The Role of Dragons in League of Legends: Strategies and Tips

Understanding League of Legends Dragons

League of Legends dragons are fascinating creatures that add depth and excitement to the game. They fall under two main categories: Celestial Dragons and Terrestrial Dragons. This guide will explore their lore, types, notable dragons, in-game mechanics, strategies, and related trivia.

The Lore of League of Legends Dragons

Dragons in League of Legends are a diverse group with reptilian morphology, originating from draconic lineage. Celestial Dragons and Terrestrial Dragons share appearances because Terrestrial Dragons once mimicked their Celestial counterparts. Both types are inspired by Earth dragons from mythology, reflecting varied appearances and cultural perceptions.

Dragon Champions

Certain champions in League of Legends are directly linked to dragons:

Aurelion Sol: A celestial dragon known as the Star Forger, responsible for creating stars and constellations.

Shyvana: A half-dragon champion who transforms into a fearsome dragon in combat.

Smolder: Another dragon-related champion with unique abilities.

Aurelion Sol, the Star Forger. Credit: Riot Games

Other Related Champions

Other champions have significant interactions with dragons:

Jarvan IV: Helped Shyvana take down her mother.

Nilah: Slew the mythical dragon Grandmother Viper.

Pantheon: Controlled Aurelion Sol in the past.

Viego: Allied with several imperial dragons during the invasion of Helia.

Zoe: Frequently interacts with Aurelion Sol.

Nilah, the Joy Unbound. Credit: Riot Games

In-Game Drakes on Summoner's Rift

In League of Legends, Terrestrial Dragons appear as Epic Monsters called drakes. They reside in the dragon pit on Summoner's Rift and provide game-changing buffs when slain. These dragons enhance gameplay by offering unique benefits to the team that secures their kills.

Types of In-Game Drakes

• Cloud Drake: Grants Cloud Dragon Soul, providing slow resist and bonus movement speed out of combat. Its kills also contribute to the Dragon Slayer buff.
• Infernal Drake: Grants Infernal Dragon Soul, boosting attack damage and ability power. Its kills also stack the Dragon Slayer buff.
• Mountain Drake: Grants Mountain Dragon Soul, increasing armor and magic resistance. Its kills add to the Dragon Slayer buff.
• Ocean Drake: Grants Ocean Dragon Soul, restoring missing health every five seconds. Its kills contribute to the Dragon Slayer buff.
• Chemtech Drake: Grants Chemtech Dragon Soul, enhancing tenacity and heal and shield power. Its kills stack the Dragon Slayer buff.
• Hextech Drake: Grants Hextech Dragon Soul, providing ability haste and bonus attack speed. Its kills also stack the Dragon Slayer buff.

Each dragon kill grants a permanent buff that stacks up to three times, tracked by the Dragon Slayer buff on the scoreboard.

Mountain Drake in the Dragon Pit. Credit: Riot Games

Physiology of League of Legends Dragons

Dragon World

Dragons exhibit reptilian morphology with highly dangerous projectiles and unique sounds. They possess draconic enzymes that are highly flammable and exhibit resource guarding behavior, as noted by Dragon Trainer Heimerdinger.

Notable Terrestrial Dragons

Various types of Terrestrial Dragons exist, each with unique abilities:

• Air Dragon: Controls wind magic, with notable members like the Cloud Drake.
• Earth Dragon: Controls earth magic, featuring the Mountain Drake and Screeching Dragon.
• Fire Dragon: Controls fire magic, including Shyvana, Smolder, and the Infernal Drake.
• Ice Dragon: Controls ice magic, represented by the Ice Drake.
• Spirit Dragon: Connected to the spirit realm, such as the Dragon Spirit.
• Storm Dragon: Controls electricity, exemplified by Ao Shin.
• Tech Dragon: Controls hextech or chemtech magic, including the Chemtech and Hextech Drakes.
• Water Dragon: Controls water magic, featuring the Ocean Drake.

The Screeching Dragon. Legends of Runeterra. Credit: Riot Games

Notable Celestial Dragons

• Aurelion Sol: Known as the Golden Sun, he is one of the oldest celestial dragons, responsible for creating countless stars and constellations.
• Inviolus Vox: A celestial dragon with a voice that echoes through time and space.
• The Great Beyond: A dragon constellation created by Aurelion Sol to bring annihilation.
• The Infinite Mindsplitter: Destroys the minds of travelers who gaze upon it.

Inviolus Vox. The Unshakeable Voice.  Legends of Runeterra. Credit: Riot Games

Culture and Relations of League of Legends Dragons

Cultural Views and Relations

Dragons are viewed with awe and fear across various cultures in Runeterra:

• Camavor: Dragons initially faced conflict with humans but later formed an alliance with the kingdom's royal family.
• Demacia: Heavily invested in Dragonology, with the Dragonguard dedicated to defending against dragon attacks.
• Ionia: Home to many dragon species, with monks of the Shojin Order honing skills believed to come from the spirit of the dragon.
• Ixtal: The largest concentration of elemental dragons, residing in the jungles and abandoned ruins.
• Noxus: Weaponizes drakes for military purposes, using them as mounts and hunting beasts.
• Targon: Home to both terrestrial and celestial dragons, where Aurelion Sol was forced into servitude.

Trivia and Fun Facts

• Dragonology is the science of studying dragons, with researchers known as Dracologists.
• Shyvana's old lore suggested that dragons exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females linked to elemental magic.
• The Dragon World universe depicts a world where dragons roam free in vast numbers.
• The Dragonmancers universe features characters wielding the powers of ancient dragons.

Dragon Trainer Heimerdinger. Credit: Jem Flores

Strategies for Claiming Dragons

Vision

Maintaining vision around the dragon pit is crucial. Place wards and use Oracle Lens or Control Ward to eliminate enemy vision before engaging the dragon.

Positioning

While the Jungler typically handles dragon kills, assistance from teammates is often necessary. Help your Jungler if they signal for assistance, especially in enclosed areas like the dragon pit.

Use Smite!

Ensure Smite is ready when engaging a dragon. Use abilities that deal heavy damage to secure the kill and prevent enemy team steals.

Map Changes

After the second dragon is slain, Summoner's Rift transforms based on the dominant dragon element, affecting gameplay strategies. For example, the Chemtech dragon introduces mutated jungle plants, while the Infernal dragon disintegrates jungle walls, creating new angles and vision points.

Conclusion

League of Legends dragons play a pivotal role in the game, offering buffs, enhancing strategies, and enriching the lore. Understanding their types, abilities, and the best strategies for claiming them can provide a significant advantage in gameplay. Master these epic monsters to lead your team to victory in the ever-evolving world of League of Legends.

Beyond their gameplay impact, the lore and cultural significance of dragons in League of Legends add depth to the game's universe. From the celestial might of Aurelion Sol to the terrestrial power of Infernal Drake, each dragon brings its own story and influence. Embracing this knowledge can enhance your appreciation of the game, making each encounter with a dragon a memorable and strategic experience.

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Credit: Riot Games