League of Legends: Wild Rift is the new pocket-sized version of League of Legends that’s making its way over to the mobile world soon. We’re going to let you in on everything we know so far.
League of Legends has come a very long way since its initial debut in 2009. We’ve seen over 100 champions added, continuously updated graphics, and new items/mechanics being added to the game all of the time.
- What is League of Legends: Wild Rift?
- When Is League of Legends: Wild Rift Releasing?
- How Much Does League of Legends: Wild Rift Cost?
- How Do You Play Wild Rift?
- What’s The Wild Rift Map Look Like?
- What Champions Are In Wild Rift?
- Will League of Legends: Wild Rift Be Cross-Platform?
- What Phones Are Compatible With Wild Rift?
- Will There Be A Wild Rift Pro Scene?
- Conclusion
What is League of Legends: Wild Rift?
After all of these years, Riot Games is officially creating one of the most requested versions of League. What’s interesting, though, is Wild Rift isn’t just a mobile port of League. Instead, it’s a brand new take on the formula that we know and love.
League of Legends: Wild Rift is a new way to play the game we all know and love. There are some core differences in this new game including speedier matches, new ability combos, and getting straight to the action.
Wild Rift is reimaging the way gamers will play League. Of course, it’s still the 5v5 MOBA we all know and love, but there are some major changes that will affect the gameplay dramatically.
For instance, the map is slightly smaller, you cast abilities with dual-stick controls, and match times are around 15 minutes.
Although this is Riot’s first attempt at a mobile game, its partnership with Tencent Gaming will ensure that its extremely polished and gameplay will be buttery smooth.
When Is League of Legends: Wild Rift Releasing?
Wild Rift has been going through its closed beta program for a while now. Riot is officially releasing its open beta starting March 29, 2021, on both Android and iOS.
Any players who have already been invited to the previous closed beta will be able to access the open beta.
How Much Does League of Legends: Wild Rift Cost?
Riot has had great success with its cosmetic in-game store method of monetization with League of Legends. Both games are completely free to play, but if you want to pimp out your champions with new skins, models, and particle effects, you can purchase them in the store.
Similar to the PC version of the game, all champions can be unlocked by gameplay. There will still be the option to purchase the champions outright if you want to skip the line.
Riot has committed to making the progression system in Wild Rift way quicker than the regular version of the game. Expect to receive many more free champions than the PC version of the game. There’s also a possibility of exclusive mobile-only cosmetics.
How Do You Play Wild Rift?
Wild Rift features the core gameplay as the PC version. However, there are many changes that speed up the game, switch things up, and could possibly lead to a more enjoyable experience overall.
Due to the game having a mobile control layout, you’re going to have to get used to a dual control stick scheme. The left stick will move your character around and the right stick will be for aiming your abilities.
Riot has changed many champion abilities to make it more accessible on mobile. As an example, Ashe’s ultimate can be steered mid-flight now. Pretty cool, right?
In addition, all champion skills now have an active component to them. They still mostly retain the same general purpose of course. These changes are to prevent new players from getting “bored” from passive abilities and get them more engaged in the game.
Auto attacks and certain skills feature a new auto-targeting system for both minions and champions. There are two extra auto-attack buttons to have more targetability and provide you more control over your champion’s movements.
Did we mention Riot reworked some items for Wild Rift? Traditional active items like Zhonyas Hourglass have been changed to be an enchantment for boots – Zhonyas Statis.
Jungle and support items have been removed in addition to Smite having additional passive abilities built-in. Gold accumulation for supports is now handled differently from the main game.
All in all, the objective of the game is still to team up with four other players and fight your way to the enemy nexus. You will have to make plays as teams, take objectives, and destroy towers on the way.
The main version of League could pretty easily get to over 45-minute games. Riot has redesigned Wild Rift to only last around 15-20 minutes.
What’s The Wild Rift Map Look Like?
Because the gameplay is still the same core game underneath all of the changes, the Wild Rift map is very similar to the PC version of League. However, there are some significant changes.
The biggest change is that the map is mirrored. That means the base is always in the bottom left. Top and bottom lanes have been effectively renamed to solo and duo lanes. Riot did this to prevent your fingers from covering important parts of the screen.
Inhibs have been removed from the game and the concept of them has been added to the towers. Oh yeah, and nexus towers are also gone. Instead, the Nexus will fight back. Pretty awesome.
The jungle layout has been adjusted for faster and smoother gameplay. Drake buffs have been changed to have more impact. For example, the ocean drake now gives a damage vamp instead of passive regeneration. The elder dragon, which is already strong, gives three times the effect of the drakes before it. Now THAT’S a buff.
What Champions Are In Wild Rift?
There are currently over 50 champions available in the Wild Rift beta. Most of the champions available are the classics that are about as old as some of the players themselves. Riot plans to add new champions over time just like it does in the main version of the game.
Wild Rift Champion List
- Ahri
- Akali
- Alistar
- Amumu
- Annie
- Ashe
- Aurelian Sol
- Blitzcrank
- Braum
- Camille
- Corki
- Darius
- Draven
- Dr. Mundo
- Evelynn
- Ezreal
- Fiora
- Fizz
- Garen
- Gragas
- Graves
- Janna
- Jarvan IV
- Jax
- Jhin
- Jinx
- Kai’Sa
- Kennen
- Lee Sin
- Lulu
- Lux
- Malphite
- Master Yi
- Miss Fortune
- Nami
- Nasus
- Olaf
- Orianna
- Seraphine
- Shyvana
- Singed
- Sona
- Soraka
- Teemo
- Tristana
- Tryndamere
- Twisted FAte
- Varus
- Vayne
- Vi
- Wukong
- Xin Zhao
- Yasuo
- Zed
- Ziggs
Will League of Legends: Wild Rift Be Cross-Platform?
Although Wild Rift will be available for mobile and consoles, it would be unfair to link it to the PC version of the game. Also, the different abilities would break the game.
What Phones Are Compatible With Wild Rift?
Riot really wants Wild Rift to be available on as many phones as possible. For Android users, any phone with specs equal to the Samsung A7, 1GB RAM, or above will likely be able to play the game. For iOS users, the game should run on any iPhone newer than the iPhone 5s.
The more powerful phones will be able to support a solid 60fps which is very impressive. Riot doesn’t mess around it seems.
Will There Be A Wild Rift Pro Scene?
A pro scene for Wild Rift is something that definitely interests Riot, but it’s not something they are actively pursuing yet. Its main focus right now is the get the gameplay smooth and fix any underlying bugs. Worrying about a pro scene right now would be too daunting of a task. There is definitely a possibility of one in the future, though.
Conclusion
League of Legends: Wild Rift is looking to be a smash hit in the mobile gaming world. Riot Games has many years of experience in creating successful video games. In fact, they managed to create the most popular game ever. We can’t wait for the game and the new fun times that will come with a mobile version of one of our favorite games. We’ll see you on the (wild) rift!