Riot finally adds team voice chat to League of Legends after 17 years

Built-in voice chat had previously been limited to premade groups that queued together before a match. With the new system, players matched onto the same team will be able to talk to one another during the game. Riot is requiring players to have Honor level 3 or higher to speak, and those below that level will be limited to listening. Honor is League's in-game behavior rating, shaped by conduct and post-match voting. Riot said it will keep adjusting the system so it better reflects in-game behavior.

Also on the way are “voice skins,” which will let players change how they sound in chat. Riot said the voice effects will remain understandable during chaotic fights, and it has not specified which skins will be available. The update also brings better noise cancellation, faster connections and improved stability.

Engadget reports that reaction from the League community has been cautiously optimistic. One Reddit user said: “I'm glad they are giving voice chat a try. It might not work out, but at least there was an attempt.” Another wrote: “I'm optimistic voice chat will remind people your teammates are human and lighten the mood.”

Riot also said League of Legends’ next content push will lean into music, with the first music-related reveal expected to arrive the following day.

Editor’s Summary: Riot Games is adding team-wide voice chat to League of Legends after 17 years, starting with Patch 26.20 in North America and Oceania. The rollout is gated by Honor level requirements, and availability in other regions will depend on early results.