Arena of Valor or LoL: Which MOBA suits you best?

Arena of Valor (AoV) and League of Legends (LoL) are two of the most prominent multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA) in the gaming world today. They have striking similarities that make it easy to compare the two but some nuances contribute to their appeal. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• In both AoV and LoL, the two competing teams have the same goal which is to destroy the other team’s nexus. They also rely on random matchmaking to put teams together in every draft or ranked match.
• One of the biggest differences is that LoL has a bigger community and a more prestigious esports scene. League of Legends is also credited as one of the first official MOBA to begin an esports scene.
• Arena of Valor is known to be more fast-paced, a trait favoured by more flashy gamers. However, League has more complex champion abilities, enabling more creative synergies.

To determine the ideal MOBA for you, it’s crucial to understand the relationship between AoV and LoL. Begin by examining their shared characteristics before looking closely into their distinctive features. Here’s Gamdom’s guide to comparing Arena of Valor and League of Legends for newbie players:

Big similarities between both games

The similarities between the two games can be so obvious to a fault that many gamers consider TiMi Studio Group’s AoV to be a knockoff of Riot Games’ LoL. It is often excused because both games are owned by the same corporation, Tencent. Here is the list of similarities and how they are important to defining both games as MOBA:

• Team-based symmetric strategy game: In both games, competing teams are placed on opposite sides of a symmetrical map. The two are connected by three lanes which are separated by jungles with neutral camps both sides can farm for gold and buffs. 
• Objectives to win one round: In both AoV and LoL, the two competing teams have the same goal which is to destroy the other team’s nexus. It’s a simple objective but the way to complete it is complex because both sides are competing for map control. The only way through strong defences is to dominate lane priorities or overwhelm all fronts. 
• The games encourage cooperation even with strangers: AoV and LoL both rely on random matchmaking to put teams together in every draft or ranked match. Players can bring friends to have a more cohesive unit but most will have to make do with strangers. Learning how to cooperate with them is the key to success.
• Strategy begins with character selection: Map awareness, coordination of location, and communication of each other’s situation are all important steps in strategising. However, all of these can be limited or enabled based on which champions are selected for that match. Champion abilities affect the limitations and options for both sides because they can counter certain playstyles. 

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The difference between Arena of Valor and League of Legends

Now that the similarities between the two games are established, it is now time to dissect their differences. These can help you decide the winner when comparing Arena of Valor vs League of Legends. Here are the major factors and which between them execute it better:

• LoL has a bigger community and a more prestigious esports scene: League of Legends is credited as one of the first official MOBA to begin an esports scene. This created some of the most prominent pro teams and players known today even outside of the game’s fanbase. While AoV has a strong community and respectable esports presence, it doesn’t enjoy the same level of widespread recognition. 
• AoV is more accessible as it is playable on mobile devices: AoV is the first to tap into the mobile gaming market. Thus, it competes for a different audience that LoL cannot cater to. Riot Games soon made Wild Rift, a lighter version of League of Legends for mobile, but its esports scene is still developing while AoV is already established. 
• LoL has more complex champion abilities, enabling more creative synergies: LoL champions have 4 abilities each while AoV is limited to only 3 per character. It seems like a minor change but this can make all the difference in complexity. That makes LoL a more engaging game for strategists whilst also enabling more chaos in every skirmish. 
• AoV is more fast-paced, a trait favoured by more flashy gamers: What AoV lacks in complexity relative to LoL, it is favoured by many players for its faster-paced gameplay. Both games use map control to dominate the competition but AoV encourages player vs player duels. Meanwhile, it’s best to avoid risky skirmishes in high-level LoL games in favour of strategic positioning. 

What to consider when choosing between AoV or LoL

AoV and LoL are two of the top MOBA games on the market but their differences can make it easy for an aspiring player to decide between them. The best way to do so is to consider which title best serves the following factors:

Preferred gaming device

Arena of Valor (Honor of Kings in some regions) is playable on mobile devices while League of Legends is exclusively for desktops. However, there are exceptions because AoV can be emulated on a desktop using apps like BlueStacks. League of Legends, on the other hand, has Wild Rift. 

The main issue about this is that AoV is not optimised for desktops and Wild Rift is fundamentally different from LoL. Thus, neither alternative can offer the true experience both titles are meant to offer in their dedicated platforms. Just choose whichever platform is the best for you so if you like gaming on your phone, then AoV is the best choice. Otherwise, opt for LoL. 

Preferred play style

As stated, LoL has a more complex gameplay and fighting players is often not the best course of action unless you’re confident in your ability to eliminate the enemy. Otherwise, it’s better to be more passive or reactive while focusing on your objectives. That’s why LoL pro players have low kill counts in major league matches compared to other players’ ranked games. 

AoV, on the other hand, makes champion killing a reliable strategy. However, pro players are also cautious in every skirmish so a team fight only happens when they’re pushing or competing for objectives. 

Community size

AoV is regionally restricted only to East Asian and Southeast Asian countries. Meanwhile, LoL has a much wider reach with fans in almost every country around the globe. Both fan bases are known for sharing fan art, discussing strategies, and having small arguments occasionally. 

Having a larger community means that you have more content to see online but it also means you can’t escape its references when you want to take a break from the game. Therefore, the differences between the niche AoV vs the global phenomenon that is LoL can affect your experience even outside of the game. 

Follow either esports scene with Gamdom 

You can follow either or both AoV and LoL esports betting at Gamdom—one of the best online bookmakers for crypto users. There are plenty of fun markets to have and promotions to make the experience more fun like getting cash back or daily rewards. Likewise, you can also enjoy fun dynamic odds between outcomes per in-play market.

Gamdom also covers plenty of other esports you can be interested in. One of which is Dota 2, one of the best MOBA games and it rivals League of Legends in terms of global reputation and the size of its community. Gamdom covers betting for their international and regional events as well as blogpost coverages for tips and tournament updates so stay tuned for more.

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