Objectives are more than bags of gold. They create the next winning fight, open the map, or end the game. Learn each timer together with its reward so you can make good trades instead of contesting everything.
Normal and Ranked Rift · Patch 7.2
Remember the clock first
Start fixing waves, recalls, and vision 30 seconds before an objective.
6:00
Herald · First Elemental Dragon
Choose between turret pressure and a permanent team buff.
11:00
Baron Nashor
Use empowered minions and bonus stats to pressure multiple lanes.
19:00
Elder Dragon
Its execute can turn one fight into the end of the game.
Rewards and how to use them
Once you know the reward, you know why the fight matters.
Rift Herald
Early turret pressure
First spawn 6:00
An early objective that opens the map by breaking turrets.
Who gets it?
The champion who lands the final hit receives the Herald summon.
Reward
·When summoned, it heads to a nearby enemy turret and charges for heavy damage.
·After one successful charge, it becomes weakened and can only basic attack.
·Hit the eye on its back while taking it to deal bonus true damage.
How to use it
Summon it as your minion wave reaches the turret. It is strongest in an empty lane or when it can secure the first turret and expand your vision line.
Elemental Dragon
Permanent team scaling
First spawn 6:00
Grants a permanent team buff and completes a powerful Soul on the third Dragon.
Who gets it?
The entire team that secures it gains the elemental effect.
Reward
·Infernal, Mountain, and Ocean grant different permanent bonuses.
·When one team secures three Dragons, it also gains the Soul matching the first Dragon.
·The first Dragon's element also changes the Rift terrain.
How to use it
Trading the first Dragon for a guaranteed Herald and turret can be correct. From the enemy's second Dragon onward, always count how close they are to Soul.
Baron Nashor
Teamwide siege power
First spawn 11:00
Massively improves siege power and can open inhibitors or the Nexus.
Who gets it?
Every player on the team that defeats Baron gains Hand of Baron.
Reward
·Empowers nearby allied minions.
·Accelerates recall.
·Grants bonus Attack Damage, Ability Power, Armor, and Magic Resistance.
·A lone champion is affected by Baron's Gaze, reducing movement speed and damage dealt to Baron.
How to use it
After Baron, pressure at least two lanes instead of stacking all five players in one. Avoid a needless Smite flip while the enemy jungler is alive.
Elder Dragon
Late-game execute
First spawn 19:00
The most threatening late-game combat buff, instantly executing low-health enemies.
Who gets it?
The player who lands the final hit on Elder gains Aspect of the Dragon.
Reward
·Damaging an enemy burns them for 450 true damage over 3 seconds.
·Damaging an enemy champion below 15% maximum Health executes them.
·The buff belongs to the slayer, not the whole team, so protect its holder.
How to use it
Take short fights around the buff holder and quickly finish damaged targets. If the enemy has it, avoid a front-to-back fight and run down the timer where possible.
Every Dragon effect
Base buffs are permanent. A Soul is added when one team secures three Dragons.
Infernal Dragon
Base buff
+3% Attack Damage and Ability Power
Soul
Damaging a champion explodes around the target for adaptive damage: 135 + 25% bonus AD + 12.5% AP. 5s cooldown.
Mountain Dragon
Base buff
+3 and +2% Armor and Magic Resistance
Soul
Gain a 260 shield after taking no champion or turret damage for 5 seconds.
Ocean Dragon
Base buff
Restore 2% missing Health every 5 seconds
Soul
Damaging a champion restores Health over 4 seconds. It starts at 190 and scales with bonus AD, AP, and bonus Health. 6s cooldown.
Ice Dragon no longer spawns on the Ionia Rift as of Patch 7.0.
The 30-second checklist
The team that prepares before an objective usually starts the fight ahead.
01
Push the waves
Push mid and the nearby side lane so the enemy must choose between farm and the objective.
02
Recall and spend
Restore resources, finish your item, and move into the river first.
03
Clear the entrances
Use wards and sweeper to deny entry vision and create a safe area for your team.
04
Check junglers and Smite
If your jungler is dead or has no Smite, do not leave a low-health objective open for a steal.
Contest or trade?
An objective spawning does not mean every player must take a losing fight.
Good signs to fight
·Your jungler and key ultimates are ready.
·Mid and side waves are pushed, so the enemy arrives late.
·An enemy is dead or visible across the map.
·The reward is Soul, Baron, or Elder and can decide the game.
Good signs to trade
·You are down in numbers, Health, ultimates, or Smite.
·You must enter a dark choke after the enemy is set up.
·The enemy has position while your team holds unspent gold.
·You can guarantee Herald, a turret, or camps on the other side.
Simple rule: fight when you have prepared to win; otherwise stay alive and take guaranteed value on the other side.