League of Legends to introduce WASD controls to ranked matches later this month

Riot Games has announced a series of updates for its long-running multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legends, including the expansion of its new WASD movement controls into ranked gameplay.

The alternative control method, which allows players to move their characters using keyboard keys rather than traditional mouse clicks, will become available in ranked matches with patch 26.9. The move follows months of testing and feedback gathering, as the developer sought to ensure competitive balance between the two control methods.

Riot prepares WASD controls for competitive play

Riot Games first revealed plans to support WASD movement in August last year, signalling a significant shift from the game’s long-established point-and-click system. The new controls enable players to navigate the battlefield using the W, A, S, and D keys, a format commonly used in other PC game genres such as shooters and action titles.

Before introducing the feature into ranked play, the studio conducted extensive internal testing and monitored player performance to determine whether the keyboard-based movement system offered any competitive advantage. According to the company, its goal was to maintain fairness between the new method and the existing point-and-click controls, particularly in ranked matches where results directly affect player standings.

In a developer update published alongside the announcement, Riot Games stated that small differences in player performance between the two systems still exist. “There’s still a small delta in the win-rates between the control schemes, with Point and Click having a minor advantage,” the company said. “We expect that difference will decrease over time as players gain more mastery with WASD, but we will continue to monitor this stat in the future.”

The introduction of WASD controls into ranked matches marks a milestone for the feature, signalling that Riot believes the system has reached a level of stability suitable for competitive environments. However, the company has indicated that performance data will continue to be tracked closely after the rollout.

Accessibility updates accompany new control features

Alongside the new movement system, Riot Games is introducing several accessibility-focused improvements to give players greater flexibility in how they interact with the game. These enhancements are intended to support a wider range of player preferences and needs without altering the core gameplay mechanics.

One key addition is expanded customisation options for mouse cursor controls. Players will be able to adjust how the cursor behaves, offering greater precision and responsiveness depending on individual preferences. The update also introduces more flexible keybinding options, enabling players to configure controls to suit their play style.

The developer highlighted that these accessibility features were developed in response to community feedback gathered during earlier testing phases. Player feedback has been an important part of refining the WASD system and identifying areas where additional control options could improve usability.

The broader accessibility push reflects a growing trend across the games industry, where developers are increasingly focused on making titles easier to customise. By offering adjustable control schemes and input settings, studios aim to ensure that players with varying levels of experience and physical ability can participate comfortably.

These changes are expected to benefit both new and experienced players, particularly those who may find traditional point-and-click movement challenging or less intuitive compared with keyboard-based alternatives.

No official controller support planned despite joystick compatibility

Despite the expansion of keyboard-based controls, Riot Games has clarified that it is not planning to introduce official controller or gamepad support for League of Legends at this stage. The company emphasised that the game’s core design remains focused on keyboard and mouse interaction.

However, the studio noted that players using joystick devices will still be able to use the WASD movement option. This capability provides users with some flexibility when experimenting with alternative input devices, even though dedicated controller support is not part of the current roadmap.

The developer also outlined its testing approach, which included both internal trials and broader community participation. Data collected during these phases helped determine how players adapted to the new control method and whether it affected gameplay outcomes. Community responses were analysed to ensure that the addition aligned with player expectations and maintained the integrity of competitive matches.

Riot Games described the ongoing rollout of WASD controls as part of a longer-term effort to modernise the game while preserving its established competitive structure. League of Legends, which has remained one of the most popular multiplayer titles for more than a decade, continues to evolve through periodic updates that improve gameplay systems and accessibility.

With the launch of patch 26.9 later this month, ranked players will gain the option to experiment with the new control method in competitive settings. Riot Games has indicated that future adjustments may be made based on player adoption rates and performance data collected after the feature becomes widely available.