Riot reveals details for the new LoL deathmatch mode

Nicholas James Published 21/02/2023

League of Legends is getting a brand new way to play the game in 2023, and here’s what we know about the new LoL deathmatch mode.

Riot Games announced at the start of the year that it was intending to bring a new game mode to League of Legends. On February 21, 2023, the company clarified that this would be a brand-new 2v2v2v2 deathmatch-like mode. It also announced a new mechanic that has never appeared in League of Legends before, stolen from another of Riot Games’ titles. With recent announcements being made clarifying some of the details, here’s everything we know about the deathmatch mode.

New LoL deathmatch mode brings fast-paced gameplay

Riot Games recently posted to Twitter and its own website to talk about the latest way to play League of Legends and why it felt a new spin on the game was necessary. League of Legends has had serious problems with trying to diversify gameplay for modes that aren’t 5v5 typical matches on Summoner’s Rift.

The new mode has had several details clarified by the developer. Four teams of two players each will load into the match before selecting their champions. It’s not yet been announced if this will be more similar to Draft or Blind champion selects. Over the course of the match, players gain levels, items, and Augments, a mechanic stolen from TFT. Augments are upgrades to your champion that give them never-before-available abilities and enhancements. After losing too many rounds of the death match, your team is eliminated.

Augments are meant to provide wacky, unique combat moments for players of the game. Riot Games showed off some examples of the new mechanic during internal playtests. League of Legends Augments included a Sylas who casts Lissandra’s W every five seconds, a 500 auto-attack range Ekko. and a Kai’Sa who detonates on death and can turn herself into a dangerous bomb by ulting into the enemy team.

The mode is going to go to live servers in an experimental state, so fans can give feedback early and often about the state of the mode.

Nicholas James

About Nicholas James

Nicholas James is a gaming writer with a passion for all things geekdom, as well as live theater. Nicholas is best known for covering League of Legends and other top MOBA titles, but his expertise covers numerous games across multiple genres. When not watching the LCS or playing the latest new release, Nicholas can be found doing some tabletop gaming and painting his favorite miniatures. Nicholas has also published with Hotspawn, TheGamer, Dexerto, Esports.gg and other industry outlets.

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