss. The mode also featured a progression system, allowing players to earn upgrades and strengthen their champions as they fought through the swarms.

Swarm stood out for its co-op focus and immersive event theme, offering a break from traditional PvP gameplay. Its narrative elements and challenging PvE mechanics made it a memorable experience for players who participated in the Anima Squad event. While it was a limited-time mode, it remains a favorite among fans of co-op challenges in League of Legends.

#2: Dominion

Dominion was an objective-based game mode in League of Legends, played on the Crystal Scar map. Introduced in 2011, Dominion featured fast-paced gameplay where two teams of five competed to capture and hold control points to deplete the enemy Nexus’s health, which started at 500 HP. The more control points a team held, the faster their opponents’ Nexus health would drain.

Dominion games typically lasted around 15–20 minutes and emphasized constant skirmishes, map control, and quick decision-making. Players started at level 3 with increased gold to speed up early-game progression, and respawn timers were shorter, ensuring non-stop action. The mode also included unique mechanics like speed boosts and health relics scattered across the map.

Despite its innovative design, Riot removed Dominion in 2016 due to declining player interest. By the time of its retirement, less than 0.5% of players actively played the mode, with many matches populated by bots instead of real players. While it’s no longer part of League of Legends, Dominion is fondly remembered by fans who enjoyed its high-energy, objective-focused gameplay. Its legacy lives on through special modes like Ascension, which repurposed the Crystal Scar map.

#1: Twisted Treeline (3v3)

Twisted Treeline was a 3v3 game mode in League of Legends played on a unique, smaller map designed for faster-paced and more intimate gameplay compared to the 5v5 standard of Summoner’s Rift. The map featured two lanes and a jungle, with a heavy emphasis on skirmishing, map control, and teamwork. It also introduced Altars, capturable points in the jungle that granted team-wide buffs, adding a layer of strategy to the mode.

Unlike Summoner’s Rift, Twisted Treeline featured only two turrets per lane and a single inhibitor per team, which made games faster and more action-packed. Additionally, the map had a jungle boss, Vilemaw, whose defeat granted a powerful team-wide buff akin to Baron Nashor.

Despite its dedicated fanbase, Riot retired Twisted Treeline in 2019, citing its declining popularity and the challenges of maintaining it alongside Summoner’s Rift. By the time of its removal, the mode had become a niche experience, with fewer players and longer matchmaking times.

Twisted Treeline remains a nostalgic part of League of Legends history, remembered for its unique gameplay and the role it played in shaping the early competitive scene. Its retirement marked the end of an era for 3v3 enthusiasts.

Conclusion

League of Legends has introduced a wide variety of game modes over the years, each offering unique gameplay experiences that go beyond the traditional Summoner’s Rift matches. From the chaos of ARAM and the creativity of Ultimate Spellbook to the nostalgic memories of retired modes like Dominion and Twisted Treeline, these modes have added depth, fun, and innovation to the game.

While some modes remain permanent staples and others rotate in and out, each has left its mark on the League community, providing players with new ways to enjoy their favorite champions. Whether you’re a fan of fast-paced action, team-focused objectives, or experimental mechanics, League of Legends game modes have something for everyone. As Riot continues to innovate, players can look forward to even more exciting modes in the future!