Low Level Team Builder Experiment

RiotLyte·Apr 30, 2014·13 votes·1,146 views

Hey everyone,

We recently restricted Team Builder to Level 25 after collecting some data on the low level player experience in Team Builder. We're now ready to try a new experiment in Team Builder, specifically for improving the low level experience.

When you're a gamer trying out a MOBA for the first time, there's usually an overwhelming amount of information that you have to pick up; for example, a player might wonder what champion they'd like to play or what abilities a champion has. Some players may want to try mastering one champion before moving on to another. Team Builder helps players accomplish all of these things (without any time pressure!) while making it much easier to play with friends. We believe this is a great way for veteran players to introduce their friends to League of Legends, and allows them to play League the way they want, every time.

In light of this data and the overwhelming feedback that low level players love Team Builder, we're going to change when queues unlock at the low level ranges.

This experiment will run for 3 weeks, and will change when queues are unlocked in League of Legends.

Level 1: Tutorials, Battle Training and Co-op vs AI will be available

Level 3: Team Builder will unlock

Level 5: Howling Abyss will unlock

Level 10: Dominion (Blind Pick and Draft), Twisted Treeline (Blind Pick and Draft), and Summoner's Rift (Blind Pick and Draft) will unlock

Level 30: Summoner's Rift (Ranked) will unlock

Like the other experiments we've run, we'll assess the data after 3 weeks and determine next steps. We'd love to hear your feedback about how friends who are brand new to League enjoy the new leveling experience.

See you in Team Builder,

Lyte

14 Comments

Sir ArmaMalumApr 30, 20145 votes

If we're on this subject, any plans on other requirements other than summoner level to unlock a que? I know the idea of requiring a small amount of draft pick games to start ranked has been tossed around. And as one of those people who jumped from blind straight to ranked I can safely say that can help prevent some major champ select confusion.

Overall I think this is a good direction, but it's hard putting myself in the shoes of a new player after so long, so my input isn't as relevant. XD

Hyrum GraffApr 30, 20142 votes

What about a TB que to play Co-op vs AI? It seems that if you want to introduce team builder first, it makes sense not to introduce any implementation of blind pick.

I'd also suggest delaying Draft slightly beyond lvl 10, so as to not overwhelm people with 2 new maps and a new que types.

MiyokoShadowApr 30, 20142 votes

Since Dominion isn't as popular as TT or SR, why don't you open Blind Pick Dominion to level 7's or so so they can have a variety of things to play, and maybe then, Dominion may be more successful. And Draft could be open when they have 16 champions, like it was before.

TulareApr 30, 20142 votes

I was going to suggest something similar - unlock it at level 5 at the same time as ARAM. It's also a very casual-friendly mode of the game and it emphasizes an important basic principle of strategy. While ARAM is about team-fighting, Dominion is about objective control, but much simpler to grasp than the more intricate composition dynamics of Summoner's Rift.

Remlap1223Apr 30, 20142 votes

I didn't know Teambuilder was locked off for 25+. It's a good idea to let the newbies get into Teambuilder though. It promotes a much more friendly environment. A more positive outlook is what the new community needs.

Linna ExcelApr 30, 20141 votes

What's dominion and twisted treeline?

MiyokoShadowApr 30, 20141 votes

I can't tell if sarcasm is there or not (seriously internet pls. get a sarcasm emote) but if it wasn't, here is the explanation. If that was sarcasm, well then.... idk. just ignore. :P

Dominion: 5v5 on the Crystal Scar. Kinda like capture the flag but you capture 5 neutral points that are all in a big ring. Each team will lose nexus health if the enemy team captures a point, kills an enemy and stuff like that. I do believe that nexus health can be regained by capturing a point etc. (I haven't played Dominion in like forever ;P)

Twisted Treeline: 3v3 on the Twisted Treeline. A 3v3 match on two lanes with two altars that are essentially buffs that can be captured in the center. There is a monster like baron at the top (gives a huge buff) (is an objective) (I think its a spider).

Linna ExcelApr 30, 20141 votes

Fair description of the two.

I only play on SR and on poro map and aside from a few custom bot games, I don't know anything about the other two like meta, good champs, itemization, etc.

So how are they fun compared to the main maps?

bzhen0915Apr 30, 20141 votes

so the Howling Abyss is now referred to the Poro Map.

YAY FOR POROS.

item 2052

Sir ArmaMalumApr 30, 20141 votes

Dominion is a nice change of pace and is actually quite fun as dueling happens much much more often and plays can be made quite regularly. Objective control is the name of the game instead of objective destruction, so there's always a fierce fight around turrets.

TT is quite fun with 2 friends, it's much more fast paced and the comps change drastically. Each individual person's damage and survivability is tested more so than in SR and without the ability to ward it is great practice for map awareness. Ganks happen pretty much every minute. Solo que TT though..........eh, don't suggest it.

MiyokoShadowApr 30, 20141 votes

Umm... I really like SR the best, but TT is the one I find more enjoyable, and ARAM I only play to force myself to learn champions, and Dominion isn't really my style, but I know some people who sit in like 5 minute queue times to play it.

ShuisternisMay 1, 20141 votes

People keep leaving queue because my friend doesn't know meta and we play 2-1-2 in our lanes. Still getting afk and complainers, PLUS I have to wait 15 minutes between games. Wtf RITO?

The SoulforgedMay 1, 20141 votes

lv 10 to start playing normal SR matches?

RhytoMay 2, 20141 votes

Implement a system where you use tokens to unlock the various game modes to lessen the flaming and trolling and no offense to new players, we don't want you throwing your PC because of this community....^^;