More CS, behind in level, what is this?

Evilkritter·4/13/2016, 4:21:59 PM·1 votes·3,854 views

I've noticed in MANY games now that I have reached lane before minions spawn, arrived with the first wave, and gotten ahead in CS (often as far as 3 or 4 CS ahead) when my lane opponent hits level 2 and I do not. In bot lane I thought this was because of how XP share works or something, but in top lane, 1v1 I've had games where I am 3 or 4 last hits ahead CONSISTENTLY and my opponent hits level 2 and 3 before me. I have given first blood on a few occasions because my opponent hits 2 before me with literally ONE last hit and all-ins while I am still level 1, and they hit 3 before I get back to lane.

What system causes this and why is it in the game?

4 Comments

Slythion4/13/2016, 4:30:50 PM2 votes

cs =/= xp

cs gives you gold, simply being by a minion/monster death gives you xp. If they are pushing their wave faster (aka killing the minions faster than you) then they will have been by more minion deaths than you and therefor get that xp faster than you. At the end of the first wave you both have been around an entire minion wave death and acquired the same xp, it's just a matter of timing

Trashlord Kayden4/13/2016, 4:25:55 PM1 votes

the person who kills cs faster gets xp to level up faster. it doesn't matter if you have more if the opposing laner is pushing faster. they could miss the kill on some, but still get the xp from them dying causing them to level up first.

Sohleks4/13/2016, 4:35:32 PM1 votes

Maybe they're cheesing by stealing a jungle buff camp mini creep before walking to lane. It shouldn't be that common though, and dubiously worth

Or they gave their jungler a "generous" leash, accidentally staying too close splitting exp with the jungler [screwing their jungler]

Bot lane duos can do the nearby camp if their jungler is not starting their side.

None of these things should happen that often though...

An old strat was for top laners with TP to do a jungle camp level 1 > recall > TP. Camp exp was nerfed though and put onto the jungle item and with pots going up in cost this strategy is completely obsolete but maybe someone still did it. TP cd increase too.

Evilkritter4/18/2016, 1:39:03 AM1 votes

I've been watching my matches closely for the last few days, and it looks like the "they cleared more" theory is correct. I've had one or two more minions die and the xp was enough to put me a level behind.

Thanks for the fast responses!