How to Enable WASD Controls in League of Legends

Riot Games has fundamentally expanded how players can interact with Runeterra by introducing optional WASD movement controls to League of Legends. This landmark update, aimed at broadening the game's accessibility, provides an alternative to traditional point-and-click movement, particularly welcoming players accustomed to control schemes from other major gaming genres.This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to enable WASD controls, explain the crucial new settings, detail where and when you can use them, and help you decide if making the switch is advantageous for your gameplay.

WASD Controls Release Date & Availability

WASD controls officially launched globally with Patch 25.24 on December 3rd, 2025. Following a staggered rollout that began on the OCE server, the feature is now live on major servers including NA and EUW.Currently, WASD is restricted to non-ranked game modes as Riot Games gathers data and player feedback. This includes:

• ARAM
• Arena
• Swiftplay
• Co-op vs. AI
• Practice Tool
• Custom Games

The control scheme is disabled in all Ranked queues and Normal Draft Pick for now. Riot has stated that ranked availability will depend on community feedback and ensuring competitive fairness. Additionally, at launch, Briar and Taliyah have WASD disabled due to champion-specific interactions being addressed.

Step-by-Step: How to Enable WASD Movement

You cannot activate WASD controls from the main client menu. Follow these steps to switch:

Enter a supported game mode. Practice Tool is highly recommended for first-time setup and experimentation.

Open the in-game Settings menu (ESC key).

Navigate to the Hotkeys tab.

At the very top of the Keybinds section, you will find a new dropdown menu labeled "Movement Input."

Click the dropdown and select "Keyboard (WASD)" from the options.

Click "Save" to apply the changes immediately.

Crucial Note: Your ability and item hotkeys will automatically remap to a new default layout when you switch to WASD. Don't be alarmed—this is normal. If you revert to "Mouse (Point & Click)" movement, all your previouscustom keybindings will be restored perfectly.

Essential WASD Settings & Keybinds to Configure

Simply enabling WASD is just the beginning. To optimize your experience, delve into these new settings:

• Relative Lane Orientation: Found directly under the WASD keybinds, this option rotates movementinputs to align with your lane's direction, which can feel moreintuitive.
• Flash Handling Type: This critical setting determines Flash's direction. You can choose:
  • Cursor: Flash goes towards your mouse pointer.
  • Movement + Cursor if Aligned: A hybrid option.
  • Movement: Flash goes in your champion's current movement direction.
• Scout Ahead Mode (Camera Control): Located under Hotkeys > Camera Control, this is the WASD equivalent of unlocked screen. Toggle it with Middle Mouse Button (MB3) by default to look around the map independently of your champion. Adjust its scroll speed in the Game > Camera settings menu.

Should YOU Switch to WASD Controls? A Player Breakdown

The decision is purely preferential, but here’s how different players might approach it:

• For New Players & Gamers from Other Genres:
  If you're new to League or come from an FPS, ARPG, or other WASD-centricbackground, this control scheme can significantly reduce the initiallearning curve. It offers more direct and familiar camera and movementmanagement. Experiment with both systems in the Practice Tool to see what feels natural.
• For Veteran League Players:
  Long-time players should not feel pressured to change. Years of muscle memorywith point-and-click is powerful. The traditional system is not being replaced or diminished. However, if you're curious, trying WASD could offer a fresh, engagingway to play, though be prepared for a period of relearning.
• For ADC & Marksman Specialists:
  This role may benefit the most from experimenting with WASD. The control scheme can facilitate different kiting (orb-walking) patterns, potentially allowing for smoother attack-move combos and skillshotdodging. Note that kiting with WASD was balanced during testing, so it's a sidegrade, not a direct upgrade. Significant practice will berequired to match your existing skill level.

Final Verdict & Next Steps

The introduction of WASD controls marks a new era of accessibility and choice in League of Legends. It is a fully optional, non-competitive feature designed to coexist with the classic control scheme.

The best approach is to load up the Practice Tool, enable WASD, and spendtime customizing your keybinds and settings without pressure. You can switch back and forth freely within a game until the 10-minute mark, allowing for risk-free experimentation.

Whether you adopt it for certain champions, use it exclusively in ARAM, orstick with the classic mouse, the power is now in your hands. Keep aneye on official Riot announcements for updates on ranked modeavailability and further champion compatibility.

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