Last updated: December 2025
Table of Contents
What is the Sanctum?
The Sanctum is League of Legends' premium gacha system. You spend RP for a chance to receive exclusive content like Exalted skins - items that can't be bought directly in the store.
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
Each pull has a small chance (typically 0.5% to 2%) to drop the featured item. The pity system guarantees you'll get it after a maximum number of pulls.
| 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 guarantees you'll receive the featured item after a maximum number of pulls. Your counter starts at 0, increments with each pull, and resets when you get the item.
Common Pity Thresholds
- 80 pulls - Standard for most premium content
- 50 pulls - Less exclusive content
- 100+ pulls - Ultra-premium items
What You Can Get
Exalted Skins
Ultra-rare skins with unique visuals, custom animations, exclusive sound effects, and special recalls.
Other Rewards
Mythic chromas, borders, icons, and limited bundles. Even non-winning pulls give Orange Essence, skin shards, or other cosmetics.
Costs
Standard pulls cost 400 RP. Here's what that means in real money:
| 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
Use our Calculator to find the optimal RP packages. It considers your current RP, pulls until pity, drop probability, and bonus RP from larger packages.
Two Strategies
- Optimal: Minimizes average cost (accounts for getting lucky early)
- Most Bonus RP: Minimizes worst-case cost (assumes you hit pity)
Buy in Steps
Don't buy all RP upfront. Buy a batch, pull, and only buy more if needed. Our calculator accounts for this mathematically.
Ready to Calculate Your Optimal Strategy?
Use our free calculator to find the cheapest way to buy RP for your Sanctum pulls.
Open CalculatorFAQ
Does pity carry over?
Usually resets between events. Check in-game details.
Can I get the item multiple times?
Yes, but pity resets after each drop.
Can I increase my drop rate?
No. Rates are fixed by Riot.