I’ve been watching some of the NA qualifiers recently (whilst attempting to do essays, it would appear that listening to shoutcasters somehow soothes me…) and I noticed something in the DNG V GGU on Sunday: DNG decided to take Baron, despite the enemy team rushing thier inhibitor. They ran back into base, managed to dunk their enemy team through a good taunt by Shen and then pushed the entire enemy team back. However, they neglected to pick up most of the kills; even a Karthus ult didn’t clean up.
Lee Sin ended up chasing down the enemy Miss Fortune, and through the entire chase across half of the map, Lee Sin missed THREE Q’s. THREE. That’s really terrible, right? “How can someone be a pro player if they miss so many skill shots like that?” I wonder.
Then, I realize something. Just because they’re pro players does not mean at all that they’re inherently always going to pick up the kills and land all the skill shots, because they’re against people whom are in the same skill range as them. It got me thinking about Tennis. You know when you watch a tennis game, it looks basically like a normal tennis game you might play yourself, except with a lot more grunting and the bouts seem to last a lot longer? That’s not because you’re an amazing tennis player (and if you are then… Well done? I’ll see you in Wimbeldon? No, not really, I won’t watch it), it’s because it’s a very skilled and trained athlete going up against someone who is also a very skilled and trained athlete. The skill levels rise, so in effect (barring any obvious difference in skill) the two teams are almost equally strengthed against one another. In that scenario, it becomes all about mind games, knowing your opponent and hoping your tested strategy works out; and, if it doesn’t, adapting adequately enough to overcome any challenges.
League of Legends is the same, in that sense. Although skill levels wildly between both different teams and even the nations the players come from (NA players are notorious for prolonging their game, favouring end game builds and champions, whereas the Korean teams often push for early game dominance and an early win) the game is mostly about strategy, knowing your opponent, and having a wide range of different paths to take when different options arise.
Dammit, this game is awesome. It’s such a widely different possible conclusions and outcomes that it’s almost impossible for a team to totally count on knowing the perfect thing to do at any given moment.
I want to learn more about this game. I want to do better. I want better map awareness, better map presence, less deaths, and a whole lot more wins on my match history.
Hell, while I’m learning, I’ll post little guides and posts about what I’m learning. I’ll even link several videos, in fact, that I know are pretty damn useful. For example, how to support by Aphromoo (formally of Team FEAR, now of CLG.Prime): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6bWcmK-w_M
It’s long, but watch it all, seriously.
Adios for now!
