Riot Points (RP) are the premium currency in League of Legends, used to unlock champion skins, ward skins, and battle pass tiers. Understanding how to get RP efficiently helps you personalize your look and progress faster without compromising gameplay balance.
This guide walks through the most reliable ways to earn and purchase RP, plus practical tips to make your spending count. Use the structured overview and keyword-focused sections to build a plan that fits your playstyle and budget.
| Acquisition Method | Cost | Pace | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchasing with Real Money | Fixed price tiers (e.g., 520 RP, 1100 RP) | Instant | Quick access to skins and battle pass |
| RP Referral Program | Free for you; friend gets 25% off first 3 months | Days to weeks per reward | Players who enjoy helping friends and sharing links |
| Champion Chests from Events | Included in event purchase or earned through missions | Event-limited; slower but themed | Fans of cinematic events and exclusive rewards |
| Battle Pass Tier Advances | Free tier vs paid tier (includes RP boosts) | Season-long progression | Consistent players aiming for regular unlocks |
Understanding RP and Its Uses
Riot Points serve as the main premium currency in League of Legends, enabling you to support the game while customizing your experience. Unlike influence or blue essence, RP can only be purchased with real money or earned through specific referral actions.
You spend RP on champion skins, prestige skins, bundle offers, and battle pass tiers. Choosing what to buy with RP is a personal decision, so tracking your priorities helps you avoid impulse purchases and focus on items that matter most to you.
Many players combine free currency with paid RP to maximize their collection. Knowing when to save, when to splurge, and when to wait for sales can significantly improve your long-term satisfaction with the game.
How RP Purchases Work In-Game
Buying RP in League of Legends is straightforward, whether you are on the client, mobile app, or website. The store interface lets you select RP amounts, view ongoing promotions, and apply discounts from bundles or events.
After purchase, RP is added to your account balance and available immediately across all platforms. You can then spend it in the Hextech store during the checkout process for any item available for RP.
Payment methods vary by region, including credit cards, PayPal, and region-specific options. Always confirm pricing in your local currency and check for promotions that give bonus RP to stretch your budget further.
RP Referral Program Mechanics
Riot’s referral program rewards both the inviter and the invitee with RP when specific milestones are reached. As the inviter, you earn RP when your referral completes set actions such as purchasing RP and playing a certain number of games.
Steps to maximize referrals
Share your unique referral link with friends who are new to League of Legends, track progress in your account portal, and remind your friends to complete their required actions before the referral window expires.
Your friend receives a discount on their first RP purchase, while you accumulate RP that can be used for skins or battle passes. This method is entirely optional and works best when you already have a circle of players interested in trying the game.
Event RP Rewards and Missions
Throughout each year, League hosts cinematic events and themed missions that grant RP or exclusive items upon completion. These events often tie into champion releases or narrative arcs, adding context to your in-game achievements.
Event participation tips
Complete event missions consistently, prioritize objectives that reward RP or chests, and sync your play schedule with event windows to avoid missing time-limited bonuses that could have boosted your collection.
While event RP rewards are not the fastest path to a large balance, they provide meaningful value and help you unlock themed content without spending extra money. Tracking the calendar lets you plan around double RP events or mission rushes when available.
Battle Pass Integration With RP
The battle pass offers a structured way to progress through a season while unlocking tiers that may include RP boosts. Choosing the paid tier often guarantees more content and faster access to premium rewards compared to the free track.
RP-related tier planning
Evaluate the cost of the battle pass against the included RP and item value, set a season goal for the number of tiers you want to unlock, and decide whether to buy the pass outright or earn it through missions to optimize your RP usage.
Players who regularly complete daily and weekly missions can advance quickly, potentially earning enough in-game currency to offset some RP costs. Integrating battle pass planning with your RP strategy creates a more sustainable long-term approach to collecting content.
Optimizing Your RP Collection Strategy
Treating RP as a planned resource rather than impulse currency leads to better satisfaction and a more focused collection of skins and passes.
- Set a monthly budget for RP to control spending and avoid overspending on temporary trends.
- Use the referral program actively if you have friends new to League, turning social connections into free RP.
- Watch for double RP events and discounted bundles to maximize value on purchases.
- Align RP purchases with your main champion pool and preferred game modes to ensure you use what you unlock.
- Track battle pass seasons to decide when the paid tier pays for itself through included RP and items.
FAQ
Reader questions
Can I get RP without spending real money?
Yes, you can earn RP primarily through the referral program by sharing your invite link and having friends purchase RP, as well as during select events that offer RP rewards for mission completion.
How long do referral RP rewards take to appear? RP from referrals usually posts within a few hours to a few days after your referred friend completes the required actions, depending on server processing and verification. Are RP purchases refundable?
RP purchases are typically non-refundable, so confirm the amount and the item you are buying before finalizing the transaction in the store.
Do RP prices vary by region?
Pricing and available payment methods can differ by region due to taxes, currency conversion, and local regulations, so always check the store for accurate pricing in your area.