Mobile Legends Bang Bang is a MOBA on mobile platform where you choose a hero to fight in real time against other players. Try to win by all kind of methods with or without the help of your team. For years this game has been the number one MOBA in mobile, why is that? Well we will try to find out more about it’s rise and also it’s potential fall if League of Legends: Wild Rift comes to global.
What is the Story of Mobile Legends Bang Bang?
Surprisingly Mobile Legends Bang Bang does not have a main story. Instead each hero has it’s own story which connect heroes to each other with multiple stories. Those stories are featured in multiple short animated video. But we can see clearly that they wanted to focus more on the game play than the lore. A bit disappointing as we all wanted to know why they are fighting. Oh well! At least i wanted to know more.
How is the Game play of Mobile Legends Bang Bang?
The game greets you with a very basic tutorial on how the game mechanics works. The tutorial consists of multiple small objectives and is separated in multiple part. Each represent different lesson about different roles and maps. As for your first lesson in the tutorial, you will learn to move, auto attack, use skill, stay behind minion or under your turret, avoid attacking an enemy hero under the enemy turret, etc. Your opponent will be a dumb AI (bot) which is easy to kill but don’t get too cocky after finishing your tutorial.
Although the tutorial did a good job showing you the basic, this won’t be enough against real player. Anyway back to what is the game play of Mobile Legends Bang Bang. The game is simple destroy the enemy base or make them surrender to win. To do so, you will have multiple obstacle in front of you. A team of 5 player behind their tower on the other side of the map trying to do the same thing as you.
So you will need to attack but also defend your base to avoid losing. The game is not about who gets the most amount of kills like Call of Duty or Modern Warfare. Don’t fall into this kind of trap where you are only playing to have the maximum number of kills and ignoring the main objective of the game. This may cost you dearly and will anger many of your teammate as you never helped them or defended the base when needed the most.
In Brief, you have to kill minions to obtain gold and experience, level up your heroes and buy items to become stronger. Try to destroy your enemy base before the enemy does so while trying not to die to avoid long respawn time. Helping your team secure buffs in the jungler, defending turrets and allies but also destroying enemy turrets and killing enemy heroes. Don’t forget the part where you need to have fun!
Maps
All match are played in a specific map, the most popular layout is the 3 lane map. Many people knows it as “Classic”, where the map has 3 lane and is divided into 2 symmetrical part. One for each team, on each lane each team will have 3 turrets per lane that defends their base respectively. Let’s not forget about the jungle is very important part of the map where many buff and bonus can help your team get an advantage.
Some maps won’t have a jungle while other might have only 1 lane. It’s the best to try and learn about the map before actually playing against real player. The lanes are called the Top, Mid and Bot. As for Mobile Legends Bang Bang they are called Experience lane, Middle Lane and Gold Lane. I won’t go in too much detail explaining every single thing in the map, my idea is to give you an overall understanding of it.
Preparation
As the word itself says all, Preparation is where you will normally choose your emblems and builds or seek information on items. Here a brief description of the content of Preparation.
- Emblems – upgrade them with emblems and battle points to unlock passive bonus and talents points, you can have up to 7 talents points and you have 9 different emblem tree
- Battle Spells – Information on the lost of Battle Spells
- Builds – Edit and set up to 3 builds per hero before battle
- Equipment – Information on the list of items in game showing their recipes and amount of gold required
- Effects – Cosmetic on Recall, Frames, Emotes and a long list of other effects
- Skin Paint – Cosmetic where you paint on the back of a hero
- Quick Chat – Send short important message already written to communicate with allies
- Tutorial – Redo the training camp or learn about the terms in the game
- Skill Layout – Choose how your skill placement on the screen
What is the best Emblems, Battle Spells and Builds?
I think the best answer is there’s no real Best as everything will depend on the situation. You will need to experience emblems, battle spells and builds by yourself. Adapt yourself for each situation then you can tell this is the best build when going against a specific enemy hero. So i would say there’s no definitive answer to that question, it’s a relative question which will always vary compare to the players.
Heroes
The hero is the more powerful unit in the game which you will control. They can level up up to level 15 if they receive experience. They also learn skills which is unique to themselves. Each hero have only 4 skill in total. Hero can be killed but will always respawn at your base after a certain amount of time depending how many you have been killed. Hero can be very strong in skilled hand and completely under performed with an unskilled player.
Class
Heroes are divided into 7 classes, each class has it’s own pro and cons. Here’s a brief description of each of them.
- Tank – The Most Durable hero with defense and hp
- Fighter – A Bruiser hero who is durable and deal enough damage to be a threat
- Assassin – Squishy high burst damage hero
- Mage – Squishy long range hero with burst damage
- Marksman – Auto attack damage dealer
- Support – Healer, Buffer, De buffer, Stunner, a hero who specialize in helping other hero
Mastery Code
Mastery code is a place where you receive small quests to complete for each hero that you owned. In order to receive the badge that you are an expert playing that hero to others. Small quests are usually straight forward but some require you some condition like playing with a specific hero which can be troublesome. As some hero are barely picked by players, so your quests may take some time to complete.
Who is the best hero in Mobile Legends Bang Bang?
Again the answer will vary depending in each situation. There’s no Best hero for every situation. Although some hero excel in some specific field, all heroes are not equal in terms of skills. All heroes have both strength and weaknesses. Some heroes are popular because they are quite easy to use and master in a few games while other is a real pain to work with. The answer is relative depending the skill of the player and on what level he’s playing.
Achievements
This is where you can claim rewards after completing a certain amount of achievements. Achievements are rather easy to obtain if your a regular player, beginner should try to complete as many achievements to obtain emblems to help their account grow. You also have a ranking system based on how many achievements you have accomplished. You will have different category of achievements which you can unlock, here’s the list.
- Collection – Everything you collect in the game from heroes to a simple emote
- Battle – Any achievement in battle
- Arcade – All arcade mode achievements
- Charisma – Social achievements when playing with friends
- Esports – Any MCL tournament achievements
Esports
The only thing that Mobile Legends Bang Bang have as unique compared to other MOBA is the Esports. The Esports is a live channel where on going tournament of international players, where you can watch live match going on. You can also participate or watch your favorite team playing on tournament days. Also all sponsor ads, Tiktok, Youtube and Instagram are also in there, so that you can share or notify friends about it.
Inventory
All of your redeemable coins, card, heroes, skins and package are stored here. You can decide when to open them or sell of needed. Always keep an eye for items that have an expiry date, if you forget to redeem it before the events ends. You will lose the item as they will remove it after a patch update.
Other mode
Arcade mode have multiple game during events, they are mostly mini games where to use strategies to win. For example, Magic Chess is an 8-player based game mode, where players will compete against each other in the Magic Chessboard. The goal of this game is to buy and upgrade your heroes and the little commander, customizing your lineup to trigger and counter more and stronger synergies. Of course last one standing is the winner.
What Graphic does Mobile Legends Bang Bang use?
Mobile Legends Bang Bang runs on good 3D graphic, not the best or the worst one i have seen. As the battlefield is shown in isometric view, beautiful graphic is not the most important thing in a MOBA. Many player will run lower graphic to obtain the best performance while playing. Lagging or getting low fps can cost you a match. In max setting, the graphic are really beautiful, nice effect on the water, large amount of detail on the monster.
Aside from the map, the game 3D model are really cool and detailed, you can rotate them and check the animated scene for each of them in the lobby. They also let you check the skins which gives a good look on how the skin model look on your hero before buying. The 2D art are really nice, i consider them on par with league of legends artwork.
The last cosmetic thing is the emotes, frames and effects. Emotes and Frames are only in 2D, sometimes animated and sometime just a dull 2D art. As for the effects, they are a full 3D with rather impressive effects like firework, neon and other beautiful effect which activate when re-spawn or is teleporting or get a kill. Those are mostly for showing off that you own some effects and does not affect the game.
Controls
The control are good and responsive. Direction on left and skills on right side of the screen. You won’t have an excessive amount of button to tap which is a big relief. They do have 3 type of settings for controls,
- Standard – Free Aim where you directly attack an enemy
- Advanced – Advanced Aim where you choose to attack an enemy unit, minion or turrets
- Additional – Lock-on Aim where you Lock onto an enemy unit and launch attack on a hero or minion
You will need to experience each of them and see by yourself which one is better depending on your play style. You also have a Targeting Priority between Lowest HP Percent, Lowest HP and Closest Target. This will help you not attack accidentally a minion instead of a hero in skirmish where things can easily get messy. You don’t have to tap constantly the attack button to auto attack, you can simply tap 1 time and it will automatically auto attack unless you move or change target.
Sound & Music
Honestly i don’t expect much from a MOBA game in terms of music. As expected you will have the game main theme music playing in an infinite loop in the lobby and the same thing apply in the battlefield. The voice over of each hero does make them more lovable, they do have some special lines for some skins or when they meet a specific hero. The sound effect are satisfactory nothing funky or out place. The announcer can be change with some heroes voice which is kinda nice.
What is the Game Length of Mobile Legends Bang Bang?
A match normally will be between 10 to 15 min. The game itself is design to be short and fast but there’s always some exception to the rules. Some match last more than 30 min can when your in a stalemate . Now if you want to complete your daily quests this may take you 1 or 2 hours. Dailies does take some time in Mobile Legends Bang Bang but they are very important for your account progress as F2P.
Is Mobile Legends Bang Bang Free to play?
Yes, Mobile Legends Bang Bang is fully F2P. They give you different heroes of each class for free and some free skins too. You also have the weekly free heroes and free gacha pull everyday for a selected free hero. Don’t forget about the free trials tickets of heroes and skins that is quite useful to test new heroes. Emblems will take some time to complete as F2P as the amount of currency is limited per week.
Some skins can be bought with a specific currency that you accumulate with time by doing your dailies. Note that you also get the +8 power boost with those skin, meaning you’ll be on par with a cash player no matter what skin he uses. Don’t forget that it’s a skill base game and cosmetic won’t help you against a good player.
Is Mobile Legends Bang Bang Pay to win?
No, Mobile Legends Bang Bang only charge you for some gachas, skins and packages. Skins only give a slight +8 in power, which is pretty insignificant unless your a min max person. I doubt we can call this P2W. On the other side, paying does offer you a rapid progression to complete your emblems and obtain champions faster than any F2P. Most of the event are for cash player but non of them will give you an overwhelming advantage against other players.
Ads
No Ads but you will get some pop up of time limited packages.
Microtransaction
The game is busted with a large amount of cash products. Skins, gems, background, emotes, in game currency, packages, battle pass and events currency. As mentioned above skins are mostly cosmetics and give a slight boost in power but don’t really give you the edge against other player. Most of the events are for cash player as some quests will require you to spend in order to exchange for the event currency.
Be careful lots of events are behind a gacha system which means you may not obtain the desire rewards on the first pull. Unless they have a pity system, then you will have to spend enough to reach the pity. Package price vary between $0.99 to $100 as usual. Better wait for promotion on skins or heroes to buy them if you find something interesting. Maxing your emblems is a good and effective way to spend.
What is the Life span of Mobile Legends Bang Bang?
The live PVP has always been a thrill for many players and that’s why many games continue on trying to implement it in game. So i would say Mobile Legends Bang Bang is in a very solid position where the game would last for years. Even if the graphic would get old, the adrenaline rush of fighting other player and winning stays the same. And that gives Mobile Legends Bang Bang a long life span unless they mess up the balance of some heroes.
They also have a mastery system of each hero with some mini quests. It’s more like an achievement to show other people what you have accomplished and what hero you have mastered. A bit like an intimidation or a boast. Luckily for Moonton players like those kind of thing, trying to continue to play until they have all mastery and badges. Games can be called completed only when you have obtain everything.
Benefits
Mobile Legends Bang Bang force you to learn about the game mechanics, heroes, items, maps, spells, emblems and to play with other player. Learning never stops! Which is entirely true in a MOBA, some opponents will always surprise you with a weird builds or unorthodox way of fighting. Items and heroes are constantly re balance which force you to learn about buffs and nerf of heroes. Most important thing is to learn to communicate with other player.
Take decision in real time that can lead you to victory or defeat. This is where the strategy kicks in. This game have a large part of being strategic despite it’s simple goal. Adapt strategy depending on your team or situation to trick your opponent into a false sense of security. Do back doors, ambush, ganks and so much effective strategy. But strategy is useless if your planning to play the game by yourself and for yourself only.
Which bring us to the last benefit, communication. Communication is key in those kind of game, what is the use of having knowledge of all the game and knowing all kind of strategy but you can’t pass it to your team. With good communication whether it’s voice or chat, can largely affect a match. Respecting your teammate and skill level can be difficult but not impossible, try giving positive feedback. Instead of being Toxic and releasing a wave of insult to them, may bring you bad reputations and reports.
Making you, the worst of players who always blame it’s team for losing and never praise them for winning. Remember it’s just a game where random people are playing with you. No need to get emotional and make other people gaming experience a nightmare. Last thing about Mobile Legends Bang Bang, it’s highly addictive!!! so watch out.
Community
Suggestions
- More F2P events
- Additional ways to obtain currency to buy new heroes
- A more beginner friendly way to obtain emblems
- Balance of some heroes and matches making
- Auto ends a match if 2 or more people are afk
- More severe punishment for afkers, trollers and feeders
- Discount of champion every 2 week with in-game currency
- More items can be bought with in-game currency
- A way to earn or exchange in game currency for gems
Updates
The game updates every week with both bug fix and updates. Events updates is nearly every 2 weeks depending on the type of events. New heroes and skin does show up with a longer delay but you will always have an event going on. Mobile Legends Bang Bang is a very active game with updates to keep you busy and avoid boredom.
Should you play Mobile Legends Bang Bang?
Yes, it’s a good example of a MOBA game for mobile. Some would call it a copy of League of Legends on Mobile which i partly agrees. While it does share some similarity with league of legends, the characters are quite unique. Mobile Legends Bang Bang does not have a main story but focus more on the game play part which can be considered good or bad from a certain point of view. It also share the same burden of all the other MOBA games.
A list of things that make MOBA quite infamous. I won’t list all of them because it’s another subject entirely. Mobile Legends Bang Bang is not beginner friendly, have a difficult learning curve and is highly addictive. It also suffers from trolls, afkers, ragers, etc… while it sound very negative, not all your match will be filled with them. You will also encounter skilled, friendly and helpful players. Those guys and girls will make you have a very positive experience of the game.
Keep in mind that you can’t win every single match. It’s a hard reality that you will have to accept no matter how good you are. After over 500+ match, i can say that MOBA reflect a lot of reality into a match. You can’t win by yourself, you will need assistance from time to time whether from a strong or a weak person. Helping others will help you win and help from others may help you overcome a difficult opponent.
Anyway i digress, the game still have some improvement to do in terms of balancing heroes and matches. Events are not fun for F2P and emblems progression is extremely slow unless you pay. A typical mobile mechanics to make you spend. It’s a good adrenaline rush to play 1 or 2 match per day but don’t touch that game if your in a bad mood. As you may regret it, losing is not fun and can sometimes be very frustrating. You are playing Mobile Legends Bang Bang to have fun so don’t take things too seriously unless your a pro player going in a competition to win a cash price.
Gallery
General Information
- Overall Rating : Positive
- Type : MOBA
- Category : Free to Play
- Contains Ads : No
- Micro Transaction : Yes
- Country : Global
- Content Rating : Teen, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Mode : Multiplayer
- Published by: Moonton
Technical Information
- Google Play Score: 3.8
- Installation Size : 150 MB
- Full Size : 6.04 GB
- Platform :4.1 and up
- Emulator friendly : Emulator friendly
- Connection : Online
- Available on : Google Play, App Store
