Boards›Gameplay

Position Meta Question

Dibullba2··1 votes·1,469 views

So this is something that I have been curious about and keep in mind that what is being asked here will likely stay in the hypothetical. Why is it that ADC and Support is ran in the bot lane rather than Mid? My general understanding as to why ADC and Support are bot seem to mostly concern keeping numerical presence on dragon. Mid lane generally should be able to do this as well since it is still adjacent to it. Other potential advantages with doing ADC and Support Mid would be the increased amount of wards that they can use for vision early on; pressure on Herald as much as Dragon; and strong roaming potential with a support like Blitzcrank and the like. Since the midlane is shorter than the other lanes with tower to tower, they can take greater advantage of an enemies lacking presence.

Aside for the hypothetical idea of ADC/Support on both sides being Mid, another thought does occur if people were capable of abusing this sort of strategy while the meta is how it is currently. If a mage plays safely bot, they can gain more experience much like the midlane mage would. However, there is a distinct advantage again with how the mid lane is shorter than the bot lane. Thus mid can pressure tower faster than bot lane can.

Feel free to give your opinion on this idea as well as educate me on things I may not be understanding. Thanks for reading.

5 Comments

AHarmlessTaco1 votes

Mid lane is shorter and provides a safer laning experience for mages, whereas bot lane is longer and makes you more vulnerable. This is offset by having 2 champions that can ward, 3v2's being more even than 2v1's, and the support being able to provide outs for themselves and their ADC via CC.

Dibullba21 votes

{quoted}

Mid lane is shorter and provides a safer laning experience for mages, whereas bot lane is longer and makes you more vulnerable. This is offset by having 2 champions that can ward, 3v2's being more even than 2v1's, and the support being able to provide outs for themselves and their ADC via CC.

I definitely agree that these are what set the current standards, but just as well those ideas can be applied by swapping lanes. A shorter lane where you have a support that can cc makes for a very safe lane experience. Those increased amount of wards can assure for appropriate quick response. The mage in bot lane would only need to worry about warding a single place when pushing in much like how top lane functions. Albeit I do admit that top lane bruiser/tanks do sustain better than a mage would. Both mages in the bot lane would experience the same amount of danger depending how the lane pushes and jungler position.

AHarmlessTaco1 votes

Another thing I forgot to mention is that the short lane gives mages a large amount of breathing room against assassins and prevents complete zoning and experience denial. Mobile mid-laners would have a much larger degree of safety in the bot lane than would immobile mages, so if the meta were to swap you would simply stop seeing mages.

Dibullba21 votes

{quoted}

Another thing I forgot to mention is that the short lane gives mages a large amount of breathing room against assassins and prevents complete zoning and experience denial. Mobile mid-laners would have a much larger degree of safety in the bot lane than would immobile mages, so if the meta were to swap you would simply stop seeing mages.

Very true, I figured junglers would have to be the real defining point for why positions stand currently. It would end up making more sense to have dual bruiser lanes than a mage in bot lane. Though another question could be asked if there is any mages that have mobility or survivability to handle bot lane. Veiger is one that I could think of since he has an AoE stun. Le Blanc and Zed also have some escape tools in there kit.

Kai Guy1 votes

Comp issues happen more often running this.
If they don't send 2 mid then you have a 2v1 situation.

Break downs of common mid picks. Assassin, mobile & inmobile

Assassin 2v1 is hard early. Nothing stops them from a rotate bot. If its assassin vs mage 1v1 often times the assassin stands to gain from a lane swap as they now have a lot more room to threaten the mage. Jungler Ganks are also going to favor the assassin as again they get more room.

Running Enchanter/adc mid vs a mage. Mages tend to have AOE or Hard CC in their kits. Only a small portion are pure damage. Double squishys vs aoe/CC run a real risk of dropping to jungle ganks if they get hit with aoe cc early game.

Many mages outrange adcs and supports.

End result is a duo mid frequently disadvantages your team with bad matchup's and extra risk. If you don't convert it into jungle ojbs or good roam its not going to be a great strat. It can be done but would function best with 5 man coordination and deliberate picks. In the chaos of say solo que its going to cause more harm then good.

More from Gameplay

3 Refunds per season, upvote if you want 3 refunds per season.
Gameplay764 comments
7,167
votes
3 Refunds per season, upvote if you want 3 refunds per season.
Gameplay156 comments
3,510
votes
UPVOTE FOR URF
Gameplay606 comments
2,440
votes
Yes plz.
Gameplay456 comments
1,721
votes
3 Refunds per season, up vote if you want 3 refunds per season.
Gameplay114 comments
1,716
votes
When is ANYONE at riot going to address the awful new player experience?
Gameplay634 comments
1,383
votes