A trade refers to a brief exchange of damage between opposing champions, most often during the laning phase when players look for small advantages. These short interactions help determine lane momentum, and a player who consistently wins trades can secure stronger Lane pressure, force the opponent to miss minions, or create an opening for a future All in attempt. Because trades happen frequently, they serve as one of the main ways players test matchups and evaluate whether they can play aggressively or must stay defensive.
Effective trading requires understanding cooldowns, minion positioning, champion ranges, and how abilities interact with Burst or sustained damage patterns. Players who manage their resources well and choose the right moment to trade often build incremental advantages that snowball into larger leads. Even small health differences can influence wave control, jungle pressure, and overall lane tempo, making strong trading fundamentals essential for climbing in ranked play.