Hello. I'm level 22.

Don't worry about silvers, we're trash :)

Well... I'm not under 30, but I am bronzie trash (well, unranked now) and with ranked starting, today I had one gold player TOTAL, as opposed to at least one a game (and plats and diamonds) so maybe they'll stop showing up in normals as they finally go back to where their MMR is WAY more representative of their skill level.

I feel you man, the preseason was really shitty for anyone under gold with all the good players in normal where their MMR was low enough to be matched with under 30s.

Just play with high-level players long enough and you'll eventually play at their level.

Take it as a chance to improve. You can't get better if you don't play against better players. Beating your baby sister at chess every time doesn't make you a good chess player, but playing against a grandmaster lets you learn how a higher skilled player does things AND you can ask questions/learn from them or see if they have any tips on how to improve.

I seriously doubt that at level 22 you get matched with diamonds and platinums. I could see MAYBE a gold, but if you are a legit new player you will never be against a diamond/plat player EVER. Even if you are a prodigy at the game it is impossible to be matched against diamonds and plats simply because they have more games in normals than you and more wins (their normal MMR is MUCH higher than yours if you truly are new). Also I understand Gnar can be a good champion but he is a little too complicated I feel for newer players to fully utilize him :/ I would suggest something a little less confusing like Xin Zhao or even Jarvan.

Update: Since the posting of this thread I still haven't been matched against an unranked lane opponent, and above half of these ranked lane opponents have flamed me.