🏛️Official — Riot Games
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Esports
5 players
indoor
computer, monitor, mouse
10 essential rules
League of Legends (LoL) is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Riot Games. In competitive play, two teams of five players each compete on the Summoner's Rift map. The objective is to destroy the opposing team's Nexus, a structure located in their base.
Gaming PC meeting minimum tournament specifications (set by tournament organizer); Monitor: minimum 144Hz refresh rate, 24-27 inch display; Mouse and keyboard (players may bring their own peripherals)
All competitive matches are played on the Summoner's Rift map.
Each team consists of 5 active players and up to 2 substitutes; Standard roles: Top Laner, Jungler, Mid Laner, Bot Laner (ADC), Support; Coaching staff may communicate with players only during designated breaks
Teams alternate banning champions (5 bans per team, 10 total); Ban phase: 3 bans each → 3 picks each → 2 bans each → 2 picks each; No champion may be picked or banned by both teams
A team wins by destroying the enemy Nexus. There is no time limit; games continue until one Nexus is destroyed or a team surrenders.
Match fixing: Arranging or attempting to influence match outcomes — permanent ban; Cheating: Using unauthorized software, exploits, or information — suspension to permanent ban; Account sharing: Playing on another player's account — suspension
Maximum daily practice hours may be mandated by regional league regulations; Teams must provide adequate rest periods during multi-day events; Players have access to sports psychologists and support services
Performance-enhancing substances (e.g., Adderall without prescription) are prohibited; Random drug testing may be conducted at major events; Violations result in suspension and potential prize money forfeiture
Unsportsmanlike conduct: Taunting, BM (bad manners), or disruptive behavior — warning to fine; Harassment: Directed abuse toward players, officials, or fans — fine to suspension; Social media violations: Leaking confidential information, hate speech — fine to suspension
Teams alternate banning champions (5 bans per team, 10 total); Ban phase: 3 bans each → 3 picks each → 2 bans each → 2 picks each; No champion may be picked or banned by both teams
Intentional feeding (inting) is the cardinal gameplay taboo
Deliberately dying to give the enemy gold and experience — known as 'inting' — is the most severe cultural violation in LoL, beyond its status as a bannable offense. Players who int betray the social contract of cooperative play. 'Running it down mid' is a notorious specific variant where a player walks directly into enemies repeatedly.
The term 'inting' has become standard vocabulary across multiplayer gaming, originating from LoL's community. Riot's Player Behavior team has written extensively about it.
Don't go AFK to punish your team — even when losing badly
Going AFK mid-game as protest after a fight with teammates, or because the game is going poorly, is considered one of the most selfish acts in LoL. It leaves four players at a numerical disadvantage through no fault of their own. The cultural stigma rivals the official ban consequences.
Distinct from genuine disconnects due to technical failure. Punitive AFK is typically preceded by visible cues — announcing departure in chat, stopping to move while remaining online.
Don't intentionally 'KS' (kill steal) the carry's kill
Taking a kill from an ally who set it up — especially from the carry who needs gold to scale — is called 'kill stealing.' Deliberately doing so habitually, without acknowledgment, is a serious etiquette violation. The norm is strongest around ADC and mid-lane carries whose power spikes depend on gold accumulation.
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The term 'KS' originated in LoL culture and spread to other multiplayer games, reflecting how central this norm became to the community.
Never say 'GG EZ' — the cardinal sin of post-game trash talk
Typing 'GG EZ' (good game, easy) in chat after winning is the most universally condemned act of poor sportsmanship in LoL. It dismisses opponents' effort. Riot Games built an auto-replacement into the client that converts 'GG EZ' into self-deprecating messages, cementing its status as an official-but-unwritten cultural rule.
Riot's auto-conversion of 'GG EZ' is one of the most widely cited examples of a developer codifying a community taboo into the client itself.
Pro players shake hands (or bow) after matches
In organized competitive play, players from both teams are expected to shake hands or bow after a match. Declining, giving a dismissive handshake, or leaving the stage without acknowledgment is noted as disrespectful. This has been observed and commented upon at LCS, LCK, and World Championship events.
The post-game bow is deeply formalized in LCK (Korean league) due to Korean sports culture. LCS and LEC follow looser handshake conventions. Post-COVID adaptations (fist bumps, waves) are accepted.