League of Legends: 10 Unwritten Rules

League of Legends is a globally popular MOBA with a massive player base and a reputation for intense competition. With its high skill ceiling and strategic depth, it can feel overwhelming for newcomers to get started. While the main goal of destroying the enemy Nexus seems straightforward, achieving it requires teamwork, communication, and a solid understanding of the game’s nuances.

Beyond the mechanics and official rules, League of Legends has a set of unwritten rules—guidelines and habits that experienced players follow instinctively but can take newcomers time to learn. These unspoken practices not only improve teamwork but also elevate the overall gameplay experience. Whether you’re a new player or a veteran looking for a refresher, understanding these rules can make a huge difference.

In this article, we’ll dive into 10 essential unwritten rules of League of Legends that every player should know. Let’s get started!

#10: Teams Naturally Group in the Mid Lane During the Late Game

At the start of a League of Legends match, players head to their assigned lanes to farm gold and experience while defending their respective turrets. However, as the game progresses and outer turrets fall, the dynamic shifts, and players begin to converge in the mid lane.

Grouping in the mid lane during the late game has become a standard practice. It allows teams to fight as a cohesive unit, maximizing their chances in critical team fights and increasing map pressure. This strategy is so ingrained in the game’s flow that experienced players often expect their teammates to instinctively know when to group up. While it may seem like a tactic, it’s more of an unspoken rule that plays a vital role in securing victory.

#9: Off-Meta Builds and Roles Have Their Limits

The evolving nature of League of Legends, with its frequent patches and ever-changing item pool, keeps the meta in constant flux. Riot Games has even introduced in-game tools to showcase popular builds, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies. While creativity and innovation are welcome, there’s an unspoken rule: off-meta choices should never come at the expense of your team’s enjoyment or chances of winning.

Trying unconventional builds or playing champions in unusual roles can be fun, but it’s crucial to ensure that these choices contribute to the team’s success. Straying too far from the meta without considering your teammates’ expectations can lead to frustration and negatively impact the game’s dynamics. Experiment responsibly and always prioritize the team’s overall experience.

#8: Never Chase Singed

Singed is one of the simplest yet most frustrating champions to face in League of Legends. His primary damage comes from his poison trail, which deals damage over time to anyone who follows him. This straightforward mechanic has led to the golden rule: never chase Singed.

Despite its simplicity, many players still fall into the trap of pursuing him. With his high mobility and ability to kite opponents, chasing Singed often results in unnecessary damage—or worse, a quick death. Staying disciplined and avoiding the temptation to chase him is crucial for countering his unique playstyle. Remember, chasing Singed is a mistake he’s counting on you to make.

#7: Dodge the Lobby If a Teammate Is Toxic

While Riot Games discourages dodging ranked games to maintain shorter queue times, there are situations where dodging is the better choice. If a teammate in the lobby displays toxic behavior, has a defeatist attitude, or outright declares their intent to troll, it’s often smarter to take the penalty and leave the lobby.

Dodging a game incurs a minor penalty, but it’s a small price to pay compared to the frustration and potential loss caused by a disruptive teammate. That said, dodging should be used sparingly. Consistently leaving games will lead to harsher penalties, so reserve it for situations where it’s clear the match is unlikely to be productive. Knowing when to dodge can save your mental focus and keep your ranked climb on track.

#6: Warding Is Everyone’s Responsibility

The fog of war on Summoner’s Rift conceals most of the map, making it impossible to see enemy movements in hidden areas. Players often use this to their advantage, setting up ambushes or slipping away unnoticed. Wards are the key to countering this, providing crucial vision to track enemy locations and prevent surprise attacks.

While supports typically handle the bulk of warding thanks to their starting items, vision control is a shared responsibility. Every player has access to a warding trinket and can purchase control wards to contribute to the team’s map awareness. Successful warding is a team effort, and by placing wards in key locations, you not only protect yourself but also create opportunities for your team to make informed decisions. Remember, vision wins games.

#5: Always Leash for Your Jungler

At the start of a game in League of Legends, all players are at their weakest, and this includes the jungler. Clearing the first jungle camp can be challenging for most champions, as they lack the damage or sustain needed to handle it efficiently. While a few exceptions like Kayn, Ivern, or Shaco can manage their initial clears with ease, most junglers rely on help from their teammates.

Depending on the jungler’s starting side, the top or bot lane players should assist by attacking the first camp to reduce its health. Once the monster is low enough, laners can return to their lanes to begin farming, while the jungler finishes the camp and reaches level 2. This early assistance ensures a smoother jungle clear and sets the jungler up for a strong start, benefiting the entire team. Always prioritize helping your jungler—it’s a small effort that pays off throughout the game.

#4: Deny Stacking Champions Their Power

Certain champions in League of Legends have the ability to stack, gaining permanent stat boosts by killing minions, champions, or landing specific abilities. If left unchecked, these champions can scale into unstoppable forces in the late game. Champions like Nasus and Cho’Gath are prime examples, as they combine tankiness with devastating damage, making them incredibly difficult to deal with once fully stacked.

To counter these champions, it’s crucial to deny them opportunities to stack. Avoid unnecessary trades or skirmishes that allow them to hit abilities like Nasus’s Siphoning Strike or Cho’Gath’s Feast. Keep engagements short and strategic, especially if they are low-health, as stacking champions thrive in extended fights. Pushing for an early victory is another effective strategy to prevent them from reaching their full potential. Controlling the pace of the game and limiting their ability to scale is key to keeping stacking champions in check.

#3: Roaming Is a Team Effort

Roaming is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of League of Legends. Many players are quick to blame the jungler when things go wrong, expecting them to single-handedly control the map and secure every lane. While junglers play a key role in securing objectives and setting up kills, they cannot be everywhere at once. This is where other players can step in.

Roaming at the right moments can turn the tide of a game, whether by securing kills in another lane or saving a struggling teammate. Successful roaming requires two things: being ahead in your own lane and having strong map awareness to identify opportunities. By stepping in to assist other lanes, players can relieve pressure on the jungler and create advantages for the entire team. Roaming isn’t just the responsibility of one role—it’s a team-wide strategy that can significantly impact the game’s outcome.

#2: Only Queue When You Have Enough Time

Playing a quick game of League of Legends might sound like a good idea when you’re waiting to go out or have other commitments, but it’s a risky decision. While the average game lasts around 20-30 minutes, matches can easily stretch to 40 minutes or longer. Nothing frustrates teammates more than losing because a player had to leave mid-game.

Before queuing, make sure you have at least an hour of free time to dedicate to the match. This ensures you can play without distractions or the risk of abandoning your team. If the game ends quickly, resist the urge to queue again until you know you have enough time for another full match. Being considerate of your schedule not only helps your team but also allows you to fully enjoy the game.

#1: Resist the Urge to Chase Kills

Chasing an enemy for a kill is almost always a bad idea, even if they’re barely clinging to life. While it may seem like an easy way to secure an advantage, pursuing a fleeing opponent often leads to trouble. They could be luring you into a trap, running toward an ally, or buying time for their team to regroup. Unless you’re certain the rest of the enemy team is out of range, chasing is usually more risk than reward.

This rule becomes even more critical when facing certain champions. Teemo, one of the most frustrating champions in League of Legends, often baits enemies into his mushroom traps, turning what seems like a guaranteed kill into a deadly mistake. Similarly, Singed punishes overzealous chasers with his poisonous trail, which can quickly drain your health.

Knowing your opponent’s abilities is key, but with over 160 champions in the game, it’s tough for newer players to keep track. When in doubt, play it safe. Remember, kills don’t win games—objectives do. Instead of chasing a risky kill, focus on creating opportunities that bring your team closer to victory. Most of the time, the chase simply isn’t worth it.

Conclusion

The unwritten rules of League of Legends are a mix of strategic insights and community-driven expectations that can greatly improve your gameplay experience. By understanding these guidelines—whether it’s grouping up in the late game, warding effectively, resisting the urge to chase kills, or knowing when to dodge—you’ll not only perform better but also contribute to a more cohesive and enjoyable team dynamic.

While some of these rules may seem obvious to seasoned players, they are invaluable for newcomers looking to navigate the complexities of the game. Embracing these principles will help you climb the ranks, build better habits, and become a more respected teammate on the Rift. Remember, success in League of Legends isn’t just about individual skill; it’s about teamwork, strategy, and respecting the flow of the game.