I'm too nervous to play

chitanblue·Sep 7, 2014·10 votes·12,678 views

Hi everyone, what is wrong with me?

I am too scared to play a traditional 5v5 summoner's rift game. I've played them before.. many. I've played mostly ADC with my friend supporting me. However, for some reason I get really anxious when I queue alone.

I am in the champion select screen -- everything is fine. But when it comes down to it and I see the timer go down and down, my heart starts to beat faster than the tempo of the song. I always end up leaving or not choosing.

This is weird.. I feel fine when I play ARAM or even 3v3 I think because I have the sense of "These don't matter."

Any advice besides "GET GOOD" is greatly appreciated

25 Comments

lights eternalSep 7, 201410 votes

Hey there! :)

I've had anxiety at times (mostly in RL situations) - but I do remember a brief period where I avoided playing anything other than Co-Op vs AI matches because I'd been left with a bad taste after some serious toxicity directed at me from other players. It was seriously the most toxic game I've ever played, and it honestly made me want to avoid the PVP aspect of the game altogether - and created enough anxiety where thinking about playing a 5v5 because of the potential of a bad play being blown out of proportion was something I sought to avoid. I'm not sure if your anxiety is related to player behavior or not, but! If it is, I suggest remembering you have the power to mute/ignore anyone you like in this game, without fear of being banned for it. This can lead to players ping-spamming you, and other things, - but, that's all the more reason to report people like that, and get them some time out of game where they can think about how to be more sportsmanlike. I'd say, try some Co-Op Vs AI matches on the hardest setting - sure, they're easy, but you can improve some important elements of your play in those games without fear (most of the time) of getting harassed by anyone because the wins are nearly assured. After that, try joining a 5v5 - and if things go awry for some reason, and somebody decides they want to make you the target of their abuse - well, click the little chat bubble when you press tab on their name, - and you won't have to deal with them (or anybody if you like). Play your best, try your hardest, - and do what you can in the meantime to improve the community. This is just my own experience and what helped me. Hopefully it helps! :D

NightEfxSep 9, 20141 votes

thats why you have a pbe huh..because you post everywhere?

StephenizgodSep 7, 201410 votes

Remember one thing: Leage of Legends is a game meant to be enjoyed. Do not worry about being bad and do not worry about your teammates being toxic. Go in and have as much fun as you possibly can, because that is the entire point of League and a lot of players have forgotten that (hence the toxicity of some of the community).

There are a lot of very nice players out there though and they are more then willing to help out someone if asked, but the best way to get over your anxiety is to just play.

Good luck and remember to always have fun.

SecretAgentHulkSep 8, 20141 votes

OP didn't state which they play, but I'd go unranked while solo and only go ranked when with the friend.

StephenizgodSep 8, 20142 votes

Its not really about ranked or normals, its just about playing and enjoying it. Ranked is meant to be more serious but that doesn't mean less fun, so my comment still works for both ranked and normals.

Angry MonsterSep 8, 20141 votes

so you are sorta wrong about the fun thing. League is a competition fun is just a possible by product.

StephenizgodSep 8, 20142 votes

Lol thats funny, League is a video game meant to be enjoyed :) there is competition but ultimately it is a game for its players to sit down and have some fun for a couple hours.

Angry MonsterSep 9, 20141 votes

So please go look up the words you are using. Cause you are using them wrong. Start with competition. then after that look up the word game.

SecretAgentHulkSep 8, 20141 votes

I agree, but in my experience (Bronze I) people in normals don't focus so relentlessly on winning, or maybe there's more people looking to have fun kidding around.

StephenizgodSep 9, 20141 votes

That is kind of what Normals are about though, i mess around all the time in Normals but i always try to win. I dont agree with playing a game to lose, because there is no fun in that for everyone else.

In Ranked you should be more serious, it is not the place for practicing or trying new things, but it doesnt mean you shouldnt try to have fun.

CassalunaSep 7, 20148 votes

I actually like these points. For starters lets talk about only being level 23. That DOES mean that you're not as experienced as other players that might be joining team builder or draft. So you should embrace this - how? Don't be hard on yourself. You've still got a lot to learn, we all still do. Sometimes, more often than not, there will at least be ONE toxic player on your team. Mute them and move forward. Also, ADC has a lot of aspects to be aware of during gameplay. It isn't as easy as it looks. Maybe you can pick a couple favorite champs and research them on YouTube, here and Reddit for tips and tricks. Try those tricks in Co-Op and once you feel comfortable, just jump in. People aren't going to play like bots, so the only thing that helps you improve is trial and error. If you really enjoy a game with a teammate, add them as a friend. It's an awesome way to meet new people. Keep your chin up and don't give up. I'll let you in on a secret: You're going to make bad plays. It's going to suck. You'll yell at yourself...but then, in a moment you'll go HAM on the whole enemy team, pentakill and cheer so loud the neighbors down the street can hear you. That's the love of league! :) Keep moving forward, and I hope to get an invite so we can play together sometime.

SecretAgentHulkSep 8, 20141 votes

Along with the research bit, I've subscribed to several "funny" LoL channels on YouTube, and just watching the five-minute comedy videos can help you learn quite a bit. I learned all the pro jukes from dunkey. :D

MrBuffingtonSep 8, 20144 votes

Try some bot games and see if it still happens; is it just the anxiety of playing on summoner's rift, or playing other players on summoner's rift/playing in normals? Some players (especially in normal games, which I find just flat out strange) take this game way too seriously; I know I encountered some seriously toxic people when I was still leveling up. I find there are actually fewer toxic players in mid-silver ranked and in bot games; there are a lot of toxic players in the lowest ranks (probably why they're in the lowest ranks) and in normal games (again, what the heck? lol). Sometimes you just need to make friends with the mute button.

I still get some pre-game jitters when I'm getting ready for ranked solo-q, but focusing on the game/having things to focus on helps me feel less nervous. Really though, the outcome of the game doesn't matter, your KDA doesn't matter, and your own performance doesn't matter unless you want it to. I choose to focus on my own performance, making sure I'm making good decisions, that my mechanics are good enough, that I have adequate game knowledge and map awareness, etc. Even if I lose the game, or get crushed completely, I can still learn something, which means every game, win or lose, I accomplish something. Don't beat yourself up over mistakes you make, everyone makes them, including pros, and you can learn from them. In a lot of ways, losing a game is more useful than winning.

At the end of the day, this is a game, and you're supposed to have fun. Some people enjoy the competition of ranked play on summoner's rift, others like to goof around in other game types. It's really up to you what you want out of this game. You're still only lvl 23, so you're still learning the game; don't sweat it. Honestly, I don't think most people learned how to actually play the game until they're well after lvl 30/ playing at silver rank level (you get some bronze players who really should be higher ranked, and some silver players who probably got a lucky streak/elo boosted or something). GLHF :D

redniwediSSep 7, 20142 votes

The best thing I can recommend is playing a match of team builder or two first to warm up. So long as the game doesn't go horribly it should help get you in the mood to try an actual 5v5.

I would also recommend having the client music on when doing team builder, it helps get me prepared to face a regular or even ranked 5v5. Just let the music decide your mood for you.

Angry MonsterSep 7, 20141 votes

Your only level 23.... you can not have that many games under your belt.....

If this game stresses you to much maybe you should not be playing. High stress is bad for the heart and can cause other issues. This stress issue may be an Anxiety medical issue.

SecretAgentHulkSep 8, 20141 votes

I would have been super-apprehensive at level 23 too. It has nothing to do with heart health and everything to do with more time is required to be super-good than it takes to get to lvl 23.

Angry MonsterSep 8, 20141 votes

You say that, but my brother had to stop the game when he was level 25 and get on meds. Stress from everything was building up on him(just not league). Their really could be a medical issue. League is not a relaxing game.

Some people can not handle stress and if level 23 is an issue he is going to be stressing a lot more latter.

SecretAgentHulkSep 8, 20141 votes

Wow did not know. That's kinda scary.

MiskatonicSep 8, 20141 votes

Hmm. I've been playing league for 2 years now, and I still get anxious sometimes. I find it's worst on summoners rift, when I'm playing solo, and havent played that mode for a while. What to do? Try to find a friend to play with. Try listening to music, or play a tv show during champion select. Play lots of co op vs ai, aram, dominion, (fast games) and get level 30. When you hit 30, rune up. Focus on one or two pages for archetypes you enjoy. With runes, you will be stronger and better equipped to hold your own in pvp.

Now, for player rage. Its a common deterrent, ive had friends quit because of it. Everyone in the history of league has gotten raged at. Sometimes for something you can't control. Sometimes for having a bad game. Regardless, it sucks. It will happen, you just have to see it as a rite of passage. Ive found it helps diffuse teammate anger when I own my mistakes. If I miss a skillshot and die, teammate starts in on the whole "wtf noob", A simple "my bad, my aim was off, I'll try to course correct and not slip up again" will derail the hate train. Not always, as trolls will troll. I've found ranked games tend to have a better community than normal, but I don't recommend ranked till you are level 30 with runes.

Finally, just do it. Really. Queue in and follow through. It won't kill you. Play one game and the next will be easier. And, uh, Go to the bathroom first.

NightEfxSep 9, 20141 votes

i think once you eventually get into the game youll lose the spooks you have

TripleSevenSep 11, 20141 votes

I used to play bots all the time I actually got to level 20 off bots alone basically because I didn't feel like I was ready for PvP. I tried it once with a friend and I really enjoyed myself. I started playing solo too. Just play until you're comfortable and then bam you're ranking up crazy in PvP and then you're playing in Korea in front of millions, and then you get 10,000,000 dollars and you're blazing it with faker before you know it.

Don't be anxious, yolo that s**t. Even faker has been there

izgorelapaprikaJun 28, 20171 votes

Hello, I know that this is a 3 year old post and you probably don't play anymore, but I want you to know.. this is just for fun. The whole game is about having fun and making friends, basically ...there no need to be nervous. I'm level 15 and I've been playing with bots since I didn't have that many champions. If you think that you're bad, ask someone who is a 'pro' and ask for advice. I can't give you any at the time, i'm only level 15. You can get better if you work hard.

watashi ga tobeAug 21, 20171 votes

What I hate most are not only those trolls and flamers who attack you for every slip up. More I hate those people who wants to lose the asap when they realize that they can´t be the mvp of the game. So they start with ff etc. even though they are fed players in the team. If at least 1 lane is winning and maybe one even, there is a way to crawl back into the game. But ofc it´s not a reason to say "ff" just because you lost your lane. Thats pretty demoralizing and tilting for me. You feel almost bad for keeping them in the game.