League of Legends (LoL) is a popular online game played by millions around the world. It’s a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where two teams of five players each compete to destroy the opposing team’s Nexus. Each player controls a unique character called a champion, and the game involves strategy, teamwork, and skill. If you’re an intermediate player looking to improve your game, this guide will help you understand the key aspects of playing League of Legends.

How to Play League of Legends: A Comprehensive Guide for Intermediate Players

Understanding the Basics

The Map

League of Legends is played on a map called Summoner’s Rift. The map is divided into three main lanes: top, middle (mid), and bottom (bot). There is also a jungle area between the lanes. The lanes are connected by a series of paths and structures.

• Top Lane: This is where the top laners play. It is often a solo lane.
• Mid Lane: This lane is usually played by a single player. It is the central lane and is crucial for controlling the map.
• Bottom Lane: This lane is usually played by a duo – the AD Carry (ADC) and the Support. The ADC focuses on dealing damage, while the Support helps protect and assist the ADC.
• Jungle: This area is filled with neutral monsters. The Jungler roams this area, kills monsters, and helps other lanes.

Champions

Each player selects a champion to play. Champions have unique abilities and roles. Some champions are good at dealing damage, while others are better at tanking damage or supporting teammates.

• Assassins: These champions deal high damage but are usually fragile.
• Bruisers: They can deal decent damage and also take some hits.
• Tanks: Tanks have high health and can absorb a lot of damage.
• Supports: Supports help their team by healing, shielding, or providing crowd control.
• Marksmen/ADC: These champions deal high damage from a distance, typically using ranged attacks.

Objectives and Goals

Primary Objective

The main goal of League of Legends is to destroy the enemy Nexus. The Nexus is located in the enemy’s base, which is protected by turrets and inhibitors. To reach and destroy the Nexus, you must first break through these defenses.

Secondary Objectives

Apart from destroying the Nexus, there are several other objectives that can help your team win:

• Turrets: These are defensive structures that protect the lanes and the Nexus. Destroying turrets gives your team gold and opens up the map.
• Inhibitors: These are located within the base and protect the Nexus. Destroying an inhibitor spawns powerful minions called Super Minions for your team.
• Dragons: Located in the river, killing dragons gives your team buffs and bonuses.
• Baron Nashor: This powerful monster gives a significant buff to your entire team. It’s often contested and is crucial for late-game strategies.

Roles and Responsibilities

Top Laner

• Responsibility: The top laner usually plays a tank or bruiser. They focus on farming (killing minions for gold) and controlling their lane. They also need to be aware of the enemy’s movements and provide assistance to other lanes when needed.
• Strategy: Play defensively and avoid overextending. Communicate with your team about enemy movements and objectives.

Mid Laner

• Responsibility: The mid laner often plays an assassin or mage. They need to farm well, roam to other lanes, and provide burst damage.
• Strategy: Push the lane to pressure the enemy and roam to help other lanes. Control vision in the river and jungle.

AD Carry (Bot Lane)

• Responsibility: The ADC deals a lot of damage and needs protection. They focus on farming and dealing damage in team fights.
• Strategy: Position yourself safely in team fights and focus on dealing damage to high-priority targets. Coordinate with your Support to maximize your effectiveness.

Support (Bot Lane)

• Responsibility: Supports assist the ADC and provide crowd control or healing. They also help with vision control.
• Strategy: Protect the ADC, provide vision with wards, and use your abilities to control the enemy team. Help your team secure objectives.

Jungler

• Responsibility: The Jungler clears neutral monsters, secures objectives, and provides assistance to lanes through ganks.
• Strategy: Focus on farming jungle camps efficiently and looking for opportunities to gank enemy lanes. Control objectives like Dragon and Baron Nashor.

Farming and Gold Management

Last Hitting

• What It Is: Last hitting is the act of delivering the final blow to minions or monsters to get gold. It’s crucial for getting items and scaling into the game.
• How To Do It: Watch the health of minions and time your attacks so that you get the gold. Avoid auto-attacking too early, as this will result in missing the last hit.

Buying Items

• How To Buy: Visit the shop to purchase items with the gold you earn. Items enhance your champion’s abilities and stats.
• When To Buy: Buy items during your lane phase and between deaths. Prioritize items that complement your champion’s role and abilities.

Vision and Warding

Why Vision Is Important

• Purpose: Vision helps you and your team see enemy movements and avoid ambushes. It also provides information about enemy objectives and positions.
• Types of Wards: Use Control Wards and Stealth Wards to gain vision. Control Wards reveal invisible units and prevent enemy vision, while Stealth Wards are used for general sight.

Placing Wards

• Where To Place: Place wards in key areas such as river entrances, jungle paths, and around objectives. This helps your team stay informed about enemy movements.
• When To Place: Ward when you’re moving through the jungle, preparing for objectives, or when the enemy is missing from lane.

Team Fighting and Coordination

Understanding Team Fights

• What They Are: Team fights occur when both teams clash in a concentrated area. These fights are crucial for gaining an advantage and securing objectives.
• How To Participate: Focus on your role during fights. ADCs deal damage from a safe distance, while tanks engage and absorb damage. Supports provide crowd control and healing.

Communication

• Importance: Effective communication can turn the tide of a game. Use pings and chat to share information about enemy positions, upcoming objectives, and strategic plans.
• How To Communicate: Use quick pings for immediate information. Type out detailed strategies or alerts in chat when necessary.

Map Awareness and Positioning

Keeping an Eye on the Map

• Why It Matters: Map awareness helps you avoid ganks, make strategic decisions, and coordinate with your team.
• How To Improve: Regularly glance at the minimap to track enemy movements and be aware of your team’s position.

Positioning in Lanes and Fights

• In Lanes: Position yourself to avoid enemy skill shots and minions while farming. Stay behind your minions and watch for enemy ganks.
• In Fights: Position yourself according to your role. ADCs stay in the backline, while tanks and frontline champions engage the enemy.

Objectives and Their Impact

Dragons

• Types: There are several types of dragons, each providing different buffs. For example, Infernal Dragon gives increased damage, while Ocean Dragon provides healing.
• Securing Dragons: Aim to secure dragons with the help of your team. Control vision and make sure to take them when it’s safe.

Baron Nashor

• Importance: Baron Nashor gives a significant buff to your team, making it easier to push lanes and win team fights.
• How To Take It: Coordinate with your team, secure vision around the Baron pit, and take it when the enemy is not around.

Dealing with Tilt and Losing Streaks

Recognizing Tilt

• What It Is: Tilt is a state of frustration or anger that affects your gameplay. It often leads to poor decisions and further losses.
• How To Handle It: Take breaks, focus on improving your skills, and avoid blaming teammates. Reflect on what went wrong and learn from your mistakes.

Improving After Losses

• What To Do: Analyze your games to understand what went wrong. Watch replays, review your decisions, and focus on improving specific aspects of your gameplay.

Conclusion

Playing League of Legends involves more than just knowing how to control your champion. It requires understanding the map, managing resources, working with your team, and making strategic decisions. By focusing on farming, vision control, and team coordination, you can improve your performance and contribute to your team’s success. Remember to stay calm, communicate effectively, and always look for ways to improve. With practice and dedication, you’ll find yourself becoming a better player and enjoying the game even more.