Most players are stuck on the same three or four champions, and it quietly holds them back: one counter-pick or a cheeky ban, and the game is already harder. A wider champion pool fixes that — but you do not need to learn all 160+ champions. This guide is a practical method for expanding your pool the smart way: how many champions you actually need, which ones to add, and how to learn each one without tanking your rank.
Why a wider pool matters
Your champion pool is your toolbox. The wider it is, the more situations you can answer. Get counter-picked in champion select? You have another option. Your best champion banned? No problem. Autofilled to a role you hate? You already have someone you can play there.
It also makes you far harder to draft against, and more adaptable in general — you learn to read a game and pick the right tool instead of forcing the same one every time. Adaptability is one of the clearest things that separates players who climb from players who stay stuck at the same level.
Know why players stay narrow (and let it go)
Most people stay on three or four champions for one reason: trying something new feels like gambling their rank. Every first-time game is clumsy, so it is tempting to just lock the comfort pick again and again.
The fix is a mindset shift: treat a slightly worse win rate for a couple of weeks as an investment, not a loss. The depth you build pays for itself the moment you get banned out or countered — which happens far more often than a rough first game does.
How many champions do you actually need?
Fewer than you think. The sweet spot for most players is a main plus one or two "pocket picks" for each role you queue. That is roughly two to three champions per role — not the whole roster.
Depth beats breadth: three champions you know deeply are worth far more than ten you can barely play. Master one comfort pick first, then add a second that covers your bad matchups, and only then a third for variety.
The fastest way to widen your pool: play random
The biggest blocker to expanding is the choice itself — new champions feel risky, so you never pick them. Removing the decision removes the hesitation. Let a random pick decide, and you simply focus on playing whatever comes up well.
That is exactly what RandomPick is for. Filter by the role you want to grow, spin, and commit to the champion. Turn on Rare mode so it skips the champions you rolled recently — that way your results stay varied and you are genuinely widening your pool instead of rerolling into the same faces.
Add flex champions that cover multiple roles
Here is a shortcut: some champions are playable in several roles, so learning one instantly widens your options across the map. Picks like Malphite, Pantheon, Sett, Morgana or Pyke each fit multiple positions — one bit of learning, more flexibility in champion select.
Flex picks are also great for dodging bans and confusing the enemy draft, since nobody knows which role they will end up in. Learn one in the role you most want to cover, and you have widened your pool in several spots at once.
Learn each new champion the right way
Adding a champion is not about spamming games blindly. Give any new pick at least ten games before you judge it — the first few will always feel awkward. Learn one combo, one clear power spike, and one thing the champion does badly, and you already play it better than most.
Watch a single high-elo game or a short guide, copy the core build and runes, and pay attention to when they choose to fight. Learn new champions in normal games or ARAM first, then bring them to ranked once they feel natural.
Keep it fun so you actually stick with it
The players who build a deep pool are the ones who enjoy the process. Do not grind new champions like a chore — make it a game. Try a "random champion week" where every normal game is decided by the wheel, or expand your pool in ARAM where you get handed new champions anyway.
Lower the stakes and the learning takes care of itself. Ironically, players often come back to their main sharper and less tilted after a stretch of just messing around with new picks.
Quick checklist
Widen your pool without the overwhelm:
- Aim for a main plus one or two pocket picks per role — not the whole roster.
- Master depth first: know a few champions well before adding more.
- Use random picks (with Rare mode) to break out of your comfort three.
- Add flex champions to cover several roles at once.
- Learn each new pick in normals or ARAM first, ten games before you judge it.