Riot Games is releasing on July 29 in Patch 26.15, League of Legends Classic, a brand-new gameplay experience that recreates the feel of early League while modernizing a handful of systems for today's players. If you have been itching for old-school Summoner's Rift, this one is aimed at you.
While it is anchored in 2013's Season 3, Riot is careful to say this is not a museum piece. League Classic is a collection of greatest hits from across early League rather than an exact recreation of a single patch, blending nostalgia with a few thoughtful updates.
What is League of Legends Classic?
At its heart, League Classic is a throwback. It features old-school Runes and Masteries, classic items, the original Summoner Spells, a starting roster of 60 classic champions with many pre-rework kits, and a recreation of the Summoner's Rift map.
Over the years, League has evolved into a substantially more complex game, with more diverse champion fantasies, skill expression, and mobility. In League Classic, combat pacing is more similar to how it used to be, and champions have sharper strengths and weaknesses, which Riot says encourages more strategic decision making. The map itself gets targeted improvements to lighting, textures, and shadows to heighten gameplay clarity, so it looks the part without feeling dated.
League Classic is personal for us. You've been asking for this for years, and honestly, a lot of us at Riot have missed that early League feeling too. There's real nostalgia there. We're not going for a one-to-one recreation of the old times. We want League Classic to scratch that itch while still bringing something new to the table. At its core, this is about honoring League's roots. Whether you've been here since the beginning or you're coming back after years away, we want this to feel like home.
How do you queue up and level up?
At launch, League Classic will support a single PvP draft queue, Co-op vs AI, and custom games. Progression comes by way of Classic Levels, a free track that all players can access.
Players gain levels by playing games of League Classic.
Leveling up earns Runes, Masteries, IP, BE, and a variety of cosmetics.
Upon reaching Classic Level 10, players start their Summoner's Journey, with progression from Salt to Legend.
Classic Levels are a one-time progression system, akin to account levels.
Which champions are in at launch?
League Classic will launch with a roster of 60 champions, featuring the original 40 plus 20 additional champions released between 2009 and 2013. More champions will be added after launch.
If you already own these champions, you will have immediate access to them in League Classic. Otherwise, you can unlock Classic champions through your Classic Level or from the Shop. Each champion's base model has been updated with old-school inking outlines, and some champions have also received VFX, animation, and sound updates to match their Classic kits.
Items, Runes, and Masteries
Many iconic classic items and item combinations are returning, with a focus on memorable builds of the past.
The old Runes and Masteries are back too, though with a simpler and faster unlock system tied to gameplay and Classic Level.
Players unlock Runes, Masteries, and additional Rune Pages through gameplay and by increasing their Classic Level.
Default Runes and Masteries are provided to level the playing field while you unlock more options.
What about passes, skins, and portraits?
League Classic features Seasonal Classic Passes, similar to Battle Passes in that they have a free and paid track. They grant rewards including IP, BE, Rune Pages, emotes, titles, and Classic Skins and Portraits.
Classic Skins bring back the iconic look of Classic champions as they appeared during the 2009-2013 era.
Classic Skins are unlockable through Classic Skin Tokens, which can be earned through the Seasonal Pass or purchased in the Shop. A token can be used to unlock any Classic Skin, and Classic Chromas will also be available.
Many existing skins will be available to use in League Classic at launch, with the supported list expanding over time.
Portraits are a new cosmetic item: alternate-styled loading screen splashes ranging from playful doodles to reinterpretations of champions.
Portraits rotate in the loading screen, letting players collect them and show off their favorites.
Do note that Portraits, Classic Skins, and Classic Chromas are only usable in League Classic.
What is The Council?
Alongside League Classic comes a new system called The Council, a community voting system that lets players help guide some future development decisions. Game health and balance will remain owned by the development team, but players will be able to influence decisions such as which champions are added to League Classic next, which skins are made next, and even certain gameplay changes.
Players gain access to The Council through Classic Level and can unlock additional voting power through gameplay, so those who spend more time in Classic get more of a voice.
Are you jumping back into the Rift for that Season 3 nostalgia, or is the old meta best left in the past? Let us know in the comments. League of Legends Classic launches July 29 in Patch 26.15. For more, check out our earlier report on League of Legends Classic Goes Live in Patch 26.15.
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