The early game is the opening phase of League of Legends, beginning when champions enter their lanes and lasting until the first few objectives or turrets fall. During this stage, players focus heavily on securing Farming, managing wave control, and navigating short trades or skirmishes. Early game advantages often come from superior laning fundamentals, coordinated roams, or well timed jungle pressure.
This phase heavily influences the flow of the match because early gold and experience leads translate into stronger mid game rotations and objective control. Well executed early pressure can set up successful Gank opportunities, force the enemy into defensive play, and dictate how teams contest neutral objectives. Since mistakes are punished more severely in the early stages, strong Positioning and awareness are critical for avoiding setbacks that may snowball out of control.