[LFM] D3+ Ranked Team Forming (All roles open, VERY long post)

A bit about me: I've been playing League since Season 2, much like most of you, I'm sure, but during most ranked seasons I've discovered I enjoy management and leadership roles for ranked teams a bit more. That's my main motivation behind trying to start a diamond team.

During the 2015 ranked season I managed 2 teams (one of Silver+, who were coached up to a gold/plat level by preseason) and one of Diamond and Plat, who gave up early on after going 17/1 in their games (guess which game they quit after?)

The main issues and successes I've found throughout the last couple seasons of ranked teams has taught me a great deal about synergy and sportsmanship. It's hard to lead a team without respect, and it's impossible to find a winning team without discipline and will to work together towards winning. This will be a longer post, with the intentions of weeding out the "impatient" and "TL;DR" players that inhabit the community of LoL, because with those mindsets you'll likely never belong on a decent team, and that's exactly what I have in mind to create.

By making it this far (as long as you're not skimming) you're taking a step in the right direction, so let's get into the content of the post:

I am looking to create, and manage (not play on) a high level team. I'm not making it for myself, I'm making it for my players. Team synergy and happiness should be priority in any team, as without it, even the most skilled players will fall. Looking towards LCS stars and LCS duds you'll notice some trends: (1) Shot calling makes a difference. (2) Players play for weeks to build synergy. (3) They are devoted to the team, even just in a challenger level. On the best teams, no one is ever "okay" with where they are. They're constantly pushing themselves and their team to get better and by the end of the season, the teams that do so win. Period.

With my team, I expect dedication, little to no acidity (League of Legends has swings. Period. We all fall victim to a mentality that our team screwed up, even when they didn't, and it's our fault, and sometimes venting is necessary to have success, but obsessive rage is a great way to piss people off and lose a game), and for my players to enjoy what they do. In the beginning, there won't be much money or success, but by the end, there very well might be much of each. The roster will be constantly changing for the first few weeks (all good teams have turn over, just trust in the management staff to do their job) but the solid roster will come into play.

A Few Rules:

1. Consider this a job. You might not get paid immediately, in fact I'm nearly certain you won't, but if you stick with it, you will eventually. Don't commit to the schedule I'll be posting unless you're absolutely certain you can make every day. Emergencies are acceptable, but imagine each absence being treated the same as it would at work. With the changes to queue for man practice days are perfectly doable, but not preferable and therefore, if you will be gone from practice, let a member of management know! Unexcused absences on a regular basis will be dealt with on a zero tolerance policy.

2. Consider your teammates in your actions. Even in the "real world" your actions can affect your team mates. Try not to commit any crimes or do anything that might earn you a bad name, or get you kicked out of League. Keep solo queue reports to a minimum and do what you can to ensure you'll be there for the team. Yes, you should take that 100k a year job, but let us know, so we can throw you a farewell party. The team should be 4 of your new best friends, and the management is here to help you 5 succeed. Our primary focus as a coaching staff us to give our players the tools to succeed, so let us know of changes in your life so we can adjust.

3. Pour your heart into the game, but don't let it control you. When you play, play to win, but don't forget to eat and be healthy. Your mind is just as important to playing great League of Legends as your team is. Don't let your health become secondary to a game.

4. You take out what you put in. Individual play is important to League, as is team play, and our coaches will help you improve, but only if you want to improve. If you don't put in the work in solo queue or penta-queue to improve your skills, ask questions to our coaching staff about areas you're not sure on, or don't want to get better, you won't. End of story. There's no amount of coaching that can be given to someone if they don't want to get better. If you're content with your ranking in League of Legends, don't join the team.

5. Enjoy the game. If you don't find the game fun anymore, take a break. There's no point in throwing so much time at something you don't like, just because it might make you money. League played for money is never a good idea. There might be profit in the game, but enjoy the journey and it'll be better.

About the team:

1. Practices will be held throughout the week, M-F. Ultimately at a time the team agrees upon, but the minimum time dedication should be expected at 4+ hours a night, 4 nights a week. That makes this essentially a part-time job, so be prepared. The time frame I'm looking at is around 6 PM Central time (assume all times are in US Central)

2. The team will be partaking in tournaments as quickly as we feel we are able to, some of which may require 18+ members to sign up, so the age limit of the team will be set at 18+. Due to the nature of skill games played for money, this is non-negotiable, and failure to follow this rule will result in termination from the team, as well as possible legal consequences from the tourney admins if applicable. We unfortunately cannot shield you from legal repercussions if this rule is broken.

3. Have a mic, and headphones if echo is an issue. In order to ensure adequate team synergy and communication, the default voice comms will take place over a TeamSpeak3 server owned by the manager.

4. This job will not pay initially, which I realize sucks. People need money for new tech, skins, champions, living, etc. Life is expensive, and 16 Hours a week is a lot to pour into something that gives no money back. We understand that and will do our best to pay players as quickly as is financially possible. Until then, I'll assume everyone on this team has the money required to live comfortably, make hours, and play 16+ hours a week, as I would assume most play that much or more already. Consider this a means of playing that much, making friends, and having the possibility of turning into a career.

5. The coaching staff will do its best to help the players focus solely on the game. We will handle player comps, strategies, and team architecture. The players are therefore excepted to listen, learn champions to fit with the comps, and trust in the staff to help with the wins as much as their teammates. Ultimately, we'll be a well-functioning team with structure and systems, but the first few months or even years will see some changes.

6. Players should be willing to play with the team for at least 6 months. This may seem like an arbitrary amount of time, but to be honest, commitment is important in League of Legends. All competitive teams sign contracts, no matter the sport. We won't take it that far, but a spoken agreement of 6 months commitment should be assumed. If every player is willing to devote 6 months time, then we'll suddenly have a team that understands the long term instead of focusing on the short term. I'd hate to go thru the process of setting up a team of great players and building a great staff, just to have one leave after the first 100% loss week. I'd instead prefer a team that plays thru it for several weeks until they overcome the errors and play great League. Don't assume this is a promise of being on the team for 6 months, though, as it's not, and you are still subject to the rules outlined above.

7. Players should be versatile in their roles. Adaptability and quick thinking are great skills, and (in my mind) are prioritized even above amazing mechanics on a static player. The ability to quickly learn and practice champions is key to a quick pick up of meta shifts. You might be expected to go outside of the meta for some games, or sit comfortably in the meta for others. League has a lot of variables, and players that know that best are at the top and stay there.

8. **A way to apply: ** for sake of ensuring the devoted players read thru to this point at least (even if it is only skimmed) I have to type the application instructions in a strange place. So, here it is: To apply, and have it stay valid, (1) Add ChaoticObsidian in game. (2) Message him your desired role(s) on the team, how long you've been playing, age, email address (for contacting, in case of client issues and other complications) and a short "bio" (really, just a bit about your job (if any), schedule conflicts (if any), and top three champions). I don't anticipate a large volume of applications due to the process, but expect some delays regardless. I will only be available during the week, and I'm central time, usually on around 2 PM and 2 AM each day. Sometimes that isn't completely accurate. My email is [email protected] if I'm offline. In that case, write the email with all of these details included and the title/header "LoL Team Tryout". Applications should be treated as a real job application is, including a brief team history and times spent with each team. This info won't be held too strongly against you, but it will be a factor. As stated earlier, devotion is a major factor.

That essentially wraps up my post. If you have an questions about the team, you'll find my contact info above. Just start with the question instead of the other instructions.

Everyone will be eager to jump into a pre-made team. This is not one of those. It may take a week or a month before we find a group worth playing with, but I can assure you, it'll be worth it if all works out well and the team airs out any issues they have with each other in a neutral setting.

Best of luck on the rift to all, and let's hope this gets rolling quickly.