League Game Modes: Survive the Swarm in New PVE Event

For the bigger picture and full context, make sure you read our main guide on League Of Legends Swarm: Survive Hordes In This New Mode.

Tired of the same old Summoner's Rift brawl? League game modes have often offered a refreshing change of pace. And this summer, Riot delivered a chaotic, compelling challenge unlike any other: Swarm. This limited-time PvE mode threw you headfirst into a bullet heaven, tasking you with defending Final City against hordes of alien Primordians.
At a glance:

• Discover the unique gameplay mechanics of Swarm, differentiating it from traditional League matches.
• Learn how to choose the right fighter and weapons to maximize your survivability.
• Understand the importance of team composition and coordination in Co-Op mode.
• Master the maps and their unique structures to gain a tactical advantage against the Primordian onslaught.
• Uncover how to earn optimal gold and experience to upgrade your fighters and unlock powerful passives.

Swarm: A Dive into PvE Chaos

Forget lane assignments and strategic objective control. Swarm tossed the rulebook out the window, transplanting League champions into a Vampire Survivors-inspired arena. Using WASD for movement and manual/automatic aiming, you and up to three other players had to survive waves of enemies while leveling up, collecting loot, and ultimately defeating a powerful boss. This wasn’t your typical League of Legends experience, solidifying its place as a distinctive entry in league game modes.
Key Differences:

Assembling Your Squad: Fighter Selection and Team Composition

Swarm offered a diverse roster of fighters, each with unique stats, innate abilities, and player-controlled skills. Choosing the right fighter, and more importantly, building a well-rounded team, was crucial for success.
Fighter Archetypes:

• Damage Dealers: Prioritize high damage output and projectile counts. Examples include Jinx, Miss Fortune, and Xayah. These fighters excel at clearing waves and shredding bosses.
• Tanks: Focus on survivability and area control. Illaoi, Leona and Aatrox can soak up damage and keep enemies at bay.
• Support: Enhance the team's damage and survivability. Seraphine and Yuumi provide healing, buffs, and crowd control.
• Hybrid: Offer a mix of damage and utility. Fighters like Yasuo, Riven, Bel'Veth, Aurora and Rek'Sai can adapt to different situations.
  Team Composition Tips:
• Balance is key: Ensure your team has a mix of damage, tankiness, and support.
• Synergy matters: Choose fighters whose abilities complement each other. For instance, Leona can stun enemies, setting them up for Jinx's rockets.
• Consider the map: Some fighters excel on certain maps due to terrain or boss mechanics.
  Example:
  A strong team composition might consist of Jinx (primary damage), Illaoi (tank/area control), and Seraphine (support/healing). This team offers high damage output, strong crowd control, and excellent survivability.

Mastering the Arena: Maps, Objectives, and Level Structures

Swarm featured four distinct maps, each with its own layout, hazards, and boss encounter. Understanding the map and utilizing its features was critical for survival.
The maps got progressively tougher:

1. Warehouse District: Introduces basic mechanics, featuring a Healing Fountain. Boss: Rek'Sai.
2. The Outskirts: Introduces Ion Cannons that require fuel cells. Boss: Briar.
3. Subterranean Lab: Features Freeze Bombs for crowd control. Boss: Bel'Veth.
4. The Beachhead: Introduces the Primordian Ocean, a flooding mechanic. Boss: Aatrox (two phases).
   Level Structures:
   These structures offer strategic advantages:

• Healing Fountain (Warehouse District): Grants a significant health boost (50% max health). Use it strategically to recover from heavy damage.
• Ion Cannon (The Outskirts): Delivers powerful laser blasts but requires fuel cells to operate. Coordinate with your team to maximize its uptime.
• Freeze Bomb (Subterranean Lab): Stuns enemies in a wide area. Use it to control large waves or interrupt boss abilities.

Gearing Up for War: Weapons, Passives, and Upgrades

Surviving the Swarm required more than just skillful gameplay; it also depended on acquiring powerful weapons, unlocking beneficial passives, and investing in crucial upgrades.
Weapons:
Each fighter starts with a Signature Weapon (that can be toggled between manual and auto aim) and can acquire four additional weapons throughout the game. Weapons level up automatically and evolve based on specific passive combinations.
Passives:
These grant stat bonuses (damage modifier, ability haste, etc.) and are essential for unlocking weapon evolutions. Up to six passive slots can be unlocked.
Gold Economy:
Gold is earned by destroying Pods, killing elites/mini-bosses, completing Primordian Bel'Veth trials, and completing Objectives. Use gold to purchase upgrades in the main lobby. Here are a few options, keeping context in mind: Survive the LoL Swarm. These upgrades provide lasting benefits that enhance your fighters' stats and abilities.
Upgrade Priorities:

1. Damage: Increase your damage output to clear waves faster.
2. Survivability: Boost your health and armor to withstand enemy attacks.
3. Utility: Enhance your movement speed and pickup radius to improve your efficiency.

Practical Playbook: Surviving the Swarm

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you conquer the Swarm:

1. Choose Your Fighter: Consider your team's needs and the map's challenges.
2. Prioritize Gold: Focus on destroying Pods and killing elites to earn gold quickly.
3. Upgrade Strategically: Invest in upgrades that complement your fighter's strengths.
4. Coordinate with Your Team: Communicate effectively to maximize your team's effectiveness.
5. Master the Maps: Learn the layout of each map and utilize its features to your advantage.
   Tips for Success:

• Use the Environment: Utilize level structures to control enemies and gain a tactical advantage.
• Manage Your Resources: Don't waste gold on unnecessary upgrades.
• Revive Your Teammates: Prioritize reviving fallen allies to maintain your team's damage output.
• Adapt to the Situation: Be prepared to change your strategy based on the enemy waves and boss mechanics.

Quick Answers: Common Questions About Swarm

Q: What happens if my entire team dies?
A: Each player has a revive timer. Teammates can revive downed allies. If all players are down, there is a base respawn timer of 15 seconds.
Q: How does difficulty scaling work in Swarm?
A: Enemy health, attack damage, and spell damage increase with difficulty. Ally Gold Income also increases.
Q: What are the rewards for completing Swarm?
A: New fighters, upgrades, missions, passives, passive slots, weapons, champion shards, and the "Swarm Conqueror" profile title.

Actionable Close: Conquer the Chaos

Swarm offered a unique and challenging PvE experience within the realm of league game modes. By understanding its mechanics, mastering its maps, and coordinating with your team, you could conquer the Primordian onslaught and emerge victorious. While the limited-time event has concluded, the lessons learned from Swarm can be applied to other PvE experiences and future iterations of innovative League of Legends modes. Remember to adapt, strategize, and most importantly, have fun!