ADCs vs Assassins
No, this is not a debate about "lul ADC in 2k17" or "Nerf Draven/Caitlyn/DD". Well, actually that's not entirely true.
Let me explain: This post is not about whether or not Riot has made poor choices concerning one or both of these groups (if you want to talk about that, make your own post or go to somebody else's). Instead, I'd like to criticize the community in a way that isn't done often enough. It's the fact that it never gives Riot a break.
What I mean by that is whenever ADCs become "OP", a bunch of people immediately start bashing Riot over how they can't do anything against them. Then the same thing happens with Assassins, and it never ends! I am, by no stretch of the imagination, saying anything along the lines of "Riot and League of Legends are perfect", "The community has no right to complain", or "Riot shouldn't listen to the community". What I am saying is that whenever something happens, instead of trying to adapt and find ways around the problem, a lot of people just immediately flood into the boards and begin trash-talking Riot's game design.
Then, on top of all of that, they go ahead and assume that the community is in agreement. In Then they get a bunch of initial upvotes by people who agree with them, and bury anyone who tries to say otherwise in their comment section in downvotes. This heavily influences the psychology of the community and just leads to a lot of unnecessary hassle that more often than not goes nowhere.
Now, I'm not here to take sides or express any opinion towards the state of the game. However, I firmly believe that all parts of the community should have equal representation when it comes to the boards. If you think Riot is doing a great job, speak up! If you want something to stay the put while others call for change, say something! Your voice deserves to be heard, but too many people are too scared or too disinterested to talk about anything other than the problems. What I've learned, not just from this community, but from life, is that people only tend to speak up when they are agitated, and I'm no exception, if this post attests towards anything.
In addition, these people need to stop acting like they could do any better than the balance team and that what should be done to balance the game is the easiest thing in the world, because last time I checked, the odds of any one of these people actually knowing anything about what goes on over at Riot HQ are far slimmer than if they didn't. If it was a simple as they made it sound, don't you think it would already have been done by now? Once more, I'm not saying people shouldn't complain or that Riot is doing the best job they could right now. However, that does not excuse the behavior exhibited by those community members who see fit to do nothing better with their time than make posts telling a group of trained professionals that are ten years in the business that they can do better.
There's something I don't think a lot of you understand, so let me spell it out for you:
NOT EVERYBODY AGREES WITH YOU.
We need to come to an understanding that our problems aren't necessarily everyone else's. There is more than one kind of player in this community. We come from all around the world, with different background, different ideals, and yes, different opinions. If you want to say something; if you want to make a statement, then go ahead and do it. But I think we need to take a moment and redefine what that means. It shouldn't be acting like we're some tragic victims when we're the ones in control. It shouldn't look like propaganda graffitied on a public building, or one of those protests that end with people throwing rocks and glass bottles. It should be a conversation, not a statement. It should be open and considerate and accepting, not ranting and belittling and unnecessarily rude. This is a place where we can discuss the future of this wonderful game which has brought us all together and which we all clearly care so much about, not where you can poke fun at something you don't fully grasp and show off your Napoleon complex. And for the love of Jesse Perring, be civil with one another!
In closing, you have the freedom to completely disregard this post and go about your business. However, I have done something that not a lot of people do on these boards: I have encouraged you to think about what you're doing and speak your mind.
I'm aware that my post kind of broadened in its topic; going from the specific issue of the two parties "Nerf Assassins" and "Nerf ADCs" to the more general topic of the boards' mob psychology. However, if there's was ever a good place to start this conversation, it's the thing everyone's talking about right now.
Oh, and, sorry about the clickbait title, but how else am I going to get people to read this? I might be fighting an uphill battle, but I am realistic.
EDIT: I would like to add a tl;dr for those of you who are unable or unwilling to read my entire post:
This community needs to take a moment to get over itself. It needs to take a minute and realize that the community is almost never in complete agreement, and that just because your post about how broken ADCs or Assassins are right now, doesn't mean the community is in agreement. Those among us of different opinions need to step up and say something because we need to hear the WHOLE voice of this community. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with complaining, in fact I encourage it; it's one of the most vital ways of providing feedback. However, that should not entail unnecessary hostility and acting as though you know better than trained professionals. If it was so easy to balance the game, don't you think it would be by now? We need to come to an understanding that the ideas of this community are far more diverse than we think or that is shone.
