How to pick your first League of Legends champion
Updated on October 20, 2026
With more than 170 champions, picking the first one can be daunting. The good news is you can narrow it down by looking at three things: difficulty, class and whether the champion attacks up close or from range.
Start with difficulty
Riot rates each champion's difficulty from 1 to 10. To start, prefer champions rated 4 or lower: their kits are more direct, combos are simple and mistakes cost less. You can find this rating on each champion page at the Tavern.
Pick a style that suits you
Tanks and fighters forgive positioning mistakes because they take more damage. Marksmen and mages deal a lot of damage but must stay at a safe distance. Assassins are exciting but require knowing exactly when to dive in and get out.
Ranged champions help you learn to keep your distance; melee champions teach you to pick the right moment to join the fight.
Learn one or two champions deeply
Instead of trying a different champion every game, play the same one several times. You learn ability ranges, cooldowns and what to do against each opponent, which is worth more than knowing many champions superficially.
Read the tips for playing as and against the champion on their page. And to practice recognition, play the daily LoLdle challenges at the Tavern.