How Many League of Legends Champions Are There

The Evolution of LoL’s Champion Roster

Understanding how the roster grew to 168 champions requires a look at Riot’s design philosophy and player-driven updates.

Early Years (2009–2012): Building the Foundation

The initial 40 champions established core archetypes like mages (Annie), tanks (Amumu), and marksmen (Ashe). Riot focused on creating diverse playstyles to appeal to a broad audience. By 2012, the roster reached 100 champions, with fan favorites like Thresh (2013) and Yasuo (2013) redefining competitive play.

Mid-2010s: Quality Over Quantity

Post-2015, Riot shifted toward fewer, more polished releases. Champions like Jhin (2016) and Aurelion Sol (2016) emphasized narrative depth and unique mechanics. This era also saw major reworks (e.g., Gangplank, Mordekaiser) to align older champions with modern standards.

2020s: Innovation and Inclusivity

Recent years have prioritized thematic diversity and representation. Champions like Sett (2020), a half-human, half-Vastayan brawler, and Renata Glasc (2022), a morally gray chem-baroness, reflect Riot’s commitment to storytelling. The 150th champion, Milio (2023), introduced a supportive playstyle focused on healing and crowd control.

Roles and Regions: Breaking Down the Roster

LoL’s champions are categorized by roles (their in-game function) and regions (their lore-based origins). This duality ensures strategic variety and rich world-building.

Champion Roles

1. Top Lane: Tanks (Ornn) and bruisers (Darius) dominate this solo lane.

2. Jungle: Mobile champions (Lee Sin) who roam the map to secure objectives.

3. Mid Lane: Burst mages (Syndra) and assassins (Zed) focused on high damage.

4. ADC (Attack Damage Carry): Ranged marksmen (Jinx) who scale into late-game powerhouses.

5. Support: Utility-focused champions (Thresh) who protect allies and set up kills.

Some champions flex between roles, like Seraphine, who can mid or support, adding layers to team compositions.

Regions of Runeterra

LoL’s lore divides champions into regions like:

• Demacia: A kingdom valuing justice (Lux, Garen).

• Noxus: An expansionist empire (Darius, LeBlanc).

• Ionia: A land of spiritual balance (Irelia, Ahri).

• The Void: Lovecraftian horrors (Kai’Sa, Cho’Gath).

These regions influence champion design, abilities, and in-game events, deepening player immersion.

Why Champion Diversity Matters

A large roster isn’t just about quantity—it shapes how League of Legends is played and experienced.

Meta and Strategy

New champions disrupt the meta, forcing players to adapt. For example, the release of Yuumi (2019), a support who attaches to allies, revolutionized bot lane strategies. Conversely, reworks like Udyr’s 2022 update revitalized forgotten picks.

Player Engagement

With 168 champions, players can always find a character that suits their style. Whether you prefer aggressive assassins (Katarina), strategic controllers (Azir), or meme-worthy picks (Bard), LoL offers endless experimentation.

Balancing Challenges

A larger roster complicates game balance. Riot uses frequent patches to tweak overpowered or underused champions, ensuring no single character dominates indefinitely. This dynamic environment keeps matches unpredictable and exciting.

How to Keep Track of New Champions

Staying updated on LoL’s expanding roster is easy:

1. Official Channels: Follow Riot’s  for champion teasers and patch notes.

2. Community Resources: Sites like  offer detailed stats and lore.

3. Social Media: Reddit’s r/leagueoflegends andhow many league of legends champions Twitter/X often leak upcoming releases.

Conclusion

League of Legends’ 168 champions represent 15 years of creativity, player feedback, and evolving gameplay. Each addition enriches Runeterra’s universe and challenges players to master new strategies. As Riot continues to innovate, the roster will grow, ensuring LoL remains a cornerstone of the MOBA genre.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a curious newcomer, diving into LoL’s champion pool promises endless discovery—and maybe a new main (or two).