The WASD control scheme will be introduced to ranked queues in League of Legends Patch 26.9, set to release on April 29.
The WASD control scheme is coming to League of Legends (LoL) ranked queues on April 29 with patch notes 26.9. Riot Games has also assured players that the controls are designed to feel similar to point-and-click and do not provide a competitive advantage in skill.
WASD is coming to the ranked queues
In May 2025, it was revealed that a WASD control scheme would be coming to League of Legends. Riot Games later confirmed it would first test the feature in normal queues to evaluate its real in-game impact, especially as players raised several questions about how it could affect gameplay.
Would ADCs be able to kite more efficiently with WASD movement? And would it create an imbalance compared to players who stick to the traditional point-and-click system?
After extensive testing and analysis, Riot Games reached the point “where WASD reached a similar performance level as Point and Click controls,” they explained. “There is still a small delta in the win-rates between the control schemes, with Point and Click having a minor advantage.”
In the release patch, Riot Games will add champion-specific keybinds, so players can configure different keybinds for different champions. The WASD control scheme will arrive in the ranked modes on patch notes 26.9, which launches on April 29.
Pros and cons of the WASD controls
There are many advantages to the WASD control scheme. For new players, especially those coming from first-person shooters (FPS), it may offer a more intuitive way to adapt to the game.
At the same time, for players looking to improve in the ADC role, WASD provides a more fluid way to execute kiting. This is a “hit-and-run” technique used to deal damage while maintaining a safe distance from enemies. This addition can also be beneficial for low-elo players who are looking to improve their gameplay.
On the other hand, the WASD control scheme may not be the best fit for everyone. Champions like Lee Sin or Irelia, who rely on precise clicks and targeted dashes, could face difficulties executing those actions as accurately with WASD controls.
Keybind limitations can also become an issue. Using WASD forces players to remap their abilities, often moving the W ability farther away and requiring some awkward finger gymnastics. The same applies to active items and summoner spells, which end up competing for the same limited set of keys. This overlap can increase the risk of misclicks, especially during clutch moments.
If these months of experimentation have proven successful, there will be little need to worry about the control changes. Even if you choose to stick with mouse controls, you may retain a slight advantage. However, Riot Games assures that both control schemes are balanced at a similar level.
Overall, there is still not enough information to determine how much this addition will change the game, especially in ranked queues. We will have to wait for more data to fully understand its impact. However, you won’t need to worry about WASD if you don’t want to use it. The control scheme is optional, allowing you to continue playing with the setup you’re already comfortable with.
Editors’ Note