Why do runes even COST any IP?

Guy Fox Teemo·Mar 24, 2015·3 votes·1,019 views

They're a very big part of the game and can have a huge impact. If a jungler doesn't have the right runes, he's kinda fucked. If the opposing mid lane doesn't have any runes, chances are he's probably gonna get destroyed early considering, runes do so much early on. Since they are such a big part of the game and can give an unfair advantage to players, why aren't they just free? I dont see any reason in them not being free you dont lose much money because really who buys rune pages with RP? Since you still have to grind for the runes themselves.

4 Comments

Going DarkMar 24, 20152 votes

"Runes are super important. They make a significant difference in lanes and can even make the difference between being able and unable to jungle." "Why would anyone pay RP for runes?"

I think you answered your own question, and should be able to take that answer and in turn realize why Riot doesn't hand them out for free.

The5lackerMar 24, 20151 votes

To waste your time.

That's not even a joke. There are tons of features in all sorts of games specifically designed to waste your time, because for some reason someone somewhere decided "Time played" was the single best metric to measure a game by.

Everything purchasable with IP should just be free, and IP should be phased out. The entire system is anti-consumer and counterproductive. People don't learn during their early "learning period" and both limiting their champion selections and locking legitimate power away from them is completely ludicrous.

ModAcademy KaynMar 24, 20154 votes

You know there is a reason, there are low priced IP champs. A. They were made first so they have simple kits and B. They are meant for people to learn the game.

If we had mechanically advanced champs for starters, or if people were to play them as starters, we'd either have people giving up on the game or being frustrated by the (annoying champs at low levels) like Zed, Fizz, Nidalee, etc.

You also mistake the principal of having to earn something with being privileged with having something. IF there was no IP system, there would be no satisfaction from winning games. "I spent an hour worth of my time playing a game, what do you mean I don't get a reward for winning?" From a gamers point of view there Is effort spent but no reward. It'd be like playing a strike on Destiny and not getting any sweet loot. So what's the point of playing?

IP is also how they separate champ players. The reason they release the new champ at 7200/7300 is because they want the players who have played the game long enough to get that much, to give them the best feedback. Champs that are old are fairly well put in their balance (Most of the time) so they don't exactly need the help of long time players to help them give feedback (necessarily).

TL;DR- IP is how they separate the new players from the experienced players. Those starter champs are meant to be used first since they're easy to use or easy to fight against. Mechanically advanced champs require more of a knowledge of how League works before they can be played. IP is also what they use to reward the player. If we didn't have any reward for playing a game, why would we?

On the other note, I do wish they would implement a system like Dawngate's, where doing very well (with a bit or RNG) could lead to their equivalent of Runes and occasionally a new champ (Shaper). This rewards the player base heavily and feels a lot more satisfying when doing very well (Unless Rng says F**k you, since it will) in a game, and where being honored (In their terms Karma) could contribute to getting a reward.

That's my two cents.

IridisMar 24, 20151 votes

I like the system for the champions, as it is something to work for. As said above, the easier champs are available for lower leveled people, and they give a really good basis for every role. I don't think that there needs to be any revision on the prices of champions, and this is coming from someone that has been playing over a year and has not acquired all the champions yet.

Runes, in contrast, I think need some changes. I would like something with rune pages implemented like mastery pages - at low or very little prices. The prices on the runes themselves are not the problem. Purchasing enough rune pages is a problem for me though too, as I play a lot of roles and cannot possibly get all the champions I want and get rune pages too. I know that this wouldn't impact my playing the game at all. I would still play just as much - or more if I was able to fill my rune pages faster and for less IP cost.