Intro Bots [Feedback]

Silverclaw·Jul 17, 2014·2 votes·833 views

Yes, I'm level 30 - yes, I played Intro bots once - I felt like wrecking some poor bot's face. I understand the point of the mode, but I have a few suggestions as well.

Bots don't arrive in lane until 4 minutes in - this is a poor way to go about things. Yes, it gives the new players a chance to get ahead and/or roam/etc, but laning is a big factor in league of legends, and is one that takes a long time to learn (as so many variables come into play). This might also make new players think they have to arrive in lane at 4 minutes, allowing for some... interesting...scenarios.
Bots rarely use abilities - no idea if this is on purpose or not, but I don't remember seeing many abilities being used by intro bots. Getting players used to key abilities (Alistar's Q+W combo, Sona ult, etc.) seems like a good idea. On top of that, I could often chunk a bot and not take a single auto. They seem like walking sacks of gold.

I think a (relatively) easy suggestion would be to get the bots in lane ASAP, but have them always near max attack range from the melee minions and play passively - this allows for new players to practice cs'ing and harassing, and give them some time to figure out what their champion does.

5 Comments

OhBoyItsaMegamanJul 17, 20141 votes

I think a (relatively) easy suggestion would be to get the bots in lane ASAP, but have them always near max attack range from the melee minions and play passively - this allows for new players to practice cs'ing and harassing, and give them some time to figure out what their champion does.

While not a bad idea, this doesn't accomplish the same thing. If the player can see the enemy, they're naturally going to think that they should attack the enemy. Even if the bot stands back, their presence is a threat. It's like playing the tutorial of an FPS in which there are shouting enemy soldiers with loaded guns pointed at you while you're practicing climbing ladders and opening doors. If you can see the threat and you have the tools to attack it, you're going to assume that you're supposed to attack it.

The player's first interaction should be with the minions. If an enemy champion is present—even if they are standing back—the minion waves become background noise.

SilverclawAug 14, 20141 votes

Yes, but we also don't want them to think that you sit in base until 4 minutes in, or try to solo drag when it spawns either. Plus, if they run into minion aggro range, they'll learn about minion aggro and whatnot.

Great DisasterAug 13, 20141 votes

Man, I wish there was more feedback on this.

I just played my first intro bot game to try it out. I found the 4 minutes before bots to appear to be strange, but a little helpful for someone playing their very first time. First timers get a chance to adapt to the controls if they new to MOBA. Actually, I think learning the controls is all the intro bots did.

I would liked to have seen a better post-game feedback screen so new players can see how much damage they took or dealt and get tips on how to improve. Something like comparing the damage they dealt or received to the something like the average of that champion [a fixed number]. Giving that data would then give them the tip to try buying items and maybe, provide a link to the forums for more information.

SeriphymAug 14, 20141 votes

Just a suggestion to add to your list.

Bots that jungle/gank.

I just never found any in intro bots mode and it completely leaves a training jungler out in the cold as far as learning how to counter jungle.

SilverclawAug 14, 20141 votes

This is understandably hard to code in every aspect, and jungling is respectably difficult pre-20 without runes (and not playing warwick), so I don't think this is something intro bots should do. Intermediate bots? Sure, eventually. But jungling bots would take forever to do well enough, so I'm willing to give this time.