Started League Feb 2015; I just got Gold V!
I used to have friends. Good times. But those friends bothered me to come play League with them, because I'd "definitely enjoy it".
Boy, the Great Deception.
Levelling from 1 to 30... I remember when I bought Veigar. Amumu, Annie, Veigar. My first three purchases. I got Veigar because he looked "pretty badass" and I was sure he'd "be very amazing because tiny Black Mage" (and I was playing Final Fantasy at the time, as a Black Mage Lalafell!). One of my friends promptly gifted me Final Boss Veigar. I knew I couldn't quit the game anymore because man, that shit's expensive.
I looked up videos and saw this "mid Faker Veigar". I thought to myself, "Hey, this dude looks pretty decent, wonder how he builds..." Heh.
Fast forward a little. We played games together, and after doing my placements I got into Bronze I. (I remember messaging Support, complaining it was due to feeders and I deserved higher. LOL)
One time, I made a very bad call (I made bad calls habitually): I chased the enemy Braum (as Bard!) when we could've taken Nashor. Apparently with my help. Didn't get anything due to my chase, except I got the kill on Braum.
"You thought that was a good move? That's why you're Bronze," quoth one my Platinum friends.
I spent every bit of spare time I had reading up on League guides and applying what I learnt to games. I picked up Evelynn (before LCS, so before it was Cool) and realised everything my friends told me about "jungle iz too hard" was exaggerated; I love the role, and what to do seemed so much easier than laning strategies for top, for example. Evelynn, toted a "difficult champ", was also my second love, after Veigar. I've never stopped loving her.
I clawed my way out of Bronze and into Silver. I ditched all my friends who refused to play with me because I'm "bad" and "no fun".
I continued reading guides. Applying what I learnt. Transitioned into ADC after getting stuck with the role a few times and realising, "Hey, I can TAKE these guys".
I took the plunge after the Chicago move in NA to move to EUW. 160 ping to 16 ping? Suddenly, dodging skillshots made SENSE. I also dropped from Silver I series to Silver III 0 LP, but knew I didn't want to move back:
EUW players have, so far, been extremely nice. Compared to NA, much more communicative even if not everyone speaks English. Less toxicity, friendlier players.
Today, I finally achieved my goal: I hit Gold V.
It's possible, everyone! It's possible. ;_;
Shout-out to Foxdrop's excellent guides on Jungling, "The Trading Stance" YouTube video, and the great people who took the time to answer all my questions in-game and on the boards, teaching me to be a better player. <3
