One of the most powerful tools League of Legends players overlook is the replay system. While most focus only on their live games, reviewing replays can reveal mistakes, highlight strengths, and teach you how to climb ranked more efficiently.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to watch and analyze LoL replays, what to focus on during reviews, and how to apply lessons learned to your gameplay.
Why Watching Replays Is Important
- Identify Mistakes – You’ll see errors you didn’t notice in the heat of the moment.
- Improve Decision-Making – Replays help you evaluate whether your choices were optimal.
- Understand Enemy Plays – Spot how opponents punished you and how you could have avoided it.
- Track Progress – Reviewing older replays shows how much you’ve improved over time.
Professional players and coaches rely heavily on replays because they slow down the game and allow for structured learning.
How to Access Replays in League of Legends
Step 1: Open the Client
After finishing a match, head to the Match History tab in the League of Legends client.
Step 2: Download the Replay
- Click the download button (small arrow) next to the match you want to review.
- The file will save as a .rofl file inside your LoL replay folder.
Step 3: Watch the Replay
- Click Play in your match history after downloading.
- The game will open in replay mode with a set of controls.
Step 4: Replay Controls
- Camera: Watch from your perspective, enemy perspective, or free camera.
- Timeline: Jump to key moments with the slider.
- Speed Controls: Slow down (0.25x, 0.5x) or fast-forward through downtime.
What to Focus On When Watching Replays
1. Lane Phase
- Did you miss CS? Why?
- Did you trade effectively?
- Were you aware of the enemy jungler’s path?
2. Objectives
- Did you rotate for dragons/heralds at the right time?
- Did you ward before major fights?
3. Deaths
Every death has a cause. Ask:
- Was I overextended?
- Did I have vision?
- Could I have escaped with better summoner spell usage?
4. Teamfights
- Did you position well?
- Did you use abilities effectively?
- Were you targeting the right opponents?
5. Macro Decisions
- Did you split-push at the right time?
- Did your team rotate correctly after winning a fight?
How to Learn From Professional Replays
Pro players frequently share replays through VODs or streams. When watching pro replays:
- Focus on minimap awareness.
- Watch how they set up vision before fights.
- Study their itemization choices compared to yours.
- Observe their recall timings for efficient resets.
Replay Analysis Tools
In addition to the in-game system, you can use third-party replay tools:
- OP.GG – Easy replay downloads with stat breakdowns.
- Porofessor & Mobalytics – Integrated with performance reviews.
- League Replay HUD Mods – Add extra tracking for gold, XP, and timers.
These tools provide additional insights into your replays that the default client might not show.
Common Replay Analysis Mistakes
- Only watching highlights. Replays are not just for cool plays—you learn more from mistakes.
- Skipping laning phase. Early-game decisions often set up wins or losses.
- Not taking notes. Writing down lessons improves retention.
- Blaming teammates. Focus on what you could have done differently.
How to Turn Replay Learning Into Improvement
- Watch 1 replay per day – Pick either a win or a loss.
- Identify 2–3 key mistakes – Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many.
- Create goals for your next games – Example: “Ward river at 3:00,” or “Don’t take bad trades without vision.”
- Track progress over a week – See if you fixed recurring issues.
Conclusion
Replays are one of the most underrated tools in League of Legends. By consistently reviewing your games, focusing on mistakes, and learning from pros, you’ll improve decision-making, map awareness, and macro play faster than grinding hundreds of games without reflection.
So the next time you finish a match—don’t just queue up again. Open your replay, learn from it, and watch yourself climb.
