Excessive teambuilder queue times (1 hour in queue then kicked)

uncertain alias·Oct 3, 2014·1 votes·1,051 views

Let me preface this by saying that I really don't mind waiting a reasonable amount of time in the teambuilder queue, especially when I'm trying to play a midlane mage. I really don't know what an appropriate wait time should be, but I won't complain about waiting 20-30 mins before getting into a group. However, over the past week I have routinely sat in queue for 45 mins without being invited to join a single group. Usually, at about this point, I'm so tired of waiting that I just cancel the queue and quit league. Today, I was in queue for 58 minutes before being invited to a group. Sadly, the captain kicked me after about 10 secs (nothing was said in chat) and, after 1 more minute of waiting, I was removed from the queue completely through no action of my own (the queue time clock disappeared, replaced by the play button).

Something really needs to be done to improve wait times. I'm sure the problem is complex and involves both the algorithms involved and player behavior (insta-leaving groups that aren't full, etc). Still, it amazes me that sometimes I can get into a game within 10 minutes, and on the very next game I can't get into a group at all. Or, when I queue up as captain, I don't understand how it can take 10+ mins for any potential players to pop up in any of three positions. Why is it so inconsistent? The selling point of the queue is that you can play whatever role and position you want. I guess that's true... except when it isn't. I'm not even trying to play anything strange or outside the meta, where I would expect queues to be even worse.

Sorry for the rant; I just wanted to post my experience to reaffirm that queue times are still a problem, at least for some of us, and to add my voice to those who have already said the same thing.

5 Comments

ValyrianBladeOct 3, 20141 votes

sorry for the bad experience. The kicking seems unfair but I guess that's how it works (he must have wanted an assassin?). is there a reason you're set on mid? I play Draft exclusively and can get mid obviously when I'm 1st pick, and often as second or third. It helps that I also main adc though and that's typically not popular, and I'll play anything. my average wait time is 1-2 min though, so I basically get a whole game in before you get started... Might be worth trying ;)

to the issue of queue times, it would help if you could select multiple preferences.

uncertain aliasOct 3, 20141 votes

Thanks for the sympathy!

I figure that the queue is probably coded to terminate after an hour. I suppose that the rioters who implemented it assumed that most players wouldn't be in queue that long. As for why I'm set on mid, I generally play teambuilder when I want a specific champion or position. In this case, I was attempting to play Azir mid, although I've had 45 min queue times (before quitting) with other mages as well. I really don't mind waiting a bit, as long as I can actually get into a game at some point.

Shortly before I started writing my first post, I queued up again in teambuilder. As of right now I've been in queue for 55 minutes without being invited to a single group. I assume that the queue will probably terminate in another 5 minutes, if things go like they have been going. Overall, this has been a very disappointing week trying to use teambuilder. I'll probably try queuing up in draft to get my role after this. That will probably get me into a game at least, although the I feel like the problems with teambuilder really need to be better addressed.

Edit: The Teambuilder queue just terminated again. I never was invited to join a single group. I suppose that captains may be averse to accepting Azir right now, which is unfortunate. He certainly has a learning curve to him, which is why I'm trying to queue up with him.

ValyrianBladeOct 3, 20141 votes

Yes, that would be exactly it. While I'm sure many Thank you for not learning in ranked (Thanks btw!) some people don't play ranked and really care about winning in normals. I understand the frustration though, What's the point in having a new champion if you can only play it against bots! It also probably doesn't help that he's on free rotation: new champ, most popular role, free... That's probably really clogging up teambuilder.

It may be a good idea to start adding people you enjoyed playing with and invite them before looking for fill. If they know you play well from other games they'll be more likely to let you try something new with them, and it will also help you fill teambuilder more quickly. The only time I played teambuilder was immediately after doing a normal Draft with a Platinum adc, I went jungle and had a good game and he invited me to his teambuilder (where I went top since mid, adc, and support were taken and are my 3 best roles, unfortunately got matched with the other teams plat player, got wrecked in Lane and was carried by that adc, and then invited to play again anyways! ). point being if people know you're taking it seriously they'll be a lot more open to queueing with you and could lead to faster AND more enjoyable Games.

Matthias9119Oct 4, 20141 votes

In this case, I was attempting to play Azir mid...

That is probably the most horrendous possible choice right now. Everyone and their mother wants to try him out and TB is the best way to assure getting him in a PvP match. On top of that a lot of captains might not want brand-new Azir players on their team. And Mage/Mid is probably the most popular role in general.

Based on looking at your recent matches on LoLKing you must have a fairly high MMR in Normals as well, which will also make your queue times worse. You're going up against Gold and even low Plat players all the time in your TB games.

LeeDarkOct 3, 20141 votes

I find it easier, as a mid, to find either a jungle or support friend, start my own TB team, and after that it isn't too hard to fill the three open spots. Could even work without a friend, but it seems like random people are more likely to leave if they are joining a team with only one other person on it.