League Classic: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Reliving Early League of Legends

Ever wish you could go back to the “good old days” of League of Legends? The weird builds, the silly strategies, the slower fights? Well, good news — Riot heard you. Here’s everything you need to know about League Classic, explained super simply (like you’re five!).

What Is League Classic and When Does It Take Place?

Since 2009, the game has constantly changed — new champions, items, runes (special bonus stats), and modes. But players kept saying: “Remember when we did silly stuff like Bankplank, AP Master Yi, or AD Alistar? What about 95% ban rate Kassadin?”

Riot missed those days too. So they made League Classic.

League Classic is a new way to play that brings back those fun old moments — and makes new ones that weren’t possible before.

Important: “Classic” means different things to different people. Some say beta, some say Season 1, some say Season 3. Riot’s answer to “When is Classic?” was basically: “Yes.”

They started with Season 3 as a base, but League Classic is more like a greatest hits collection from many early seasons.

What’s in League Classic?

• Almost every old Summoner spell (even Fortify!)
• Nearly all items from the first few years (like Atma’s Impaler and Frozen Mallet)
• Lots of old, pre-rework champion abilities
• No Yasuos allowed (just not the right fit!)

How Is Combat Different?

Old League felt different:

• Champions have clearer strengths and weaknesses
• Missiles and dashes are slower
• More stuns (yay!)
• Spells cost more but hit way harder

That means you must think more carefully before fighting.

The Classic Map

The map looks like early Summoner’s Rift:

• Wraiths are back
• Buffs have little friend monsters again and hit harder
• Buffs respawn super fast
• Lighting and shadows improved so you can see better in fights

Champions, Runes, Masteries, and More!

Champions

At launch, Classic has 60 champions:

• The original 40
• Plus 20 more picked from 2009–2013

Don’t see your favorite? More are coming later, all from that time period. A smaller roster makes it easier to learn if you’re returning.

How to get champions:

• If you own them, you have them in Classic
• Else, unlock via Classic Level or Shop
• Free rotation always available

Items

Old beloved builds are back:

• Atmogs (Atma’s + Warmog’s)
• Metagolem setup
• Gold-per-10 stacking
• Almost every item from early League… and Zz’Rot Portal (for some reason)

Runes and Masteries

Before a game, you pick Runes and Masteries (bonus stats/traits). They change how your champ plays.

Good news — they’re way easier now:

1. You unlock them just by playing
2. All are old Tier 3 baseline (no upgrading)
3. Start with 3 Rune Pages, get 2 more from levels, buy more with IP (old currency, back for Classic)
4. Nearly all old Runes return; weak ones buffed
5. Masteries fully unlocked at Classic Level 4

Forgot to set them? Everyone gets a default page so you’re just slightly less optimal.

Summoner’s Journey

At launch, modes include:

• PvP draft queue
• Co-op vs AI
• Custom games (“wait, let me try something” labs)

No sweaty Ranked. Instead, a fun progression called Summoner’s Journey:

• Starts at Classic Level 10
• Ranks: Salt → Wood → … → Legend
• Flex on friends, but still play for fun
• Only a tiny % reach Legend

Champ Select Improvement

Old days = chaos typing “mid or feed.” Now:

• Pick role preferences in order
• System tries your top choice
• May give 2nd/3rd to keep queues fast

Passes, Skins, and Portraits

Classic Levels

Free track for everyone:

• Gain by playing
• Unlocks Masteries, Runes, Journey, IP, BE, cosmetics (like Rustier Blitzcrank)

Seasonal Classic Pass

Like a Battle Pass:

• Free + paid tracks
• Gives IP, BE, Rune Pages, emotes, titles, Classic Skins, Portraits

Classic Skins

Make champs look 2009–2013:

• Unlock with Classic Skin Tokens (from Pass or Shop)
• Pick any skin; wait if your main isn’t ready
• Many normal skins work at launch; all base models have old-school outlines
• Updated VFX/anim for reworked champs (e.g., Sion)

Classic Chromas & Portraits

• Chromas = color variants for Classic Skins (Tundra Warwick vibes)
• Portraits = fun loading-screen art (doodles, reinterpretations)
• These only work in Classic, but some era-inspired skins work everywhere

The Council: You Decide Classic’s Future

Riot wants your help! The Council is community voting:

• Unlock via Classic Level
• More play = more voting power
• Vote on new champions, skins, even gameplay tweaks
• Riot keeps balance, but you steer the vibe

Thank You

League Classic exists because YOU kept old memories alive — clips, stories, “back in my day” posts. So call your squad, equip that 1% crit rune, and lock in.

See you on the Classic Rift!

Summary

League Classic is a throwback experience mixing the best of early League (Seasons 1–3-ish). It has old items, runes, masteries, slower combat, a classic map, 60 starters champions (no Yasuo!), a chill progression (Summoner’s Journey), easy unlocks, fun skins/portraits, and a player-voting Council. It’s made for friends and nostalgia — not grindy Ranked.

FAQ

1. Do I need to own old champions to play them in Classic?
If you already own a champion, you can use them in Classic right away. If not, you can unlock them through Classic Levels or the Shop, or just use the free rotation.

2. Why isn’t Yasuo in League Classic?
Riot feels Yasuo (and the modern mobility/heavy kit he represents) doesn’t fit the Classic combat pacing and style they want to recreate.

3. Are Runes and Masteries hard to set up like the old days?
No! They auto-unlock by playing, start at max Tier 3, and you get default pages so forgetting them isn’t a big deal.

4. Can I use my normal League skins in Classic?
Many normal skins work at launch, and more will be added. All base champions are usable with old-school looks. Classic Skins/Chromas/Portraits are Classic-only.

5. How do I help decide what gets added to Classic?
By playing and leveling, you join The Council and earn votes to choose future champions, skins, and changes.