Top 12 Games Like League of Legends

One of the highest grossing video games, League of Legends is a household name in the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre. This game focuses on strategic gameplay and collaboration and provides high replayability with various game modes. However, there may come a time when you’re interested in exploring other games like League of Legends, whether you’re looking for fresh content or want a similar MOBA-style game with different mechanics and gameplay.

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Below, discover the top 120 most popular games like LoL. They vary in genre and player capacity but capture the key aspects of League of Legends, from strategic team fighting and fast-paced action to unique characters and immersive lore.

The Best Games Like League of Legends at a Glance

Although many League of Legends alternatives are also MOBA games, no two games are the same. So, when picking the best LoL alternative, it’s important to consider what makes it unique, along with its platform availability.

1. Vainglory

Although Vainglory was first released as a mobile-exclusive MOBA game, it later came to PC, making it popular among cross-platform players. Vainglory is similar to League of Legends in that its main game mode focuses on players battling across three lanes and a non-lane “jungle” position. It offers ranked and unranked game modes, as well as 3v3 and 5v5 match options.

Players can choose from over 50 diverse characters, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and designs. Like many other free-to-play MOBA games, players can earn or buy in-game currency, providing an opportunity for unlocking new champions and purchasing cosmetics.

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2. Arena of Valor

Unless they feature a battle royale option, most MOBA games cap their player support at five players per team. This allows for intense 5v5 matches that focus on strategic team composition and collaboration.

However, with Arena of Valor, players can also engage in 1v1, 3v3, 10v10, and even 2v2v2v2 battles. This provides a range of options for those looking to play alone or with one or more friends. There are over 100 characters, known as heroes, in Arena of Valor, and each is assigned a different class.

Overall, Arena of Valor is a fast-paced, strategic game that focuses on solo abilities and teamwork, similar to League of Legends. It can be a great choice for players looking for a game that challenges their communication and technical skills, whether they’re playing alone or with a team of nine others.

3. Dota 2

Many MOBA games introduce players to a limited number of characters when they first start the game. Then, as they play, they can gain in-game currency and rewards that allow new characters to be unlocked. This is not the case for Dota 2.

When you begin Dota 2, you’ll have every playable character at your disposal without needing to earn points or in-game currency to slowly unlock them. However, you can invest in battle passes that provide you with cosmetics, such as skins for your characters.

If you’re wondering if Dota 2 is like League of Legends, you’ll find the most similarities in gameplay. This is because Dota 2 also focuses on racing the other team to destroy their base, all while engaging in intense team fights.

4. Teamfight Tactics

Teamfight Tactics thrives on an auto-battler system that combines strategy and turn-based gameplay. Instead of looking after a single champion, you can draft a team of LoL personalities and position them on a grid-esque platform. Since the battles are automated, you’ll spend more time on the strategy and tactics.

Creating the ideal synergy between different playstyles leads to a stronger presence in the game. As intimidating as the idea may seem, Teamfight Tactics is designed to attract and keep players from all walks of life. Whether you’ve been a LoL veteran or a rookie chess player, this game has a lot of unique traits to keep you interested.

Since matches are usually short (15-30 minutes), the game lets you experiment and use trial-and-error to your advantage. So, it’s perfect if you want deep tactical gameplay without worrying about a steep skill or learning curve. Add to that a seamless and touch-focused UI, and you have a game that will keep you busy for days.

5. Ruined King: A League of Legends Story

Straying from the multiplayer nature that’s common in games like League of Legends, Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is a single-player RPG that launches players headfirst into the lore of Runeterra.

The goal of this game is to navigate immersive dungeons, defeat enemies and bosses through turn-based combat, and save the region of Bilgewater from the clutches of Viego and the Shadow Isles. As a result, players can enjoy the lore, art style, and characters of League of Legends without playing a MOBA, making it one of the best PC games.

6. Heroes of the Storm

One of the most popular free PC games, Heroes of the Storm is a multiplayer online battle arena game in which players can play as characters from other Blizzard Entertainment titles, including popular games like Diablo and Overwatch. As a result, this crossover MOBA is best for players who enjoy League of Legends 5v5 gameplay and mechanics and are also fans of the Blizzard universe. 

Overall, the matches in Heroes of the Storm are shorter than many other traditional MOBAs, with each match lasting around 20 minutes. Although the core objective is to destroy the opposing team’s base, there are secondary objectives throughout the game as well, which offer a powerful team boost.

7. Apex Legends

Apex Legends blends the mechanics and combat of a first-person shooter with the gameplay of a battle royale game. Players can choose to play solo, as a duo, or as a trio, and take on a map full of other teams using gun-based combat. However, battle royale isn’t the only game option available — teams are also able to play round by round in an arena-style mode.

This game is free to play, although players can choose to invest in in-game purchases. There are also periodic seasons and events, which can provide players with new characters and items. 

8. Smite

One of the most popular aspects of League of Legends is its deep, immersive lore, which has spawned spinoffs in the form of other games and shows. Along with traditional MOBA gameplay across various PvP modes, Smite allows players to dive deep into the lore of different mythologies, with characters originating from Greek mythology, Japanese mythology, and more.

Each character in Smite has a specific in-game role, with some characters better suited as tanks and others as healers or damage dealers. As a result, team composition requires communication and strategy, making it a popular game to play with friends.

For players who enjoy the depth of League of Legends’ lore, Smite has interesting characters based on global mythology, each with its own history and background to explore. The gameplay mechanics are also similar to League of Legends, providing an easy transition for those familiar with the Riot game.

9. Valorant

Also from the creators of Riot, Valorant is a hero shooter that allows players to choose from characters, known as agents, and engage in tactical combat. However, guns aren’t the only weapons at your disposal, as each agent also has three unique abilities plus an Ultimate, like in League of Legends. 

Valorant includes several game modes, such as 5v5 matches and deathmatches. In the main game mode, players choose their agent and compete in several rounds focused on defending or attacking sites from a bomb plant.

While Valorant’s gameplay differs from League of Legends’, focusing on tactical combat, many key elements, such as character depth and the game’s overall art style, are similar to League of Legends. There are also several League of Legends Easter eggs to find in Valorant, posing a fun challenge for fans of both games. 

10. League of Legends: Wild Rift

Wild Rift takes up the League of Legends formula and turns it into an adaptation built from the ground up for mobile and console. It has the same core MOBA gameplay with two teams battling to destroy one another’s Nexus, but in a format and interface that’s streamlined for shorter matches and touch controls. 

Compared to its PC counterpart, Wild Rift features a smaller map and fewer champions, with matches typically lasting between 15 and 20 minutes. So, instead of heavily diving into 30-45-minute matches, you can expect shorter sessions. 

If you’re an experienced LoL veteran, Wild Rift will still keep you entertained for hours while promising a steep learning curve with simplified mechanics. What better way to experience LoL on the go? After all, we can’t have access to a PC all the time!

11. Paladins

Similar to Valorant, Paladins is another hero shooter title where you can choose a character, master their abilities, and climb to success in thrilling tactical combat. Each character has their own abilities, as well as their own character role from frontline to support. This, paired with a customizable loadout, gives you freedom in how you choose to play the game.

You can choose between ranked and unranked options when queuing up, depending on the level of competition you want to face. Or, if you want to stray away from its normal game mode, you can explore other ways to play on Paladins, including rotating options that may not always be available. 

12. 2XKO

2XKO is the latest Riot game to hit the scene, and this time, it offers 2v2 tag-team fighting. While the game is currently in early access, you can choose from 11 different characters — including fan-favorite picks like Ahri, Ekko, and Warwick — and engage in button-mashing combat against other players.

Team fighting is the focus of this game, encouraging you to bring a friend along for the fun, but you can also play alone. To do so, you’ll switch between your primary and secondary character in combat. Outside of playing in the main matches, there’s also an option for training, allowing you to hone your skills with no pressure.

How To Choose a League of Legends Alternative

League of Legends is similar to many other types of MOBA games, especially regarding objectives. However, no two LoL alternatives are the same when considering technical differences like platform availability and player capacity. When choosing the right game like League of Legends for you, it’s important to consider your own playstyle and preferences, as well as other essential criteria:

• Decide whether you enjoy MOBAs or LoL characters: It can be easy to get sucked into the lore and visual appeal of League of Legends. But to pick the best alternative for you, it’s important to decide if you like the gameplay that comes along with a MOBA or if you want a game that focuses on character and world building in a fantasy setting like League.
• Evaluate the balance between strategy and action: League of Legends is a MOBA game, which is a subgenre of real-time strategy games. Pick a game that has the right balance of strategy and action, whether you prefer dynamic gameplay like in Valorant and Paladins that requires careful strategy or a linear, action-packed storyline like in Ruined King.
• Assess the complexity and depth of the mechanics: One key feature of many games like League of Legends is various abilities. These mechanics can range in difficulty, with some games having more complex mechanics and strategies than others. If you’re a beginner, you may prefer a less complex game that’s easier to learn.
• Consider solo versus multiplayer options: MOBA is a popular online game genre because of its multiplayer options, with most games featuring 3v3 or 5v5 teams. However, some games, like Valorant and Apex Legends, offer single-player options, which may suit you better if you prefer playing solo.
• Look at how long the matches usually last: On average, a League of Legends match can last 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re looking for a shorter game with less of a time commitment, then you may want to explore other game options, especially those that include alternative game modes that tend to take less time.

Find Your Next Adventure

Many games like League of Legends vary in genre, player capacity, and more. Whether you’re interested in trying out your first MOBA match or finding different games more suited to your playstyle, there are hundreds of titles to explore for your next virtual adventure. 
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