League of Legends Classic: Riot's Big Nostalgia Bet

One of the most-requested comebacks is the Influence Points currency. Classic mode runs on a completely separate progression system: no shared unlocks, no crossover with your current account rank, and a mastery tree capped at level 30.

🗺️ New Systems Built for the Classic Experience

While the aesthetic is retro, some mechanics are new. A Classic-exclusive Battle Pass gives players something to grind without disrupting the live-game economy. The level 30 cap recreates the original onboarding loop: earning your account level felt like an accomplishment back then, and that grind comes back in full.

Both ranked and vs AI queues are available at launch, so you can warm up against bots before testing your rusty mechanics in a real match 🎮. The ranked queue is a separate ladder from current LoL, meaning your Diamond rank won't carry over and your Classic Elo starts fresh.

🕰️ The Champions Missing at Launch

Not every early-roster champion makes the cut on July 29. PBE leaks point to post-launch additions including Mordekaiser, Irelia, Akali, Caitlyn, and Fiora, all expected to arrive in subsequent patches.

This makes sense given the technical complexity of older kits. Mordekaiser went through three different ability versions over his career, so picking the right "classic" iteration takes time to get right. Expect a phased rollout across the weeks following launch.

The LCS is also leaning into the nostalgia wave, with TSM and CLG set to clash in a special LCS Classic match that mirrors the NA rivalry they defined a decade ago. Both moments, the LCS match and LoL Classic's launch, land within the same week 📅.

💙 Shushei's Mana Jug

One of the most touching additions is the renaming of an item to "Shushei's Mana Jug", a tribute to Maciej Ratuszniak, the legendary EU mid-laner and historic Team Fnatic player who passed away in 2025. For old-school fans, Shushei was the meta on that rift before "meta" was even a thing.

This rename connects the Classic format to the players who built the scene from the ground up, and it lands with real weight in a mode designed to remember where the game came from.

🎯 Why the Ranked Queue Changes Everything

Classic mode isn't purely nostalgic: the ranked queue makes it a legitimate competitive bracket. Knowledge of the current meta, the latest LoL patch notes, and Season 26 champion adjustments become largely irrelevant here. What matters is map control, early macro, and team coordination on a simpler patch state.

For competitive players wanting to test fundamentals or build a separate ranked profile, Classic offers a clean sandbox. And if you're heading into the LEC Summer Finals in Nice, classic-mode grinding can help reset your macro habits before high-stakes play.

If you want to put those fundamentals to use in a competitive environment, Amber.gg's LoL ladders offer skill-based competitions with real prize pools, matching you against players at your actual level.

🔥 How to Access LoL Classic on July 29

No separate download needed. Patch 26.15 updates the main client automatically and Classic mode appears as a new queue in the client. No beta key, no file install, no separate account: you're in as soon as the patch hits.

For returning players who haven't launched LoL in years, the zero-friction access is huge. Classic removes every reason to delay logging back in.

Ready to compete? Jump into Amber.gg's LoL skill ladders to sharpen your mechanics and win prizes, whether you're grinding Classic or playing the current ranked season.