League terms players should learn
Note: There are a crapton of terms out there. I will update this soon!
The League of Legends' learning curve for new players is extremely rough compared to many other games out there. One of the things that players will struggle with is terms in League of Legends, which will confuse the hell out of new players, especially since... well... they're new!
In order to alleviate this problem a bit, I will offer a glossary of terms and acronyms commonly used in League.
If you find this helpful, please upvote this thread so that new players will have an easy time finding this resource.
To view a specific section or term, hold Control and press F. Then, type in what section or term you wish to see.
Mechanics and actions Starting areas and roles Statistics Map-related terms
==================== Mechanics and actions
This section includes terms which relate to actions done in League of Legends as well as terms which describe how some actions work.
Aggro - the targeting priority for A.I.-controlled units, like Turrets, Minions, and Pets.
Area of Effect (abbreviated AoE) - abilities that affect an area rather than a target.
Assist - helping a teammate secure a kill on an enemy Champion
Attack Move (also called A-move) - commanding your Champion to move while attacking any enemy unit along the way. Can be done by hitting A or X and left-clicking a location.
Autoattack (also called AA or basic attack) - a basic attack from your Champion. Can be achieved by right-clicking on an enemy or neutral unit or by pressing A or X and left-clicking an enemy or neutral unit.
Backdoor - the act of sneaking past all opponents to take down their base
Bait - to provoke the enemy team to doing an action.
Burst - to deal a high amount of damage in a short duration of time.
Camp - to constantly show yourself in a specific area.
Carry (Action) - to try and be the MVP of your team by making plays which significantly benefits your team.
Chase - to aggressively follow an opponent.
Contest - to challenge the enemy team for an objective.
Cover - see "Hold"
CS - Creep Score; to obtain gold from killing enemy or neutral units.
Damage over Time (DoT) - a status effect that deals damage over a duration of time.
Dive - to relentlessly pursue an enemy in dangerous areas.
Duel - to fight in a one versus one situation.
Dunk - to use an ability that is classified as a "Dunk," such as Darius's Noxian Guillotine or Jarvan IV's Cataclysm.
_Farming _ - obtaining gold by killing enemy or neutral units.
Feeding - dying repeatedly to the opposing team.
Focus - to direct all fighting to a specific target.
Fog of war - area in which you and your team will only see grey. Enemy units in that area will be hidden from your view.
Freeze - to cause minions to fight in a specific area for a prolonged period of time.
Gank - to assist an ally by going to his or her lane to attack an opponent.
Harass - to annoy the opponent with little attacks from time to time.
Hold - to be a substitute for a teammate in lane as he or she recalls or roams.
Initiate - to start a large-scale fight for your team.
Jungling - to kill monsters in the Jungle
Kite - to attack an enemy while staying safe from attacks from that enemy.
Laning - to stay in a lane and kill minions.
Last-hit - to kill minions by scoring the killing blow on it.
Leash - to help your Jungler with his or her first clear.
Peel - to thwart off enemy attackers from your teammates.
Ping (Action) - to send a signal to your teammates. Can be done by pressing G or V and clicking or pressing G or V, holding left-click, and dragging the mouse up, down, left, or right.
Poke - to use long-ranged attacks to whittle down enemy health.
Pressure - to mentally stress your opponent through getting advantages for yourself, posing a threat, or setting up situations.
Push - to kill enemy units in order to allow allied units to move forward.
Roam - to wander around the map and assist anyone if possible.
Recall - teleporting back to your base. Can be done by pressing B and waiting several seconds. Often notified by teammates when they type "brb" or "backing."
Spam - to repeatedly and frequently use an ability or to frequently repeat an action like a Ping.
Split push (Also called splitting) - to push another lane while teammates occupy another area of the map.
Tank (Action) - to absorb damage from the enemy team to allow teammates to stay safe.
Ward (Action) - to place a Stealth Ward or a Vision Ward on the map in order to have vision of that area.
Zone - to force an opponent from being in an area.
==================== Starting areas and roles
This section describes the starting positions of players and roles that Champions can fill.
AD Carry (Often abbreviated to ADC) - role in which a player builds items that primarily augment physical damage output. Provides sustained damage for the team. Typically starts in Bot with the Support.
Assassin - role in which a player targets the important members of the enemy team to swiftly take them out. Typically starts in Top, Jungle, or Mid.
Bodyguard - a Champion who is strong at protecting allies with disruption abilities and utility. Functions very similarly to a Peeler.
Bot (lane) lane that directs to the bottom portion of the map.
Bruiser - role in which a player dishes out some damage while also being durable enough to absorb damage from the enemy team. Typically starts in Top or Jungle.
Carry - a Champion who deals significantly high amounts of damage, typically Marksmen or Mages; the MVP of a team who makes many plays to benefit the team.
Caster - Champions who deal most of their damage by using abilities. Typically Assassins and Mages.
CC Machine - describes a Champion who has many abilities which disrupts the enemy team from fighting effectively.
Duelist - a Champion who excels in fighting small skirmishes or one-versus one situations.
Hyper-carry - a Champion who is extremely weak in the early stages of the game but extremely strong in the later stages of the game.
Initiator - a Champion who has the ability to strongly start a fight.
Jungle - the forest area between lanes with various monsters.
Jungler - role in which a player starts in the Jungle and wanders around the map to provide assistance.
Mage (Sometimes called AP Carry or APC) - role in which a player focuses on dealing magic damage to the enemy team. Often starts in Mid Lane or Top Lane.
Marksman - describes champions who use ranged attacks to deal large amounts of sustained damage.
Mid - lane that directs to the center of the map.
Peeler - a Champion who is adept at preventing the enemy team from attacking important members of a team. Functions like a Bodyguard.
Support (Often abbreviated to Supp) - role in which players protect their teammates and offer useful assistance through healing, disruptions, or auras. Typically starts in Bot with the AD Carry.
Tank - role in which a player tries to disrupt the enemy team with crowd control effects while also absorbing damage in order to keep their teammates safe. Often starts Top, Jungle, or Bot as a Support.
Top - lane that directs to the upper part of the map.
====================
Statistics
Ability Power (Also called AP) - statistic that augments abilities which scale with AP
Armor - statistic that mitigates incoming physical damage.
Armor Penetration (Also called Armor Pen) - statistic that increases the amount of damage that physical attacks do by ignoring a portion of the target's armor.
Attack Damage (Also called AD) - statistic that augments basic attacks and abilities which scale with AD.
Attack Speed (Also called AS) - statistic that increases the amount of autoattacks per second.
Cooldown Reduction (Also called CDR) - statistic that decreases the amount of time needed before an ability can be cast again. Does not affect abilities with static cooldowns.
Critical Strike Chance (Also called Crit) - statistic that increases the frequency of scoring a critical strike with an autoattack.
Energy - resource that some champions expend to cast abilities. Regenerates quickly but has a static pool.
Effective Health - the amount of damage a Champion can take before dying. Can be calculated by multiplying Health with (1+ ((Armor or Magic Resistance)/100)
Experience - resource gained in order to rise in Levels. Can be obtained by being near dying enemy units.
Gold - in-match currency used to buy Items. Can be gained by killing units.
Health (Also called HP) - statistic that determines how much damage a champion can sustain before dying. Does not take Armor or Magic Resistance into consideration
_Health Regeneration (Also called Health Regen, HP Regen, or HP5) - statistic that determines how much health a champion will regain per second.
Level - indicator that determines how strong a Champion naturally is without items or abilities.
Life Steal - statistic that allows your Champion to heal for a percentage of how much damage he or she does per autoattack.
Magic Penetration (Also called Magic Pen or Mag Pen) - statistic that increases the amount of magic damage dealt to a target by ignoring a portion of its Magic Resistance.
Magic Resistance (Also called MR) - statistic that mitigates incoming magic damage.
Mana - resource that many Champions expend to use abilities. Has slow regeneration but can be increased and restored.
Mana Regeneration (Also called Mana Regen) -statistic that determines how much Mana your champion regains per second.
Movement Speed (also called MS) - statistic that determines how fast your Champion can move.
Spell Vamp - statistic that heals your champion based on a percentage of damage dealt from abilities.
==================== Map-related terms
Baron Nashor (Also called Baron or Nashor) - the worm-like creature located in the circular-shaped area between Mid Lane and Top Lane, grants a temporary stat increase as well as an Aura for Minions.
Base - the stone area close to each team's Nexus.
Blue side - the bottom-left half of the map in which the Blue team starts; the half of the Jungle that has the Blue Sentinel.
Blue Sentinel - located between Mid Lane and Top Lane for Blue side and between Mid Lane and Top lane for Red side, the spawning area for a minster that grants the Crest of Insight upon death.
Bush/Brush - tall grass located throughout the map that Champions can utilize to hide from the enemy team.
Dragon (Also called Drag, Drake, and D) - located in the circular-shaped area between Mid Lane and Bot Lane, grants an increase to stats for the team who kills it.
Fountain - the platform on which players spawn at the beginning of the match and where dead players respawn. Houses a Turret which deals extremely high amounts of damage.
Gates - located on the walls of the Base for each team, allows members of its respective team to pass through while keeping enemy team members from going through.
Inhibitor (Also called Inhibs) -structure that prevents the opposing team from spawning Super Minions.
Inhibitor Turret - a Turret which guards the Inhibitors.
Inner Turret - Turrets that are situated immediately outside each base.
Jungle - areas between the lanes, excluding the River
Nexus (Also called Nex) - structure that grants victory if the opposing team destroys it.
Nexus Turrets - two turrets which are located next to the Nexus
Objective - points of interests which will benefit a team if a team secures it, includes: Turrets, Dragon, Baron Nashor, Red Brambleback, and Blue Sentinel.
Outer Turret - the Turret for each lane that is located closest to the enemy team's territory.
Red Brambleback - located between Mid Lane and Bot Lane for Blue side and Mid Lane and Top Lane for Red Side, the spawning area for a monster that grants the Crest of Cinders upon death.
Red side - the upper-right half of the map in which the Red team starts; the half of the Jungle that has the Red Brambleback
River - the body of water between each lane
Tri-bush (Also called Tri) - a bush shaped like a Y, located near Top Lane and Bot Lane.
Turret (Also called Tower) - structure that defends a key part of each lane.
======================== Abbreviations or alternative names for Champions and Items
This section will follow a different format. Rather than the term coming first, I will put the Champion first followed by alternative names or abbreviations.
Champions
Alistar - Ali, cow, bull
Anivia - Aniv, Bird
Amumu - Mumu
Blitzcrank - Blitz, Trollcrank
Caitlyn - Cait
Cassiopeia - Cass
Cho'gath - Cho, Chewy
Corki - Cork
Darius - Dunkmaster
Dr. Mundo - Mundo
Draven - Drav, Draaaaven
Evelynn - Eve
Ezreal - Ez
Fiddlesticks -Fiddle, Fid, Fidd
Gangplank - GP, Gang, Plank
Gragas - Grag, Graggy, Fatman
Hecarim - Hec, Horse, Pony
Heimerdinger - Heim, Donger
Jarvan IV -J4, Jarv
Kalista - Kal
Karthus - Karth
Kassadin - Kass
Katarina - Kat
Kha'zix - Kha, Bug
Kog'maw - Kog
LeBlanc - LB
Lee Sin - Lee, Bruce
Leona - Badass Leo
Lissandra - Liss
Lucian - Luc
Malphite - Mal, Malph
Malzahar - Malz
Maokai -Mao
Master Yi -Yi
Miss Fortune - MF
Mordekaiser - Mord, Morde, MK
Morgana - Morg
Nasus - Nas, Dog
Nautilus - Naut
Nidalee - Nid
Nocturne - Noc, Noct
Orianna - Ori
Pantheon - Panth
Rek'sai - Rek
Renekton - Ren
Rengar - Rengo, Rengu, Cat
Riven - Riv
Sejuani - Sej
Shyvanna - Shyv
Soraka - Raka, Banana goddess
Teemo - Satan
Tristana - Tris, Trist
Trundle - Troll (Get it? Because he's a troll? Aha... I should leave...)
Tryndamere - Tryn, Trynd
Twisted Fate - TF
Vel'koz - Vel
Viktor - Vik
Vladimir - Vlad
Volibear - Vol, Voli, Bear
Warwick - _WW
Wukong - Wu
Xerath - Xer
Xin Zhao - Xin
Yasuo - Yas
Zilean - Zil
Items
Aegis of the Legion - Aegis
Amplifying Tome - Amp, Amp Tome
Ancient Coin - Coin
Archangel's Staff - Arch Staff
Athene's Unholy Grail - Athene's, Grail, AUG
Banner of Command - Banner
Banshee's Veil - Banshee's, BV
B.F. Sword - BF, BFS, Big F*cking Sword?
Blade of the Ruined King - Blade, BotRK, Bork
Boots of Mobility - Mobi Boots, Mobies
Boots of Speed - Boots
Chalice of Harmony - Chalice
Crystalline Flask - Flask
Guardian Angel - GA
Health Potion - Pot
Hexdrinker - Hex
Homeguard - HG
Iceborn Gauntlet - Frozen Fist, Ice Fist, Gauntlet
Infinity Edge - IE
Last Whisper - LW
Liandry's Torment - Liandry's, LT
Lich Bane - LB
Locket of the Iron Solari - Locket
Mana Potion - Mana Pot
Maw of the Malmortius - Maw
Mercury Treads - Mercs, Merc Treads
Mikael's Crucible - Mikael's
Morellomnicon - Morello's
Ohmwrecker - Ohm
Phantom Dancer - PD
Quicksilver Sash - QSS
Rabadon's Deathcap - Deathcap, Cap, RD
Randuin's Omen - Randuin's, RO
Ravenous Hydra - Hydra
Relic Shield - Relics
Rod of Ages - RoA
Scrying Orb - Blue trinket
Sightstone - SS
Sorcerer's Shoes - Sorcs, Sorcs shoes, Sorc boots
Spirit Visage - Visage, SV
Statikk Shyv - Shyv
Stealth Ward - Ward, Green Ward
Sunfire Cape - Sun, Sunfire
Sweeping Lens - Red Trinket, Red, Scanner
Talisman of Ascension - Talisman, Shurelia's
The Black Cleaver - Cleaver
The Bloodthirster - BT
Trinity Force - Triforce
Vision Ward - Pink, Pink Ward
Warding totem - Yellow Trinket
Warmog's Armor - Warmog's
Youmuu's Ghostblade - Youmuu's, Ghostblade
Zeke's Herald - Zeke's, ZH
Zhonya's Hourglass - Zhyona's
====================
Miscellaneous
These are terms which are often used for communication.
Ace - entire team is dead.
AFK - player is inactive
Ball - Orianna's ball
MIA - opponent is missing from his respective lane, often signaled by "Missing" Ping.
(update soon)
