How To Unlock Every Champion in Swarm

Swarm, Riot Games’ latest addition to League of Legends, is set to hit the live servers in the coming weeks, promising intense action with a blend of familiar faces. In this mode, players take on hordes of enemies and a formidable boss fight, selecting from a roster of nine champions including Jinx, Seraphine, Aurora, Illaoi, Leona, Xayah, Yasuo, Riven, and Briar.

For players looking to dive into Swarm, understanding how to unlock each champion is crucial. This guide, part of our extensive coverage on Swarm, will detail the process based on the Public Beta Environment (PBE) quests, though it’s worth noting that the official release may see some variations.

Be sure to check out other Swarm content on our site, like the Beginner’s Guide and a comprehensive breakdown of the game mode, available at the 1v9 Blog.

Starting Champions

As you embark on your journey in Swarm, you’ll begin with two starter champions to ease you into the game mode’s mechanics. Jinx, a perennial favorite among League of Legends players, serves as one of these initial options. This setup allows you to familiarize yourself with the gameplay and harness the unique abilities of these characters as you learn the ins and outs of Swarm.

How to Unlock Jinx

Jinx is immediately available to all players in Swarm, with no requirement for missions or grinding to unlock her. She’s provided as a free champion from the start, allowing you to dive right into the action.

How to Unlock Seraphine

Seraphine is the second champion you receive for free in Swarm, allowing you to explore her utility-focused mage capabilities without needing to complete any missions. While I personally enjoyed playing Jinx more due to her carry potential in early maps, Seraphine can be particularly effective when playing with friends.

Map Related Unlocks

In Swarm, progression through the game mode involves advancing through four distinct maps, each requiring completion to unlock the subsequent one. Your initial challenge is the Warehouse District, where you face the formidable boss, Rek’Sai, appearing after 15 minutes of gameplay. Successfully defeating Rek’Sai not only completes this map but also unlocks the next in the series, each victory granting access to a new champion as you progress.

How to Unlock Briar

To unlock Briar in Swarm, you must conquer the second map known as Outskirts. Successfully defeating the final boss of this map, who is also named Briar, grants you access to this champion. Although Briar might not be everyone’s top choice to play due to personal preferences, she offers unique abilities that can be quite effective in the game mode.

How to Unlock Yasuo

To gain access to Yasuo in Swarm, you must navigate through the challenges of the Subterranean Lab map. This map features numerous tight spaces that can be tricky for players. Your main objective here is to defeat Bel’Veth, the map’s final boss. Overcoming her challenge will reward you with Yasuo as a playable champion.

After unlocking Yasuo, the next and final map you’ll encounter is The Beachhead. Successfully defeating Aatrox, the boss of this map, grants you access to Matchmaking Island. This ultimate map allows you to engage in hard difficulty gameplay, elevating the intensity and challenges of Swarm.

Shop and In-Game Quests

While progressing through the main storyline of the game typically unlocks most champions, additional “side quests” within the game can also provide opportunities to unlock certain champions sooner. These optional quests can vary in their availability, offering a chance to access some champions earlier than the standard progression would allow.

How to Unlock Leona

Leona becomes available once you enhance the Searing Shortbow to level 2. This can typically be achieved during a session on either the second or third map. Focus on collecting every Searing Shortbow you encounter during the round. Upon upgrading, Leona will be unlocked and ready to use in subsequent games.

How to Unlock Illaoi

Illaoi is unlocked by advancing the Radiant Field to level 4. To achieve this, simply concentrate on collecting and upgrading this item throughout your gameplay, enabling you to unlock Illaoi as you progress.

Hard Mode

To unlock the final three champions, players must complete the main storyline and switch to Hard Mode. These champions are only accessible in this advanced level of play, adding an extra layer of challenge and reward.

How to Unlock Aurora

To unlock Battle Bunny Aurora, you need to defeat 25 mini-bosses while playing in Hard Mode. This achievement can typically be accomplished within several rounds, allowing players to access this champion relatively quickly.

How to Unlock Riven

To unlock Riven in Swarm, players are required to defeat Rek’Sai in Hard Mode on the Warehouse District map. Successfully overcoming this challenge grants access to Riven for further gameplay.

How to Unlock Xayah

To obtain Battle Bat Xayah in Swarm, players are tasked with completing 20 Bel’Veth missions or trials. Achieving this milestone will unlock Xayah for use. This is one of the Hard Mode challenges, requiring strategic planning and effective use of resources to succeed.

Conclusion

Unlocking every champion in Riot’s Swarm mode involves a blend of strategic gameplay across different maps, upgrading specific items, and tackling Hard Mode challenges. From the accessible beginnings with Jinx and Seraphine to the more difficult tasks required to unlock champions like Riven and Xayah, players must engage deeply with the game’s mechanics and challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, understanding these paths to unlock characters enhances your gameplay experience and prepares you for the diverse combat scenarios Swarm offers.