League of Legends has come a long way since its release on October 27, 2009. While everything has been gradually worked upon, and improved, some issues remain the same. And with the game getting global recognition, new servers have also emerged.
There’s so much to understand in so little time, and with no options to change your chosen server, you’d want to make the best possible decision from the get go. That said, how does one determine which server is good and which server is bad?
Let’s try to break everything down, and understand if ping is the only factor you need to consider, or is there some secret info you’re oblivious about, in the article below!
Getting Started: What Makes a Server Good?
A good server is a vague term. Some might say a good server needs to maintain connection, while others might point out it’s the community that decides whether a server is good or not. But, truth to be told, it’s a mix of everything!
There’s no such thing as a perfect server; you either join a really popular server, or a really niche one. Depending on your goals, the definition of a “perfect server” can differ.
That said, we can explore everything that can make a server good or bad, depending on the use cases!
Adequate Server Capacity
When we talk about a good gaming server, adequate server capacity is a must. This determines how many players can be accommodated simultaneously without causing any disruptions or overloads.
Essentially, a higher capacity ensures smoother gameplay for a larger number of players. To check for this, look at how often the server crashes during peak play hours or during major in-game events.
Low Server Latency
Server latency, more commonly known as “ping”, measures the time it takes for information to travel between your computer and the server. High latency can result in frustrating lag during gameplay.
Therefore, a good server will offer low latency, especially for players in the server’s geographical region. Test the ping by playing a few games on the server at different times of the day.
Quality of Community Interaction
The in-game community can make or break your gaming experience. A good server will foster positive player interaction and have minimal toxicity.
To assess this, pay attention to the behavior of players in the chat and during games, as well as the feedback and reviews shared by players online.
Proactive Anti-cheat Measures
A good server has proactive measures against cheating. This ensures a fair and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone.
You can check for this by seeing if the server regularly updates their anti-cheat software and how swiftly they respond to cheating reports.
Effective and Prompt Customer Support
Customer support is crucial for a good server. From addressing technical issues to handling player complaints, effective and prompt customer service can drastically enhance your overall gaming experience.
You can check the efficiency of their support team by sending them an inquiry or looking at the experiences shared by other players.
Now, there are mountain loads of additional factors to consider when thinking of servers, but since this is not a perfect world, having this info should suffice.
How Many Servers Are There in Total?
League of Legends is created by none other than Riot Games, so it’s natural for it to host the servers as well right? Yes, but not quite.
Now yes, Riot Games do offer multiple servers for League of Legends, that’s part of the reason why we’re having this discussion. However, they don’t manage everything, especially the Southeast Asia, and the Chinese servers.
Servers Riot Games Currently Manage
Here is a complete list of servers that are managed by Riot Games:
| Server Name | Abbreviation | Release Date | Language(s) | Location | IP Addresses |
| Brazil | BR (BR1) | September 13, 2012 | Portuguese | São Paulo, SP, Brazil | 104.160.152.3 |
| Europe Nordic & East | EUNE (EUN1) | July 13, 2010 | Czech, English, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian | Frankfurt, Germany[2] | 104.160.142.3 |
| Europe West | EUW (EUW1) | July 13, 2010 | English, German, Spanish, French, Italian | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 104.160.141.3 |
| Latin America North | LAN (LA1) | June 3, 2013 | Spanish | Miami, FL, United States | 104.160.136.3 |
| Latin America South | LAS (LA2) | June 3, 2013 | Spanish | Santiago, Chile | |
| North America | NA (NA1) | October 27, 2009 | English | Chicago, Illinois,United States | 104.160.131.3104.160.131.1(?) |
| Oceania | OCE (OCE/OC1) | June 28, 2013 | English | Sydney, Australia | 104.160.156.1 |
| Russia | RU (RU1) | April 17, 2013[ | Russian | München,Germany | 162.249.73.10 |
| Turkey | TR (TR1) | September 27, 2012 | Turkish | Istanbul, Turkey | |
| Japan | JP (JP1) | March 15, 2016 | Japanese | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Republic of Korea | KR (KR) | December 12, 2011 | Korean | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Public Beta Environment | PBE (PBE) | English | Los Angeles, CA, United States |
Garena Southeast Asia Servers
In Southeast Asia, Garena has been in-charge of maintaining the servers. While the patches received here are the same as the main servers. The minor events like skins and promotions might differ.
However, these servers aren’t preferred unless you gain a substantial ping advantage. They could be titled as the “worst servers” in terms of stability.
But, if you manage to bear through it, there are a lot of free skins to grab at the end of the tunnel. In total, the following servers are available in this category:
| Server Name | Abbreviation | Release Date | Language(s) | Location | IP Addresses |
| The Philippines | PH (PH1) | July 17, 2010 | English | Taguig City, Philippines | 122.11.128.127 |
| Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia | SG (SG1) | July 17, 2010 | English, Simplified Chinese | Singapore | 103.247.207.173 |
| Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau | TW (TW1) | July 17, 2010 | Traditional Chinese | Taipei City, Taiwan | |
| Vietnam | VN (VN1) | August 8, 2012 | English, Vietnamese | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | |
| Thailand | TH (TH1) | July 17, 2010 | Thai | Bangkok, Thailand |
Tencent China Server
Last, but not the least come the chinese servers. There’s nothing particular about them – aside from the fact that they’re super fast, and are controlled by Tencent, the company holding significant shares in Riot Games.
19 of these servers are hosted by China Telecom while 7 are hosted by China Unicorn. Aside from the mentioned ones, there are three main servers.
- One of these servers is hosted by CERNET, which is an ISP for educational universities, meaning the latency here is lower than normal.
- The second server, or the Baron Zone is another network restriction-less server that promises high speeds, but is the worst out of the three.
- Finally, there is the main server, translated as “Summit of the Valley”. It is the best server China has to offer. You need to be at least Diamond 1 to be eligible for joining the Summit of the Valley. This super-server has gained global recognition, and usually serves as a pool for picking esports talent.
Can You Transfer Your Servers?
Yes, but it only works for a selective number of servers, and it costs a fair bit. Therefore, it’s important for you to make the correct first decision. Here is a chart representing the costs for transferring servers:
| Transferfrom | Transfer to | ||||||||||
| NA | EUW | EUNE | BR | TR | RU | LAN | LAS | OCE | JP | SEA | |
| NA |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | |
| EUW |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | |
| EUNE |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | |
| BR |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | N/A | N/A |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | |
| TR |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |  2600 |  2600 | |
| RU |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |  2600 |  2600 | |
| LAN |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | N/A | N/A |  2600 | N/A | ? |  2600 | |
| LAS |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | N/A | N/A |  2600 | N/A |  2600 |  2600 | |
| OCE |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | |
| JP |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 |  2600 | |
| SEA | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
What Is The Worst LoL Server According To Players?
Now that we’ve discussed the general characteristics of what makes a server good or bad, and provided an overview of the existing servers, let’s move onto the crux of the matter: which is considered the “worst” League of Legends server?
When discussing the “worst” server, it is important to understand that it is highly subjective and can differ from player to player. A server that might be the worst for one player might not necessarily be the same for another. A player’s location, gaming goals, and personal preferences all contribute to this perception.
That being said, from a broad perspective, players often cite the following issues with specific servers:
- Garena Southeast Asia Servers: The Garena servers, despite offering unique promotions and skins, have been critiqued for their overall stability and customer service. Players often report frequent server crashes, delayed patch updates, and poor handling of customer support tickets. The community is also often described as toxic and not very friendly to newcomers.
- BR (Brazil) Server: The BR server often suffers from high ping issues, especially for players not based in South America. Reports of toxicity in the community are also higher than average. However, this can vary greatly depending on the specific players you interact with.
- RU (Russia) Server: The Russia server also has some issues, mainly due to a smaller player base which can result in longer queue times for games. Plus, for non-Russian speakers, the language barrier can prove challenging.
- TR (Turkey) Server: Similar to the BR and RU servers, the TR server often suffers from high latency and toxicity issues.
Remember that your personal experience may vary greatly. Ideally, you should play on the server that gives you the lowest latency (ping), as this will give you the smoothest gameplay. Language preference and community behavior are also important considerations. For these reasons, the “worst” server will largely depend on your individual needs and circumstances.
How to Check Your Ping Before Choosing a Server
Before you start investing hours into a specific server, it’s crucial to first check your ping or latency. The term “ping” refers to the time it takes for a data packet to travel from your computer to the server and back. In essence, a lower ping means a faster connection, which is desirable in a game like League of Legends where every millisecond counts.
High ping can result in lag, which can be detrimental in competitive play. So, how do you check your ping before choosing a server? Follow these simple steps:
Method 1: Using In-Game Tools
Begin a Practice Match: After logging in, head to the main menu and click on “Training”. From there, choose “Practice Tool”. This mode allows you to test out different things in a controlled environment.
Check Ping: Once in the Practice match, you will see your ping in the upper right corner of the screen. This number will give you an idea of the latency you can expect when playing on this server.
Note: Remember to check your ping at different times of day, as network congestion during peak times can affect your latency.
Method 2: Using Online Tools
There are several online tools, such as LoL Ping Test, which can give you an approximate idea of your ping on different servers. These websites work by sending a ping request from your device to LoL’s servers, and then display the approximate latency.
While this method may not be as accurate as the in-game method, it is a fast way to get an idea of your ping on multiple servers.
Method 3: Using the Command Line
For those comfortable with using command line interfaces, you can manually ping the server using its IP address.
For example, on Windows:
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type cmd and press enter to open the command prompt.
- Type ping [server IP address] and hit enter. The server IP address will be the one for the specific LoL server you want to check. For example, for North America, it is 104.160.131.3.
This will send packets to the server and then display your latency in milliseconds.
Remember, while low ping is crucial, it’s not the only factor in choosing a server. Consider other elements like the server population, community behavior, language preference, and more when making your final
Understanding the Impact of Server Population
When choosing a League of Legends server, the population size of the server can have a significant impact on your gaming experience. This can influence various factors, including queue times, the level of competition, and even the social aspect of the game.
Queue Times
One of the most immediate effects of server population size is the time it takes to find a game, also known as queue times.
In larger servers with a high population, you can generally find games faster as there are more players searching for a game at any given time.
On the other hand, in smaller servers, you may find yourself waiting longer to get into a game, particularly at higher skill levels or during off-peak hours.
Level of Competition
The server population can also influence the level of competition. Larger servers tend to have a more diverse skill range of players, which can make climbing the ranked ladder more challenging but also more rewarding.
The larger pool of players can contribute to a more accurate matchmaking system, ensuring that you’re paired with and against players of similar skill levels.
Smaller servers might not offer the same level of competition, simply because the range of player skills may be more limited. You might find that you’re often paired with the same players, which can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the player.
Community Vibe and Social Aspect
The size of the server can also affect the community vibe. Larger servers can feel more anonymous, but they can also offer more opportunities for making friends, joining active clubs, and finding teammates for ranked games.
Smaller servers, while offering fewer players to interact with, can foster a more tight-knit community. It’s not uncommon to recognize names in your games and develop rivalries or friendships over time.
However, smaller servers can also be more prone to toxicity if there are fewer consequences for negative behavior decision.
Regional Differences in Gameplay and Meta
One unique aspect of League of Legends is that despite being the same game, gameplay styles, strategies, and champion preferences can vary greatly from one server to another. This can be attributed to different cultural perspectives, player mindsets, and regional preferences that shape the gaming meta or the most effective tactics and strategies currently in use. Understanding these differences can play a huge role in determining which server is the best fit for you.
For instance, the Korean server (KR) is often renowned for its highly competitive nature and fast-paced, aggressive gameplay. The meta here usually focuses on early game dominance and rapid, decisive victories. As the region that has historically dominated professional League of Legends, the KR server is also known for innovative strategies that often set the meta for other regions.
In contrast, the North American server (NA) has a reputation for a more balanced approach to gameplay. The strategies here often revolve around all stages of the game with a significant emphasis on team fights. As a result, champions that excel in these aspects tend to be more popular in this server.
The European servers (EUW and EUNE) are known for their tactical and strategic gameplay. Players often focus on map control and objective prioritization, making champions with high mobility and objective control more favored.
Garena Southeast Asia servers, on the other hand, are noted for their preference towards champions that can carry the game single-handedly, reflecting a more individualistic playstyle. As such, the meta here often revolves around high-damage dealers and assassins.
Similarly, servers like the BR (Brazil), TR (Turkey), and RU (Russia) each have their own distinct meta and gameplay style influenced by the regional player base. It’s common to see unique strategies and champion picks in these regions that could surprise players from other servers.
Impact of Server Choice on Competitive Play
Competitive play in League of Legends can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also where the stakes are highest. Your choice of server can greatly impact your experience in the competitive scene, and it’s important to understand how before you make your decision.
Player Skill Level
Some servers are notorious for having a higher average player skill level. For instance, the Korean server is often cited as the most competitive due to the prominence of eSports and professional players in the region.
This might make climbing the competitive ranks more challenging but could also provide better practice opportunities and a generally higher level of gameplay.
Queue Times
In competitive play, the server population matters a lot. Servers with a larger player base typically have shorter queue times, especially at higher ranks. On less populated servers, high-rank players often face long waits to get into games because there are fewer players at their skill level.
Scouting Opportunities
If you aspire to play League of Legends professionally, the server you choose can influence your visibility to professional scouts. Larger servers, particularly those with active professional leagues like North America, Europe, and Korea, have a higher likelihood of being scouted.
These regions have robust eSports infrastructures where talented players can potentially be noticed and recruited.
Regional Meta
The preferred strategies or “meta” can vary significantly from server to server. Playing on a server where the meta aligns with your preferred playstyle can give you a competitive edge.
Conversely, it can be beneficial to play on a server with a different meta to expand your understanding of the game and become a more versatile player.
Tournament Eligibility
For players interested in participating in regional tournaments or considering going pro, it’s essential to consider the server you play on.
Some tournaments are region-locked, meaning you’ll only be able to compete if you’re playing on a certain server.
Influence of Server Location on In-Game Events and Patch Updates
As an online multiplayer game, League of Legends thrives on regularly hosting in-game events and updates.
These events can range from new champion releases, seasonal events, introduction of new game modes, or balance changes. Likewise, regular patch updates are key to keeping the game fresh, balanced, and engaging.
Interestingly, your server location can influence when and how you experience these events and updates.
- Timing of In-Game Events: The time zone of the server can play a significant role in the timing of in-game events. For example, a holiday event might begin at midnight server time. This means that if you’re in a significantly different time zone from your server, an event might start in the middle of your night or workday. This could potentially hinder your ability to fully participate in these time-limited events, especially those that start and finish on the same day.
- Patch Updates Rollout: Patch updates generally roll out across different servers at different times. Riot typically applies patches to less populated servers first to ensure stability before launching it on more populated servers. Therefore, depending on your server, you may either receive the new update sooner or later than others. It’s important to stay up-to-date with your server’s update schedule to avoid logging in to a surprise patch mid-game.
- Access to New Features and Champions: Sometimes, Riot will test new features, champions, or significant gameplay changes on select servers before a wider release. Therefore, players on these “test” servers may get earlier access to these features. In the past, servers like NA and KR have often been selected for these early-access tests.
- Localized Events: Some servers have events unique to their region or country. These events are often related to local holidays or traditions and can provide unique skins, emotes, or other rewards. For instance, the Garena servers in Southeast Asia occasionally have localized events that aren’t available to the rest of the world.
While none of these factors are game-breaking, they can certainly impact your experience and enjoyment of the game. Therefore, consider these factors alongside others like latency and community when choosing your ideal LoL server.
What is My Preferred Server? A Perfect Balance!
Finding the right balance in a League of Legends server can be a complex task, mainly because this balance varies for each player. You may look for a server that is close geographically to ensure the lowest latency.
Or you may prefer a server with the right blend of competition – not too intense, but not too lax either. For some, the behavior and nature of the player community is a paramount factor.
In my case, the ideal blend of all these factors leads me to prefer the Europe West (EUW) server. Why? Here’s my breakdown:
- Geographical Proximity: Being close to the EUW server geographically means that I typically experience lower latency (ping) while playing. This ensures that my games are as smooth as possible, without frustrating lags or disconnections.
- Competitive Balance: EUW is a server that hits the sweet spot when it comes to competition. It’s not as intensely competitive as some of the Asian servers, which often have a significant number of highly-skilled players. At the same time, it’s not as casual as some other servers, where players might not take the game as seriously. For someone like me, who enjoys competition but doesn’t want to feel like every game is a high-stakes tournament, this balance is perfect.
- Community Behavior: I won’t gloss over this – the EUW server, like any other, has its share of toxicity. This is an unfortunate reality of any online multiplayer game. However, from my experience, the EUW community is manageable. Yes, you’ll encounter players who are less than cordial, but you’ll also meet many who are friendly and supportive. It’s a mixed bag, and a little patience and thick skin go a long way.
If you’re a player who values these characteristics, the EUW server might be the ideal choice for you as well.
Conclusion
In essence, numerous factors contribute to a server’s quality such as server capacity, latency, community quality, anti-cheat measures, and customer support. It’s essential to remember that the so-called ‘worst’ server can be largely subjective and dependent on your individual circumstances.
Servers like Garena Southeast Asia, Brazil, Russia, and Turkey often face criticisms for stability issues, high ping, and community toxicity.
On the other hand, some players may find a balanced experience in servers like EUW, which may offer a good blend of geographic proximity, competition level, and community behavior. However, these experiences can vary greatly based on each player’s geographical location, language preference, and individual encounters with other players.
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