Where and How do I get replays or even figure out LoL's esports scene?

The Ellimiist·Feb 15, 2015·1 votes·1,186 views

Top 200 NA Dota 2 player, recently came back to try out LoL (played in beta/S1). A large part of the learning experience in Dota2 and what got me to such a high level of play (besides constant practice and aiming to beat my own metrics) was the ability to instantly find, download and watch replays of any pro level event.

I am having quite a bit of trouble even figuring out LoL's esports scene let alone finding replays. I understand there is some sort of semi-pro league (LCS?) or something... I don't see anywhere advertizing major tournaments for the game so I dunno if LCS is it or what.

Anyways, just wondering where do you find the replays for LCS and major events. (No I don't want links to streams as those are fairly useless for my purposes)

7 Comments

freeformlineFeb 15, 20152 votes

The League eSports page can be found here: http://na.lolesports.com/

The website's format can be a little confusing at first, but you should be able to find information about each LCS game by clicking on the match in the schedule listing. If there is a replay for the match, there will be a blue "watch game" button under the result heading. I had thought all games had replays, but it seems that some do not. Best of luck and happy farming!

The EllimiistFeb 15, 20151 votes

Thanks. I had seen that section of the site but didn't see how to find previous match's. I see it's only 4 weeks into the current season and seem to have figured it out.

EDIT: When I click watch game it just brings up a VoD not a replay download :(

freeformlineFeb 15, 20151 votes

Ah. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to download the videos. I believe Riot has been working on a general replay system for a while, but have not implemented it due to hardware constraints. With luck, that will be out soon and will have a downloading option.

The EllimiistFeb 15, 20151 votes

Hmm that is wierd. I have downloaded some replays from op.gg which ran fine in the game so I just assumed they would have those same replays for LCS. Tbh that is kind of a huge turnoff as a competitive gamer as im use to pretty much every game ive played since original starcraft having replays.

DrCyanideFeb 15, 20151 votes

There is no replay feature built into the game yet. It's one of those "soon (tm)" features.

Your next best option if you want to observe higher level games is to use the clients spectator feature, watching one of the featured games.

VesarixxFeb 15, 20151 votes

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdhrZprAQZIAVEvjVKCxzA

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGgbmTgF-sUJGd5B5N6VSFw

a couple channels that post Pro games pretty much daily.

Joesus ChristFeb 15, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=The Ellimiist,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=3PQhGnXX,comment-id=,timestamp=2015-02-15T00:30:29.796+0000)

Top 200 NA Dota 2 player, recently came back to try out LoL (played in beta/S1). A large part of the learning experience in Dota2 and what got me to such a high level of play (besides constant practice and aiming to beat my own metrics) was the ability to instantly find, download and watch replays of any pro level event.

I am having quite a bit of trouble even figuring out LoL's esports scene let alone finding replays. I understand there is some sort of semi-pro league (LCS?) or something... I don't see anywhere advertizing major tournaments for the game so I dunno if LCS is it or what.

Anyways, just wondering where do you find the replays for LCS and major events. (No I don't want links to streams as those are fairly useless for my purposes)

yeah someone already linked the na.lolesports.com link. can also search on youtube for 'lolesports' or twitch.tv/riotgames. all of those have links to the various leagues. Youtube i think is easier because it has playlists for each region's league(NA, EU, Korea, and China iirc).

LOL doesnt have large events anymore like it used to, its all run through the various LCS type formats. they still have LOL events at those different conventions(like MLG, Dreamhack, IEM, etc.) but its all been streamlined into the regional leagues generally.

also as far as im aware, direct replay downloads arent available, just the VODs for all the matches. Riot in all their glory cannot figure out how to release replays for some reason and as previously stated its a soon(tm) feature :/ best of luck to you!