Team Builder role icons: Distribution and future plans

RiotRiot NaKyle·Jan 7, 2016·16 votes·41,201 views

Hey everyone,

Way back when we launched Team Builder, we introduced six earnable, role-specific icons. Because Team Builder’s being taken down when new champ select goes live, those icons will hit the ice box while we find a new home for them. They’ll come back in an earnable form, we just don’t have the details yet.

There’s also been a bug preventing the distribution of earned icons over the last two months. Luckily, we can still identify who’s earned the icons and plan on manually distributing all earned icons shortly after the Team Builder queue comes down. So grind out five games on each of the roles that you’d like the icon for before Team Builder comes down on 1/13.

We’ll update this thread when we have more details on icon distribution. Got questions? We’re on standby for ‘em.

73 Comments

Kha Zix 2020Jan 7, 20168 votes

[slayer-jinx-unamused] Why are you removing team builder?

PIuviusJan 7, 20164 votes

because new champ select is practically team builder

Kha Zix 2020Jan 8, 20161 votes

Isn't it only for ranked? [zombie-brand-mindblown]

DecritJan 8, 201610 votes

nope, it is for everything! Well, except drafts and blinds that are going to have a slightly different thing.

Basically it is a teambuilder tuned up also for rankeds

Rew711Feb 5, 20161 votes

Yep, a "team builder [made] for rankeds"

this new version of "draft pick" is way better than the original (i'll not be that guy who says otherwise) but it lacks what i like. you can have your fun in Summoner's Rift, there's no reason for me to go back now. if you need me, or want to play with/against me then find me in some other place (TT, CS, or HA).

I Hate KatarinaJan 8, 20163 votes

{quoted}

because new champ select is practically team builder

Disagree. The new champ select is NOT practically team builder. It may be in some way but at least TB guarantees you your role. New champ sel splits it 50/50. THIS is where it's going wrong.

RiotRiot NaKyleJan 8, 20162 votes

{quoted}

Disagree. The new champ select is NOT practically team builder. It may be in some way but at least TB guarantees you your role. New champ sel splits it 50/50. THIS is where it's going wrong.

It's not a 50/50 split. You're selecting primary and secondary roles, and you will get the primary more often.

3PowerJan 8, 20167 votes

You're telling me that people who select jungle, fill, support, or adc as their secondary role aren't going to be forced into those roles over their primary mid or top? I find that hard to believe.

In the first case, you shouldn't have to pick two roles. The five minutes wasted in a team builder queue do not justify the 20+ minutes of a game as a role/champ we don't want to play right now.

Teambuilder was better, get rid of blind pick, then the queue times problem would be solved.

Rew711Feb 5, 20161 votes

As much as I'd hate to say it, although Blind Pick has some areas of pleasure, its the main place I've seen to have fights break out in just champ select. Team Builder and no other mode are not impenetrable to these skirmishes but Blind Pick is by far the most prominent. How is it, that I could just go in (and if I'm fast enough) lock-in that new champ before the other guy. If I didn't have a PBE, I'd be done with this game, but I still have some sort of small hope that maybe one day in a few months I will be caught up with buying champions and be ready to finally buy some Runes for once.

I Hate KatarinaJan 9, 20162 votes

[{quoted}](name=Riot NaKyle,realm=NA,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=E2LnUMvW,comment-id=0003000000010000,timestamp=2016-01-08T19:59:01.126+0000)

It's not a 50/50 split. You're selecting primary and secondary roles, and you will get the primary more often.

I may have claimed that it's a 50/50 split, but at least I did say that teambuilder GUARANTEES you your role. Okay, you did say we're gonna select between primary and secondary roles, and we will get the primary MORE OFTEN. This is where I think may be worrying to some players that only want to play a certain role and champion. What happens if we don't get the primary role? Because you did say 'MORE OFTEN' which means there may also be a possibility that you will not get that role.

What happens if it's in ranked and there's 2 or 3 players that chose mid as their primary role?

Teambuilder is a mode where at least it guarantees a specific role and champion 100% of the time. If it's an out of meta pick, one could just leave and find another team. Sure it might take long but that is the consequences of playing an out of meta pick right? And I for one wouldn't mind waiting just so I could get the exact role and champion that I want to play.

I used to play only MID KATARINA in teambuilder. Nowadays I'm trying and messing out with other champions because I want to bring them to level 5 champion mastery. What if a player like me someday wants to go back to only playing ONE specific champion and role because they're so dedicated to them? I claimed that it was a 50/50 split because there's a primary and secondary role option.

I still need to try the new champion select because I don't know how this thing works yet but I really do hope that you guys would leave teambuilder alone, because to some players this feature really means alot and... it just works. If it's not broken I think you guys should not try to fix it.

Thank you, if you do reply.

ReaganSMAAAAASHJan 9, 20162 votes

Pretty much spot on. Hey Riot, I am awful at math. So, forgive me if I am not getting the big picture here but according to you guys, I will more than 50% of the time receive the primary roll I want to play? That's cute.. because Aizooom above me pretty much nailed this one. [Sarcastically] Think about an imaginary time when you would queue up into a game and everyone says MID OR FEED, or ADC OR FEED, or something strikingly similar.. Now we have a system were three or four people are going to queue the same primary roll (blame meta).

Doing some quick, rudimentary number crunching in my head, having three people all queuing up for the same roll would equal, roughly 33%, with some change.. SO, how in the hell are you going to tell me that EVERYONE will get their primary roll more often? Oh, did we just design a queue system that gives everyone Mid, or everyone JG? I suppose that would be humorous for a game or two.. Or am I just missing something?

Fuck it. Just wow me with Icons or some other bullshit.

lukenamopJan 9, 20162 votes

I think you aren't getting the full picture. From my understanding, you will decide the roles you are interested in playing before entering a champion select (like the current Team Builder), and the game will match you with people based on preferred roles (again like Team Builder). It would assign you a role, but it would be guaranteed to be one of the two you chose.

Here's an example queue of what I understand it to look like: Player 1 wants to play top or jungle. Player 2 wants to play top or mid. Player 3 wants to play adc or fill. Player 4 wants to play adc or top. Player 5 wants to play top or jungle.

The game would look at these five players' role selections and throw them into a lobby, assigning Player 1 to jungle, Player 2 to mid, Player 3 to support, Player 4 to adc, and Player 5 to top. Everybody gets a lane they want to play, and nobody suffers.

Again, this is just what I understood when I heard of this new champ select. The whole point of it is to be like a crossover between normal draft pick and team builder, taking the positive aspects of each to make the best possible champion select.

Rioters, am I right in this understanding?

Tuben TubaralhoJan 10, 20161 votes

Here's an example queue of what I understand it to look like: Player 1 wants to play top or jungle. Player 2 wants to play top or mid. Player 3 wants to play adc or fill. Player 4 wants to play adc or top. Player 5 wants to play top or jungle.

The game would look at these five players' role selections and throw them into a lobby, assigning Player 1 to jungle, Player 2 to mid, Player 3 to support, Player 4 to adc, and Player 5 to top. Everybody gets a lane they want to play, and nobody suffers.

From what you said, 2 out of the 5 players got their primary roles, the others got their secondary, which doesn't mean that they don't suffer for getting the secondary role, because they have to choose a secondary role, wanting they to play it or not, so not everyone gets a lane they want to play, they get a lane that they had to choose, wanting to play it or not, so with your example, you're just putting down the new champ select to a "F" rating.

ArakadiaJan 11, 20162 votes

That was one scenario they made up. If Riots right, it won't be like that

ReaganSMAAAAASHJan 8, 20166 votes

You know, I have NEVER commented on Riot forums. I for the most part, could care less about these magical things called forum boards. However, I read them, and honestly, I am so freaking disgusted with Riot..

Has anyone noticed a trend? There has been a lot of big ticket news items appearing on the website and forums and the responses have been almost unanimously negative regarding them. Two examples:

http://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/game-updates/features/new-champ-select-replaces-team-builder

Read the responses from the players. No one wants Team Builder to go "RIP" and everyone who has voiced their opinion have some pretty damn good reasons to keep it around. I mean, I for one use it to get my guaranteed lane/champion while I am practicing new ones. You know why Riot? BECAUSE BOTS AREN'T FOR TRAINING. And you know who hasn't made one response pertaining to all of these negative posts about this? Riot. Oh, except that one response talking about freaking Icons that are bugged and temporarily gone. They made sure to address that real quick.

Example Two:

http://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/game-updates/gameplay/state-season-preseason-progress

Oh, how a lot of people are not happy with the way the game is going.. or that Riot isn't really addressing important enough things. You know what? Screw it. TL;DR: No response from Riot about looking into why people disagree with the direction. Done with that turd.

You know what Riot? How about we start with an easy fix. Start f'ing banning people who quit, who troll, who feed, who use racial slurs, etc.. Sadly, this list could keep going on and on and on. Also, don't get rid of Team Builder. You guys are high as hell if you do. We all accept the extra minute or two it may take to get into a game if it means we can queue up what and where we want to be and play.

Riot, it's a game. Games are supposed to be fun. You are the fun Nazis.

KranafusJan 8, 20166 votes

I've to say u my friend that i'm so fucking bored of listening beginners (ppl who has started playing League since less than 2 years) trying to blame Riot for all the changes they do. Riot is doing so much for the game and i can honestly tell u that all decisions they have made are well considered by a big grup of profesionals.

In this case I would like to know why are u trashtalking like that when the only thing Riot does is deleting a minority queue like Team Builder and trying to replace it with a queue type very similar (talking about being able to PICK THE LANE YOU WANT TO PLAY IN) but upgrading the system with one or two new options.

Att. A player who has been playing for a bit more than 4 years.

[[Sorry if it's hard to understand, english isnt my native lenguage]]

CoolHandJackJan 8, 20165 votes

I've played League since the end of Season 1, but I don't get much time to play a lot of games, so team builder is perfect for me. I get to play and practice the roles that I want. Why force someone like me who completely enjoys a "minority queue" like Team Builder into something that is less enjoyable?

So I am not "fucking bored" but instead completely sick of people like you who make condescending posts about newer players like their opinions mean less just because they haven't been around as long.

ReaganSMAAAAASHJan 9, 20161 votes

{quoted}

I've to say u my friend that i'm so fucking bored of listening beginners (ppl who has started playing League since less than 2 years) trying to blame Riot for all the changes they do. Riot is doing so much for the game and i can honestly tell u that all decisions they have made are well considered by a big grup of profesionals.

In this case I would like to know why are u trashtalking like that when the only thing Riot does is deleting a minority queue like Team Builder and trying to replace it with a queue type very similar (talking about being able to PICK THE LANE YOU WANT TO PLAY IN) but upgrading the system with one or two new options.

Att. A player who has been playing for a bit more than 4 years.

[[Sorry if it's hard to understand, english isnt my native lenguage]]

I am not "trash talking", but I suppose I can see how some people would get confused.

To address your first part, I made an OBJECTIVE (statement based off of opinion, not necessarily facts) observation regarding what I have seen recently with the last few patches. I have one (two including this one) post ever on Riot forum boards and I have been playing for two years. Guess what bud? That is PLENTY of time to make objective observations. Go back and read what I originally said. Not once did I blame Riot for anything other than disregarding what appears to be a majority of people who want and/or like something and don't want to see it go away.

To address your second part, Team Builder, and UNTIL they release numbers that prove otherwise, is not a queue that is in a declining minority. I have never waited more than a few minutes for a game, and I have rarely played with people I have recognized from games in the past. Also, I imagine if you go back through posts regarding Riot removing the queue, you will find more people upset about it versus people who want it gone or don't care.

And at the end of the day, it comes down to this: there is absolutely no reason to even get rid of it in the first place.

Also, because these things seem to be soooooo important to you: ATT. NO ONE CARES HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN PLAYING.

That felt good. ;-)

InvestaJan 22, 20162 votes

Just wanted to say: the word you are looking for is "subjective". Objective is the opposite of what you are using it here for.

Raz al GhulJan 7, 20165 votes

Would you consider adding more role icons for the subroles like juggernauts and whatever other titles you guys settle upon once those roles are better delineated?

Windup OriannaJan 7, 20163 votes

RIP Team Builder. qwq

Doktor XJan 8, 20163 votes

I know I had some progress as a tank, but after playing a game as a tank, the client didn't give me a notification afterward like I expected. Is that part of the bug? If so, is there any way to tell how much progress we have toward each icon? Or do I just need to play 5 tank games to guarantee I get it?

DaisukamaruFeb 2, 20163 votes

Luckily, we can still identify who’s earned the icons and plan on manually distributing all earned icons shortly after the Team Builder queue comes down.

I don't want to look impatient, but hat do you mean about "shortly after"... i know, TB went down, the new dynamic queue came up, there were some problems, etc. you guys were busy. But now it's February, I did grind out the five matches for the missing icons, but still didn't get them? When will you distribute them?

3PowerJan 8, 20162 votes

Or you could just not eliminate team builder? There is absolutely no reason to sacrifice player choice for the sake of a few players who are impatient at queues longer than five seconds. The fact that you're not even willing to entertain discussion on this matter is unbelievable. If you need to get rid of something, get rid of blind pick.

PLEASE don't go through with this.

7thHeavenJan 20, 20162 votes

Any update ?

AATTRROOXXJun 15, 20162 votes

Do you have any updates?

holger11Nov 4, 20162 votes

Why do you even bring back the team builder icons? I think its a great way to show that "I was here back then" like all of the victorious skins and the end-of-season placement icons.

I atleast think you should change the team builder icons a little bit, so people can see if its the new or old one.

PS: I love ya Rito. heres a poro summoner 31

MerxamersJan 7, 20161 votes

If we've already earned those icons, will they disappear?

Sailor MintJan 7, 20162 votes

If you have the icons, you keep them. But players without them will temporarily be unable to earn them after the Team Builder gets removed.

RiotRiot NaKyleJan 8, 20165 votes

{quoted}

If we've already earned those icons, will they disappear?

Nobody's gonna lose any icons they already have.

JulanusFeb 27, 20161 votes

I've been trying to find answers, submit tickets, and make threads about why Team Builder's Icons have not been distributed yet.

I've had 3 responses to my ticket so far.

The first spoke about Riot being unable to talk about future content.

The second talked about Team Builder's removal like it hadn't happened yet.

The third is the one that starts touching the actual subject, but pretty much goes completely against what the original post of this thread states.

Greetings Summoner,

We are truly sorry for the inconvenience about the distribution of these Team builder icons. Unfortunately, I cannot provide any estimate for the distribution date at this time nor are we able to manually add the icon into your account at the moment. For now, we can only suggest keeping an eye on our boards for further details about this matter:

http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/miscellaneous/E2LnUMvW-team-builder-role-icons-distribution-and-future-plans

I am truly sorry! Let me know if you need anything else.

Now, the original post specifically states that the icons can be manually added to a player's account. This support's response, however, states the exact opposite.

So, which is it? Can they be manually given to a player's account or can't they?

JulanusFeb 28, 20161 votes

Well, gonna keep trying to get answers here. Can the icons be distributed or can't they?

JulanusFeb 29, 20161 votes

Here's the latest response I've received on the topic at hand, for those who might still be waiting for their icons.

Hey again,

I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. I understand the process could be made much easier if we could just give it all out manually ourselves; however, since we've announced that we'll be distributing them later on, I'm unfortunately unable to do so. I apologize for the inconvenience. Rest assured, we'll be posting all updates once they're ready. Should you have further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to let me know.

It may be wise for Riot to rephrase their opening post. When stating "shortly after the Team Builder queue comes down", I would imagine maybe a week or two.

Six weeks without any updates? Not so much.

JulanusMar 1, 20161 votes

Here's the newest response.

Hello Julanus,

As long as you've played enough games that would make you eligible for the icon, I can assure you that you'll get it. Though the Rioters who were handling this issue aren't visible from the forums, I can assure you that this is a work on progress. It's just that we can't provide an exact ETA to when will be the icons be distributed to eligible accounts.

I appreciate your patience on this matter. Some of us here did play a lot of games prior to Team Builder's shutdown, so we're waiting for our own icons too. :)

Let me know if you have other questions and concerns.

I'm not sure if there's gonna be much more after this. Seems like there won't be any Rioters posting or updating this thread anytime soon.

I just hope my posting what information I can get will help anyone else who's been looking for answers and waiting for their icons as well.

JulanusMar 2, 20161 votes

Here's the newest update from Support. Funny enough, it's the same Support in the first post I made here. All the others have been different people each time.

Hi again,

We are truly sorry about this delay. I may not have the answer to this particular question, but our Riot employees are constantly on our forums assisting the community to the best of their ability.

If you can’t find an answer, please feel free to post them on the appropriate Board. You may find our Boards here:

NA - http://na.leagueoflegends.com/board/

Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Well, ain't that just one of the biggest slaps to the face a person could ever get?

...

Most likely not, but when doing exactly that for the past month, giving plenty of evidence and links to such threads throughout the entire ticket process, it's still very frustrating.

JulanusMar 3, 20162 votes

Newest update, and I'm feeling the same feelings I and many others have had over so many different topics for years.

Greetings Julanus,

My name is [omitted to prevent issues]. I have read the conversation that you had with my fellow support. I apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused you.

As much as I would like to provide you with more details, I apologize but we are unable to. This is also to prevent any confusions.

I strongly recommend that you keep an eye on the boards for updates. Please also know that because our teams receive so many feedback reports daily, we are unfortunately unable to respond to every entry individually. This does not mean your suggestion has been overlooked. We are sorry that we are not able to respond to every post.

Once again, I am really sorry for the inconvenience. Please let me know if you have any other concerns.

I appreciate the politeness, but it's still the same issue that Riot has had for years. A total lack of communication or attention towards what are generally considered minor topics.

Whether it's Dominion's lack of attention, Champion reworks changing champion into something unrecognizable, it all boils down to.. well, a lack of communication or any sort of response.

Seems Riot is dedicated to avoiding the subject entirely. What makes this frustrating, however, is I'm not asking for details. I know that it's unwise to share inside information that's still in the works.

But at this point, I just need to know that Riot will say something in this thread about it.

As much as I want to give up, I'm going to continue trying to convince Riot to make an update of any sort in this thread.

JulanusMar 23, 20162 votes

3 months and not even an update. This is why I kept pushing my ticket through. I needed to be sure that someone would remember that there are still icons that have yet to be distributed. At this point, I think it's safe to say that Riot has completely forgotten about their plans to distribute the Team Builder Icons.

JulanusMar 24, 20161 votes

Still gonna bump this thread in the hopes Riot will remember they still haven't distributed the Team Builder icons they specifically stated they would be manually distributing themselves "shortly" after Team Builder goes down.

JulanusMar 30, 20161 votes

I'm continuing to bump this thread because this is the same issue that has been around for years.

When it comes to topics about extreme changes, Riot doesn't communicate anything at all, often viewed as though they're ignoring it in the hopes that we'll all give up and forget or give up on it ourselves.

Riot, there's a difference between giving a response without divulging inside information and giving no response at all.

JulanusApr 2, 20161 votes

Newest bump.

Still waiting for answers.

Still waiting for the Icons.

Still waiting for Riot to actually say something about why there has been a huge delay, and why there are no answers anywhere as to why the icons haven't been awarded yet.

JulanusApr 13, 20161 votes

So, another day, another post.

Let's see when we'll get any comments on the Team Builder Icon distribution.

JulanusApr 13, 20161 votes

I've seen different people saying different things about the Team Builder icon distribution, some saying it's in the works, others saying it's been cancelled, and a lot of silence that brings up a lot more questions and speculation.

I'm going to try to keep this thread bumped in the hopes Riot sees it and can answer some of the questions that have yet to be answered.

JulanusApr 13, 20161 votes

I've created a new ticket.

Ticket Title: "I never received my Team Builder Icons, and it's been 3 months since Team Builder's removal"

Probably not the best title, but it seems more directly related to the issue than my previous ticket's title "Manual distribution of Team Builder Icons, when is this planned to occur?"

My guess is the first 3 responses will be more or less generic and/or automated. :P

Let's see if I can get any new information on the subject.

JulanusApr 14, 20161 votes

I'm.. astounded.

I actually managed to get the icons awarded. On the first response. I even checked to see if they were in my icon list.

Here's the ticket response I received, if anyone's curious. I think I'll leave the name, though I can edit it out if necessary.

Hi there Julanus,

I am Agent Spoopy here to assist you. I honestly cannot comment on Riot NaKyle's thread and team's plans in regards to Team Builder icons and their distribution of them...but I can personally see that you did qualify to receive the other 4 roles' icons, so I went ahead and manually added them to your account.

Sorry for the inconvenience of this whole situation. We want to let other teams do their work when we can, but if it's causing pain for you or any other player then sometimes we just need to step on some toes to get things done. :P

Best regards!

Agent Spoopy Player Behavior & Game Support Candy Collector ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

So, to anyone who has not yet received their icons, you might just be able to get your icons.

I'd advise people to send a ticket with any information you may have on the subject, or to be patient for whenever Riot ever decides to award them.

For myself, a glimmer of faith and hope has been restored.

TiGeR QQApr 15, 20161 votes

6 months now and i didn't get my icon yet [slayer-jinx-unamused]

Ferox RisingApr 16, 20161 votes

If you really care about your icons try sending a ticket and maybe you will get them. It worked for me. But hopefully they will find a way to distribute them without having to send a ticket :)

GuzterApr 28, 20161 votes

how to get icon marksman !![zombie-nunu-tears]

NorpheaJul 23, 20161 votes

I just received the Mid Mage and Support icon, Is there a new way to get these .. ? Or was I given these from before?

Wild TrueApr 18, 20171 votes

How can we get those icons in season 7?i really want the support role icon please!!

Laugh a whileJul 3, 20171 votes

So after 1 year, how do i earn the Summoner Icons? I have a new account, but i dont have those summoner icons o.o And i want to show my friends wich role im playing activly at the moment ^^