Ascension reviewed: assessing the newest League of Legends game mode

League of Legends players know that developer Riot Games likes to keep things short and sweet. That’s certainly the case with Ascension, the new game mode just released in the free-to-play MOBA game, which will only be with us for a couple of weeks before it disappears back into the swirling sands from whence it came.

But what exactly is Ascension, and is it worth your time?

Ascension is a 5v5 game mode that takes place on a modified version of the Crystal Scar map. In the center of the map, a buffed-up (“ascended”) Xerath spawns, and there are three relics scattered around the map that can be captured and respawn periodically. The Ascended Xerath can be killed, and whoever kills it will see their champion ascend, giving them powerful offensive buffs but reducing their healing capabilities. Capturing a relic gets your team three points, getting a kill earns one point, getting a kill while ascended gets earns two points, and killing an enemy champion who has ascended is worth five points. The first team that hits 200 points wins.

If that sounds complicated, in practice, it really isn’t. The Crystal Scar is a small map, and the Ascension changes mean that vision is extremely limited (and you can’t place wards or anything like that). The mode is new enough that there isn’t a real meta yet, but in my experience teams tend to take one of two approaches: either they group as a team and circulate around the map, capturing relics and securing kills, or they treat it like a deathmatch and run around going ham on whatever enemy champions they can find.

(See: 6 tips for dominating LoL’s newest game mode, Ascension)

The important question, though, is whether or not Ascension is any fun, and I’m happy to report that it is. Games tend to be fast-paced and kill-happy. Because of the constant stream of gold everybody on both teams gets as the game progresses, it’s not really possible for one player to snowball and stomp the enemy team the way they can on Summoner’s Rift, so fed enemies will have an advantage but they’ll never really be able to 1v5 (unless they’re ascended).

If you take it too seriously, you may find yourself frustrated by your teammates, but if you go into the game looking for nothing more than some fun mayhem, you’re going to have a good time. Like URF mode before it, Ascension is a game mode that I wish wasn’t destined to disappear back into Riot’s vault in a couple of weeks. But while it’s here, I suggest you pick your favorite Shurima champion, lock in, and get ready to wreak some havoc.