It’s hard to believe just how long League of Legends has been one of the most popular games on PC and in 2023, Riot Games’ genre-defining MOBA shows no signs of slowing down. With tie-in animated series, companion games, and much more, the world of League has never been bigger. But more important than all of this supplemental material is the core game, and the developers certainly aren’t neglecting it.
The latest update has added an incredible new game mode, titled Arena. Known also simply as 2v2v2v2, this game mode pits pairs of players against each other in an intense combat arena. Available now on the Public Beta Environment, the new mode has been well-received by fans, with praise being heaped on its intense, pulse-pounding gameplay and addictive upgrade system.
On top of the satisfying gameplay, Arena has the added advantage of being snappy to get in and play, mixing the accessibility of Teamfight Tactics, with the depth of Summoner’s Rift. The mode has not officially launched yet, and is currently still in the beta testing stage, but if you want to get ahead of your opponents on day one, there are some handy tools you can use to get a headstart.
Arena 101
Arena, which dropped as part of the Soul Fighter event for League of Legends, sees four pairs of players go head-to-head in a series of duels over six rounds. Before each round, players can select items and upgrades, starting at level 3. As your level increases through the rounds, so will the amount of gold you can spend on new tools of war.
Once players have chosen their loadouts, they will be transported to an arena the size of one jungle quadrant. Starting with 20 health each, you’ll now have to battle it out against the other pair with everything you’ve got. Lose the duel and you’ll soon find yourself eliminated from the match.
The big twists in Arena are the augments. Introduced in the second and fifth rounds, these powerful abilities change the way you play your chosen champion in some interesting ways. Let’s explore how.
Augmented reality
Augments come in three flavors of rarity – Silver, Gold, and Prismatic. You’ll get to choose from three augments each round and can re-roll if none suit your playstyle. What can augments do we hear you ask? ‘What can’t they do?’ is the more relevant question.
While some augments give you an extra passive or keystone rune, others have the ability to completely change the state of the battlefield, giving you items, a parry, or a pet that can tip the scales of a fight in your favor.
Augments can even allow you to use the ultimates of other champions, wreaking some unexpectedly devastating damage on your opponents. There are 120 augments to choose from, meaning that there’s a huge amount of variety to matches, even if you stick to playing the same champion.
Appy days
As with any new League of Legends game or mode, when Arena hits the main servers, it will be a race for players to reach the top of the rankings. As the mode is so new, there will be an adjustment period where the majority of players are getting used to the game and figuring out what works best. During these early stages, you can really get ahead of the competition with a little grit and determination.
There are also some secret weapons you can employ to gain the upper hand, courtesy of our friends at Overwolf. Creators of League of Legends companion apps are already adapting their products to support Arena modes, offering insights that help you get the drop on the competition.
One such app is Mobalytics, an all-in-one companion app that helps players of all skill levels improve their skills and climb the ranks. This add-on allows you to see key insights into your matches before, during, and after the match has occurred. Information such as popular builds will give you an idea of how to approach games, while mid-game intel on your foes will help you strategize on the fly. The post-match analysis will also be a great boon for improving future performances.
Other options for match analysis include Porofessor and Facecheck, similar apps that provide in-depth stats, KDA information, and champion tier lists as you play. Check out the full Overwolf library to find the app that’s right for you.
Want to relive your best kills in all their glory? Try a replay companion app like Outplayed or Replays.lol. These innovative apps can automatically capture your rounds for you to playback and analyze. Use these clips to improve your gameplay, share your best kills, or simply enjoy your best moments.
For more useful apps and add-ons, explore the full Overwolf library and find apps for your favorite games including League of Legends, Valorant, Legends of Runeterra, Dota 2, and many more.