Simple Steps to Improve on Summoners Rift

No matter if you are just playing normal games or climbing the rungs of the ranked ladder, we all play League of Legends in hopes of having a good time and hopefully getting better. If you find yourself stagnating on how to improve your play, there are always three major areas a player can work on. With a few simple steps you can learn to better your game knowledge, mechanics, and map awareness.

Game Knowledge:
Study Streams

One of the easiest ways to learn more about League of Legends and to improve your game knowledge is by watching professional player’s stream. While watching always ask yourself, why did they do that? It is important to try and analyze every move the streamer makes, because usually there is a reason. Analyzing streams can teach you skills such as proper ward placement and item builds.

Also take note of the timing of their actions. Watching a streamer play in lane can help you recognize when it is best to freeze your lane or to push it to the enemy’s turret. You will begin to notice the strengths and weaknesses of champions you may not own, helping you gain experience on different lane matchups.

To improve your stream watching experience try having your League client open in the background. This way you can quickly look up the player you’re watching and check out which rune page and masteries he or she is running for the game so you can try it out in your next game.

Basic Mechanics:
Spam ARAMs

Many people may think ARAMs are just a ridiculous fun game mode with no substance, but I’ve found them to be a fun learning experience. Through playing ARAMs you can learn a lot about a variety champions that you can translate to your Summoners Rift game play. This game mode forces you to play champions you aren’t used to, and you will quickly learn these champion’s skills and ranges.

Since ARAMs are practically hectic constant team fighting you start to recognize proper positioning techniques for a variety of champions. While playing tank champions you will learn that you hold a more significant impact on the game as you peel for your carries. If you are randomly assigned an AP or AD carry you will begin to get a feel for their auto-attack ranges and where you can be safe while still providing damage for your team.

Through some fun ARAM spamming you can learn a lot of basic mechanics of champions while also pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Being able to play a variety of champions will only help your level of play when you are going out onto Summoners Rift.

Map Awareness:
Play Support

One of the best ways I learned a lot about League of Legends was by constantly taking on the support role. Throughout low ELO and normal queue games, warding often falls solely on the shoulders of the support player. This isn’t how it should always be, but someone has to step up and assist the team with map control.

If your team does force you into the role of ward dispenser you will find your eyes spending more time on the mini-map than anywhere else. Being able to keep fresh wards in locations for objective control and to prevent ganks will give you a strong sense of map awareness. You will be able to support all your lanes by keeping a good eye on the enemy jungler’s route.

If you are not someone who often plays support trying it out will help you understand the significance of map vision throughout all stages of the game. You will also have a better idea of how difficult it is to maintain map control without the rest of your teams help. Some support practice will make you more aware of the game as a whole instead of tunneling on what is happening in your lane alone.

Hopefully by trying out some of these tips you will be able to bring your skills to the next level. League of Legends is an extremely deep game and it's important to explore all of its depths to get a firm grasp on the flow of the game. One quick final tip, enjoy what you are playing! Be open to learning, have fun, and become a better player.