After more than a decade of point-and-click movement, League of Legends is about to get a major shake-up, WASD controls are coming.
Riot Games confirmed the news on 11 August, revealing that the new movement option will hit the PBE (Public Beta Environment) this autumn and stick around for multiple patches while they fine-tune it.
For anyone who’s spent time in other PC games, this is a huge deal. “We’ve seen that for new players, WASD is the most familiar control scheme for PC games today,” Riot said. “Let’s be real, a lot of us instinctively put our fingers there when coming back to League after playing something else.”
The new system is aimed at making the game more intuitive for newcomers and more comfortable for returning players used to keyboard movement. But don’t worry, the classic point-and-click controls aren’t going anywhere. You’ll be able to choose whichever feels right for you.
Riot will be rolling WASD movement out gradually, starting with non-ranked queues, before bringing it into ranked and pro play. They’re being cautious too, making sure neither control method gives a competitive edge. In fact, the devs are already looking at balance tweaks, especially around kiting, which feels a bit easier with WASD compared to the old setup.
WASD Control Feedback | Image Credit: Riot Games
Why WASD is a Big Deal for League
Other MOBAs have used keyboard movement before, Smite, Battlerite, Paragon: The Overprime, and even Heroes of the Storm (via optional settings) all support WASD controls. But League of Legends has stuck to click-to-move since its launch in 2009, becoming one of the biggest PC MOBA in the world without changing that core mechanic.
By adding WASD, Riot is not just giving players a new input method, it’s potentially changing the game’s combat rhythm. Dodging skillshots, kiting enemies, and even general positioning could feel completely different once this becomes a live option.
More Big Changes in Patch 25.17 and 25.18
WASD might be the headline, but there’s plenty more coming over the next two updates. The chaotic Doom Bots mode is making a comeback, this time with Veigar as the final boss, raining down endless Dark Matter and plenty of new curses to keep matches unpredictable.
Image Credit: Riot Games
Xin Zhao is also getting a full visual update for the first time in 14 years, with sleeker armour and an Ionian-inspired design that better matches his backstory. Every one of his skins, even the vaulted ones, is getting touched up, and there’s a brand-new Epic skin on the way.
Image Credit: Riot Games
Gameplay improvements are also in the mix. Jungle camps will have individual timers, spell usage will be tracked more clearly in the death recap, and matchmaking accuracy is getting a boost.
On the competitive side, Riot is cracking down on smurfing and rank manipulation in Patch 25.18, using Vanguard’s upgraded detection tools alongside improved player reports to keep matches fair.
When’s It All Happening?
Patch 25.17 drops on 27 August, kicking off the new content cycle. Patch 25.18 follows on 10 September, bringing some of the stricter anti-smurf measures. The WASD controls will debut on the PBE during this period before making their way into live non-ranked modes, and eventually into ranked and pro play once Riot’s happy with the balance.
With the 2025 World Championship heading back to China this October and so many changes rolling out in the lead-up, League of Legends feels like it’s stepping into one of its most interesting eras yet, and for keyboard warriors, WASD might just feel like home.