Swarm is Riot’s latest PvE game mode, introduced as part of their Summer Event, and set in the Anima Squad universe. Inspired by popular bullet heaven games like Vampire Survivors, Swarm offers a fresh take on the traditional League of Legends gameplay. Players team up to fend off waves of alien Primordians, enhancing their firepower and unlocking unique combat abilities as they progress.
Swarm will be released on Patch 14.14, which is on Wednesday 17th July.
Want to test the mode now? You can with our PBE accounts here.
Swarm features nine playable fighters, each with distinct abilities and stats:
Each fighter starts with their Passive ability and unlocks additional abilities at levels 3 and 6. As players defeat enemies and gain experience, they can choose from various Augments to enhance their fighters' skills and performance.
Swarm deviates from the traditional Summoner’s Rift gameplay, introducing new mechanics and controls. Movement is controlled using the WASD keys, giving players a more dynamic control scheme similar to action RPGs. Players can choose to have their fighter’s aim automated or control it manually using the cursor.
Fighters have a unique set of statistics tailored for Swarm, which includes exclusive attributes not found in the main game. Each fighter has three player-controlled abilities, which are different from their main game counterparts and do not improve through skill points. Instead, fighters gain powerups and equipment throughout the game, allowing for varied and imaginative combat strategies. The Fog of War is removed, and mastery is not available due to the vastly different gameplay mechanics.
Swarm consists of four distinct maps, each offering unique challenges and environments:
Progression in Swarm is linear, with each map culminating in a boss fight. Completing one map unlocks the next, with the difficulty and complexity increasing at each stage. Players can queue solo or as a party of up to four, and the game adjusts the difficulty based on the number of players.
Upon completing the initial Story mode, players unlock additional modes and challenges. These include harder difficulty levels and fighter-specific objectives that offer extra rewards and new gameplay experiences. The overall goal is to progress through all maps and defeat the bosses, unlocking new fighters, upgrades, and vanity rewards along the way.
After each game, head to the Upgrades section and spend your earned gold. Prioritize upgrades that enhance your playstyle. Damage, movement speed, area size, and projectiles are great core upgrades that can significantly boost your effectiveness. Tailor your upgrades to match your fighter's strengths and your preferred tactics. Investing wisely in upgrades will give you a better chance of surviving and progressing through tougher levels.
Each map in Swarm has unique mechanics and requires different strategies. Familiarize yourself with the layout and special features of each map. For example, in the Warehouse District, use the Healing Fountain strategically to keep your team alive. In The Outskirts, time your use of the Ion Cannon to maximize its impact, especially against mini-bosses. Knowing where to find key items and strategic points can significantly improve your chances of survival.
Positioning is key in Swarm. Avoid getting trapped in chokepoints or sticking too close to walls where your movement is restricted. These areas can become death traps if too many enemies converge on you. Instead, try to stay in open spaces where you have room to maneuver and dodge attacks. However, use walls to your advantage when picking up loot drops like health potions.
Regularly check the mini-map to stay aware of enemy spawns and the location of important items. The mini-map helps you plan your movements and avoid getting surrounded. It also shows the locations of your teammates, enabling better coordination. Keeping an eye on the mini-map ensures you are always in a good position to react to threats and collect necessary resources.
Scattered around each map are destructible boxes that drop valuable loot. These boxes often contain health packs, coins, and vacuum orbs that pull all nearby XP towards you. Make it a habit to destroy these boxes whenever you see them. Health packs can be a game-changer, especially when your health is low. Knowing the locations of these boxes and destroying them efficiently can keep you alive longer and help you level up faster.
While offensive upgrades can make you powerful, balancing them with defensive upgrades is essential for survival. Prioritize movement speed upgrades when necessary, especially during boss fights.
Collect gold and XP orbs as they provide essential upgrades and level-ups. Everyone in the team levels up simultaneously, and you get to choose between skills or weapons. Plan your upgrades based on the team's needs and the strengths of your champion.
Unlock your E ability at level 3 and use it frequently. This ability is crucial for dealing with large groups of enemies. While it might be tempting to save it for critical moments, using it often ensures you keep the enemy numbers manageable. Champions like Jinx benefit greatly from spamming their E, while others, like Briar, might need to be more strategic. Experience will help you understand the best times to use your abilities.
If you or your teammates die, you can revive each other by standing in the revival circle. Act quickly to prevent a complete team wipe.
Each map features different bosses with unique mechanics. Adapt your strategy and upgrades based on the boss you will face. For example, Aatrox requires you to destroy pillars to deal damage effectively.
In Swarm, every fighter wields a combination of abilities and weapons. Abilities require active input, while weapons operate independently, delivering continuous support in battle.
Fighters have a variety of stats that impact their performance in combat. These stats initialize at base values, which can be enhanced through purchased upgrades or by completing in-game missions.
Key Stats:
Enemies drop orbs that fighters collect within their pickup radius. These orbs provide experience (EXP) to all teammates simultaneously. As fighters collect EXP, they level up, enhancing their stats and abilities.
Upon leveling up, the game pauses, offering a selection menu with three options: passives and weapons. Players have 30 seconds to choose their upgrade. The game resumes once all players confirm their selections.
Levels have no cap, with each requiring progressively more EXP. Each level-up also grants 10 gold.
Passives provide stat bonuses and can be stacked for greater effect. Fighters start with three slots for passives, which can increase to six as they progress. New passives unlock through gameplay advancements.
List of Passives:
| Type | Amount per level |
|---|---|
| Swarm passive Ability Haste | +10 |
| Swarm passive Area Size | +11% |
| Swarm passive Armor | +8 |
| Swarm passive Critical Chance | +8% |
| Swarm passive Damage | +10% |
| Swarm passive Duration | +12% |
| Swarm passive EXP | +10% |
| Swarm passive Health Regen | +4 |
| Swarm passive Max Health | +150 |
| Swarm passive Move Speed | +9% |
| Swarm passive Pickup Radius | +35% |
| Swarm passive Projectile Count | 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 3 |
| Swarm passive Gain 25 Gold | At full build |
| Swarm passive Heal 25% HP | At full build |
Available by default*
Passives are also crucial for evolving weapons, with each weapon requiring specific passives to reach its evolved state.
Weapons in Swarm activate automatically, providing continuous combat support. Fighters start with one basic weapon unique to their character, which represents their primary combat tool. Players can equip up to four additional weapons, totaling five.
Weapons can be stacked by selecting them again, enhancing their attributes. Advanced evolutions can be unlocked if specific conditions are met:
Evolutions:
When these conditions are fulfilled, the selection screen may offer an evolved weapon, granting it a powerful new effect. The stats that enhance a weapon, including its evolution stat, are detailed in its tooltip, allowing players to strategically optimize their loadout.
Swarm brings a refreshing PvE twist to League of Legends, immersing players in a strategic battle against waves of enemies with unique mechanics and challenges. Mastering this mode requires understanding each map, optimizing your fighter's abilities and upgrades, and maintaining strong team coordination. By following these tips and strategies, you can improve your chances of survival, maximize your efficiency, and enjoy the thrilling experience that Swarm offers.
Dive into the action, adapt to the ever-changing battlefield, and lead your team to victory in this exciting new game mode! Let us know your best tips and thoughts on the mode.
