what defines meta?

KyleTheConqueror·Aug 1, 2015·2 votes·552 views

The meta is kinda confusing considering every half season a new meta in created, and only a limited number of champs are played. can someone tell me why do we even have a meta?

13 Comments

DreadlocksAug 1, 20152 votes

First you have to understand what meta is. Basically, its the most efficient/effective way to strategize. Generally, their is LESS risk. For example: Taking a fiora top vs taking a rumble. If fiora doesn't get farm/kills she isn't as useful, however if a moakai or rumble is denied farm, they can still be useful in team fights.

remeasures2Aug 1, 20152 votes

What he said. Meta isnt just this guy says you need to play this so play this. Meta is hundreds of thousands of people play this, that way and it works so play it and the same if it doesnt work so people dont play it. But thats only for ranked. Play what you like in normals when you are in a full premade. Most people who play games like this are competitive and like to win and the meta is in place so people arent double jungling or running 4 top and 1 bot. Just like the original meta was adc mid, double apc one top and one bot with a roaming support and a jungle. So like I said if you are in a full premade do what you like but if youre not its so the random people playing with you can have an enjoyable experience because everyone is hopefully playing a champion in a role that has a fairly high success rate.

NoMonkuAug 1, 20151 votes

The meta is basically what is consistently played because it has been shown that it provides a consistent way of winning for teams. What changes is drastically are usually changes to items (like cinderhulk) or changes to the jungle (jungle changes in previous seasons).

KyleTheConquerorAug 1, 20151 votes

My issue with the meta is how it changes so much. Every patch a little change can be such a big deal.

ChargeItDownMidAug 2, 20151 votes

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SachabotAug 2, 20151 votes

Because every other game on the planet has managed a perfectly balanced game. Get real, every game does this. Hell, WoW is still doing it and they've been around how long? How many times has Hearthstone had a meta shift in its short life? What about the new Smash Bros game?

ChargeItDownMidAug 2, 20151 votes

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SachabotAug 2, 20151 votes

Pretty sure DOTA does patches too. Every game with some competitive/PVP aspect is constantly tuning the balance, and never achieving perfection. I simply picked games I was familiar with, because, again: all competitive games do this.

And League is a MOBA. I believe you meant MMO.

ChargeItDownMidAug 2, 20151 votes

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SachabotAug 2, 20151 votes

Probably because they have a team with more experience, and they haven't changed balance philosophies since the game's inception.

MathbalnaseAug 2, 20151 votes

'The meta' is descriptive, not prescriptive. I encourage you to look up the definitions of those terms.

SachabotAug 2, 20151 votes

The "meta" is basically the most optimized way of playing; the shortest theoretical route to victory. It's not really "better," simply more efficient. The optimum path in this game (and every game like it) is the combination or combinations that result in the highest DPS over the highest amount of time. Which champions are a part of this is determined by buffs/nerfs/number changes, etc. and is in constant flux. This continuous cycle is simply a part of game health, as it is impossible to perfectly balance the game.

So to answer your question, it's the nature of the beast. Nothing more or less.