Dominion: What is Dominion in League of Legends?


Introduced by Riot Games in September 2011, the Dominion game mode presented players with a fresh, fast-paced experience. This innovative mode revolved around capturing and holding control points, with the primary goal being the domination of up to five critical locations on the map. Unfortunately, Dominion was entirely phased out of the game by February 2016, less than five years after its debut, largely due to dwindling player engagement.
How Dominion Operated
The mode’s key attraction was its notably brief match duration, with games typically concluding in just 15 to 20 minutes, a stark contrast to the traditional 45 to 50-minute battles. In this capture-and-hold format, each team aimed to gain control over the five strategic points.
Both teams were equipped with an invulnerable nexus that boasted 500 hit points; the only means to deplete this health was through the acquisition of control points and defeating opponents. As teams captured more points, the nexus’s health would decline at an accelerated rate, adding a layer of intensity to the gameplay.
Moreover, this game mode introduced a variety of unique buffs, items, and summoner spells designed to enhance the rapid tempo of gameplay. Notably, the spells “fortify” and “teleport” were substituted with “garrison” and “promote,” both of which are currently absent from the game.
In addition, the game mode featured a scoring system intended to gauge an individual’s contribution to their team. Unfortunately, this system was deemed flawed, as it failed to accurately measure a player’s impact; various actions awarded points, and some actions were disproportionately rewarded.
For instance, merely collecting a health pack or storm shield earned the player two points, the same reward for defeating a single minion, revealing a major loophole in the point-scoring structure.
What led to the removal of Dominion mode by Riot Games?
Despite there being no official statement from Riot Games regarding the fate of the Dominion game mode in League of Legends, several factors could shed light on this decision.
One contributing factor may be the mode’s relatively low popularity compared to other game types. Dominion offered a high-octane experience centered around capturing and maintaining control points, diverging from the traditional objective of demolishing the opponent’s base. This distinct gameplay may not have resonated with the player base as much as other modes like Summoner’s Rift or ARAM. Consequently, Riot Games likely opted to phase out Dominion to redirect their efforts toward modes that boasted greater player engagement and satisfaction.
One potential factor for the discontinuation of the Dominion game mode by Riot Games could be its inherent lack of balance compared to other game modes. Due to the distinct nature of Dominion, maintaining fair play across all champions and strategies might have posed a significant challenge for the developers. This imbalance likely frustrated players, contributing to a decline in the mode’s popularity. By opting to remove it, Riot Games could redirect its efforts toward enhancing balance in the remaining game modes, ultimately fostering a more positive gaming environment for their community.
In summary, while the exact motivations behind Riot Games’ decision to eliminate the Dominion game mode from League of Legends are not explicitly stated, several plausible explanations exist.
As for whether Dominion will make a comeback in League of Legends, there is currently no official word regarding its return.
Should the Dominion game mode make a comeback in League of Legends, it would presumably manifest as a special limited-time event or game mode. This approach aligns with a prevalent trend in games like League of Legends, where developers reintroduce old modes or features temporarily, offering players a fresh and distinctive gameplay experience. Nevertheless, currently, there is no concrete information regarding the potential return of the Dominion game mode, leaving its future uncertain.
While the possibility of Dominion’s return exists, official communications from Riot Games are essential to ascertain any details about its timeline. Players eager to see it restored must await an announcement from the developers.
Are there alternative games featuring modes akin to Dominion? Indeed, several titles incorporate gameplay modes reminiscent of Dominion in League of Legends. Among these titles are:
- Team Fortress 2: In Team Fortress 2, the Capture the Flag mode bears a strong resemblance to the Dominion mode, as both emphasize the crucial act of seizing and maintaining control points. Players engage in the thrilling task of snatching the opposing team’s flag and successfully returning it to their own base to amass points.
- Halo: The Dominion mode in Halo mirrors the gameplay structure of the Dominion mode from League of
- Legends, centering around the objective of capturing and controlling key points on the map. Success in this mode hinges on players capturing and retaining as many control points as they can, thereby gaining a strategic edge over their adversaries.
- Overwatch: Likewise, Overwatch’s Control mode echoes the essence of the Dominion format, emphasizing the capture and domination of control points. Players are tasked with taking possession of these pivotal areas to secure superiority over the opposing team.
In conclusion, while the Dominion mode in League of Legends stands out with its distinctive mechanics, numerous other games feature modes that share fundamental similarities. These related game modes predominantly revolve around the themes of capturing and controlling strategic locations, offering players a comparable gameplay experience.
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