How to Unlock Characters in League of Legends?

One of the most exciting parts of League of Legends (LoL) is exploring its massive roster of champions. With over 160 characters to choose from, every player dreams of unlocking their favorites—whether it’s mastering assassins like Zed, controlling the map as a mage like Lux, or tanking with Garen.

But as a beginner, one of the first questions you’ll ask is:

“How do I unlock champions in League of Legends?”

This guide will cover all the methods to unlock characters in LoL, including free options, currency systems, rewards, and even strategies for unlocking champions faster. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to build your champion pool efficiently without wasting time or resources.

Why Unlocking Champions Matters

Build Your Champion Pool: Having access to more champions means you can adapt to different roles and metas.
Ranked Readiness: To play ranked, you must own at least 20 champions.
Gameplay Variety: Unlocking champions lets you explore new playstyles and mechanics.
Cosmetic Synergy: Owning champions allows you to purchase and use their skins.

Main Ways to Unlock Champions in League of Legends

There are four primary methods to unlock characters in LoL:

Blue Essence (BE) – In-game currency.
Riot Points (RP) – Premium currency (real money).
Champion Shards & Hextech Crafting – Earned from loot and chests.
Events, Missions & Free Champion Rotations – Time-limited opportunities.

Let’s break down each method.

1. Unlocking Champions with Blue Essence (BE)

What is Blue Essence?

Blue Essence is the main free currency in League of Legends, earned simply by playing.

Ways to earn Blue Essence:

Leveling up your account.
Disenchanting champion shards.
Event rewards.
Daily and weekly missions.

Champion Prices in BE

Champions in LoL have different costs depending on their release date:

450 BE: Beginner-friendly champions (e.g., Garen, Annie, Ashe).
1350 BE: Slightly more complex champions.
3150 BE: Mid-tier cost.
4800 BE: Standard champions (most fall here).
6300 BE / 7800 BE (new releases): Recently added champions cost the most initially.

Strategy for Using BE

Start with 450 BE champions like Garen, Ashe, and Annie. They are easy to learn and cost-efficient.
Save BE for champions you really want to main.
Avoid spending BE on cosmetic content like name changes—prioritize champions first.

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2. Unlocking Champions with Riot Points (RP)

What are Riot Points?

Riot Points (RP) are the premium currency in League of Legends, bought with real money.

Why Use RP for Champions?

Fastest way to unlock any champion instantly.
Useful if you don’t want to grind BE.

RP Pricing for Champions

Most champions cost between 480 RP to 975 RP depending on their BE cost.

Best Use of RP

While you can buy champions with RP, most players save RP for skins, bundles, and cosmetics, since BE can unlock champions for free.
Only use RP for champions if you want instant access or lack patience.

3. Unlocking Champions with Champion Shards & Hextech Crafting

What are Champion Shards?

Champion shards are loot items that allow you to unlock or discount champions.

Ways to obtain champion shards:

Champion Capsules (earned every level-up).
Hextech Chests (earned from S-rank performances or purchased).
Event loot.

Using Champion Shards

You have three options with champion shards:

Upgrade to Champion Permanent (using Blue Essence).
Disenchant Shard for BE.
Reroll Three Shards into a random permanent champion.

💡 Pro Tip: Always disenchant shards for champions you don’t like to build up BE for the ones you want.

4. Free Champion Rotations & Events

Free Champion Rotation

Every week, Riot offers a free champion rotation of around 15–20 champions. These are playable for free, but only temporarily.

Great for testing champions before unlocking them permanently.
Rotation includes different roles for balance.

Free Unlocks from Events & Missions

Occasionally, Riot offers free champion unlocks through:

Special seasonal events (Worlds, Lunar New Year, etc.).
Beginner mission rewards.
Prime Gaming or promotional bundles.

Fastest Ways to Unlock Champions as a Beginner

If you’re new and want to unlock champions quickly, follow these steps:

Play daily and complete missions – This gives consistent BE.
Disenchant unwanted champion shards – Don’t hoard useless shards.
Use free rotation to test champions – Avoid wasting BE on champs you don’t enjoy.
Focus on one role first – Unlock champions for your main role before diversifying.
Check bundles & sales – Riot often offers champion bundles at a discount.

Recommended First Champions to Unlock

For beginners, it’s best to unlock easy-to-play and role-defining champions first.

Top Lane: Garen, Nasus, Darius.
Jungle: Warwick, Amumu, Master Yi.
Mid Lane: Annie, Lux, Ahri.
ADC: Ashe, Miss Fortune, Jinx.
Support: Soraka, Leona, Morgana.

These champions are cost-efficient, beginner-friendly, and useful even at higher ranks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Unlocking Champions

❌ Unlocking too many champions too quickly – Focus on a small pool.
❌ Spending RP on champions instead of skins – Save RP for cosmetics.
❌ Not testing champions first – Use free rotation before committing.
❌ Ignoring role balance – Don’t unlock only ADCs; diversify for flexibility.

FAQ: Unlocking Champions in League of Legends

Q: Can I unlock all champions for free?
✅ Yes, with enough time and Blue Essence, you can unlock every champion without spending money.

Q: How long does it take to unlock all champions?
⚡ On average, several months of consistent play. Faster if you disenchant shards and complete missions daily.

Q: Do I need all champions to play ranked?
❌ No, you only need 20 owned champions to access ranked mode.

Q: Is there a champion bundle?
✅ Yes, Riot sometimes offers “Champion Bundles” in the store, giving multiple characters at a discount.

Conclusion

Unlocking champions in League of Legends is one of the most satisfying parts of progression. Whether you grind Blue Essence, use Champion Shards, or spend Riot Points, there are plenty of ways to build your roster.

Our recommendation for new players:

Start with cheap 450 BE champions.
Use free rotations to test before buying.
Focus on your main role’s champions first.
Save RP for skins—unlock champions with BE and shards instead.

With patience and strategy, you’ll soon have a diverse champion pool and be ready to dominate the Rift.