The Honor System; Removing Salt One Player At a Time

I just started playing with the new honor system up and running, and I think it is an excellent idea. I wasn't sure it would make an impact on me or not, but it has and I love it. Rather than finding a salty teammate and reporting them after, because the honor awards come up before the score board, I find that I am connecting more with positive players in my games. That may sound strange, that I am finding positive players, and that that would somehow effect the post-game screens, but I assure you, it isn't. Finding, even just one teammate to work with to pull of a play or try and carry our team, immediately gets recognized after the match finishes. I'm not spam muting people anymore and I look forward to honoring my teammate that helped make the game play fun, even if we lose. I like the idea of going down swinging, and when I find someone who is a "try-hard" also, the game takes on a whole new dynamic. Because the honor screen is posted before the scoreboard, my first thoughts after the game aren't the negatives; they are the positives. It feels good when teammates know how to effectively communicate and give honor as well. Like! Since I main the Support role, my friends list largely consists of ADC mains. I've played with so many ADC's that the ones I succeed with become friends and we often duo. This new system allows me to make that same kind of connection with other players on my team, but from the same role. Roaming mid, shadowing the jungler to ward, and shot calling a lane swap or objective opportunity creates opportunities for me in the Support role to be recognized for those calls. Also! I like recognizing a shot-calling and objective focused jungler, or a roaming mid laner, or a teleporting top laner. When those kinds of plays are made, and met with follow up support, it improves my teammates experience just as it does mine. Of course before the honor system this was always the case. The difference is the focus, not the action. After a game, the first thing you see is the honor screen. I find that screen to stick in my memory because I must select something and therefore seek within my match-made games, one to honor. The dual mute options for toxic players and increased rewards for teamwork with this new honor system, just upped the ante and I believe, will greatly improve League's community.