The Beginner’s Guide to ARAM: How to Win Fast is designed for League of Legends players who want to master the unique 5v5 game mode on the Howling Abyss map. Unlike Summoner’s Rift, ARAM (All Random All Mid) is about constant teamfighting, quick decision-making, and adapting to random champion picks. Winning in ARAM is less about farming and more about understanding strategy, builds, and efficient execution. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to secure faster victories.
What Is ARAM in League of Legends?
- All Random All Mid (ARAM): A special game mode played on the Howling Abyss map.
- One Lane Only: Teams fight along a single bridge-style lane.
- No Recall (with exceptions): Players cannot recall to base; healing comes from death, item actives, or relics.
- Random Champions: Everyone is assigned a random champion from their owned pool, though rerolls are available.
ARAM is designed for nonstop action—teamfights, pokes, and skirmishes start almost instantly. Games are shorter, usually 15–25 minutes, making it ideal for quick matches.
Why Play ARAM?
- Fast-paced gameplay – Great for practice and fun.
- Learn new champions – Random assignment means exposure to champions outside your comfort zone.
- Focus on mechanics and teamfighting – Less macro, more fighting.
- Shorter matches – Perfect for warming up or playing on limited time.
ARAM Map Breakdown: The Howling Abyss
Understanding the Howling Abyss is key to winning quickly.
Key Features:
- Single Lane Bridge: The map is straightforward, with one path leading to the enemy nexus.
- Health Relics: Spawn in the side bushes; restore health and mana to whoever collects them (and nearby allies).
- Turrets & Inhibitor: Similar to Summoner’s Rift but only in one lane.
- Brushes: Two main bushes provide ambush and vision control opportunities.
Strategic Implications:
- Vision control is limited but crucial.
- Health relics can swing fights—timing them matters.
- Waveclear and poke champions thrive due to constant minion flow.
Champion Selection in ARAM
Since champions are random, adaptability is key. Still, some categories of champions are much stronger in ARAM.
Best Types of Champions for Fast Wins:
- Poke Champions: Ziggs, Xerath, Lux, Varus.
- Constant harass whittles down enemy HP.
- Waveclear Mages: Anivia, Vel’Koz, Brand.
- Keep minion waves under control and apply AOE pressure.
- Engage Tanks: Leona, Malphite, Amumu.
- Force teamfights when your poke is ahead.
- Sustain/Healers: Soraka, Sona, Seraphine.
- Endless sustain helps you outlast enemies.
- Snowball Assassins: Katarina, Akali, Zed.
- Clean up weakened enemies after poke.
Champions to Avoid (if possible):
- Split-push specialists like Tryndamere or Nasus may struggle due to the one-lane format.
- Champions reliant on extended farming (Kayle, Kassadin pre-16) often lack early impact.
Reroll Strategy
- Use rerolls wisely: Save for champions you truly cannot play.
- Trade with teammates if possible—someone may love a champ you hate.
- Check ARAM tier lists for consistently strong picks.
Essential Summoner Spells in ARAM
Unlike Summoner’s Rift, summoner spell choices in ARAM are very focused:
- Flash – Always core. Escape, engage, reposition.
- Heal – Great sustain for both you and your allies.
- Mark/Dash (Snowball) – ARAM-exclusive; enables gap-closing and hard engage.
- Clarity – Only useful on heavy mana users or low-elo play.
- Barrier – Situational defense against burst.
- Exhaust/Ignite – Strong for killing assassins or finishing enemies.
Best combo for beginners: Flash + Heal or Flash + Snowball.
How to Build Items in ARAM
Since gold income is faster and fights are nonstop, your build path should prioritize immediate impact.
General Tips:
- Buy early damage spikes (Lost Chapter, Serrated Dirk, Noonquiver).
- Lifesteal and sustain are extremely strong since you can’t recall.
- Healing reduction (Mortal Reminder, Morellonomicon) is essential against Soraka/Sona comps.
- Tank items with health and resists can swing teamfights (Sunfire Aegis, Spirit Visage).
ARAM-Specific Starter Items:
- Guardian’s Orb – Extra sustain for mages.
- Guardian’s Hammer – Useful for bruisers.
- Guardian’s Horn – Strong for tanks.
Early Game Strategy: Levels 1–6
- Don’t Overextend: Early deaths snowball quickly.
- Fight for Relics: Healing relics spawn at 3:10—controlling them can win fights.
- Poke and Sustain: Chip enemies down before committing.
- Item Efficiency: Rush impactful components instead of saving for late items.
Mid Game Strategy: First Tower to Inhibitor
- Look for Engages: Once poke has done its job, tanks should engage decisively.
- Push After Ace: One teamfight win can break multiple towers.
- Use Relics on Cooldown: Deny them from enemies.
Late Game Strategy: Nexus Push
- Death Timers Are Longer: A single lost fight can end the game.
- Buy Elixirs: They give strong temporary boosts for final pushes.
- Don’t Trick Yourself: Killing enemies in fountain wastes time—focus the nexus.
Fast Win Tips in ARAM
- Play for Teamfights, Not KDA: Objectives win games.
- Use Snowball Aggressively: ARAM is about hard engages.
- Prioritize Waveclear: Keep minions crashing into towers.
- Spam Poke Before Engaging: Don’t dive unless enemies are weakened.
- Control Health Relics: Always track spawn timers.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make in ARAM
- Chasing Kills Instead of Towers – Leads to lost momentum.
- Wasting Snowball – Save for real engages, not risky plays.
- Ignoring Healing Reduction – Losing fights to Soraka comps.
- Overextending After Winning – Dying for no reason resets the enemy.
- Not Buying Sustain – Vampiric Scepter or Refillable Potion help massively.
Synergy and Team Composition in ARAM
Even though it’s random, synergy still matters.
- Ideal ARAM Comp: Poke Mage + Tank Engage + Healer + ADC + Assassin.
- Bad ARAM Comp: 5 Assassins (no waveclear or sustain).
- Adaptation: If you lack poke, play aggressively and look for all-ins.
Advanced Tactics for ARAM Fast Wins
- Backdoor Strategies: If enemies overextend, sneaky pushes with fast ADCs can surprise.
- Tower Dive Coordination: Use tanks and shields to dive safely.
- Timing Deaths for Gold/Items: Sometimes dying resets your HP and gold spend efficiently.
- Bush Ambushes: Hide in brush for surprise engages.
ARAM for Beginners: Champion Role Tips
- Tanks: Engage decisively; protect carries.
- Mages: Focus on poke and zoning.
- ADC: Position carefully, use lifesteal to stay alive.
- Supports: Spam heals, shields, and peel tools.
- Assassins: Wait for enemies to get low before diving in.
FAQ: Beginner’s Guide to ARAM
Q: How long do ARAM games usually last?
A: Most ARAM games last 15–25 minutes, though some end faster with snowballs.
Q: Can I recall in ARAM?
A: No, but dying resets your gold and health, so sometimes it’s worth it.
Q: What’s the best summoner spell combo for beginners?
A: Flash + Heal or Flash + Snowball are the safest choices.
Q: Are ARAM matches good for practice?
A: Yes—ARAM teaches mechanics, positioning, and teamfight awareness.
Conclusion
The Beginner’s Guide to ARAM: How to Win Fast is all about mastering quick decision-making, understanding your random champions, and maximizing teamfights. Winning fast in ARAM requires poke, waveclear, relic control, and decisive engages. Remember—it’s not about your KDA, but how quickly you can push towers and secure the nexus. With these strategies, you’ll turn chaotic battles into clean victories.