SUPPORT QUALIFIERS: Silver League Test

Please enjoy this 30-point test of your Support abilities. EDIT: Pencils down, the test is concluded.

Nobody passed this time, too bad.

QUESTION 1: Support vs. Support Counterpick

Listed below are Counterpicks... 11 counter-choices that shut down your opponent's options and grant you a general advantage.

Answer: Janna vs. Lulu. A Counter can be defined as when your choice of champion forces the enemy to abandon their usual, optimal way of fighting and adopt something less effective. it forces the enemy away from their "A-Game", so to speak.

• Morgana into Karma (0pts) Morgana has no real way to combat Karma - even if she manages to snare someone, the snared player can be shielded. If Morgana ults, Karma can countershield. And the Black-shielded player does not protect their ally from the splash of Karma's Q. It also does not prevent the tether, and if the Black Shield is started too early in response to the tether, it will expire first and the enemy will be snared.

• Lux into Morgana (3pts) Morgana can protect quite a bit against the magic damage, and can weaken and control Lux, who is rather frail if snared. Soft Counter.

• Taric into Lux (1pts) Taric's high armor is ineffective against AP damage, and Lux's skill shots and area control are powerful against the immobile Taric. If Snared, Taric can't cool himself down by autoattacking.

• Kayle into Taric (2pts) Taric's armor and heals make it tough for Kayle to grind down enemies. The ranged Stun can cancel out the benefits of Kayle's ultimate.

• Soraka into Kayle (2pts) Soraka can take significant damage from poking or splash from Kayle. Momentary invulnerability can make it yet easier to squish the fragile healer.

• Lulu into Soraka (1pt) Lulu's trimming and poking just won't make a dent against Soraka's healing, usually. Even if she polymorphs the ADC, Soraka can still heal it.

• Janna into Lulu - 5pts Janna and Lulu are a pretty equal match for each other.

• Alistar into Janna (1 pt) Janna's tornadoes and ult can push Alistar up and away, while the shield can give her ADC the damage needed to bruise a cow.

• Blitzcrank into Alistar (0 pts) A classic and well known Hard Counter, there's very little Blitzcrank can do that Alistar can't undo. If pulled into the enemy team at the wrong moment, Alistar can devastate the backline. It's also a simple matter to knock the enemy ADC away, apply stuns, and heal off after a forced disengage - which means Ali and his partner win the war of attrition.

• Nami into Blitzcrank (0 pts) Nami's a fantastic poke and harasser, but she's very frail. One good hook and it's sushi for dinner - this doesn't even require a turret in most cases.

• Karma into Nami (3 pts) Karma's extensive and versatile abilities pale against Nami's targeted harassment -there's no way to dodge, and beating Nami's efficiency can be tough. Soft counter.

Maximum 5 points.

QUESTION 2: Gold Generation math Every piece of gold counts for a support. You need to be in tight control of your finances.

You buy an Ancient Coin. (350g) You are feeling greedy... so instead of buying potions or pink wards, you go to lane with 150g in your pocket. Your plan is to get the Nomad's Medallion early.

Assuming you are present for every minion, don't last hit anything, and count no other outside sources of gold... (Such as masteries or runes)

How many seconds have you saved until you can buy the Nomad's Medallion?

** The correct answer is, you save about 50 seconds. ** In reality it takes a bit less time than this. With Ancient Coin, you make about 8 gold-per-10, and SR gives 20.4, so that's 28.4 gold per 10. Your 150 gold scrimping means 150 gold you don't have to earn. Do the math and it's 52.4 seconds. A siege minion will reduce this time a little more.

Answers between 45 sec and 1 minute are 4 points. minus 1 point for every 15 seconds outside this range. Remember to stay practical in your estimates.

If you argue that gold generation is critical to a support, or you argue that going to lane without potions/wards is far too risky, you earn the bonus point. Both are acceptable views.

QUESTION 3: Rationalized planning Alternate builds can be effective if you have a plan in mind.

Argue/explain why the Dark Seal might be an effective purchase on Soraka. Mention any potential build adjustments necessary, be detailed. Effective arguments towards the build will be worth points. Pointing out drawbacks, will not. Stay focused on finding advantages, and exploiting those advantages. This essay question is worth 10 points.

** ANSWER: Soraka can benefit from a Dark Seal due to having especially nice AP ratios on her abilities, and the ability to help from relative safety. **

Dark Seal is an inexpensive purchase, and if bought early, can provide a lot of AP for little trouble. This maximizes gains from long range rescues and benefits from closeup healing. As your stacks rise and fall, it should continue to be worth the gold until you need that inventory space for something else. It is important to build for safety if you go Dark Seal, maximizing move speed and toughness. (Armor/MR) Later, you can build Mejais if things go well. If not, the Dark Seal can be sold when you need an inventory space. Using Dark Seal as a sole source of AP can balance out a Soraka focused on survival above all else, such as an Armor/MR Soraka that relies on potions and regen. If ahead, her healing can be nigh unstoppable. And even if emptied, one good teamfight will make it worthwhile again.

There are drawbacks to this item, but these are the strong points. Maximum 10 points for bringing up possibilities. Noting the importance of the inventory space is 3 points.

QUESTION 4: Situational Analysis

You are in the middle of a losing game. You are 28 minutes in, and the score is 28 to 43 in favor of the enemy. The enemy Alistar is pushing the top lane, he is at the Tier 2 Turret. The middle lane is pushed to the inhibitor turret, the bottom outer turret is also down.

You have limited vision due to wards recently expiring. Dragon and Baron are both up soon. A teamfight has just ended poorly, it is just you and Riven who recently revived. The others have death timers about 20 seconds.

Explain what you are going to do, and why. You may choose which support you are playing as. This essay question is worth 10 points.

** The important thing to note is the presence of Riven and her decisions, and the lack of safety out there. ** Warding the Baron or Dragon at this time could get you killed and cost your team an inhibitor. Tank type supports could potentially attempt to block Alistar, but unless Riven goes along, it's not an especially safe proposal. Points are awarded for choosing defensively, following Riven, communicating with Riven, communicating with dead teammates, safe warding, and staying near the inhibitor turret.

10 points maximum.

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After completing the test, stand by for a reply with your personal score.