How is League of Legends Classic different from the modern version?

Hannan Mundia Published 24/07/2026

League Classic brings the classic League of Legends gameplay and design from when the game first came out, but how is it different from the modern version?

The modern League of Legends mode is arguably in its best state in terms of popularity, with a study even reporting that playing LoL can improve brain function. Over a decade of gameplay and multiple marketing tactics by Riot Games have bumped up the number of eyes the game has. Still, multiple long-time fans crave the same gameplay they experienced when the game first came out.

Riot announced the return of League Classic as a standalone game mode that players can access anytime. Whether you’ve never experienced the classic version of the game or want a refresher, here’s how League Classic compares with the modern League of Legends.

The biggest differences between League Classic and modern League

League Classic sets itself apart from modern League of Legends by reintroducing older designs, items, and metas.

Those who played League of Legends around Season 3 will find League Classic extremely familiar. This is because the new game mode essentially recreates the state the game was in during that time. This creates several differences between the two ways of playing League.

Map and environmental design

The biggest visual difference between League Classic and the regular mode is how the Summoner’s Rift looks. Classic mode goes back to the original SR map from Season 3. The older version features a darker, more subdued visual style compared to the brighter, more detailed modern map.

The classic map also doesn’t have modern additions like lane alcoves and elemental rift terrain changes, meaning there will be a static environment throughout the match.

The League Classic map – Image credit: Riot Games

Aside from the visual changes, the layout of the map has differences, especially within the jungle. The regular mode’s jungle has changed over the years, with different pathing routes, adjusted monster camps, and new map objectives.

League Classic, on the other hand, restores the original jungle layout and monster behavior from Season 3. This reversion forces players to move through older terrain and adapt to the prior monster spawn points that defined early League of Legends.

Items, runes, and masteries

The itemization system is very different between the two modes. Modern League of Legends uses an updated item shop with streamlined categories and recommendations.

League Classic brings back the old item shop, restoring items that were either removed or redesigned in the regular game mode. This includes unique interactions, such as the ability to purchase and stack multiple jungle items simultaneously, which is impossible in the regular mode.

The pre-game loadout systems are different as well. The regular mode has a unified, accessible rune system. League Classic reintroduces the original, separate rune and mastery systems.

Players will be using the old progression model, leveling their accounts from 1 to 30 to earn individual mastery points. They must also manually build stat profiles by acquiring and slotting individual runes into designated pages, a system that’s not in the regular mode.

Champion roster and reverted kits

League Classic limits the available character pool compared to the regular game. While the modern mode has a roster of over 170 champions, the classic mode will launch with a smaller pool of around 60 champions.

This exclusion of over 100 newer champions heavily alters team compositions and overall gameplay complexity by removing many of the intricate mechanics introduced by modern champion designs.

Loading screen in League Classic – Image credit: Riot Games

Also, champions in League of Legends Classic revert to their original Season 3 ability kits. The regular mode has seen numerous reworks and updates to modernize older characters and balance the game.

By rolling back these changes, the classic mode revives infamous playstyles and builds, such as AP Master Yi. These specific mechanics were removed from regular play but remain as a core component of the classic experience.

Meta evolution and patching

The approach to game balance sets the two modes on different paths. The regular mode gets continuous, bi-weekly updates managed by Riot’s balance team to adjust the meta and introduce new content.

League Classic is set to the Season 3 ecosystem, intentionally recreating an older meta.

Unlike the live game’s developer-driven balance updates, League Classic will allow the community to influence future patches through player voting. This means that while legacy builds exist at launch, the player base will have a way to vote on whether to balance the mode or maintain the nostalgic option. This community-driven update structure is not used in the regular mode’s patching schedule.

Feature image credit: Riot Games

Hannan Mundia

About Hannan Mundia

Hannan Mundia is a lifelong gamer. Don’t believe us? Just ask him. But don’t ask how many hours he’s spent playing. He’s been gaming since the age of three, and much of his live revolves around video games and the video game industry. Whether it’s a classic Legend of Zelda game from Nintendo, the newest Bethesda RPG, or something else entirely, you can bet that Hannan is ready and willing to play it.

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