Legends of Runeterra Beginner Guide: How to Play LoR

Legends of Runeterra (LoR) is a card game from Riot Games, set in the world of League of Legends. Two players take turns playing units and spells, attacking and blocking, until one player's Nexus runs out of health. What makes LoR different from many card games is how attacking and defending alternate every round and how both players can respond to each other's moves. This guide covers the basics a new player needs.

Mana and spell mana

At the start of each round, both players gain a mana gem, up to a maximum. You spend mana to play cards.

• Mana refills every round to your current maximum.
• Spell mana stores up to a little of the mana you didn't use, but only for spells. Leaving mana unspent isn't always wasted: it can let you cast a spell next round without slowing your units.

Managing mana well is the first skill to learn: use it on the cards that matter most each round, and plan for the spell mana you will have next round.

The attack token

Rounds alternate between you and your opponent having the attack token. With it, you can declare an attack: choose units to attack, and your opponent chooses which of their units block. Without it, you defend.

• Attack when the token is yours and the board favours you.
• Keep blockers for the rounds when your opponent attacks.
• Some effects let you attack outside your turn, so read your cards.

Units and spells

• Units stay on the board, attack and block. Each has power (damage) and health.
• Spells have one-time effects. They come in speeds: some resolve at once, some give your opponent a chance to respond. The speed decides when you can cast them, for example during combat.

Learning which spells your opponent might have is a big part of playing well: if they have mana open, they may answer your attack.

Champions

Champions are special units with a level-up condition, such as dealing damage a number of times or seeing a certain number of allies die. When the condition is met, the champion levels up and becomes much stronger. Many decks are built around getting their champions to level up.

Regions and deck building

Cards belong to regions from the world of Runeterra, each with its own style: some are aggressive, some control the board, some focus on spells.

• A deck has 40 cards.
• Most decks use cards from two regions.
• A deck can include a limited number of champion cards.

For your first decks, start with the decks the game offers or a simple aggressive deck. Aggressive decks teach you mana use and attacking clearly.

Game modes

LoR has player-versus-player modes, including ranked, and a player-versus-environment mode where you progress through challenges with champions. Trying both helps you learn cards without pressure.

A simple plan for your first games

1. Play a card every round you can, especially early.
2. Use the attack token when you have more or stronger units.
3. Watch your opponent's mana. Unspent mana means a possible spell.
4. Protect your champions until they level up.
5. Read every card you don't recognise. The game shows the full text.

Common beginner mistakes

• Keeping a hand full of expensive cards early.
• Attacking into an opponent who has mana for a combat spell.
• Blocking with your best unit when a smaller one would do.
• Ignoring the Nexus health race in the late game.

For the opening hand, read our mulligan guide.

Frequent questions

Is Legends of Runeterra free?

Yes. The game is free to play; cosmetic items can be bought.

How many regions can a deck have?

Most decks combine two regions.

What is spell mana?

A store of a little unspent mana that you can use only for spells in later rounds.

What does the attack token do?

It lets you declare an attack in that round. It alternates between players.

Riot Cash codes on Mas4Games

Cards are earned by playing. For cosmetics, Mas4Games sells Riot Cash codes for Legends of Runeterra in lira for Riot accounts of the Türkiye region, redeemed in the game's own store. The code is shown on your order's page and sent by e-mail, and the help center has live support.