The truth about roles.

Too often I hear people say that because I'm really good at support and nothing else, I shouldn't play anything but bot games until I've fixed that. I've heard it said to others who were forced out of their natural role as well. And that's fine! I get the angle. In a game where your role isn't guaranteed, you should be pretty good at everything just to cover all your bases.

The problem I have with the concept is that League is called a sport. Now I don't consider it a sport. I doubt I ever will. Competitive gaming can establish whatever tropes it desires. Each game is different. However, team sports universally rely on something, and if I'm not mistaken, even pro League teams work this way: EVERYONE HAS A ROLE THEY PLAY.

Basketball: Centers aren't generally good at cutting to the basket or shooting 3's. Guards aren't generally good at rebounding. If a 6'2" point guard misses a rebound because some 7-foot center stood flat-footed in front of him and grabbed it, I doubt anyone's chewing him out on the bench.

Football: Quarterbacks aren't known for their ability to go up and grab the ball away from defenders. Offensive linemen aren't expected to fill in for the fullback if he goes down. Linebackers don't pass the ball. Placekickers don't run the ball on third and short.

Hockey: Goalkeepers aren't skaters. They aren't expected to be great at dekeing and wrist shots. Most defensemen aren't even expected to be great skaters. Conversely, forwards aren't expected to be great hitters or be able to catch a slapshot out of the air. It's not their role.

Baseball: Not just anyone can pitch, and most pitchers can't field. Catchers aren't expected to be great at running down fly balls either.

I could go on, but the message should be clear: Every real life team sport relies on positions. Everyone is good at their position, and they use their mastery of their own position to contribute to the team by ensuring the next guy can focus on what HE does best. If you're having a halfback fill in for your injured quarterback, something has gone horribly wrong, and it will continue to do so until you put a passer in there.

So why is to so astounding that some level 30 League players would only be good at certain things? I got to level 30 entirely on bot games, back when they still gave summoner experience. When I started playing PVP, I had to quickly find out what it is I did well. I generally play healers or tanks in MMOs, so I figured it was support, and I was right. I'm not a carry. I don't enjoy duels, I don't like trading with bruisers, and I'm terrible at farming. In the jungle, I do a horrid job of balancing farming with ganking. I've tried to hone those skills, but it just doesn't feel right.

I thrive on helping me team do their job better. Sitting on the sidelines and giving the glory to others. Setting up good fights and keeping vision of the map in mind. As a strategist, I prefer to think ahead of my opponent, and that's easier to do when you're not having to focus on farming. I can constantly be aware of the enemy's movements and ready to react to them, and that's where I feel most comfortable.

I'm not a top. I'm not a mid. I'm not a jungler. I'm certainly not an ADC. I'm a support. That's my position. That's my role. That's what I'm good at. Some people might be pretty good at everything, but that's not everyone. I suppose the crux of my point is this: If League is going to be a game where you have to be pretty good at everything if you want to play "for real", that's fine. But if it's gonna be a team sport, well, that's not the way it goes in team sports. As long as you insist on calling it a sport, treat it like one. Otherwise, call a spade a spade.