Need a Break from League of Legends? Here are the 5 Top Alternatives You Must Try!

As someone who spends a lot of time playing League of Legends, I can say that the game itself is simple; just pick a character, join minions in combat, and demolish towers. BUT, learning the mechanics is tricky to master, not to mention the toxic community and the ranked system. It's no surprise why some are taking a break from LoL's competitive environment and intense mechanics.

If you ever find yourself burned out from playing LoL, then here are some fresh alternatives to try, some of these are just chill but still have the same MOBA experience. 

SMITE

Amidst the chaotic scenes from LoL, SMITE takes you on a refreshing pace, and the game lets you play as gods and goddesses from different mythologies.

You can be Zeus launching lightning bolts or Anubis dissolving faces with death rays. Each god feels unique to play, like Jormungandr, who turns into a giant world serpent gliding through the jungle.

SMITE has many game modes, but the Conquest mode gives the familiar vibes of a MOBA with lanes and jungle objectives, and Arena is perfect for some quick action. What makes SMITE stand out from League of Legends is its unique third-person perspective, unlike LoL's bird’s-eye view, you will feel every battle. And of course, it's less toxic here with a casual player base.

Heroes of the Storm

Perhaps, one of the easiest is Heroes of the Storm. What's good about HotS is how it strips away the boring mechanics of classic MOBA but still has the strategic depth intact. No last-hitting minions, no complex item builds, and only pure team-focused action from the start. It's more centered on the game without the competitive focus.

Growing up with Blizzard games, you'll get a genuine thrill playing iconic characters from Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo. My personal favorite is playing Arthas (the Lich King), which feels incredibly satisfying compared to LoL's more generic character designs.

I strongly recommend Heroes of the Storm if you're tired of the pressure and want a more relaxed MOBA. The community seems to be more welcoming too, which is a huge plus for new players.

Unfortunately, Blizzard ended major development of HotS in 2018 and competitive support in the following year but the game still operates and remains playable and even receives occasional updates.

Arena of Valor

Arena of Valor is a great MOBA if you’re cross-play gaming. Play it on mobile, making it easy to fit in a quick game during a break. Each match only lasts about 15 minutes, and if you have plenty of time to splurge, play with your friends on PC or even console. 

The maps are bigger than League but the pace is faster. You can't lounge and farm gold or wait for the perfect moment to make a move because you’re always in fights and every decision affects overall gameplay.

What sets it apart from LoL is its streamlined mechanics and mobile-friendly design. Towers are easier to take down, which makes players attack early, and the smaller respawn timers keep the momentum going. You also get cool items like the Abyssal Dragon and Dark Slayer which provide strong team edges and give you more ways to change the match results.

Another standout is the roster of heroes. Take Nakroth, for example, his incredible mobility makes him a beast in the jungle. Violet is a sniper who can melt enemies from afar with her devastating burst damage. These characters offer a fresh variety compared to LoL. 

Lastly, players get faster gold and gain XP more compared to LoL, so you hit those power spikes sooner, allowing you to dominate lanes. AoV feels like a bite-sized LoL, you'll get a little bit of League that is accessible. 

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

Another MOBA that you can play while queuing anywhere is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. It's an excellent choice for those players seeking non-stop action and competitive esports tournaments. This game attracts top esports players worldwide making it one of the most famous MOBA games to date.  

MLBB has some unique gameplay equipment like Wind of Nature that when activated, gives marksman heroes physical damage immunity for a couple of seconds. Same thing with Winter Truncheon which is an active equipment item that gives you invincibility for like 2 seconds to avoid burst damage or tower hits.

Heroes of this game are growing, like Alucard who is dominating and jumping into fights and shredding squishes, and Angela, who is flying across the map to save a teammate at the perfect moment. Some also love to use Gusion, who boasts incredible mobility and burst damage, and Lesley, a marksman with devastating long-range attacks

The 5v5 matches are shorter and less stressful compared to LoL along with the Brawl or Arcade modes which are great to play wherever you might be. If you are into accessibility and convenience, then MLBB is a good option. 

Dota 2

Lastly, the League’s closest rival, Dota 2. It is slower, more methodical, and insanely deep, perfect for players who want a MOBA that challenges their brains as much as their reflexes.

Like LoL, Dota 2 demands teamwork. You might love and sometimes hate those 5v5 fights which are a combo of pure chaos and tactical brilliance. One bad call can flip the game.

Every match is a grind to prove you’ve got what it takes. If you enjoy tough games with high-stakes drama and the type of complexity where you can splurge hundreds of hours into, Dota 2 is where the action is.

Expand Your MOBA Library

MOBA is at an exciting point right now, with all these amazing innovations, like the way AI is being used to create smarter bots and adapt the difficulty to your skill level. And cross-platform play? Games like Arena of Valor let you switch between your phone, PC, or console.

Each game mentioned here tweaks the MOBA formula with some focus on strategy, others on accessibility, and a few experimenting with game mechanics that LoL has not touched.

Looking ahead, could we see AR/VR experiences that truly immerse you in the battle? The possibilities are endless. MOBA's future is unstoppable. So, the next time Summoner’s Rift feels a little too familiar, why not step into another arena?