Leona is a tank support champion in League of Legends. She represents the Solari, a religious faction that worships the sun on Mount Targon. Chosen as the Aspect of the Sun, Leona fights with the Zenith Blade and Shield of Daybreak, wielding solar magic and heavy armor.
She is known for her strong crowd control, initiation power, and durability. Her story is tied closely to Diana, the Aspect of the Moon, once her closest friend and now her greatest conflict. Explore her story, abilities, gameplay strengths, and how to play her effectively in every stage of the game with our League of Legends Leona Guide.
Table of Contents
Leona’s Origins
Early Life on Mount Targon
Leona was born to Solari parents, Iasur and Melia, and raised in a strict, sun-worshiping culture among the Rakkor tribes. From a young age, she trained to join the elite Ra’Horak warriors. She stood out for her skill, devotion, and discipline. Many believed she was destined for greatness within the Solari.
Bond with Diana
Diana was an orphan taken in by the Solari but often clashed with their teachings. Unlike Leona, Diana was drawn to the moon and night. Despite their opposing beliefs, Leona saw kindness and curiosity in Diana and formed a close bond with her. Diana eventually revealed ancient ruins that challenged Solari doctrine. Leona urged her to keep quiet, hoping to protect her from punishment.
The Ascent and Transformation
Climbing Mount Targon
When Leona saw Diana sneaking out at night, she followed her up Mount Targon. The climb tested her strength and spirit, but her training and will carried her forward. She eventually reached the summit and found Diana surrounded by silver light. As Leona tried to help her, a golden light enveloped her.
Becoming the Aspect of the Sun
Leona expected death but survived, transformed by the celestial fire. She became the host of the Aspect of the Sun. Diana, now the Aspect of the Moon, asked Leona to join her on a new path. Leona refused and urged her to return home. The two fought briefly. Diana had the chance to kill Leona but held back and fled. Leona returned alone, devastated.
Leona’s Role in the Solari
When she descended, she found the Solari temple in ruins. Many priests were dead, possibly killed by Diana. The survivors were in awe of Leona’s transformation. She was hailed as a divine figure and soon took command of the Ra’Horak warriors. She now leads the Solari and searches for Diana, hoping to help her before the Moon Aspect consumes her.
Leona’s Personality
Leona is loyal to the Solari and driven by duty. She has a strong sense of right and wrong and remains deeply committed to her role. Despite Diana’s betrayal, Leona still loves her and wants to protect her. She carries this emotional weight while leading her people and standing against powerful threats.
Leona’s Appearance
Leona is tall, with tanned skin and long auburn hair. Her armor is gold and red, covering her entire body. She wears a spiked crown and carries the radiant Zenith Blade and Shield of Daybreak. Her eyes glow with the power of the sun.
Leona’s Abilities
Passive – Sunlight
Leona’s spells mark enemies. When allies damage these marked targets, they deal bonus magic damage.
Q – Shield of Daybreak
Leona empowers her next basic attack, stunning the target briefly.
W – Eclipse
She gains bonus defenses and then emits a burst of solar magic, damaging nearby enemies. If she hits an enemy, she keeps the bonus armor and magic resist.
E – Zenith Blade
Leona sends out a solar blade. It roots the last enemy hit and pulls her to them.
R – Solar Flare
She calls down solar energy in a large area. Enemies in the center are stunned; those on the edge are slowed.
Playing Leona
Early Game (0–15 min)
Leona’s level 2 power spike is strong. Unlocking both Q and E allows her to engage with force. She thrives in aggressive lanes and pairs well with ADCs who can follow up. Roaming becomes effective once she buys Boots of Mobility. A good time to roam is after recalling or when her ADC is safe alone. She should avoid engaging without backup and must be careful of poke damage, which can keep her from starting fights.
Mid Game (15–25 min)
By this point, Leona’s ultimate is on a short cooldown, giving her frequent opportunities to engage. Her W, Eclipse, is likely maxed out, adding more protection during all-ins. She can find picks on isolated enemies or protect her teammates in team fights. Staying grouped and tracking enemy positions before placing wards is crucial. Her role is to initiate and then fall back to peel for her carries.
Late Game (25+ min)
Leona becomes a tanky frontliner who can absorb a lot of damage. With R on a short cooldown, she can keep looking for fights. Her Zenith Blade and Shield of Daybreak will both be maxed, letting her engage and follow up quickly. She should stick close to her carries and use her crowd control to protect them after initiating a fight. Catching an enemy out of position can lead to a quick team fight or objective.
Leona’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Leona has a very strong level 2. Her all-in combo can force early summoner spells or kills. Once she buys mobility boots, she can roam and create pressure around the map. When her ultimate is up, she has extra kill potential and can force fights.
However, she struggles if her ADC constantly pushes the wave, as she needs her opponents closer to the center of the lane to engage. She can also be poked down by ranged champions. Leona has to commit when she engages, which puts her at risk if her teammates aren’t ready to follow up.
Tips for Facing Leona
- Hit level 2 before her to avoid early engage
- Use long-range poke to chip her down
- Don’t group tightly to avoid AoE stun
- Ping and warn teammates if she roams
- Keep the wave near your tower to limit her engage options
Leona’s Key Relationships
Leona and Diana were once close friends and lovers. Their bond broke when they became Aspects and took different paths. Leona wants to save Diana from losing control, not destroy her.
She has also clashed with Atreus, known as Pantheon. Their values differ, but over time, he comes to understand her decisions. Soraka once referred to Leona as “the woman whose face burned like the sun.” As the champion of the Solari, Leona is also seen as the enemy by Alune and others among the Lunari.
Final Thoughts
Leona is a reliable support for players who like to lead team fights and protect their allies. Her power lies in her discipline and control, both in her story and in gameplay. Whether you’re drawn to her lore or her strength on the battlefield, Leona is a central figure in League of Legends—one who stands firm between light and shadow.
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