The allure of exclusive skins, emotes, and other goodies is strong in League of Legends, and the key to unlocking a treasure trove of content often lies within the League of Legends Pass, more accurately known as the Battle Pass. But is purchasing the premium track worth your hard-earned Riot Points (RP)? Let's break down everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
At a glance:
- League of Legends Battle Passes offer both free and premium reward tracks.
- Premium passes cost around $13-15 USD worth of RP.
- Progression is achieved through earning Battle Pass XP (BXP) by playing games and completing missions.
- Rewards range from Hextech Chests and keys to exclusive skins and emotes.
- Consider your play time and desired rewards before purchasing.
What Exactly Is a League of Legends Battle Pass?
Think of the League of Legends Battle Pass as a seasonal rewards system tied to a specific theme. These passes traditionally run for one of the two "Acts" within each season. As you play the game, complete missions, and maintain a respectable Honor level, you'll earn Battle Pass XP (BXP). This XP unlocks tiers of rewards, giving you a steady stream of goodies as you progress. Access to the pass and claiming your rewards is simple, as it all happens within its own, themed tab in the League of Legends client.
Free vs. Premium: What's the Difference?
The Battle Pass offers two distinct reward tracks:
- Free Track: Available to all players, this path provides a selection of basic loot, including Hextech Chests and Keys, Champion Capsules, Blue Essence, and customization items like profile titles, emotes, and icons. These are great rewards for doing what you already do: playing the game.
- Premium Track: This is where the real treasure lies. It costs 1650 RP (approximately $13–15 USD) to unlock. Keep an eye out, because bundles containing the premium pass along with other perks can sometimes be acquired for 2650 RP or 3650 RP. Purchasing the premium pass unlocks all the free rewards plus a host of exclusive items, including the Act's Prestige skin, an additional seasonal skin, a variety skin, valuable loot like Ancient Sparks and Mythic Essence, and even more customization options such as a profile banner and ward skin.
Basically, the premium track significantly amplifies your rewards for the same amount of playtime.
Leveling Up Your Pass: Earning Battle Pass XP (BXP)
So, how do you actually progress through the Battle Pass and claim those sweet, sweet rewards? The answer is Battle Pass XP (BXP). Each pass has approximately 48 milestones, each requiring 500 BXP to unlock. After reaching milestone 48, an epilogue chapter begins, granting repeating milestones with smaller rewards.
There are several ways to earn BXP:
- Objective Points: This is your primary source of BXP. You earn 1.3 points per minute of matchmade games. Winning gives you a +30% bonus, and playing in a premade party grants an additional +30% social bonus.
- Unlimited Mission: For every 50 objective points you earn, you'll receive +50 BXP.
- Daily Mission: Win one game, or play two games, to earn +75 BXP. This mission resets daily at 20:00 UTC.
- Weekly Missions: Complete weekly missions that reward +225 BXP for earning 175 objective points. These refresh Wednesdays at 20:00 GMT and are available for 21 days.
- Event & Special Missions: Keep an eye out for additional missions tied to events, game modes, Ranked games, and even Champion Mastery. These can offer significant BXP boosts.
- Honor Rewards: Maintaining a good attitude pays off! Honor levels 3-5 grant occasional 150 BXP drops.
Missions Breakdown: How to Maximize Your BXP Gains
Understanding the mission structure is crucial to maximizing your BXP gains. Here's a closer look:
- Unlimited Mission: This mission subtly rewards consistent play. Because it is unlimited, you are always progressing towards it.
- Daily Missions: These are simple and effective. Even a single win each day will net you a decent amount of BXP.
- Weekly Missions: Prioritize these! The large BXP reward makes them the most efficient way to level up your pass. Plan your play sessions around completing these each week. You might find it useful to check out the next league event to ensure you are aware of any events that could speed up your mission completion.
- Event Missions: These vary depending on the event, but often offer unique challenges and rewards. Check the client regularly, as Upcoming League of Legends Events often feature unique missions.
Is the Premium Pass Worth It? A Cost-Benefit Analysis
This is the million-dollar question. Whether or not the premium pass is worth it depends entirely on your play style and what you value in the game. Here's a framework to help you decide:
Consider Your Play Time:
- High Play Time (Several Games Per Week): If you play League of Legends regularly, the premium pass is almost certainly worth it. You'll naturally earn BXP and unlock most, if not all, of the rewards.
- Moderate Play Time (A Few Games Per Week): You can likely still unlock a significant portion of the premium rewards, especially if you focus on completing weekly missions.
- Low Play Time (Occasional Games): You may struggle to unlock enough rewards to justify the cost of the premium pass. The free track might be a better option for you.
Consider the Rewards: - Skins: Do you really want the exclusive Prestige skin or other limited-time skins offered in the pass? If so, the premium pass is a must-buy.
- Mythic Essence: Mythic Essence is incredibly valuable for obtaining rare skins and other cosmetic items in the Mythic Shop. The premium pass offers a significant boost to your Mythic Essence income.
- Other Loot: Are you interested in Hextech Chests, keys, emotes, icons, and other customization items? These rewards can add up and enhance your overall League of Legends experience.
The Math:
Let's say you really want the Prestige skin, which is almost always the main selling point of the premium pass. To get it, you'll need to reach a certain level and potentially grind out the epilogue. If you aren't able to dedicate the time, players can purchase progress for 95 RP per milestone (excluding repeating milestones). Weigh this cost against the potential time investment required to determine if the pass is truly worth it for you. Sometimes it is better to lol next event to determine whether a better event pass is coming soon!
Example Scenario: - Player A plays League of Legends almost every day, enjoys collecting skins, and actively completes missions. For them, the premium pass is a no-brainer.
- Player B plays only a few games per week, primarily focusing on Ranked, and isn't particularly interested in cosmetic items. They might be better off skipping the premium pass and focusing on the free rewards.
Understanding Past and Future Passes
The League of Legends pass system has evolved over time. The current Battle Pass system is the successor to the Event Pass system, which was deprecated after 2024. This integration also folded in progression elements from systems like Champion Mastery and Honor.
Let's look at some examples of past and future passes:
Hall of Legends Battle Pass (2025, featuring Uzi):
The Hall of Legends pass introduced various bundles with different tiers of rewards, celebrating the legacy of pro player Uzi. Some notable bundles included:
- 1,950 RP Bundle: Included the Risen Legend Vayne Skin, Mythic Essence, Loot Boxes, and several themed icons and emotes.
- 5,035 RP Bundle: Included the Risen Legend Kai’Sa Skin, a takedown counter taunt, and exclusive icons and emotes.
- 32,035 RP Bundle: Included upgraded versions of the Risen Legend Kai’Sa Skin with unique transformations and custom visual effects.
- 58,865 RP Bundle: The ultimate bundle, including everything from the previous bundles, signature skin upgrades, unique animations, and Paragon Chromas for various skins.
Spirit Blossom Beyond Season (Starting April 30, 2025):
The Spirit Blossom Beyond season, split into two Acts, heavily focused on Ionian aesthetics. Rewards included skins like Spirit Blossom Ivern and Prestige Spirit Blossom Lux, as well as loot like Hextech Chests and Mythic Essence. This pass exemplifies how the themes and rewards can vary significantly between passes. Knowing this, you can wait and Dive into the Next Pass that more suits your aesthetic or gameplay preferences.
Common Questions About the League of Legends Pass
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how the Battle Pass works:
- What happens if I buy the pass late? You'll retroactively unlock all the premium rewards for the levels you've already reached. So, you won't miss out on anything.
- Can I earn BXP in custom games? No, BXP is only earned in matchmade games.
- Do I need to reach a certain Honor level to participate? No, but maintaining a higher Honor level can grant you occasional BXP bonuses.
- Can I gift a Battle Pass to a friend? Yes, you can gift the premium pass to friends through the in-game store.
Maximizing Your Rewards: Tips and Tricks
To make the most of your League of Legends Pass experience, consider these tips:
- Play Regularly: The more you play, the more BXP you'll earn.
- Prioritize Weekly Missions: These missions offer the most significant BXP rewards.
- Party Up: Playing with friends grants a social bonus to your objective points, accelerating your BXP gains.
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on the client for new missions and events. Dive into the next Pass and its accompanying events to maximize BXP intake.
- Don't Be Afraid to Grind: If you're close to unlocking a valuable reward, consider dedicating some extra time to grind out the remaining BXP.
Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice for You
The League of Legends pass system offers a compelling way to earn rewards and enhance your overall gaming experience. By understanding how the pass works, evaluating your play style, and carefully considering the rewards on offer, you can make an informed decision about whether or not the premium pass is right for you.