Updated July 18 at 11:26 a.m. (GMT+8):Improved relevance.
It’s time to warm up your WASD keys and train your middle three fingers because Operation Swarm is here.
This Anima Squad Swarm guide was written after select media outlets had the opportunity to play an exclusive preview version of the 2024 PvE game mode at Riot HQ well before it hit the PBE and live servers.
In fact, the version we played on was even more difficult than the live version, which is why it took our makeshift 4-man squad many tries to defeat the first boss, which was met with applause.
For those unfamiliar with the genre, Bullet Heaven Survivor refers to a specific genre of video games that are usually found in the Bullet Hell or Shoot ’em Up categories.
Players maneuver through complex enemy formations, struggling to survive while dodging or destroying opponents with bullets (projectiles) that emerge from your character at set times. That means no, there’s no left-clicking to perform a basic attack here, and it took a seasoned League of Legends player like me some time to get used to it.
You will need to rely on precise movements and shooting skills to escape the enemies and dangers that await you. Succeeding in these games requires quick reflexes, strategic planning, and mastery of the game’s mechanics.
If you are new to the genre, don’t worry, you have plenty of time to get familiar with the PvE game mode that runs from July 17 (Thursday) to August 19, 2024 (Monday) in the League of Legends client.
ONE Esports Anima Squad Swarm Guide for League of Legends PvE Operation Swarm Game Mode
Best Anima Squad Champions for Beginners: Pay Attention to Your Builds!
I’ll be the first to admit that I have very limited experience in the Bullet Heaven Survival genre, so not being able to control my attacks made me feel a little helpless.
And since I’m not used to being, let’s say, invaded, I also often panicked at first.
The first two free champions immediately available to all players are Jinx and Seraphine. You can only unlock other champions (Yasuo, Xayah, Illaoi, Leona, Briar, Riven, and Aurora) once you complete specific objectives.
You will have no choice but to stick with the support-AD duo at first, so when it comes to upgrades, it is highly recommended to design them according to their role. Seraphine players should focus on selecting support bonuses, increasing HP, and protecting your AD carry, while Jinx should focus on dealing damage.
Beyond the bot lane duo, Aurora is one of the best champions for beginners because she can easily escape from sticky situations using stealth, modeled after her W ability. If you find yourself stuck in a corner or are low on health, use your ability (E in PvE game mode), stealth, and run!
Remember this is a survival PvE game mode – your HP is everything
On the first map, there is a green futuristic fountain in the middle (see screenshot above) that you can stand on to regain limited health.
It’s useful, but it has its limits. You can’t stay in this zone forever, so you should always invest in your own survival by selecting power-ups that give you HP.
At first I was greedy, adding offensive bonuses left, right and centre, but I learned through trial and error that you have to constantly balance the stats of your bonuses, always choosing between utility, experience, range, raw damage, and defenses.
Sometimes you just get unlucky and the powerups don’t sync well with your character, and that’s part of the game.
There is a secret that the game developers have revealed to us: if you see a hammer, choose it. It is the only power-up that is particularly effective for bludgeoning enemies in a large area of effect.
If you’re playing with more than one person, communication is key, no kidding.
Like in the Arena, you can revive your teammates, but you’ll have to wait a while and stand in the circle to do so. For this reason, you really shouldn’t retreat alone to a corner of the map where your teammates can’t reach you.
Additionally, champions like Seraphine provide shields to anyone in range, while Illaoi’s tentacles can be useful. Support your AD carries (not you, Yasuo), and you’ll have a much better chance of surviving.
You’ll also have more room to maneuver as you move around the area your teammate’s buff cleared. Additionally, when mini-bosses spawn in certain corners of the map, you’ll want to group up to take them down together.
Anima Squad is a PvE game mode, after all, where you can’t blame anyone on the enemy team for your loss, so please work well together for once and save the world.
LEARN MORE: Full list of PvE game modes in League of Legends — past and future