What is a Summoner?
One thing that makes League of Legends stand out in the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) Genre is the unique Summoner System.
Each player is viewed as a Summoner that exists both in-game and out. As you progress in League of Legends you will earn experience and summoner levels that unlock special features that give you small but cumulatively noticeable benefits in-game. The maximum summoner level is 30 which will leave you with 30 total rune slots and mastery points.
Each game will also earn you Influence Points (IP), A special currency within League of Legends, that allow you to permanently unlock runes or playable champions from the store.
Summoner Spells
Summoners spells are additional skills a summoner can bring to the game. Each game you'll be allowed to choose two spells and you can cast them like you would any other ability unless otherwise noted. Summoner spell cooldowns (The amount of time you have to wait before you can use the spell again) are generally much longer than normal champion abilities. The spells perform a variety of utilities your champion alone might not be able to execute.
Pressing either of these two icons will bring up the summoner spell selection window. |
Use knowledge about your champion when deciding which spells to choose. For instance, if you know you're playing a champion that does not use mana you probably don't want to choose the summoner spell Clarity. Clarity restores mana to yourself and nearby allies.
All summoner spells will be unlocked by summoner level 12. |
Personal opinion: The summoner spell Revive is not advised. There are several reasons why the spell is less than optimal; the first and most obvious reason is that revive can only be used when you're dead. You should be trying to avoid death entirely, there are other spells that will help you stay alive. The second reason is that it has a 9 minute cooldown, meaning you can only use this 4 times in a 40 minute game with the assumption that you use it every time it is available. Even if the speed boost after revive could be useful in some situations the other summoner spells can be used more frequently and in more realistic situations.