What is Cheese in League of Legends?

In League of Legends, “cheese” refers to unconventional and high-risk strategies designed to surprise opponents and secure an early advantage. These tactics often involve unexpected levels of aggression or surprise plays, such as early invades or unique champion picks, aimed at gaining quick wins. The term is derived from the idea of trapping an unsuspecting mouse with cheese, as these tactics can feel somewhat ‘cheap’ or unfair when they succeed, though they may also fail spectacularly if anticipated by the enemy. Despite sometimes being dismissed as not reflective of true skill, cheesing can effectively disrupt standard gameplay and catch unprepared teams off-guard, offering a strategic twist to the game.

Examples of Cheese Tactics in League of Legends

In League of Legends, “cheese” refers to unconventional strategies that aim to surprise and quickly gain an upper hand over the opponent. These tactics often involve:

Unusual Champion Roles: Selecting champions for roles they are not typically seen in, or swapping lanes unexpectedly to destabilize the opposing team.
Aggressive Early Plays: Initiating sudden jungle invades or swift lane ganks at the beginning of the match to disrupt the enemy’s early game plans.
Non-Standard Itemization: Adopting atypical item builds early on to optimize a champion’s early game impact, often catching enemies off guard with increased damage or durability.
Map Ambushes: Positioning in unexpected map locations to spring traps on unwary enemies, particularly effective during the initial phases of the game.
Early Objective Control: Boldly targeting major objectives like Baron Nashor or Dragons prematurely, typically when such actions are least expected by the opposition.

Cheese strategies, while sometimes viewed as gimmicky or less skillful, can effectively disrupt conventional gameplay and force opponents to adapt quickly, offering a strategic layer that can occasionally tilt the game’s balance unexpectedly.

Conclusion

Cheese in League of Legends represents a collection of unconventional strategies aimed at securing an early advantage through surprise and innovation. While often risky and reliant on the element of surprise, these tactics can be a fun and effective way to break the monotony of standard gameplay and challenge the norms of the meta. Cheese strategies force both teams to adapt and think creatively, adding an unpredictable twist to matches that can change outcomes and enhance the gaming experience. Whether celebrated or scorned, cheese remains a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of strategy within League of Legends.