League Of Legends Item Store: How To Buy & Sell

From Zero to Gear: Mastering the League Of Legends Item Store

Ever felt overwhelmed gazing at the League of Legends item store, unsure which items will propel you to victory? You're not alone. Navigating the shop and making smart purchases is a critical skill that separates good players from great ones. This guide will break down the complexities of the shop, empowering you to build the perfect loadout every game.
At a glance:

Understand item tiers and their impact on your champion's power curve.
Learn how to efficiently navigate the in-game shop and find the items you need quickly.
Master the art of selling items and optimizing your build mid-game.
Discover how to leverage item sets and the recommended items page for faster decision-making.
Avoid common pitfalls when buying and selling items.

Understanding Item Tiers: Your Path to Power

The League of Legends item store is organized by tiers, each representing a significant power jump. Knowing these tiers is crucial for planning your build path and understanding when you'll hit key power spikes.

Starter Items: These are your early-game companions, offering a slight edge in lane. They usually aren't part of any item recipes. Think Doran's Blade, Ring, or Shield. These give you a small boost to get started, and are cheap enough to buy early on.
Basic Items: These provide a single, focused stat. A Long Sword grants Attack Damage, while a Ruby Crystal adds Health. They are fundamental building blocks.
Epic Items: This is where things get interesting. Epic items offer higher stats than Basic items and often introduce unique passive effects. They are essentially "lesser" versions of Legendary items, acting as stepping stones. Examples include Caulfield's Warhammer or Sheen.
Legendary Items: Combining Basic and Epic components, Legendary items bring significant power spikes with potent passive and active abilities. These are core items that define a champion's build. Examples include Infinity Edge, Rabadon's Deathcap, and Zhonya's Hourglass.
Mythic Items: The cornerstone of your build. You can only equip ONE Mythic item at a time. Mythics provide substantial stats and a powerful passive effect that enhances your entire kit. They also grant bonus stats based on your other completed items. Examples includes TriForce, Jak'Sho, the Protean.
Understanding the item tier list will improve your sense of how the gold you have right now translates to impact on the rift.

Navigating the Shop: Finding What You Need, Fast

The League of Legends item store is vast, but navigating it efficiently is key to saving precious seconds and getting back into the action. You can manually navigate the store, or utilize the search bar.

Accessing the Shop: Open the shop by pressing the "P" key (default), clicking the gold counter on your HUD, or clicking the physical shopkeeper stall in your base. Time is precious, so get good at using the hotkey.
The "Recommended" Page: This page suggests items tailored to your champion, role, and the current game state. It's a great starting point, especially for newer players. It considers your champion, the enemy team composition, and even recent game data to provide relevant suggestions.
The "All Items" Page: Here, you'll find every item in the game, sortable by various filters.
Filters: Use the filters to narrow down your search by item type (consumable, boots), champion class (fighter, mage), or stat (attack damage, ability power). Combine filters for even more precise results. Want to browse only AP items for mages? Done.
Quality Tiers: Filter by item tier to focus on Starter, Basic, Epic, Legendary, or Mythic items. This is helpful when you're looking for specific components or aiming for a power spike.
The Search Bar: The most efficient way to find specific items. The search bar recognizes item names, descriptions, and even common nicknames. Typing "BF" will quickly bring up the B.F. Sword, for example.
Item Details: When you select an item, the right side of the shop displays its stats, recipe, and other items it builds into. Use this to plan your build path and understand the item's purpose.

Mastering Item Sets: Pre-Game Planning for In-Game Success

Custom Item Sets are a powerful tool for streamlining your item purchases. You can create tailored lists of items for specific champions, roles, or matchups.

Creating Item Sets: Access the Item Sets feature from the League of Legends client (outside of a game). You can create multiple sets for different scenarios.
Organization: Name your sets clearly (e.g., "Ahri - Standard AP Build," "Garen - Tank vs. AD"). This will make them easy to find during a game.
Tailoring to Matchups: Create sets for specific matchups. If you're playing against a heavy-AP team, include items with Magic Resistance.
Quick Navigation: During a game, your custom item sets will appear in a separate tab in the shop, allowing you to quickly access your pre-selected items.
Using item sets cuts down on decision fatigue in the heat of battle.

Selling Items: Adapting on the Fly

Sometimes, you need to sell an item to adapt to a changing game state. Maybe you need to counter a specific enemy build, or you realize you made a mistake.

Selling Mechanics: Items can be sold for a percentage of their original cost. Higher-tier items generally return a higher percentage (around 70%), while lower-tier items return less (around 40%).
"Undo" Button: Within a short window after purchasing or selling an item (and while still near the shop and out of combat), you can use the "Undo" button to revert the transaction. This is invaluable for correcting misclicks or changing your mind.
Strategic Selling: Consider selling items when you need to:
Counter-build: If the enemy team is stacking armor, sell an attack damage item for a Last Whisper item.
Correct Mistakes: If you accidentally bought the wrong item, sell it immediately to minimize the loss.
Optimize Build: As the game progresses, your needs may change. Sell an early-game item for a more powerful late-game option.
Knowing when and how to sell items is a mark of a truly adaptable player.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced players can fall victim to common mistakes in the League of Legends item store. Here's what to avoid:

Tunnel Vision on Specific Items: Don't be afraid to deviate from your planned build if the game calls for it. Adapt to the enemy team's composition and build accordingly.
Ignoring Consumables: Potions and wards are essential for survival and map control. Don't neglect them in favor of expensive items.
Not Understanding Item Uniqueness: Some items have unique passives that don't stack. Buying multiple items with the same unique passive is a waste of gold. Read item descriptions carefully. For example, you don't want to buy multiple items that grant the same unique movement speed bonus.
Holding onto Starter Items for Too Long: While starter items provide an early-game boost, their value diminishes as the game progresses. Sell them when you can afford better items.
Buying Items Without a Plan: Every item purchase should have a purpose. Don't just buy random items without considering how they contribute to your overall strategy. Think about how the item will help you achieve your current goals, whether it's winning lane, surviving teamfights, or pushing objectives.

Quick Answers: Addressing Common Questions

Q: How do I know which Mythic item to buy?
A: The best Mythic item depends on your champion, playstyle, and the enemy team composition. Consider your champion's role (damage dealer, tank, support) and the types of damage the enemy team is dealing. Read item descriptions and experiment to find what works best.
Q: Can I sell boots?
A: Yes, you can sell boots. However, keep in mind that movement speed is crucial for mobility and positioning. Only sell boots if you have a very specific reason, such as needing the gold for a game-changing item or having alternative sources of movement speed (e.g., item actives, champion abilities).
Q: What happens if I accidentally buy an item?
A: If you're still near the shop and out of combat, use the "Undo" button to revert the purchase. If you're unable to undo, sell the item immediately to recoup some of the gold.
Q: How do I use item actives?
A: Item actives are activated by pressing the corresponding hotkey (usually numbers 1-6). The hotkey is displayed on the item icon in your inventory.

Your League Of Legends Item Store Playbook

Ready to put your newfound knowledge into practice? Here's a quick-start guide:

Pre-Game: Create custom item sets for your favorite champions, considering different roles and matchups.
Early Game: Focus on building core components and buying consumables. Use the "Recommended" page for guidance.
Mid Game: Prioritize completing your Mythic item and other Legendary items. Adapt your build based on the enemy team's composition.
Late Game: Optimize your build for maximum effectiveness. Consider selling early-game items for more powerful late-game options.
Always be flexible: Don't be afraid to deviate from your planned build if the game calls for it.
The League of Legends item store is a complex system, but with practice and knowledge, you can master it. Now, go forth, experiment with builds, and climb the ladder! Remember that understanding the broader game context is key. For a more comprehensive view, check out this guide: LoL item shop guide.