How to Actually Get Value From Rift Herald in Solo Queue and Snowball Games
Rift Herald is one of the most wasted objectives in Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and low Plat. If you always see Herald popped mid for one plate, or used randomly with zero follow-up, your team’s losing out on legit snowball power. This guide covers how to secure Herald, when and where to drop it, and how to turn it into real map pressure—not just a “bonus objective.”
Why Low Elo Players Waste Herald
Most players:
– Take Herald and pop it mid for a single plate (no multiplier)
– Use it at wrong timings (enemy is grouped or ready to collapse)
– Drop Herald with no wave pushed, so it does nothing
– Never combo Herald with lane swaps or tower dives
Herald isn’t just a “top side objective”—done right, it multiplies your gold, cracks the map open, and lets you spike for Dragon or tempo resets.
H2: Rift Herald Usage Guide for League of Legends
H3: Step-by-Step Execution for Maximum Herald Value
1. **Secure Herald When You Have Top/Mid Priority**
– Only take Herald when at least one of your lanes (top/mid) can rotate or has push.
– Use vision: sweep river and enemy jungle entrances first.
2. **Prep Waves Before Spawning Herald**
– Push the lane first—especially cannon wave. Herald + big wave = plates/tower, not just chip damage.
– Don’t drop Herald with enemy minion wave pushing into you.
3. **Coordinate With Lane Swaps**
– If bot wins early, send them top after first tower or lane recall, then drop Herald for top tower.
– If top is ahead, set vision and dive with Herald for a guaranteed tower take.
4. **Combo Herald With Tower Dive**
– If enemy is low or has no summoners, use Herald after a successful dive to guarantee tower + plates.
– Junglers: call support/mid/top for dive combo.
5. **Use Herald for Plates—But Don’t Waste It**
– Aim for 2+ plates minimum—if your team can’t contest, save Herald and drop for first tower push.
– If mid is open and enemy lost lane, drop Herald for immediate pressure and objective.
6. **Timing for Herald**
– Herald expires at 14 mins, plates go away. Use BEFORE timer runs out.
– Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment—if your push is uncontested, use Herald for plates. If enemy will contest or collapse, wait for next window.
H3: Common Herald Mistakes in Low Elo
– Dropping Herald alone, no wave pushed, and enemy easily clears it (zero plates).
– Using Herald mid when mid is full health and enemy can defend.
– Forgetting Herald until it’s about to expire—missing plate gold entirely.
– Not coordinating with the jungler or bot lane to convert Herald into a lane swap/tower take.
H3: Real In-Game Examples
Example 1: Top pushes in cannon wave, mid rotates, team secures Herald. Herald is dropped after dive, top gets two plates and first tower. Herald continues to charge mid—double lane pressure.
Example 2: Bot lane swaps top after winning, Herald is dropped with a huge wave. Enemy is forced to answer or lose tower, opening up map for dragon pressure.
Example 3: Jungler pops Herald mid at 12:45 with no wave, enemy full HP. Herald dies for one plate—wasted, no real impact.
H3: How Herald Wins Games Consistently
– Provides gold spikes for whoever gets plates—fueling power spikes before fights
– Forces enemy rotations and opens up the map for Dragon/Baron setup
– Pushes tempo, letting your team recall and reset for next objectives
– Creates pressure in two lanes (Herald charges mid and top, or bot if lane swap occurs)
H3: Champion Herald Synergy
– Dive combos: Renekton, Sett, Camille, Lillia
– Lane swaps: play with bot/jungle and rotate after early tower take
– Burst champs: Use Herald for plating, then roam for additional plays
Quick Recap
– Herald is OP for plates and tower pressure, NOT just a random objective
– Push waves before dropping, combo with lane swaps/dives, and time for maximum value
– Target 2+ plates, ideally first tower opening, and map pressure for next objectives
Do This
– Prep big waves and vision before Herald—drop with dive or lane swap
– Use Herald for plates/towers, not random chip damage mid
– Communicate Herald timing and coordinate with your teammates
Stop Doing This
– Dropping Herald solo with no wave, resulting in wasted charge
– Letting Herald expire and missing the plate gold spike
– Using Herald mid when enemy is grouped and can defend easily
Focus On This Next Game
– Plan Herald use after lane wins or swaps—combo for two lanes of pressure
– Time Herald for plates (before 14 min!) and use dives or rotations for max value
– Communicate every Herald drop—don’t waste it, make it count
Smart Herald use snowballs games and unlocks huge gold leads for your team. Stop wasting the charge, set up your pushes, and you’ll see the difference every time you start playing for real objectives.
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