Last updated: December 2025
Table of Contents
What is the Sanctum?
The Sanctum is League of Legends' premium gacha system, introduced by Riot Games as a way to obtain exclusive, ultra-rare content. Unlike the regular store where you can directly purchase skins, the Sanctum uses a randomized "pull" mechanic where you spend RP for a chance to receive featured items.
The Sanctum rotates periodically, featuring different exclusive content each time. This creates limited-time opportunities to obtain specific items, making it important to plan your purchases carefully when content you want becomes available.
How the Sanctum Works
The Basic Mechanics
- Spend RP to Pull: Each pull costs a set amount of RP (typically 400 RP)
- Random Outcome: Each pull has a small chance to give you the featured item
- Guaranteed Rewards: Even if you don't get the main item, you receive something from the reward pool
- Pity Counter: A hidden counter tracks your pulls and guarantees the featured item after a certain number
Drop Rates Explained
The Sanctum uses probability-based drops. Each pull has a small percentage chance (often around 0.5% to 2%) to give you the featured premium item. This means:
- You might get lucky and receive the item on your first pull
- You might need many pulls before the item drops
- The pity system ensures you'll eventually get the item regardless of luck
| Drop Rate | Average Pulls Needed | Chance to Need Pity |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5% | ~139 pulls (on average) | ~67% (at 80 pity) |
| 1.0% | ~69 pulls (on average) | ~45% (at 80 pity) |
| 2.0% | ~35 pulls (on average) | ~20% (at 80 pity) |
Understanding the Pity System
The pity system is your safety net. It guarantees you'll receive the featured item after a maximum number of pulls, even if luck isn't on your side.
How Pity Works
- Counter Starts at Zero: When a new Sanctum begins, your pity counter is at 0
- Each Pull Adds One: Every pull increments your counter by 1
- Guaranteed at Maximum: When you reach the pity threshold (e.g., 80 pulls), you're guaranteed the item
- Counter Resets: After obtaining the featured item (by luck or pity), the counter resets
Pity Thresholds
Different Sanctum events may have different pity thresholds. Common thresholds include:
- 80 pulls - Standard threshold for most premium content
- 50 pulls - Sometimes used for less exclusive content
- 100+ pulls - Occasionally used for ultra-premium items
What You Can Get from the Sanctum
Exalted Skins
Exalted skins are the crown jewels of the Sanctum. These ultra-rare skins feature:
- Completely unique visual designs
- Custom animations and visual effects
- Exclusive sound effects and voice lines
- Special recall animations
- Prestige and exclusivity among players
Mythic Content
The Sanctum may also feature Mythic-tier content including:
- Mythic chromas for existing skins
- Exclusive borders and icons
- Limited-time cosmetic bundles
Consolation Rewards
Even when you don't hit the jackpot, each pull gives you something. Typical consolation rewards include:
- Orange Essence
- Skin shards
- Emotes and icons
- Other cosmetic items
Costs and RP Requirements
Cost Per Pull
Standard Sanctum pulls cost 400 RP each. This means:
| Scenario | Pulls Needed | RP Required | Approximate Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Lucky (1st pull) | 1 | 400 RP | ~€3.50 |
| Lucky (10 pulls) | 10 | 4,000 RP | ~€30 |
| Average (40 pulls) | 40 | 16,000 RP | ~€115 |
| Pity (80 pulls) | 80 | 32,000 RP | ~€230 |
Smart Spending Strategies
1. Calculate Before You Buy
Use our LoL Gacha Calculator to determine the optimal RP package combination for your situation. The calculator considers:
- Your current RP balance
- Pulls until pity
- Probability of getting the item early
- Bonus RP from larger packages
2. Understand the Two Strategies
Optimal Strategy: Minimizes your average expected cost by accounting for the chance of getting lucky. Best if you're willing to accept higher worst-case costs for lower average costs.
Most Bonus RP Strategy: Minimizes your worst-case cost by maximizing bonus RP from larger packages. Best if you want to prepare for the worst and assume you'll hit pity.
3. Consider Buying in Steps
Rather than buying all your RP upfront, consider buying in steps:
- Buy enough RP for your first batch of pulls
- Do those pulls and see if you get lucky
- If not, buy more RP for the next batch
- Repeat until you get the item or reach pity
Our calculator's Optimal Strategy accounts for this approach mathematically.
4. Set a Budget
Before pulling, decide the maximum you're willing to spend. If you can't afford to reach pity, consider whether the risk is worth it. Remember: there's no guarantee you'll get lucky.
Ready to Calculate Your Optimal Strategy?
Use our free calculator to find the cheapest way to buy RP for your Sanctum pulls.
Open CalculatorCommon Questions
Does pity carry over between Sanctum events?
Generally, pity progress resets when a new Sanctum event begins. Always check the specific event details in-game to confirm.
Can I get the featured item multiple times?
Once you obtain the featured item, your pity counter resets. You can continue pulling to get duplicate items, but the pity counter starts over from zero.
Is there a way to increase my drop rate?
No, drop rates are fixed by Riot Games. There's no way to improve your odds other than pulling more times.
Should I wait for better Sanctum events?
This depends on your preferences. If you don't desperately want the current featured content, waiting for content you're more excited about is a valid strategy.
Are Exalted skins worth the cost?
This is subjective. Exalted skins are exclusive and high-quality, but whether they're "worth it" depends on your budget and how much you value cosmetics. Never spend more than you can comfortably afford.
Related Resources
- LoL Gacha Calculator - Calculate your optimal RP purchasing strategy
- Mathematical Analysis - Deep dive into our calculation algorithms
- RP Package Buying Guide - Compare RP packages and bonus values