If you’ve ever jumped into a League of Legends Arena match and wondered why some opponents have extra buffs that make their champions hit harder, survive longer, or pull off wild combos you can’t match, there’s a good chance sigils are the reason. A lot of players gloss over this feature entirely when they first start playing rotating game modes, missing out on huge power spikes that can turn losing matches around. We’re breaking down exactly how to unlock sigils in League of Legends, plus how to use them effectively once you’ve got them, no complicated jargon required. You don’t need to be a Challenger player to take advantage of this system, either — even casual players can unlock most sigils in just a few matches if they know what to do.
What You Need to Know Before You Unlock Sigils in League of Legends
Sigils are exclusive to the 2v2v2v2 Arena game mode, and act as permanent champion buffs for the duration of your match. They work alongside the augment system you’re already familiar with from Arena, so you can stack their buffs for even bigger power spikes. Unlike champion skins or rune pages, sigils don’t carry over between matches, so you’ll start fresh with zero sigils every time you queue up for a new Arena game.
Sigils are not tied to your main account progression, so you don’t have to grind blue essence or RP to get access to them. All players have equal access to the same sigil pool, regardless of their account level or rank. You can only equip up to 3 sigils per match, so picking ones that synergize with your champion and duo partner is way more important than just collecting as many as possible.
There are three tiers of sigils available: common, rare, and legendary. Legendary sigils give the most dramatic buffs, like 30% extra critical strike damage or full ability cooldown resets on takedowns, but they are much harder to unlock than common or rare options. You don’t have to unlock every tier to be successful, though — even well-picked common sigils can give you enough of an edge to win rounds early on.
Step-by-Step Process to Unlock Sigils Mid-Match
Unlocking sigils is tied to sigil shards, the in-match currency you earn for playing rounds. Every win gives you 2 sigil shards, and every loss gives you 1 shard, so you’ll earn shards even if you’re not playing well. You need 3 shards to unlock a random common sigil, 6 for a rare sigil, and 12 for a legendary sigil. The process of unlocking and equipping them is straightforward once you know where to look:
- After completing your first 2 rounds of an Arena match, open the sigil menu between rounds by clicking the sigil icon on the left side of your screen
- Exchange your earned sigil shards for a new sigil, or re-roll an existing one if you don’t like the options offered (re-rolls cost 1 shard each)
- Equip your new sigil by dragging it to one of your 3 open sigil slots, replacing an older one if you already have 3 equipped
- Confirm your selection before the next round starts, as you won’t be able to adjust your sigils once combat begins
If you’re playing on mobile via the League of Legends client app, the sigil menu is located at the bottom of your screen between rounds, so you don’t have to hunt for it. You can also unlock sigils from random event drops during certain Arena rounds, like the gift giver event that gives out free sigil shards or full sigils to all players.
If you’re on a losing streak, the game will occasionally give you free bonus shards to help you catch up, so don’t get discouraged if you lose the first two rounds. You can also unlock duplicate sigils, which automatically convert into 2 extra shards, so even bad pulls aren’t a total waste.
Fastest Ways to Unlock Rare and Legendary Sigils
Most players just save shards for random rolls, but there are proven tricks to get higher tier sigils much faster. First, prioritize completing event challenges that pop up between rounds, like getting 3 kills in a single round, or surviving a round with less than 100 health. These challenges almost always give out rare or legendary sigil shards as rewards, way more than you get from just winning rounds.
Play with a consistent duo partner to win more rounds consistently — the more rounds you make it to in a match, the more shards you earn, and the higher your chance of unlocking legendary sigils before the final rounds. If you’re only playing casual matches, you can still get legendary sigils, but ranked Arena matches have a higher drop rate for rare and legendary sigils, so if you’re comfortable playing ranked, that’s a faster path.
Don’t feel like you have to equip a sigil as soon as you unlock it, either. A common mistake new players make is using all their shards on common sigils early, and don’t have enough left for legendary ones when they show up in round 6 or 7. Saving shards for later rounds when higher tier sigils become available in the shop is almost always a better call, even if it means you have one less buff for a couple of early rounds.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Unlocking Sigils
Don’t waste shards on re-rolling too early. A lot of new players re-roll every common sigil they get, hoping for a better one, and end up with no shards left when a legendary sigil option pops up. Only re-roll if you have at least 4 extra shards saved up, so you don’t run out when you need them.
Don’t pick sigils that don’t synergize with your champion just because they sound powerful. For example, a sigil that gives 40 extra ability power is useless if you’re playing a full AD champion like Darius, even if it’s a legendary tier. Always prioritize sigils that complement your champion’s core kit, even if they’re a lower tier.
Don’t forget to replace low tier sigils as you unlock better ones. A lot of players keep common sigils they unlocked in round 2 all the way to the final round, even when they have rare or legendary ones that would give a way bigger buff. Take 10 seconds between rounds to check your sigil slots and swap out weaker options, it can make a huge difference in close rounds.
You also don’t have to unlock a sigil every round. If none of the available options fit your build, just save your shards for the next round. Wasting shards on a sigil you’ll replace in two rounds is never worth it, no matter how tempting it is to use up your currency right away.
At the end of the day, sigils are one of the most fun parts of the Arena mode, adding a layer of customization that lets you build your champion in ways you never could on Summoner’s Rift. Taking the time to learn how to unlock sigils in League of Legends will give you an immediate edge over players who ignore the system, whether you’re playing for fun with friends or climbing the ranked Arena ladder. You don’t need any fancy account upgrades or thousands of hours of playtime to take advantage of this feature, either — just follow the steps we outlined, avoid the common mistakes, and you’ll be unlocking legendary sigils and winning more matches before you know it. Next time you jump into an Arena match, keep an eye on your sigil shard count, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different sigil combinations to find what works best for your playstyle.