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What's the general impression towards people who exclusively play Co-op vs. AI?

Yet1·1/27/2016, 3:58:05 PM·24 votes·7,814 views

TL;DR If you don't want to read my bs below, just give a simple answer to the question given in the title.

I started playing this game about 2 months ago. I exclusively play Co-op vs. AI because I've never been a PvP kind of guy and likes his games to be free of any sort of competition. Games like Borderlands and Left 4 Dead were pretty much my upbringing towards videogames.

I was curious about LoL for a long time (because there's so much fanart of it all over the internet) but I was hesitant to play it because I know that it's a very competitive-focused game with lots of things (ex. mechanics, item builds) to learn in order to be good at it. But I heard that it has a co-op mode where I can just work with others, so I gave it a try. 250+ co-op games later and I've gotten decent* at the game, but from time to time, I'd notice high-level players coming in co-op games just so they can bash on people who exclusively plays this game mode. This made me wonder if there's some sort of stigma against people who just like to play the game instead of playing the game competitively...

*debatable since I've never played a Normal game. At least I know how to not die a lot now.

And this also made me realize that one of the reasons that I never wanted to get into normal games is because of how reportedly toxic the main community is in this game. Most of the people I've met through co-op have been super nice, but again, there are times where some people would come in to games just so they can talk us down.

PS. I just bought Kindred and I'm in love with everything about them. This game is pretty cool.

Edit: As the few of you suggested, I tried playing ARAM and won all 3 games. One of which we almost lost, which I would've been fine with because the other team was really good. This is definitely a step above Intermediate Co-op so I'm looking forward to playing it more.

95 Comments

Woodakoodashooda1/27/2016, 4:28:15 PM40 votes

Playing AI exclusively in LoL is similar to keeping yourself in the shallow end of a swimming pool. The shallow end of a pool can only offer your so much in learning how to swim. And like a shallow pool, you aren't going to learn much about the game from playing bots exclusively because they are virtually programmed to lose against almost anything you decide to try no matter how ridiculous or off meta.

Normal games are a means of practicing against other players of your skill. The game automatically adjusts match making according to how well or poorly you do. The punishment system, in my opinion at least, has improved over the seasons.

Community toxicity is down since I started playing some years ago. If it wasn't then I would never have bothered returning. As bad as certain players may seem at times today, most of the players were like that in game because the general mind set was that it was okay. I am happy to report that most of my PvP Classic Rift (important to note since I have been playing ARAM much more often as of late) games include positive players looking to have a good time.

Should you ever encounter intolerable players in game, you should never engage them in chat. Instead, mute them in game and wait until the end of the game to report them. Don't even tell them that you are reporting them because they will only become more hostile towards you. Just ignore them, report them, and let the system deal with them.

How I have fun in all my games:

  1. I no longer care what rank I am. That's unnecessary stress.

  2. I ignore toxic players and report them as aforementioned.

  3. Whenever I play a game, I do so with the main objective of having fun. Winning is a secondary objective and I don't require it to maintain my personal satisfaction.

  4. I no longer surrender and it has nothing to do with whether I can or cannot win. I do not surrender because when I expect myself to play each game until the end, I remove the negative mindset that I can have a do over whenever I feel like I am not getting my way.

  5. I've recently stopped using taunts in game. They serve no purpose and I feel like they only make a player look like a total jackass.

  6. I always congratulate allies and opponents for a well played game at the end no matter the result.

McAnnex1/27/2016, 4:08:48 PM10 votes

Most people probably view these people as unskilled, timid, or generally novice players. Most people are stupid and wrong though! :) Personally, I don't have a category for these people but I'm sure that people with unreliable internet connections, players looking to practice champs while gaining IP, and people who (gasp) just want to play a stress free game for fun make up a large portion of these players.

Owntrolf1/27/2016, 6:56:43 PM9 votes

bot games for me are just for win of day

Xaihady1/28/2016, 1:45:51 AM8 votes

I just bought Kindred and I'm in love with everything about them.

You actually get Kindred's pronoun right. Respect, sir.

SheikaRei1/27/2016, 4:12:52 PM7 votes

I played Co-Op Vs. AI exclusively for quite a while. One day I decided to try PVP and got my ass handed to me. But because of that I realized that I was missing so much of the games depth. Yeah, I started out PVP getting my shit kicked in and curb stomped left and right. But I eventually learned how to get around that and improve as a player. I have nothing against people who just do bot matches. I understand it. But, on the other hand, you are missing so much that the game has to offer. I highly recommend doing PVP. Because you can only get so good in bots. In PVP you will feel a greater sense of accomplishment when you overcome those hurdles and only improve from there. Yes, there will be a lot of toxicity, but wading through all of that, you will find great people and learn so much more about the game. It is a wonderful game and a wonderful community. Yes, I am trying to sell you PVP. But in the end it is your decision whether or not to go into PVP. I won't bash on you for staying strictly with Bots. If that is your thing then go with it. But there is so much more to the game that you are missing out on. So many plays you could end up doing that bots just cant provide. That is just my long winded two cents. Have a wonderful time on the rift.

Sarutobi1/27/2016, 4:32:05 PM6 votes

I played vs ai about the first 10-12 months playing this game. I have been playing online games since the 90's and I know how toxic people are in games. I just didn't want to listen to their BS when playing. Once my friends started playing that's when we all played PvP. I do have a smuf that plays only vs AI (unless there is an event and even then it's only that particular mode I'll play in the mean time)

But personally I don't care if people only play vs ai. I can see why people would only play that mode to not deal with people who are already competitive in a game like this. It's not worth the stress.

It sucks when the community trash talks people who only play it. As if their opinion on anything in this game is less valid than anything. As long as you are having fun (without the expense of another person) then it should be fair game!

Minarde1/28/2016, 3:02:47 AM5 votes

Different preferences for different people. You're free to play whatever you enjoy, as long as you're not hampering someone else's enjoyment. If you have fun playing Co-Op, then have at it. That's no less valid a choice than anyone else's.

Admittedly, there is a portion of the playerbase that scorns others purely based on their preferences. For instance, they'll go "Oh, you play <game mode>? Psh, everyone knows ranked is the only real game mode" or something similar. Just ignore those people.

Sona Ping1/28/2016, 1:30:40 AM4 votes

If that's what you like, there you go! You do you.

"What's the general impression towards people who exclusively play Co-op vs. AI?" A bit like it is "missing the point", you know? League of Legends is a MOBA, a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena; There's no campaign mode, or single player, Multiplayer PvP is it's only game type. The, I guess it could be called, "cooperative PvE" element in League kinda sucks, (which is alright I suppose because Riot does not design for it). Thing is, in Co-op vs. AI, it's the same game! It really is; the Ai are just really predictable replacements for enemy players. It kinda sucks for you that is what they are, but like I said, it's not Riot's focus. Still sucks for you that they don't do more with the bots.

"but from time to time, I'd notice high-level players coming in co-op games just so they can bash on people who exclusively plays this game mode." Actually what I imagine that is, is players who are going to Co-op vs Ai, to get the First Win of the Day bonus easily (which is stupid, BTW) and they are just tossing insults because they are jackasses (and stupid, as previously noted).

"This made me wonder if there's some sort of stigma against people who just like to play the game instead of playing the game competitively..." There's a lot of people who play League just for the game and not at all competitively; there's a lot of people who only play Normals. There probably are people who have opinions that are negative about people who don't play competitively and only played like Blind Pick or ARAM, but who cares. Why care?

"And this also made me realize that one of the reasons that I never wanted to get into normal games is because of how reportedly toxic the main community is in this game." League's community is not the most "toxic" game or whatever they are saying now. Like WyvernEgg wrote: "That's not league. That's just the internet in general." That's just people in general. People are just like that; it makes no sense to bash LoL over it.

"This game is pretty cool." Cool.[slayer-pantheon-thumbs]

Zedex1/27/2016, 9:13:55 PM4 votes

People talking down on you for playing bots?

Oh thats just our resident ego-maniacs who think they're the best people in the world because they pull things off in League.

Don't let it get to ya, you enjoy bots keep playing. My friends and I used to always play bots for a relaxing, carefree match. Truth be told after a while we got kinda bored and don't play VS AI all the time anymore, but it was a nice stepping stone to get the hang of the game.

Whiteeye Avelyn1/27/2016, 10:36:35 PM3 votes

On my account before this one i played Vs. Ai till lvl 30 but after a while i wanted a harder challange so i tried pvp with a friend from school, I think i was equal to that of a red cross help pack cause i was feeding all game for the first week, It was hard but the new challage was fun so i kept playing for a while till i lost that account( forgot all my info after a break for the game) so i made a new account and here i am again with 1000+ bot games wins and 770 pvp wins, I go back to bots every now and then when im helping so of my new friends get into league and are scared to do pvp or are just not ready. My advice take your time if you never feel up for pvp Its ok just try to enjoy your time playing and don't let those who only want to make you feel bad about yourself.

~Games are for fun, Keep them that way [slayer-jinx-wink]

Spacesuit Spiff1/28/2016, 9:42:28 AM3 votes

I see nothing wrong with it but id say there are games better optimized for that so you might be shortchanging yourself. If ya do head into pvp get ready for the fact that humans do not act like bots and many of your learned responses are gonna get you killed semi-hilariously ;)

Teslablade1/28/2016, 5:35:18 AM2 votes

I'm just confused by them. League's bots are incredibly bad. It's better to just play PvP and mute all chat.

DrHoboMD1/28/2016, 9:27:15 AM2 votes

Dude, I've been playing this game for...what?....Two and a half seasons now?....I don't really have a problem with people bots exclusively. Whatever you do to find enjoyment in a game, my friend.

But, it seems you expanded out - and as the first poster commented, playing AI exclusively in LoL is a bit like swimming in the shallow end of the pool. Learning the mechanics, the abilities of every champion, and just in general....having a fun game against another player is fun.

And, yes. You will find some toxic players sometimes. Which is fine. There is a mute button, which I use heavily. And, a report button for after the game - which the Riot Moderator staff does reply too! You can even go have a chat with their support staff over on Twitter. It gives some wonderful insight on the inner workings of how they handle each case some of the time.

And, yes! It is very good that you started with ARAMs! It's where I started my girlfriend out with the game, after giving her a crash course in a bot game, followed by three private games with just me in them. ARAM will give you the fundamental basics of team fighting mechanics, while skipping the brutal gold farming mechanics from the usual first 10 to 15 minutes of the game. But, if you wish to expand even further, I do suggest going into a private game, and literally just practicing last hitting creeps. Do nothing but that. No bots. No other players. Just practice last hitting minions. And, once you can 100% farm your lane of minions, add in a easy bot and practice harassing while farming minions. And so and so forth.

Princess Emma1/28/2016, 1:01:08 AM2 votes

I almost exclusively do Twisted Treeline Co-op vs AI intermediate bots and Aram in between as of now, and I have even learned a bit from TT intermediates, believe it or not.

Out of my whole League career (a little over 2 years), I have played between 8-11 Summoners Rift normal matches, but does that mean I don't know how PvP functions? No it does not.

The only bad habits I learned from bots is my positioning and the fact that I can't 1v3 or 1v5 everything in sight, and those went away with the little PvP matches I have done.

When I play against Twisted Treeline bots, I may BS with my builds like building 6 item 1004s , or build attack speed items on mages, but that does not mean I know nothing about PvP. I know the difference between bots and actual people and how to adjust myself accordingly. I may play around with my build a little, but I know what is optimal

I do recognize that there is only so much I can learn from Twisted Treeline bots and Aram, and I know exactly what game knowledge and mechanics I am missing, but I could hop into PvP in any mode at any point and be able to hold my own, and if not....

I can learn from all my mistakes as quick as they happened and know what I can, cannot, and what I should do.

DrCyanide1/27/2016, 5:14:13 PM2 votes

People who exclusively play against bots are just gimping themselves.

It'd be like only playing "Soccer" by moving the ball past some cones. Can they have fun? Sure! Are they playing the game? Not really, it's similar but not the same game. It's a practice for the actual game.

ChewbaccasRear1/27/2016, 5:48:17 PM2 votes

I've never been a PvP kind of guy and likes his games to be free of any sort of competition.

Reasonable

Games like Borderlands and Left 4 Dead were pretty much my upbringing towards Videogames.

Wait a minute...

Did you play with friends or online in those games? When I played those games it was all competition, to see who got the best guns or who survived, hell i threw my friends under the bus so many times in order to succeed xD, and they killed me so many times for the exact same reasons.

To answer your question, honestly I don't really care too much about which Gamemode someone plays or mains, as long as they aren't douchebags it all the same really. If you feel better in only Co-Op vs. AI then that's cool, you do you. Also in my experience, toxicity isn't as bad as people say, but you will come across those people who know just how to ruin your entire evening.

HexaDecimel1/27/2016, 8:26:01 PM2 votes

There is nothing wrong with only playing Bots, and no one should judge you if that's what you enjoy. I myself played bots exclusively for a very long time and still play them fairly frequently. I have started to play more pvp because I was getting a little bored with facing the same champions and the predictability of the AI. When I first started I would often get harassed because I had just started and had barely any wins. Players would dodge or complain, and would often blame me for anything.

One important thing is to do what you want to do. If you don't want to play pvp, don't. If you want to play pvp, persevere and learn the game as best you can. There will be toxicity at every rank but I have found that it has become a lot less frequent. But I still play a lot of Bots and if you want feel free to add me :)

The main thing to understand is that Player vs AI will not prepare you for pvp. It can help you improve your cs, practice champion mechanics and combos, and even get a feel for different builds and champion playstyles. However, it doesn't teach you how to lane against an actual opponent, how to manage objective control, maintaining vision, and strategy. There is a wealth of knowledge that is best learned in pvp simply due to the fact that Bots will almost never play like an actual person.

kétchùp chìps1/27/2016, 9:43:25 PM2 votes

I leveled up to 30 almost entirely through coop vs AI. I love the game and champions, and playing against bots was plenty fun for me. It was also where I felt most comfortable, and still am tbh. I've since expanded to ARAM, but I'm still reluctant to play pvp on the rift because I'm pretty terrible and it doesn't really feel fun for myself or my teammates. Since the games have the potential to go on for a long time, I'd rather not feel the drag of waiting it out when people are in a bad mood.

Anyways, at the end of the day it's a game mode for people who want to play it for whatever reason, and that should be ok. If you ever want someone to play bot games with, you can add me. :)

xelaker1/27/2016, 10:04:45 PM2 votes

Nothing wrong with it at all.

Odinakos1/27/2016, 11:59:59 PM2 votes

I dont have a problem with them. I think it of a legit way to play the game if you dont want the competition for whatever reason. You can do completely silly stuff there (5 zeals Quinn? Sign me up!) and the enviroment is a lot more friendly. I remember one time a Yasuo died and his lane partner Mundo immediately apologized while Yasuo had a lauph and said it was fine. I made the remark that in a pvp game Mundo would probably call Yas a feeder and Yasuo would flame Mundo for not tanking. The jokes kept on and i wonder why people in pvp games cant have the same attitude.

Personally i play around 5-7% coop games, usually when i am unsure of my ping or late hours to loose some steam(aram full of aram smurfs that time). In Heroes of the Storm(blizzard moba) i almost exclusively play coop because it has a more intence strategic element and strategic mistakes are more severe. The 5th time i see that we could have won the game if we did the right move i refuse to pvp anymore. Oh and flaming.

WyvernEgg1/28/2016, 12:52:31 AM2 votes

That's not league. That's just the internet in general.

I don't care that you only play co-op vs AI

I just have one question for you... How is winning every game fun for you?

ValyrianBlade1/28/2016, 12:56:25 AM2 votes

I read the whole post. I'm sorry to hear that PvP players come in and act that way. I haven't seen it myself (what mode are you playing? Beginner / Intermediate? Summoners Rift / Twisted Treeline / Dominion?).

My only "general feeling" towards exclusive co-op v AI players is that they're missing out on a lot of the game and they're also not very good at the actual game.

I play co-op vs AI when I'm trying a new champion or when I need my first win bonus and don't have time to play a full game. You can take a quick look at my match history if you want to see my first ever games as Corki and Irelia in Co-op v Intermediate AI. You'll notice I did quite well in both games despite being a mediocre player in PvP (Gold) and it being my first time on either champion.

Just because I feel co-op v AI is insanely easy doesn't mean I think the people are lame though. I often just assume you guys are all lower levels trying to learn the game or just leveling up. I never check afterwards if anyone has hundreds or thousands of games (and I have several hundred 3v3 beginner games as I used to do that for the first win EVERY day to guarantee it).

I do wish Riot would make some harder AI modes though (i.e. an advanced bots mode). We had Doom Bots in season 4 - sure they had extra abilities but they had better AI too. I'd like to see that AI on regular champions... make AI a better mode.

Weathered1/28/2016, 1:47:32 AM2 votes

I just kind of feel... disappointed about it. Players who only play AI games aren't able to really play the whole of the game. Bots are predictable and only do certain things, and you never really get to experience player decision or see really cool outplays. I won't pick on someone for it, but it's kind of sad if that's all you do and you don't plan on going further.

ThatHaleState1/28/2016, 5:30:41 AM2 votes

IMO your just wasting your time on the game then. Its up to you, but this is a PvP heavy game with bots to teach newbies how to play and for people to get wins of the day and practice new champs if wanted. It isnt intended to be only Player VS. Bots. You're missing the entire point of the game, and should probably just invest your time and possibly money into another one. Play campaign games like Assassins creed, uncharted, etc. Where its just you vs the game. Cuz bots will never be hard, will never be challenging, and for the love of everything idk how long it took you to earn enough IP to buy kindred on solely bots games lol

ModJikker1/28/2016, 3:35:52 PM2 votes

I see nothing wrong with co-op only players since this game should first and foremost be about what's fun for you, not what everyone else says you should be having fun with. If PvP or Ranked is not your cup of tea, that's okay! Being a Bronzie, a Diamond, a casual, an ARAM main, a bot main, unranked -- if you're having fun, then whatever your "label" is does not matter. However, there are a few words of caution I'd like to give.

I played co-op almost exclusively for 2.5 years getting to level 30 on basically all bots and raking up over 1500 bot matches. I was very similar to you and just wanted to have fun without the competitive stress. However, in February last year, I started to get bored. Yes, it will happen eventually! Bots are good for early learning and you can become extremely comfortable on champs in bots, but at some point it will get boring just playing bots over and over and over watching as they get easier and easier to the point of sheer and utter boredom. You'll run out of new kits to master and fun builds to play and you'll be asking yourself "why am I playing AD Ezreal in bots for the 200th time when I could probably go to a norm and play him and start to improve even better?"

With some inspiration and encouragement from a Diamond friend, I delved into PvP afraid that I would hate it and suck. I chose one champion that I loved to play to play so that I knew I'd have fun either way and set the goal of 5 games as a test run. To my surprise, I wasn't half bad (although I had much, MUCH to learn). The bots had taught me a lot and now all I needed to learn was PvP techniques like teamfighting, objective control, warding, CSing, etc..., but I settled in to a mid Silver level of play pretty quick and now have people telling me I've improved in my main role, support, to the level of low to mid gold. I found that I enjoyed the PvP experience much more than my bots experience and somewhat live in regret that I played bots for so long because if I had started PvP sooner, I might've gotten to the point where I'd be willing to try in Ranked enough to grab something like Plat.

So my advice is this: play what you love first and foremost and ignore the others that are trying to tell you how to have fun their way. Don't ignore PvP completely though and do give it a bit of a go. You love Kindred? Start practicing jungle rotations on her in bots, go for gank paths, take dragon, read some guides, put together runes and masteries, then hop into a norm and play her jungle. Mute anyone that rages at you, ask for advice if they have it, and just go with it. Seeing the Defeat screen for the first time after winning bots non-stop does take some getting used to, but honestly some of my most enjoyable games have ended in Defeat.

If you want someone to play with, feel free to add me. I play almost every night at 9:30 Eastern time usually with a friend or two that would be more than willing to help you out when new to PvP.

Kinjishi1/28/2016, 10:46:41 AM1 votes

If people just want to play Coop vs Ai, then that's fine. Nothing wrong with that. Play the mode you want.

Woodsy25751/28/2016, 3:21:26 PM1 votes

One would assume you're not very good, hell the bots don't even jungle

lildyo1/29/2016, 11:29:59 PM1 votes

I remember when I was still new to this game about a year ago, I did coop vs. AI for the first 5-10 levels before moving on to normal games. During that time though, I would periodically have a player come into a coop vs. AI game and absolutely harass other players who were new to the game/champion. I specifically remember one of them saying "you should be doing the tutorial still if you're so bad." It wasn't even addressed to me but I was just baffled that someone would come into a coop vs. AI game and expect PvP-level skill...

Bowstin1/28/2016, 4:26:33 PM1 votes

I used to be this way as well. I think I played bots for my first year and a half of League. I thought I was so damn good when I was leaving with <= 3 deaths and then I went to PvP I realized how garbage I was. After a while though I caught on to the basic jist of the game after so many smurfs coming through my games.The sooner the better honestly, it's going to be a rough transition nonetheless.

My man Chocolate Frost nailed it. If you want to learn to swim, you have to leave the shallow end friend. There is just too much more knowledge to be learned that bots can't teach you. Your first few games might be hell until you are matched with others around your skill level. There will always be toxic players and trolls, but nothing to take seriously because the really good players are the complete opposite.

A couple notes on what Chocolate Frost posted. Taunting can be a great way to mess with your opponent and get them to waste skills or bait him into a 2v1 scenario. The game becomes even more fun once you started Ranked. You will learn a lot, mainly from plays being made on you, and what's a game without some competition? And please, some games are just begging to end @ 20minutes. You will eventually pick up on when a game is far from comeback. Just surrender and save yourself the time&effort.

EndlessIsolation1/28/2016, 4:33:18 PM1 votes

Hey, it's your decision to only want to play Vs AI in a sort of PVE type thing. More power to you. I won't say that it's something you shouldn't do, I mean if you enjoy it, have fun.

But I will say, if you plan to touch normals/pvp at all just be cautious since bots teach you very very bad behavior and are not exactly the... erm, best designed AI ever. I say though, if you enjoy playing then branch out a little, play an ARAM game or 2 every once in a while. It's good fun, and until you get really high up most people are chill and don't care if you are not super skilled.

well, i guess that goes for blind pick too, just play to have fun, improve on what you feel you do poorly at if you want, enjoy the game how you see it whether it be AI or not. Just remember there is a mute button if you need it.

Narvuntien1/28/2016, 10:44:15 AM1 votes

I am supprised they aren't playing DotA2 because thier bots are actually good and a challange and that is coming from someone that considers DotA2 nowhere near as fun as league.