Legends of Runeterra (LoR) is Riot Games’ free-to-play digital collectible card game, set in the same world as League of Legends. Two players each bring a 40-card deck and take turns playing units and spells, with the goal of reducing the opponent’s Nexus from 20 health to 0. This guide covers how the game works, the kinds of cards you use, the regions you build around, and where to go next to build decks and climb ranked.
How a Game of Legends of Runeterra Works
Each player defends a Nexus that starts at 20 health, and you win by dealing 20 damage to the enemy Nexus. Games play out over a series of rounds, and the most important rule is the attack token: only the player holding the attack token can declare an attack that round, and the token alternates between players each round. That means you are attacking on one round and defending on the next.
Mana works on two tracks. You gain one maximum mana each round, up to a cap of ten, and refill to full at the start of your round. Any mana you do not spend, up to three, is banked as spell mana that can only pay for spells. Spells have speeds: Burst spells resolve instantly and cannot be answered, Fast spells can be played in response to other actions, and Slow spells give your opponent a window to react. When you attack you commit units; your opponent assigns blockers, and any unblocked attackers strike the Nexus.
The Card Types
| Card Type | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Champion | Your deck’s centerpiece units. Champions level up when you meet their condition, transforming into a stronger version. A deck can run up to six champions. |
| Follower | Standard units with Power and Health that fill out your curve and support your champions. |
| Spell | One-time effects that remove threats, buff your board, or draw cards. Their speed decides whether the opponent can respond. |
| Landmark | Permanent board pieces that generate ongoing value but cannot attack or block. |
The Regions of Runeterra
Every card belongs to a region, and a deck is typically built around one or two of them. Each region has a distinct identity and play pattern:
| Region | Identity |
|---|---|
| Demacia | Disciplined units and combat tricks built around strength and the Challenger keyword. |
| Noxus | Aggressive units that push direct Nexus damage with Overwhelm and burn. |
| Ionia | Tempo, recall, and protection spells that disrupt the opponent’s plan. |
| Freljord | Ramp, big units, and Frostbite to control the board. |
| Piltover & Zaun | Card draw, burn, and value engines built on cheap interactions. |
| Shadow Isles | Death-driven value, Ephemeral units, and removal. |
| Bilgewater | Plunder and sacrifice payoffs that reward chip damage and trades. |
| Targon | Celestial cards and combat buffs that scale into the late game. |
More regions have been added over the game’s life, each with its own keywords and themes, but the principle is the same: pair regions whose strengths cover each other’s weaknesses.
Building a Deck
A legal deck is exactly 40 cards, with no more than three copies of any single card and up to six champions. You choose the regions, the champions you want to build around, and the followers and spells that support them. If you are new, start with the free decks the game provides and learn one archetype well before branching out.
When you are ready to build, see our Legends of Runeterra deck builds guide for the core archetypes and construction principles, or the starter deck builds guide if you are just getting going.
Climbing Ranked
Once you have a deck you are comfortable with, ranked mode puts you on a competitive ladder from Iron up to Master. Our Legends of Runeterra ranked guide explains the tiers, how LP and promotions work, seasonal resets, and the fundamentals that win games.