Ever logged in after a long day, ready to grab that new skin you’ve been eyeing, only to stare at the client and wonder, “Wait, how do I actually use these points?” Or maybe you’ve bought RP before but felt a little sting of regret later, thinking you could’ve gotten more for your money. I’ve been there. Back when I first started playing, I’d just buy the standard amount without a second thought, missing out on bonus events all the time. It wasn’t until a friend showed me the ropes that I realized I’d been leaving free RP on the table for years. So, let’s break down the actual process of getting and redeeming your League of Legends Points in 2025, step-by-step, so you can avoid those same mistakes and make every cent count towards your in-game goals.

First, let’s talk about acquiring RP. It’s not just about clicking “Purchase.” There’s a strategy to it. The most straightforward way is through the in-game store in your League client. You click the RP icon, choose an amount, and go through the payment process. But here’s the key part Riot doesn’t always shout about: bonus RP events. These aren’t random. Riot Games often runs promotions where buying larger RP bundles gives you extra bonus points on top. For example, during certain events or around major patches, the $50 or $100 bundle might come with a 20-30% bonus. I make it a habit to only stock up on RP during these windows. Last year, ahead of the Soul Fighter event, I waited for the bonus announcement, bought a larger bundle, and had enough extra RP to snag an extra chroma without spending more real money. It feels like a small win, but it adds up.

You can also get RP through physical gift cards from retailers, which are great for gifts or if you prefer not to use a card online. The process is simple: you scratch off the code, enter it in the “Redeem Codes” section of the store, and the RP is added to your account instantly. The value is fixed, so you don’t get bonus RP this way, but it’s a safe and direct method.

Now, what about spending it? This is where the fun begins, but also where you need a tiny bit of planning. The store is packed with temptations—skins, champions, emotes, loot passes. My personal rule, born from a few impulsive buys I later regretted, is to have a “wishlist.” I keep a mental or even a physical note of the skins or champions I truly want. Before the big seasonal sales (like the Mid-Season or End-of-Year sales), Riot typically discounts a massive selection of skins. If you’ve been eyeing a Legendary skin that’s normally 1820 RP, seeing it drop to 910 RP is the perfect time to strike. I treat my RP like a budget; I decide at the start of a season or event how much I’m willing to allocate for “fun” purchases versus “necessary” ones like a new champion for my ranked role.

Here’s a quick comparison of the main RP bundles available as of 2025, so you can see the value at a glance. Notice how the Effective Cost per RP goes down as you buy more, especially with potential bonuses.

The redemption process itself is simple. You find the item in the store, click “Purchase,” confirm with your RP balance, and it’s yours. For gifting, you head to the “Gift Center,” select a friend who has been on your list for more than 24 hours, choose the item, and send it with a note. One pro-tip: always double-check the skin you’re buying, especially for champions with many similar-looking skins. The “Skin Spotlight” videos on YouTube are my go-to resource before any purchase. Seeing the in-game model, effects, and recall animation can be the difference between an instant buy and a pass.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Maximizing Your RP’s Value

Okay, so you know how to buy and spend RP. Now let’s talk about the stuff that really matters—how to not feel like you wasted it, and how to stretch it further. This is the part most guides gloss over, but it’s where your real satisfaction with the system comes from. I learned this the hard way early on by buying a full-price skin for a champion I ended up playing only three times. That 1350 RP could have waited for a sale or been used on a champ I main.

Timing Your Purchases is Everything

This is arguably the most important skill. Riot’s sale schedule is somewhat predictable. You have your big seasonal sales, but also weekly sales that feature a handful of skins and champions at a discount. The “Your Shop” is a personalized goldmine that appears a few times a year. It uses your play history to offer discounts (often 30-70% off) on skins for champions you actually play. I never buy a skin for one of my mains at full price unless I’m desperate for a new release. I always wait for it to hopefully pop up in my “Your Shop.” Last “Your Shop,” I got a 60% discount on a skin I’d wanted for ages. It felt like a reward for playing that champion so much.

Then there are event passes. If you play regularly during an event (like the upcoming Project 2025 event), buying the event pass for roughly 1650 RP can be an incredible source of value, but only if you play enough to earn the tokens. Those tokens can be exchanged for specific prestige skins, mythic essence, or even random skin shards. It’s a way to convert your RP and your playtime into a lot more loot than just a direct skin purchase. However, it’s a grind. I only recommend passes if you know you’ll be able to put in the games during the event period, typically 4-6 weeks.

Understanding What RP Can’t Buy (and What It Shouldn’t)

This builds trust. I want you to know exactly what you’re getting into. RP is for cosmetic content and time-saving (like unlocking champions). It cannot buy competitive advantage. You cannot buy higher ranks, better matchmaking, or magical powers for your champion. Riot’s official stance, as echoed in their player support articles (a great resource for official policies), is

Where can I buy League of Legends Points and do prices ever change?

You can buy RP directly in the League of Legends client store using various payment methods, or through physical gift cards at retail stores. The base prices for RP bundles themselves don’t change frequently, but the value absolutely does through limited-time bonus events. Riot often runs promotions where if you buy the $50 or $100 bundle, you get an extra 20-30% RP on top. That’s the real price change to watch for, and it’s the best time to stock up.

I made the mistake of ignoring these for years. Now, I keep an eye on official Riot social channels or the client news section around the start of a big new event or season, as that’s a common time for bonus RP to drop. Buying during these windows is like getting free extra points for the same amount of real money.

What’s the smartest way to spend my RP so I don’t regret it later?

The smartest way is to combine patience with a personal wishlist. Don’t buy a skin for a champion you don’t play often, no matter how cool it looks. Instead, focus on your mains and wait for discounts. The “Your Shop” feature, which pops up a few times a year, offers personalized discounts of 30-70% off based on your play history, and it’s a goldmine.

Also, plan around the big seasonal sales. If a Legendary skin you want is 1820 RP, it will likely drop to 910 RP during a major sale. I use a simple note on my phone to track 3-5 skins I really want, and I only let myself buy them when they hit a sale or appear in my “Your Shop.” This stopped me from making impulsive full-price purchases I later regretted.

Are event passes like the Project 2025 pass worth the RP cost?

Event passes can be incredible value, but only if you play enough during the event period, which is usually 4-6 weeks. For about 1650 RP, you get the pass and the ability to earn event tokens by playing games. Those tokens can be traded for a Prestige skin, Mythic Essence, or dozens of other loot items.

Think of it as converting your RP and your playtime into loot. If you play just a few games a week, you might not earn enough tokens to make it worthwhile. But if you’re going to be grinding games anyway during that 4-6 week window, the pass can give you way more rewards than just buying a single skin for the same amount of RP. It’s a commitment, but the payoff can be huge.

Can I use RP to gift things to friends, and are there any restrictions?

Yes, gifting with RP is a great feature! You can gift skins, champions, and even event passes from the “Gift Center” in the store. The main restrictions are that you and your friend must be on each other’s friend list for at least 24 hours, and there are daily and monthly limits on how many gifts you can send to prevent abuse.

It’s a perfect way to celebrate a friend’s promotion or birthday. Just navigate to the Gift Center, select their name, pick the item, and add a note. The recipient gets a cool notification in their client. I’ve used it to send a friend a skin for their one-trick champion after a big ranked win, and it’s always a hit.

What should I absolutely avoid spending my RP on?

You should generally avoid spending RP on things you can reliably earn for free with a bit of time. The biggest one is champions. While RP can unlock champions instantly, you can also buy them with Blue Essence (BE), which you earn just by playing. Save your RP for cosmetics that are exclusive to the RP store, like most skins, emotes, and chromas.

Also, be cautious with “random” purchases like Masterwork or Hextech Chests & Keys unless you’re specifically looking for a surprise and understand the odds. You might get a great skin shard, or you might get a permanent for a champion you never play. For guaranteed value, direct purchases during sales are almost always a safer bet for your hard-earned points.