TL;DR
- Choose tanky champions like Malphite and Warwick for forgiving gameplay and mistake tolerance
- Focus on champions with straightforward abilities that teach core game mechanics effectively
- Prioritize characters with strong laning phases to build confidence and early game advantage
- Learn macro play through champions with global presence like Shen and simple execution supports
- Master 2-3 champions per role before expanding your champion pool
Entering the world of League of Legends can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with over 160 unique champions to choose from. This guide provides carefully selected recommendations to help new players build solid foundations while avoiding common beginner pitfalls.
The official difficulty ratings provided by Riot Games often fail to capture the true learning curve of each champion. Many supposedly simple characters actually require advanced game knowledge, while some complex-looking champions have forgiving gameplay patterns perfect for learning.
Malphite: The Unstoppable Force

Malphite represents the ideal starting point for new top laners. His kit emphasizes fundamental positioning and timing over complex mechanical execution. The champion’s signature ability, Unstoppable Force, provides an area-of-effect knockup that can single-handedly win teamfights when properly executed.
Key Learning Benefits: Teaches engage timing, teamfight positioning, and resource management. Malphite’s passive grants bonus armor based on his maximum health, naturally encouraging tank itemization.
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Using ultimate prematurely without team follow-up, mismanaging mana in early laning phase, and failing to use Ground Slam against attack-speed reliant opponents.
Shen

Shen offers unique educational value through his global presence ultimate. Stand United allows players to impact other lanes while learning map awareness fundamentals.
Strategic Advantages: Excels against auto-attack focused champions with his Spirit Blade placement. Teaches split-pushing concepts and when to join teamfights from across the map.
Advanced Tip: Use Twilight Assault to dodge crucial enemy abilities while simultaneously dealing damage.
Warwick

Warwick’s blood trail mechanic provides built-in guidance for new junglers, directing them toward vulnerable targets without requiring extensive game knowledge.
Jungle Clear Strategy: Start with Hunter’s Talisman and focus on clearing camps efficiently. Use Primal Howl to mitigate damage during early clears.
Ganking Fundamentals: His Infinite Duress serves as a reliable, targeted suppression that teaches proper gank execution.
Udyr

Udyr’s stance-based kit eliminates traditional ultimate ability concerns, allowing new players to access full power from level 1.
Stance Rotation Guide: Tiger Stance for single-target damage, Turtle Stance for sustain, Bear Stance for movement and stun.
Resource Management: Unlike mana-based champions, Udyr uses cooldowns, teaching ability timing without resource constraints.
Swain

Swain’s durability as a control mage provides safety net for positioning errors. His Demonflare ultimate encourages aggressive positioning while providing sustain through soul fragment collection.
Laning Phase Strategy: Use Death’s Hand for wave clear and harassment. Nevermove serves as both crowd control and zoning tool.
Wave Management: Learn to control minion waves using Swain’s abilities to set up favorable trading patterns.
Tristana

Tristana’s rocket jump provides both offensive engagement and defensive escape, teaching mobility fundamentals in mid lane.
Trading Patterns: Explosive Charge combined with rapid fire enables aggressive plays while teaching auto-attack weaving.
Common Pitfall: Overusing Rocket Jump offensively without escape plan. Proper usage involves calculating risk-reward for each engagement.
Miss Fortune

Miss Fortune’s straightforward kit emphasizes positioning and timing over complex mechanics. Her Bullet Time ultimate teaches area control and teamfight positioning fundamentals.
Skill Max Order: Double Up first for lane dominance, then Strut for mobility, with Make It Rain for utility.
Positioning Fundamentals: Learn to maximize Bullet Time effectiveness while maintaining safe positioning. Use Love Tap passive to optimize last-hitting and trading.
Jhin

Jhin’s four-shot mechanic creates natural rhythm for new players to learn attack patterns. His long-range capabilities allow safer positioning while learning ADC responsibilities.
Tempo Management: Understand power spikes around reload mechanics. Curtain Call teaches ultimate timing and execution from distance.
Advanced Concept: Jhin teaches shot planning and ammo management, skills transferable to other marksmen.
Nautilus

Nautilus exemplifies the hook-and-engage support archetype. His kit provides multiple forms of crowd control, teaching chain-cc fundamentals.
Engage Timing: Learn when to initiate fights based on team positioning and enemy cooldowns.
Role Execution: Focus on target selection and peel timing. Dredge Line serves as primary engage tool while Depth Charge provides follow-up lockdown.
Blitzcrank

Blitzcrank’s Rocket Grab creates high-impact moments that teach prediction and anticipation skills.
Vision Control: As a hook champion, learning to combine ward coverage with pull opportunities is crucial.
Common Support Mistakes: Overextending for hooks without vision, failing to protect ADC during lane phase, and mismanaging mana for Overdrive escapes.
Positioning Fundamentals: Always consider your champion’s effective range and escape options. Tank supports should position forward to create space, while enchanters stay behind carries.
Resource Management: Track cooldowns, mana pools, and summoner spells to optimize engagement timing.
Wave State Awareness: Learn to recognize when to freeze, push, or reset lanes based on game state and objectives.
Time Investment: Expect to spend 15-20 games mastering basic mechanics before focusing on advanced concepts.
For comprehensive game knowledge, our Complete Guide covers additional strategic layers.
Action Checklist
- Practice last-hitting with Malphite or Miss Fortune for 10 minutes daily
- Master ability combos in Practice Tool before ranked games
- Watch 2 professional games featuring your chosen champions
- Learn item builds from our Weapons Unlock guide and apply to your gameplay
- Practice map awareness by checking minimap after every last-hit
- Review your gameplay recordings to identify positioning errors
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » The best LoL champions for new players Essential League of Legends champions for beginners with strategic insights and practical gameplay tips
