The removal of "Catch-up EXP" is hurting ARAM pretty hard

JavelinJoe·Nov 12, 2017·16 votes·2,818 views

I've noticed lately that without the "catch-up exp" in the game, level differences in ARAM tend to be pretty extreme. Sometimes 2-3+ levels. This is very common now. Where simply being the one who gets focused means that you will forever be a level or 2 behind everyone (For example, they hit 6 you almost hit 5). Getting killed multiple times just makes the gap worst. It use to be where unless you were AFK, the level difference was typically no more than 2 for the most part. Now I have seen games where it is a 4 level difference between the highest and the lowest.

9 Comments

RiotRiot MapleNectarNov 13, 201711 votes

I remember we had a conversation about this and explicitly didn't touch Catchup XP on ARAM, I'll check tomorrow to make sure it didn't.

mkynerNov 13, 20171 votes

A meeting where everyone reached a consensus about a wise and appropriate course of action, but then someone else did the opposite anyway? Are you sure you don't work at my company?

RiotRiot MapleNectarNov 13, 20174 votes

nah, I meant it may have been accidentally changed - not that someone did with malicious intent.

Blow Like DatNov 13, 20171 votes

proof?

Acheron16Nov 13, 20177 votes

[{quoted}](name=Blow Like Dat,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=0tIGdE6B,comment-id=0000,timestamp=2017-11-13T00:57:31.264+0000)

proof?

Play a game of ARAM, feed yourself in a kill and try to recover levels.

SpiritOfOdysseusNov 13, 20174 votes

It gets worse as the game progresses because of the scaling death timers. You can die in first blood and still come back for the first wave, but after 5 minutes you will start getting behind In levels. That's why its always good to understand this rule of thumb for league:

AP casters are typically early to mid game, some do scale well into late ( Veigar for future reference I refer to him and the like as AP CARRIES). These will suffer more if they die early, and if the tables are turned will give you the hardest time early game (aram)

AD casters are the same way as AP castors, but their early game is worse and end game is better because they are often bruisers, fighters, assassins. Illaoi For example is a jugg, her early game is very mediocre but she has a big powerspike at 6 that continues until she hits atleast level 17 where she tends to fall off unless shes building heavy tank items.

Tanks are mid to end game monsters since they don't rely on damage to be reliable and useful. Theyre typically very squishy early but if they get to turtle for as long as they can you will understand the hidden power of tanks after the 14-15 minute mark (aram, aka warmogs).

ADCs and hypercarries are "weak" early, but after they get one tier-3 item your best bet is to focus them every chance you get. Theyre going to be the prime reason for your wins or losses in aram. These are the ones tanks fear the most and the assassins/AP casters or carries want to explode immediately.

APCs are just like ADCs except they do fall off late instead of being weak early and are muchhhhhh weaker vs melee champs that build hp and/or mr. However you can crush ADCs with impunity.

AdeBugNov 13, 20172 votes

'castor' he hehe it means beaver in some European languages 'illaoi is a jugg' hehe she's 2 jugs :D I agree with pretty much everything, apcs should not drag the game on too long against tanks, etc, and ty for the giggles

ATastyDessertNov 13, 20171 votes

Gotta say I've noticed that too. Please take a look at the matchmaking too since it seems to have been changed in the past ~3 weeks or so. 30-ish game losing streak is not normal