The EXP Lane is a frequently misplayed role in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and I know for a fact that many players will agree with me on my observation – and that’s why I’ve come up with this guide!
To help you, I’ll cover strategies for different game stages and crucial tips to enhance your gameplay as an EXP Laner – both beginners and seasoned players.
Complete EXP Lane Guide | How To Play
Understanding The Role Of An EXP Laner
An EXP Laner is the player who farms the EXP lane in the first 5 minutes of the game, taking advantage of the 35% extra EXP from Cannon minions.
There are different hero categories, such as Damage Type (e.g., Argus), Tank Type (e.g., Akai), and Hybrid Type (e.g., Yu Zhong), which all have diverse playstyles.
Categories of EXP Laners:
- Damage Type: Focused on solo fights and split pushing, effective in lower ranks.
- Tank Type: Less common but valuable in team fights due to massive utility.
- Hybrid Type: Balancing offense and defense, preferred in higher ranks for versatility.
You may also want to check out our list for the top 5 best EXP laners in the meta right now.
Early Game & Laning Phase
You have 3 options at the start, which include: traditional laning, lane cutting, or adapting to team strategies.
- Lane Cutting is an advanced and risky tactic, which involves clearing waves early to create opportunities elsewhere – this includes invading the enemy jungler, or rotating to help a teamfight.
- Moreover, in order to have success in lane cutting, you’ll have to assess risk levels based on the strength/capability of your hero.
- You’ll also need to have good map observation (know that your wave will be in the same place of the enemy’s wave, so use that information to know or estimate when to cut), and wave–clear abilities.
- However, successful lane cutting opens up for opportunities – like map control, vision, and potential jungle invades.
- As for traditional laning, I recommend you do this if you think your hero is weak Level 1 – you can sometimes even go for a kill for unsuspecting players trying to go for an early cut.
- While for adapting to team strategies, this means that you have the option to play it normally early and instead, base what you’ll be doing depending on your team & enemy team composition.
- For example, if your team has a invade-heavy lineup and they signal for an invade, you can choose to join them to add pressure to the strategy.
- While if the enemy team has a invade-heavy lineup, you can be there to assist your jungler to protect them.
- If there’s an enemy Franco or Jawhead who’s most likely to disrupt your jungler’s buff, you can also wait around the area to catch them.
Now, for the laning phase itself, first off, you’d want to prioritize last hitting if possible as it’ll reward you with more EXP and Gold.
Most heroes in the EXP lane tend to clash with each other since they are mostly melee fighters. You’d want to be closer to your minion wave, if the enemy laner decides to go for last hits, so you can punish and deny them.
These clashes are also called trades of HP, which are mostly just back-and-forth’s between you and your laner. That is why heroes with sustain are generally preferred in the EXP Lane, since they are able to heal themselves after trading.
If you’re against a hero with less sustain or weaker early game, don’t be afraid to trade with them again and again, since you’ll win the game of attrition – once you do, you’ll have the upper hand in the lane, and even zone the enemy laner from their farm.
However, this may also apply for you if you do end up getting the weaker champion. That’s why it’s important you make careful consideration and understanding of hero matchups – which will come up with experience when playing.
Turtle Spawn – Securing Objectives
The 2-minute mark signals the spawn of the first Turtle, which is critical for the EXP Laner as it will always spawn first on your side of the lane.
Make sure that you reach Level 4 just in time for this encounter – clear your wave as soon as possible, as you play an important role in securing this objective.
There has to be coordination with your team – as well as vision control, and good judgement of when to use your skills in order to secure the Turtle.
As the EXP Laner, your main job is to, first, check the bushes around the Turtle area so that you secure vision for your team – but make sure to gauge the situation carefully and have good awareness when doing so.
Then, if you have vision of the enemy jungler, you’ll want to zone them away from the Turtle, so they don’t get the chance to contest or go for a steal. If you have a CC skill, save it once the Turtle hits low HP.
Mid Game & Late Game
After the first Turtle, there will be another 2 minutes of laning before it respawns. By this time, you’ll want to always keep an eye on the map, look for lane cuts – this is so that you’re able to rotate and help your team with any fights or invades at the other areas of the map.
As for the mid game lane cuts, make sure that you weigh down the situation with these questions:
- Can you 1v1 the enemy EXP Laner?
- How many enemies can gank you?
- How fast can you clear the wave?
As the game progresses even more to Mid Game/Late Game, there will no longer be much laning. Instead, EXP Laners transition to managing waves, balancing lanes, and participating in teamfights.
The role evolves into a dynamic force in large teamfights – involving zoning, harassing, and targeting priority enemies. Lastly, decision-making varies based on team compositions and the situation.
You may need want to look for flanks or “pincers” to catch off enemy backline/s, or if enemy team has assassin roamers or flankers, you may need to cover/protect your carry instead.
Being an EXP Laner in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang demands mastering various aspects of gameplay – from early laning to impactful team fights.
Make sure that you recognize your role in different situations and make informed decisions, which will 100% lead to success. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
I’d also like to give big thanks for RubyRubyRuby for sharing these tips on how to master the EXP Lane, make sure to check out their video as well: A COMPLETE Guide on Playing EXP LANE.
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