15 best beginner champions in League of Legends

With over 140 champions, it can be a bit daunting to decide who to play in League of Legends. Whether you’re new to the game, or have been playing on and off for years, you may be struggling with this decision. Below are champions for each position in league that are not only easy, but will help you learn a lot about the game. If you’re looking to play in ranked, these champions are always good, so don’t be afraid to pick them up.

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Top Lane

Garen: 450 BE

Garen is the perfect champion for new players who want to try out the top lane. He’s in a group of champions called “juggernauts”, who are able to deal large amounts of damage while being able to tank as well. The big drawback to these champions is that they struggle against ranged champions, since they don’t have much range themselves. Thankfully, the top lane is usually filled with melee champions, so juggernauts typically an easy class to start learning with. And Garen is one of the best there is. He has a large amount of AoE damage with his E, but can also stay safe thanks to his W and his passive. His passive is a large amount of health regen, while his W is a spike of damage reduction. His abilities are simple, but strong. This makes him a perfect champion for those who are looking for an easy and effective beginning top laner.

Dr. Mundo: 450 BE

Some other options for top lane are Dr. Mundo and Nasus. Both are juggernauts as well, with their own unique benefits. Mundo is particularly similar to Garen. He has a similar passive (increased health regeneration), and an ability that causes a field of damage around him over time. He also doesn’t have mana, his abilities cost health instead. But don’t worry, his passive and ultimate (a burst of health regeneration) will keep you healthy.

Nasus: 450 BE

Nasus, on the other hand, is all about one ability. Every time you kill a minion with his Q, it gains additional permanent damage. These stacks of damage scale infinitely, so you can get a crazy amount of damage in the late game. It’ll take some practice to master killing minions, but that practice will help with learning to kill minions on other champions. By gaining damage this way, you can build yourself as a tank, and become unkillable while still being able to do a lot of damage.

Jungle

Nunu: 450 BE

If you are unfamiliar with the MOBA genre, then the jungle is probably the most confusing position to think about. The other positions are pretty straight-forward. Top, mid, and bot go down their lane to kill minions and take towers, while supports provide utility for the team. Junglers, on the other hand, are less straightforward. Thankfully, there are champions that make it easier to learn this role. And none are better at doing that than Nunu.

The three things that junglers need to do are: kill jungle monsters, take objectives like Dragon and Baron Nashor, and killing enemy laners (aka ganking). Nunu is particularly skilled at the first two. He is able to kill monsters faster than most champions with his Q (which also heals and buffs him). He also has buffs and slows to help him attack enemy junglers who are trying to take the objectives he wants. And despite being a tank, he has the highest damaging ultimate in the game. If you don’t understand how the jungle works, Nunu is the best champion to teach yourself.

Warwick: 450 BE

While Nunu is more focused on fighting in the jungle itself, Warwick tends to focus on ganking the lanes. Once he’s killed a few jungle monsters, he’ll be strong enough to jump into a lane and try to kill the enemy laners. His W gives him increased movement speed towards low health enemies, while his Q lets him jump to them and do a large chunk of damage. He also has one of the best crowd control abilities in the game called a suppress. His ultimate lets him leap in a direction, and if he lands on a champion, he steals life from them for a short time, while they are unable to do anything. He’s also much tankier than other damage dealing junglers, so it’s not as harsh if you mess up a bit with him.

Shyvana: 3150 BE

Shyvana is somewhere in between Nunu and Warwick when it comes to the jungler’s role. Like Nunu, she is able to take objectives quickly (specifically the dragon, which she does increased damage to), and like Warwick she is able to gank effectively. Her ultimate turns her into a dragon and increased the damage and utility of all of her other abilities. She’s incredibly strong in this form, and can easily take on enemy junglers like this. She can also use this form and her W to escape if things get a bit too tough for her.

Mid Lane

Annie: 450 BE

Annie is often considered best champion for beginners, regardless of lane. And there’s a good reason for that! She has a lot of damage, an easy combo to learn, point-and-click abilities, a very long stun, and a giant bear. She gets a charge of her passive every time she uses an ability. Once she has four charges, her next ability will stun whatever enemies it hits. Her Q is a fireball that deals a lot of damage. If you kill a minion with it, then it refunds the mana spent on it. This is part of what makes her so easy. Mages sometimes have a hard time killing minions early in the game. But with Annie’s Q, she’s able to do it as well as any other champion. It also stacks her passive, so it’ll end up giving you a free stun after you’ve killed four. If you’re looking for an easy champion to help you learn the game, Annie is by far the best choice.

Morgana: 1350 BE

You may have noticed from the previous champions, but some of the things that make a champion good for beginners is being: ability to kill minions easily, ability to crowd control other champions (stun, snare, suppress, etc) and being safe/hard to kill. These are also what makes Morgana such a great champion. While some choose to play her as a support, because she has a long snare, and a shield from enemy crowd control, she is just as effective in the mid lane. Her shield keeps her safe, while she is able to quickly and easily kill minions with her W (an area of damage over time). If you want to learn to play safely, or just enjoy not dying, then Morgana is probably the best champion to play.

Zilean: 1350 BE

While Zilean is probably the most complicated champion on this list, he is also the most forgiving. He places bombs with his Q that detonate after a short time, or by placing a second bomb on the first one, that also causes enemies in the bomb radius to be stunned for a short time. He can place the second bomb by using his W, Rewind, that reduces the cooldown of his Q and E. His E is a movement speed boost which is great for escaping and chasing enemies down. The best part of his kit, however, is definitely his ultimate. It lets him place a buff on himself or an ally. If that champion dies while the buff is on them, they are revived after a few seconds. With this, Zilean is able to keep himself and his allies alive and safe while doing a good amount of damage. As stated, he’s a bit complicated, but if you mess up his abilities, you can always escape with your E and your ultimate.

Bot Lane

Ashe: 450 BE

Whether you’re new to League or a veteran player, you probably played as Ashe when you first downloaded the game. She is the tutorial champion, and that probably explains why she is on this list. Similar to Garen in simplicity, Ashe is always easy and effective. Her abilities aren’t complicated, and that’s a big benefit to the people who play her. She is also one of the only bot laners who is useful even if you fall behind. Her ultimate is one of the best utility moves in the game. It’s a stunning arrow that can travel the entire map until it hits someone. She’s also able to slow enemies with her auto attacks and abilities, which is great for learning how to attack while running away from someone (kiting). She’s not always the best bot laner, but she is always a useful one, and definitely worth learning.

Sivir: 450 BE

Sivir fall into a similar category as Ashe. They are referred to as “utility marksmen”. This is because most marksmen (also referred to as ADCs or bot laners), don’t have utility abilities. This means that if they die a lot in the early game, they are unable to do much of anything later in the game. While there are some other utility marksmen (such as Kalista and Varus), they are much harder to learn than Sivir and Ashe. Sivir is able to kill minions quickly and easily with her W and Q. She also has a spell shield to keep her safe, something no other bot laner has. Along with this, her ultimate is a burst of speed for your entire team, which can help you escape or engage your enemy. Like Ashe, she’s always useful, and really easy to learn.

Ezreal: 4800 BE

While most marksmen do their damage with their auto attacks, there are a few who do damage using their abilities. The easiest and safest of these champions is by far, Ezreal. Unlike the other champions on this list, his damage is mostly based on skillshots. But don’t let this scare you, his are fairly easy to land, and he’s a great champion to learn to use them on. This is because his E is a blink that lets him jump over walls and other terrain, while doing some damage to nearby enemies. He can use this to escape, so he can continue to use his skillshots from a safe distance. He’s a little bit expensive compared to the other marksmen on this list, but he’s definitely the safest one League has to offer.

Support

Soraka: 450 BE

Support characters in video games are often associated with healers, and none are better healers in League than Soraka. She has the best healing abilities in the game, while also bringing a lot of unique utility. Her ultimate is particularly useful, as it heals every ally champion regardless of where they are. Unlike most supports, she’s able to use this to support from  anywhere on the map, making her really effective and easy as far as the healers go.

Sona: 3150 BE

While Soraka has some damaging abilities, she’s mostly valued for her healing. Sona is the opposite of this. She can heal and buff her allies, but her main strength is in her damage. If you’re looking for a support that deals damage, Sona is one of the easiest and most effective champions at doing this.

Braum: 6300 BE

Not all supports are healers, and Braum is a great example of this. He is a defensive tank that can use his shields and crowd control to keep enemies away from his allies. His abilities are centered around saving his allies, and stunning the enemy to turn fights around. If you want to play support, but are not a fan of healers, Braum is an excellent choice. He is, however, the most expensive champion on this list; so it may take you some time to get him if you want to try him out.

 

Anthem: All Hail The Destiny-Killer?

It’s a question that’s popped up on message boards, in YouTube videos, across Discord chats, and likely as the 9:00 a.m. topic of many hushed game developer board room meetings:

“Is Anthem the Destiny-killer?”

Bungie and Bioware (EA), two studios known for mega-hits such as Halo and Mass Effect, respectively, are household names to even casual gamers, drawing in players based on their brand as much as their product. Each has a long history with a respectable record and thousands of devoted fans. So when Anthem was first hinted at in 2014, the question wasn’t whether or not the Bioware title would make a profit, but how high the new IP would sit in the halls of gaming reverence.

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From up on high, Bungie knows those halls quite well. Still running off goodwill from the Halo series, the studio released Destiny in 2014, an ambitious, genre-defining multiplayer epic. The game’s combination team shooter-RPG play style was arguably one-of-a-kind, and while many have attempted to replicate their feel, Bungie’s two titles in this series have kept well ahead of contenders. Despite considerable problems, 2017’s Destiny 2 remains the reigning champ in its weight class, and it’s still evolving and producing.

On Bioware’s end, it was not initially apparent what their new IP was all about – developers are known for being vague in the early stages when a game begins to formulate in a chrysalis of concept and code. Yet, when the first sneak peaks and screen captures were released last year, the community began to see what was brewing inside, and boy, did it seem familiar.

When one begins to describe the ever-approaching Anthem, the parallels become all too obvious. Like Destiny and Destiny 2, Anthem is clearly a loot-and-shoot, open-world MMO dipping into role-playing elements and class dynamics, where persistent characters progress largely through gear acquisition and upgrades – the best of which are acquired through cooperative play. As an in-genre alternative, Anthem checks all the same boxes.

Further, the thematic comparisons are strong, and stronger with each new bit of Anthem info we hear. To be clear, many contemporary game series make use of the post-apocalyptic setting to create an atmosphere of intrigue and mystery, or an environment fraught with danger. Some of these games focus on advanced technology as a means of progression and protection. Some do all of this better than others. But an expansive, post-apocalyptic sci-fi world where players tech-up and team-up to defend humanity against large-than-life otherworldly threats? Well, it’s a niche, but I can think of one popular little game…

Oh, right. That one.

And that game is hurting. Micro-transactions from dawn to dusk. Arbitrary, hidden experience barriers. Loot stagnation. Gameplay that is simply boring. (But mostly the micro-transactions.) The problems are almost as popular as the game itself and, according to many, Destiny may have already vacated its throne long before Anthem even arrives:

So, with such a clear path to victory in front of it, and the king crumbling under the weight of the crown, will Anthem succeed to capture a skeptical player base?

As one player put it to us, “Don’t do what Destiny 2 did, and you win.”

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In the EA’s E3 presentation this summer, nothing was done to diminish first-blush comparisons — in fact, they actually seem invited. As player frustration with Destiny 2 goes mostly unanswered, Bioware developers are quick to point out how its new baby very specifically and conveniently lacks all those same frustrations. The studio continues to engage with both content creators and the general public to provide assurances that this game may look like Destiny 2, but let’s be clear that it ain’t:

This kind of pointed messaging may not just be the developers’ playing cute and coy during promotion; it’s rumored that there is a lot riding on Anthem’s success, which necessarily depends on hitting Bungie where it hurts.

Still, make no mistake: Bioware is taking a risk, and they have stumbled before. And while a miss or two won’t sink a company, Anthem is definitely deeper into uncharted territory than Bioware has gone before. A studio that is best known as for producing story-driven, single-player games, with an emphasis on writing, voice-acting and overall plot, has never had to concern itself too greatly with the idea of a competitive twitch gameplay experience, an element that was critical to Destiny’s initial success. Can they prove to be adept at both?

Very possibly. First gameplay impressions have been promising, and the studio itself seems to be ever mindful of who they are. Both will be important. Whether Destiny puts up a fight or fades before Anthem’s arrival on the scene, Bioware will need to learn from Bungie’s mistakes by harnessing the goodwill of the players through delivery of solid, fresh content; keeping to promises made about costs and DLC structure; staying engaged with the community about possible changes; and – above all – creating a game that enthusiasts will legitimately enjoy playing.

 

Top 10 Games of 2018 (so far)

By 2018, we totally expected we’d have flying cars. We don’t. But what we do have are some of the most exciting video games ever created. Here is our list of our favorite new entries for 2018 so far…

DragonBall FighterZ (January 26) (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

The ultimate Dragonball Z experience. Period. The previous releases in the Dragonball series have been plagued by junky controls and an overly cell-shaded aesthetic, but Dragonball FighterZ is the game fans will want to get their hands on. With an engaging storyline, smooth transitional gameplay, and a fantastic art style, this has been a certified hit. Though the multiplayer is lacking a bit with its matchmaking algorithm, there’s enough content packed into Dragonball FighterZ to keep you occupied for a lengthy amount of time.

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Monster Hunter World (January 26) (PS4, Xbox One)

Kicking the year off, Monster Hunter World made its way to North America where it saw rave reviews. Its tactical, almost Souls-style gameplay makes every move crucial to survival. The Capcom product runs well on the PS4 with beautiful graphics and the occasional framerate drop, but with over 100+ hours of gameplay, if you’re not still playing it, it’s never too late to join the community.

Shadow of the Colossus (February 6) (PS4)

Shadow of the Colossus was a quiet beast for a decade and a half. You take control of Wander and ride across a forgotten expanse to defeat Colossi. Its initial release in 2005 saw near-perfect reviews and it’s a blessing to have this title come to current gen consoles. For its release, the gameplay of pitting David vs. Goliath was unexplored. However, Team Ico absolutely nailed the experience and cemented their product in the history books. Do yourself a favor and enjoy this game.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance (February 13) (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Much unlike The Witcher and Skyrim, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a medieval simulation. With weighty combat and defensive moves, Kingdom Come strives to bring the most realistic medieval experience to video game fans all over the world. It’s a step in a risky direction, but if you love engaging RPGs, be sure to give this game a try.

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Age of Empires: Definitive Edition (February 20) (PC)

The Real-Time Strategy titan returns to PC with upgraded graphics and a heavy dose of nostalgia. Most everything in AoE: Definitive Edition is the same as its older generations. You’re still building a civilization to conquer a procedurally generated landscape via force and diplomacy. If you’re a fan of AoE, you know what you’re paying for. If you’re new, this is the best place to start. An old legend polished and re-released for a new generation.

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A Way Out (March 23) (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

An ambitious title from relatively new developers, Hazelight, A Way Out puts the player into a split-screen, dialogue-driven story of prison life, escape and survival. The story is told strictly through a split-screen experience. It’s an ingenious creative device that ropes the player in immediately and never lets its foot off the gas.

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Far Cry 5 (March 27) (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

The Far Cry series has seen its ups and downs (Far Cry 4 and Far Cry Primal). Ubisoft has turned a new corner recently, putting more emphasis on the actual content of their games, rather than milking a map structure and bland quest objectives. As with most Far Cry games, you know what you’re in for. But with a setting rife with murderous evangelicals in the United States, this is a Far Cry game that we haven’t quite experienced yet.

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God of War (April 20) (PS4)

The juggernaut of 2018, to say the least. At its E3 reveal in 2016, the gaming world went bonkers. A new God of War game is enough to make any PlayStation owner salivate, but the newest installment brought a two-year hype-fest. Gone are the Twin Blades, but here to stay is a tremendous axe and an ever-present, but never-in-the-way companion. This time around, God of War is a story-based experience at its core and the IP has never been better.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (April 11) (Xbox One)

A sleeper hit of 2018, Ninja Theory’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice brings real-world issues into a virtual world. The main character is plagued with mental issues, most prominently Schizophrenia, and the story unfolds as you battle your inner demons and put past trauma to rest in a landscape of nightmares. While this title was available for Windows and PS4 last year, it’s a welcome addition to the Xbox library in 2018.

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Detroit: Become Human (May 25) (PS4)

Quantic Dream has done it again. They have created an original story with top-tier graphics and gameplay mechanics. Focusing around three main androids in a future Detroit, the player battles with complex decisions and an expansive decision tree that warrants multiple playthroughs. If you liked Heavy Rain and Beyond Two Souls, you’re going to fall head over heels for this title.

 

 

Halo VI: Return of the Spartan

Halo 5’s Forge was heralded as a groundbreaking addition to the Master Chief saga. It has given fans of the Halo series the chance to build their own levels to put each other through their paces. Since Forge’s release, we’ve seen some sick levels created. We’ve had the likes of “Elixir” by Sikamikanico set on the homeworld of the Covenant Elites, “Echoes” by Spirit in Black that takes its inspiration the levels of Halo: Combat Evolved, and even “Nautilus” by Ascend Hyperion that is set underwater!

We’re not here to talk about levels though. As well as levels, fans have also used Forge to recreate scenes and set pieces from some of the greatest pop culture ever. We’re here to celebrate some incredible work done by Reddit user u/NeomiCrystal.

NeomiCrystal has recreated the Sarlacc Pit from Return of Jedi, complete Jabba’s flying palace. We love it, and with a successor to Halo 5 announced at E3 maybe, just maybe, we are about to see Halo VI: Return of the Spartan.

If only this were real!

Get paid to play FIFA

Source: EA

How good are you at FIFA? Are you constantly beating your friends at home and on the web? Is your FIFA Ultimate Team THE Ultimate Team? If the answer is yes to both questions then maybe you could think about quitting your day job and getting yourself set up as a FIFA Pro Coach. Recruiters Bidvine have put the call out for all FIFA enthusiasts to apply for the newly created coaching role. Bidvine says that coaches will earn around £15 an hour but that they can set their own price.

Of course, if you want the job, you’re going to have to prove how good you are at FIFA. You’ll have to have played in Divisions within Online Seasons and/or FIFA Ultimate Team. You’ll also have to submit a copy of your photo ID and the division that you play in so that FIFA can verify your identity.

Are you good enough to be a pro-FIFA player? If you think so, you can apply for the job here.

How to setup a VPN for Minecraft with Hamachi

Playing Minecraft with friends is great, but playing with people you don’t know can ruin the fun. A solution is to create your own VPN server that only you and your friends can access. Theoretically, when creating a VPN network everyone will be able to play Minecraft in a server, hidden from the lurking eyes of other players.

The most common VPN software used is Hamachi. Hamachi is an easy to use VPN client that doesn’t require a lot of work to install and setup, but everyone who is planning on joining your secret match will have to install Hamachi. Just think of it as a rotating server between your friends.

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