How to Play League Classic
Complete beginner guide to League Classic. Queue setup, runes, items, draft mode, and everything new players need for July 29 launch.
Getting Started
League Classic launches July 29, 2026 as part of Patch 26.15, accessible directly from your existing League of Legends client. No separate download required—select Classic from the game mode menu alongside Summoner's Rift, ARAM, and rotating modes. Riot designed Classic as a social nostalgia experience rather than a competitive ranked grind.
At launch, three queue types are available: Classic Draft (primary PvP mode), Co-op vs AI for learning, and custom games for private lobbies with friends. Start with Co-op vs AI to learn old rune pages, item actives, and map pacing before entering Draft where positional preference replaces role racing.
Pre-Game Setup
Before your first game, configure rune pages on Rune Pages—you receive tier 3 runes immediately without grinding to level 30. Allocate mastery points across offense, defense, and utility trees on Offense Tree, Defense Tree, and Utility Tree. Select summoner spells on Summoner Spells.
Use Rune Recommender for champion-specific templates and read Set Up Rune Pages for step-by-step configuration. Pre-game setup takes 2–3 minutes but determines your laning power significantly in Classic's slower-paced trades.
In-Game Fundamentals
Classic gameplay on Summoner's Rift emphasizes last-hitting, mana management, and cooldown tracking over constant fighting. Farm CS diligently—gold income is slower than modern League per Pacing vs Modern. Back for Boots of Speed early and build toward your core item from Core & Starting.
Vision is scarcer without modern trinket upgrades—supports and junglers ward actively per Controls. Track enemy jungler through minimap observation and communicate missing pings. Objectives like dragon and Baron swing games harder in Classic due to permanent stat rewards.
Champion and Item Selection
Start with beginner-friendly champions from Best Starters: Garen, Annie, Amumu, Ashe, and Soraka. These teach Classic systems without demanding mechanical mastery. Expand into meta picks from Overall Tier List as you earn IP via IP & Currency.
Learn iconic item builds from Classic Items Guide—Deathfire Grasp for mages, Trinity Force for bruisers, Heart of Gold for supports. Item actives win fights in Classic more than modern League. Read item tooltips carefully and bind active keys in settings.
Progression and Community
Classic Levels on Classic Levels track your progression through IP rewards, rune page slots, and Classic Skins. Summoner's Journey seasonal pass on Summoner's Journey adds cosmetic rewards. Participate in The Council on How Voting Works to vote on future champion additions.
Watch the video guide above for visual walkthrough of queue flow, champion select, and first-game experience. Join friends for Classic Draft—Riot emphasized social play as the mode's core identity. For veteran transition tips, see Veteran vs New Player.