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Picking Champions

PtgbjYv5hr··2 votes·291 views

I'm a fairly novice player looking for a bit of advice. Right now I don't own any champions other than what come for free with the game, and I'm thinking of purchasing a few soon. I have absolutely no idea how to choose though...it would take something like 4 months to try them all through the free play rotation, but I'm nervous about buying one without testing it first since I'll have no idea in advance if I'll even enjoy playing it.

Right now my favorite champions are Ashe and Zilean. I'm the best at playing Ashe and seem to do really well with her, but I find her kind of boring to play since there's not a whole lot involved other than autoattacking and using volley. I really love playing Zilean alot, but I feel like either I'm not that good with him or his damage just isn't very high...I can clear minion waves super-fast, but the time bombs seem to do really low damage to enemy champions (it takes me 3-4 "double-bomb" combos to kill most players, which means like 30+ seconds if they stick around that long).

Also, the one thing I struggle the most with so far is figuring out what items to buy in a game. While I'm playing, I can't sit there reading every item description in detail or my team will yell at me lol. I've basically been basing my items 100% off of the first guides that pop up when I google the champion's name. A lot of the guides are really confusing and major information overload for a new player though...they'll have like 8 paragraphs describing when and when not to buy a particular item, and I'm usually fast asleep by the time I get that far into it.

5 Comments

TehNACHO1 votes

I can clear minion waves super-fast, but the time bombs seem to do really low damage to enemy champions (it takes me 3-4 "double-bomb" combos to kill most players, which means like 30+ seconds if they stick around that long).

If you don't already, make it a habit to build Void Staff by your 3rd or 4th item.

Simplified rule for building a champion is Flats and Percentages. If your champion has a lot of flat bonus (Vayne gets flat AD with her Ultimate, for example), avoid building too much of that stat but instead complement it (most Vaynes rush Attack Speed and Critical Chance). If your champion has a lot of Percentage bonus (Master Yi gets an extra 10% AD), build items that grant that stat. This is a super simplified rule and you need to learn for yourself when too much is too much, but it should give you a general idea of what the first 1 or 2 items you should build are.

Are you okay at playing Melee champs, or have you just not played enough of them to form an opinion?

PtgbjYv5hr1 votes

{quoted}

Are you okay at playing Melee champs, or have you just not played enough of them to form an opinion?

I've tried Renekton, Volibear, and Trundle. They were ok, but I wasn't a huge fan. I seemed to do a lot more dying than anything on them, since I'd often just get kited around. Renekton was definitely my favorite of the three, because with the dash skill and the stun I was actually able to do something. Trundle was my least favorite - I don't think I got a single kill with him lol.

Sachabot1 votes

Start with the 450 champs, like Annie, Kayle, and Nunu. They're low-investment, so it's not so bad if you don't like them, you can buy another one soon. Use them to figure out a playstyle that you like, and then buy champions with similar tags later.

As for your items, I would stick with the recommended stuff until you know enough effects to pick according to your situation.

VictoryDance961 votes

http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/5-champs-you-should-know-how-to-play-aka-who-do-i-buy-next-70445

THIS is a long (but helpful) guide for a new player looking for champions they should play. I believe Ashe is one of them. because she teaches you the basics of being an ADC or marksman.

Because you say you don't own many champions, I am assuming that you have plenty of IP (or RP) to spend, but are simply overwhelmed by the shear number of champions that are in this game, and that is understandable. Usually it is better to start with the less expensive champions, because generally speaking they are older and more balanced.

Amumu Annie Garen Kayle Warwick are all very good choices at only 450 IP each, which you can earn back in 3-4 games.

The way you describe Ashe makes me feel as if you are not a great fan of the marksman role (or maybe just of that particular champ). Choosing the champ that is "right" for you really is whatever role you like, although you can always gain the IP back eventually if you don't like your choice.

AS to your second point, I think I can relate to you. When I was around level 20 or so, I began to realize that some items had actives (haha, really? you're dumb! - yes I am). The item was item 3157 on an enemy Heimerdinger ... I remember it well for a reason... I died because of it. It was in that moment that I truly began to understand the importance of builds to the game, even more than Runes and Masteries...

When I read guides on Mobafire, I began to take a renewed interest in the reasoning behind each item... MR against mages, armor against DPS and AD champs, armor pen against tanks, etc. etc. etc. reading. reading. reading. blah. blah. blah.

You don't have to read each and every single description as to why each item (although it is very kind of the guide creators to put them in). It is very important, however, to know each items function so that you can build a champion appropriately.

HoboMcJoe1 votes

You might want to try other ap mages since you like zilean. Start with the cheap ones like annie, so that you don't lose much if it turns out you don't like them.

As for item builds, that is something that you will get better at very fast if you keep playing.

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