Welcome to the ultimate support guide of League of Legends. You're here because you either love or want to understand the support role better.
Maybe you're tired of seeing "defeat" on your screen or want to maximize your team's capabilities.
Whatever your reason, this guide is your road to mastering the art of support, from champion selection to teamfight mechanics.
Key Takeaway: The secret to mastering support in LoL lies in understanding team needs, strategic ward placement, and effective use of summoner spells. Get these basics right, and you're already ahead of the game.
The Role and Impact of Support
In League of Legends (LoL), support is more than just placing wards or healing teammates. It involves reading the map, understanding the game, and making tactical decisions.
Take it from me: mastering this role significantly elevates your team's chances for victory.
Firstly, remember that the support is the backbone of the team. You're not merely an accessory to the ADC. My best advice? Aim to make plays that lead to objectives.
A well-timed hook or stun can easily transition into a dragon or a turret. This may help you get the most out of every situation.
Consider the game state if you're deciding between roaming and sticking with your ADC.
Are other lanes struggling? Roam.
Is your ADC having a hard time? Stick around.
If you're confused, my recommendation is to prioritize vision. Vision wins games, period.
However, don't forget about kill participation. You might want to help secure kills whenever possible. A support that only focuses on vision and ignores kill opportunities is missing half of the equation.
Always look for windows to influence the game beyond just your lane.
So, what's the most significant advantage of playing support in LoL?
The ability to impact multiple lanes. With this in mind, remember that great support makes the entire map his playground. This role allows you to influence the bot lane and every part of the game.
When in doubt, communication is key. Ensure your team knows your intentions; this ensures your actions have maximum impact.
Trust me, as someone who's spent countless hours mastering the support role, you'll want to keep all these aspects in balance to excel truly.
Understanding Team Needs
Playing support means constantly adapting to your team's needs. For example, if your top laner picks a carry champion, you might opt for a tanky support like Leona.
In contrast, if your team lacks magic damage, think about selecting a mage support like Zyra. Analyzing your team's composition from the champion selection screen is crucial.
Always watch the map, as it's your best bet to identify which lanes need immediate attention.
Planning to roam mid? Make sure you ping your ADC so they know to play safe.
In my experience, timing is everything. Try to coordinate your roams with your jungler to increase kill potential and secure objectives like dragon or Rift Herald.
Vision control is another area where your team will rely heavily on you. Prioritize deep wards to keep track of the enemy jungler's movements.
This is especially important when your team is ahead and wants to secure deeper objectives like Baron or the enemy's jungle camps.
Another tip: pay close attention to your teammates' mana and health bars. Knowing their status will help you make smarter engage or disengage calls.
The last thing you want is to initiate a fight when your team isn't ready.
Your ability to read and fulfil team needs will set you apart as a top-tier support. Trust me, this is one of the most effective ways to lead your team to victory in LoL.
Champion Selection Strategy
Picking the right champion as a support is a game-changer in League of Legends. Here's a comprehensive strategy to make the best choice:
- Analyze Team Composition: Before anything else, examine your team's picks. Need a tank? Look at champions like Braum or Leona. Lacking crowd control? Thresh or Morgana could be your best bet.
- Consider the Matchup: Some champions are natural counters to others. Against hard-engaged champions, opt for disengage supports like Janna or Nami.
- Synergy with ADC: Think about how your abilities can complement your ADC's kit. For example, Lulu is fantastic with auto-attack reliant ADCs like Vayne.
- Early vs Late Game: Different supports shine at various game stages. Bard can dominate early, whereas Soraka becomes a healing monster late in the game.
- Skill Level: If you're new, starting with straightforward champions like Sona is better. High-skill champions like Pyke or Rakan could be overwhelming if you need to become more familiar with their mechanics.
- Utility vs Damage: Need more damage in your team? Zyra and Brand can be perfect for this. Focus on champions that offer shields, heals, or vision for utility.
- Objective Control: Champions like Blitzcrank can single-handedly secure objectives with a well-timed hook on a key enemy.
- Adaptability: Flexibility is key. Support like Karma can transition from a poke-heavy laner to a utility shield-bot based on the team's needs.
- Summoner Spells: This is crucial. Exhaust is great for peel, while Ignite is excellent for kill lanes. Choose based on your champion and strategy.
- Personal Comfort: Lastly, personal experience and comfort with a champion often outweigh meta picks. If you excel at a less popular support, feel free to lock them in.
Remember, a well-thought-out champion selection can give you the upper hand before the game starts.
Review this checklist, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a standout support in LoL.
Synergy with ADC
Synergy with your ADC isn't just a bonus; it's a must. Take a close look at your ADC's champion during the pick phase. Is it an aggressive laner like Draven or a late-game hyper-carry like Kog'Maw?
Match your champion to amplify their strengths. For example, Leona's engagement works wonders with Draven's burst damage.
Timing also plays a vital role. When your ADC goes in for a trade, that's your cue to engage or provide the necessary peel. Remember, synchronization isn't just about using abilities but also recognizing when to hold back.
In the game, always keep an eye on your ADC's positioning. If they're far up in the lane, be ready to follow. Likewise, when they hang back, don't overextend.
Consider communication tools like pings or quick chats to keep your game plans aligned.
This synergy with your ADC is a cornerstone for winning the bot lane and, by extension, the game itself. So, invest in building this crucial partnership.
The Essentials of Trading and Lane Control
Mastering trades and controlling the lane gives you bot lane dominance. Aim to trade when the enemy ADC is going for a minion last hit; this is your opening.
Use your abilities and auto-attacks to land free damage.
Controlling the minion wave is equally important. By freezing the wave near your turret, you put the enemy in a vulnerable position, making it easier for your jungler to gank.
Conversely, pushing the wave becomes necessary when you plan to roam or help secure objectives like dragon.
Remember these essentials, and you'll up your support game significantly.
Trading Windows
Identifying trading windows is a skill that separates the good supports from the great ones. These are moments when you have a distinct advantage, making it the perfect time to engage.
Often, this window appears when the enemy ADC tries to last hit a minion. Seize this chance to land a CC ability or some poke.
Another trading window opens when the enemy bot lane has fewer minions. A larger minion wave on your side means extra damage and a buffer against skill shots.
Keep tabs on the enemy's abilities, too. Did the enemy Thresh miss his hook? That's your cue to go in.
So, polish your skills in recognizing these windows. Your ADC will thank you, and your enemies will fear you.
Minion Wave Influence
Understand that minion waves aren't just the ADC's concern but yours. Manipulating them can create opportunities for ganks, better trades, and even objectives.
If you're ahead, consider a slow push. This method stacks your minions, creating a massive wave that crashes into the enemy turret. It's the perfect setup for a dive or to roam and place deep wards.
Freezing the wave near your turret can also be advantageous, making it perilous for the enemy to step up. A frozen lane forces the opponents to overextend, making them easy prey for your jungler.
To maintain the freeze, only last-hit minions when their health is deficient.
If your ADC isn't around, you may need to tank the minions briefly to keep them from reaching the turret. Mastering wave management might seem subtle, but its impact is huge.
Smart Ward Placement
Warding isn't just throwing a light trinket in a bush; it's an art. Placing a ward in the enemy jungle can offer a sneak peek into their game plan.
Got a ward deep in their territory? That's golden info for your team, alerting you to where the enemy jungler might strike next.
Riverwards offer another layer of safety.
They're crucial during the laning phase, but remember to adjust as objectives like Dragon or Baron become the focus.
A well-placed ward here can tip off an incoming gank or a sneaky objective take.
Pixel bushes in the river shouldn't be ignored either. Warding these tiny spots gives a good read on enemy movements, especially for mid-lane rotations. It's not just about you; it's about team-wide vision.
Defensive wards near your jungle camps also deserve a mention.
These wards can prevent invades and give your jungler a little breathing room when behind.
Lastly, remember control wards. They're not just for denying enemy vision; placing one in a key bush can set up ambushes. In my experience, smart ward placement wins games.
Effective Use of Summoner Spells
Summoner spells, particularly Flash and Exhaust or Ignite, are not just tools but lifelines. Use Flash not just for escaping but also for offensive plays like a Flash-Flay combo with Thresh. It's the element of surprise that often catches enemies off guard.
Exhaust plays a dual role. In the planning phase, slap it onto the enemy ADC during an all-in, reducing their damage and attack speed.
When team fights erupt, hold onto it for neutralizing assassins or bruisers, diving your backline.
Ignite has its merits, too. Applying it during a skirmish can deter enemies from committing to the fight. It also nullifies healing, perfect against champs like Soraka or Dr. Mundo.
Pay attention to the value of spell timing.
Popping Exhaust too early can be just as disastrous as using it too late. The same applies to Flash. Your summoner spells are precious, and their misuse can be costly.
My best advice? Be stingy with your spells yet adaptable. Knowing when to use them optimally can turn the tide in even the grimmest situations.
Teamfight Mechanics
In a team fight, your role as support becomes the backbone of your team's strategy. You're either the catalyst for action or the guardian of stability.
Start by recognizing the type of support you're playing. Engage champs like Leona or Alistar crave the frontline, aiming to disrupt and initiate fights.
Enchanters such as Janna or Soraka focus more on peeling and healing.
Positioning is key. Hang back if you're a healer, ensuring your ADC and other damage dealers stay alive. As an engager, look for opportunities to disrupt the enemy formation.
One good hook or stun can decide the battle's outcome.
Item usage also matters. Locket of the Iron Solari can mitigate incoming burst damage, while Redemption heals multiple allies in a designated area.
Time these actives well to amplify your team's chances.
Vision remains crucial. A well-placed Control Ward can offer sight advantages, ensuring your team doesn't walk into traps.
Keep track of crucial enemy abilities and summoner spells, and communicate this to your team.
Remember, your impact is as substantial as any carry. A well-timed ability or active item can turn a losing fight victorious. Mastering the mechanics of teamfighting can elevate your support play to new heights.
Initiating vs Peeling
Choosing between initiating and peeling often hinges on your champion and team comp. As an initiator, wait for missteps from the enemy to land that game-changing Thresh hook or Leona ult.
On the flip side, if you're playing a peeler like Janna, your job is to deny enemy divers and assassins. Stick close to your ADC, shielding them and disrupting anyone who dives in.
A quick decision on initiating or peeling can make or break a fight.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Here is a list of what you shouldn't do:
- Overwarding: Don't drain your Sightstone; think quality, not quantity.
- Lack of Map Awareness: Glance at the mini-map every few seconds; it's your best friend.
- Ignoring Roaming: Staying bot lane all game limits your impact. Roam when you see opportunities.
- Neglecting Cooldowns: Track both ally and enemy ultimates and plan around them.
- Poor Positioning: Your position often decides the outcome in lane or team fights.
Overextending and Itemization
Overextending can spell doom. Stay in line with your ADC and watch the enemy jungler's position.
For itemization, adapt to the game. If the enemy team is AP-heavy, consider Locket or Mikael's Crucible.
If initiation is your game, Righteous Glory could be your go-to. Adapt and survive.
