MLBB Expanding Rivers Map Guide: Master Movement, Objectives & Rotations

The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Project NEXT September 2025 update introduced a new map called Expanding River, which adds some terrain elements to the battlefield. The new terrain adds jungle, mobility and objective control. This will allow players the ability to outplay opponents.

A player with knowledge of the map's unique terrain features, combined with the in-game ability to modify play, will have a distinct advantage in a match. Players looking to improve their gameplay and rewards can also explore ways to get Mobile Legends Bang Bang Free Epic Skin, adding extra incentive while mastering new maps like Expanding River.

MLBB Expanding Rivers Map Guide: The Key Strategic Benefits

The Expanding River map features extended river and side lanes that create overflow areas with enhanced flow rates. Enhanced flow rates provide heroes with a movement speed buff while travelling in the water, which allows heroes to rotate and gank more efficiently.

Once Lord spawns, the river will have the fastest flow rate, which can allow players to traverse the map with enhanced mobility and present additional tactical advantages. This will all promote map control and significant early objectives along with efficient rotations whilst compelling players to think about lane strategies differently.

1. Enhanced Mobility

River currents assist heroes without dash or blink mechanics, and they add some offset to their lower travel speed. Once a hero enters the river, they can utilize the current to change lanes or respond to threats, and even just 'establish position' in the event of a teamfight.
Nana and Ixia are really good on this map because their role in the river takes advantage of their faster speed and associated movement related to the map pressure objective control.

2.MLBB Objective Control

Moving quickly in the river makes contesting neutral objectives (Turtle/Lord) easier. If the river flow is peaking while the fight for neutral objectives is happening between locations, teams can get to the objective faster than their opponent. Establishing an early advantage in the rotation going into the next play is vital. It is important to time the rotation around peak times in the river after Lord spawns.

3. Opportunity for Ambush and Ganking

The expanding River adds additional routes for ganks and ambushes for stealthy or sneaky assassins or roamers. Enemies that establish a better vision of the river, either directly or indirectly, will see Assassin and/or Romer teams flank enemies in unexpected locations, which provides unscripted movement for the team.

MLBB Expanding Rivers Map Guide: Tips for Mastery

Generally speaking, controlling these additional routes in positions of the map will provide benefits for players in moving for sneak attack, or cutting side routes for enemies.

1. Early River Control

Vision is key. Place wards around the river early, especially around the 2–3-minute mark, to track enemy movements and prepare for objectives. Controlling vision allows the team to plan rotations and avoid surprise ambushes.

2. Leverage Speed Boosts

Use river currents to improve hero mobility, especially for heroes with limited movement skills. Speed boost lets them join fights, secure kills, and rotate between lanes more efficiently.

3. Adapt Hero Picks

Pick heroes that benefit from river mobility. Nana and Ixia are good choices, while heroes with crowd control can use river paths to start ganks and team fights. Think about how your hero interacts with terrain during draft selection.

4. Timing Is Crucial

Localized team movements around the Lord spawn and river currents. By timing properly, the entire team can arrive at objectives together, while also making temporary benefits off of movement buffs for plays.

MLBB Map Rotation and Adjustments

As a part of Project NEXT 2025, Expanding River is aside a rotating list of maps to feature, including Dangerous Grass, Broken Walls and Flying Clouds. These maps all have different mechanics, forcing players to adjust their pick, rotations on the map, and overall strategy at the moment. If you can increase your ability to rotate, you will increase utility and win rates overall.

The MLBB Expanding Rivers Map Guide proves that, with knowledge of the rivers' currents, use of mobility, control of objectives, and time of use when rotating, a player will come out on top of any duel or team fight. Success on the map is about being adaptable, controlling mid-game vision, and hero picks.

If you become comfortable with any specific team composition and rotation strategy, controlling the battlefield and outmanoeuvring the opponent will become easier. For players looking to get the most out of MLBB, exploring other in-game rewards like the Mobile Legends Bang Bang Free Elite Skin Chest can complement your gameplay and provide additional incentives while learning new map mechanics.