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New to the game - When should I stop playing Co-op vs AI?

Grymmstrike·10/14/2014, 7:18:43 PM·2 votes·8,238 views

Basically, I started playing last week, and I am currently level 8 summoner. I have only played Co-op vs AI (With the exception of one "Custom" game that I couldn't figure out how to add bots to, so it ended up being me versus no one). I am currently 29-2 in Co-op games (I'm not carrying them most of the time) between Beginner and Intermediate (And a couple of Intro level matches). I have found several champions that I seem to "click" with (Annie, Renekton, Gangplank, Kha'zix, Warwick, maybe others) and have figured out a good progression shopping list that suits me fairly well. I am very reliant on getting off to a good start, if I can hold a lane for a few minutes without having to pull back until I've made ~2-2.5k gold then I can do quite well, especially with Gangplank. If I get pushed out of a lane or gasp die early, then it spirals into me not being able to keep up. I am pretty good with last hitting with Gangplank and Annie. Other champions, not as good. Also, it depends on if I get left alone in a lane or if I have another player "helping" me by killing everything :P

With all of that being said, is there a specific point at which I should stop playing Co-op vs AI, and start actually playing against other players? Should I wait until 20+ when I can unlock better runes so I have less of a disadvantage? Should I be playing PVP now?

26 Comments

FarRockBF10/14/2014, 7:21:16 PM7 votes

Once you can beat Intermediate bots comfortably move into normals. Don't be discouraged if you lose a few matches though. There are smurfers everywhere.

And don't buy ANY runes until you are lvl 20+ and already have a decent champion pool (3-6 champs you enjoy playing).

Worgslarg10/14/2014, 7:46:09 PM3 votes

Personally, I reccomend playing normals as soon as you have basic control and movement mechanics. I would also reccomend that you learn league on an unlocked camera, and all abilities quick-cast. if you wait to level 20 to start pvp. I can promise you that you will lose your lane, for the first 20 + games in pvp, and lost most of the games aswell.

Drukyul10/15/2014, 8:45:12 PM2 votes

Try out the 3v3 AI in Twisted Treeline. Those bots can get out of control pretty easily. I always found it a bit more of a challenge than the 5v5 bots.

Gandr Adderbane10/15/2014, 8:56:51 PM2 votes

You'll want to learn several champions before doing PvP, you never know what role you'll have and it's not like in bots where you can do virtually any setup and have a good shot at winning. Also, unlocking flash helps a lot, as it is the most popular summoner spell in the game. Once you feel you can easily beat the Intermediate bots, you are ready for PvP. Look around online, there are a lot of useful guides for what items are good on champions, and what order to chose skills. They're invaluable while learning the game. Also, when you do start PvP, expect to come back with a lot less gold your first time. Humans are a lot more aggressive than bots, so you'll run out of health faster. Figuring out what pieces of items to pick up when you're forced back is a big part of the game.

Dr Clueless PhD10/14/2014, 7:31:28 PM2 votes

I agree that, once you can beat Intermediate bots regularly, stop playing them. What'll end up happening is that you will teach yourself horrible habits playing against the bots, and you won't learn any of the REAL basics of LoL. Most of the time in bot games, people don't play anything like how real games go. If you play bot games all the way to level 20 or even 30, you're gonna have a real bad time hopping into PVP.

I suggest looking into how PVP games are typically played, to see how they differ from bot games, before jumping in. However, if you'd prefer to learn by experience, that's fine, too. Just be prepared to learn.

Eleshakai10/14/2014, 7:29:35 PM2 votes

It really depends on your goal... if you're aiming to get into ranked... then as soon as possible. You want as much normal experience(and ideally normal draft experience) as possible as soon as possible.

If you're just playing to have fun, then it really doesn't matter. Play whatever seems fun to you.

Earl Eulrich10/15/2014, 9:19:45 PM1 votes

You can stop it at any time, just try out sth. else and see if you have fun.

In general I´d say if you are able to beat intermediate bots 1v5 you´re at least gold skillwise and should maybe move on to PvP.

Merxamers10/17/2014, 2:29:27 PM1 votes

follow up note; it is perfectly viable to start item 1036 . the reason many people get a dorans item such as item 1054 or item 1055 is for an early game advantage, at the sacrifice of early build paths. For the top lane, i usually start with a dorans item, but it all comes down to experience and personal preference.

Remember that a lot of this game is trial and error; just play the game, figure out what works best for different situations, and have fun!

Gangplank YARR HARHARHARHARRRR!!!!!

12tales10/14/2014, 7:41:12 PM1 votes

I'd suggest waiting at least 'till level 12 for solo lanes, since that's when you get Flash. Level 20 for Jungle or Duo Lane roles, since runes are much more important.

FarRockBF10/14/2014, 7:55:29 PM1 votes

Since Gangplank has two nice bonuses with Critical Strikes, its nice to get the two best Critical Strike items at some point:

item 3087 item 3031

Monogue10/14/2014, 8:00:38 PM1 votes

Never, in my opinion.

Only reason why I still play against bots is try warming-up for normals or getting use to and learning a new champion.

For example, I was scared to play Udyr in normals, because many would rage or discourage me to play. And now the result of play 2 - 6 games of bots of Udyr, I can now officially call my self a Godyr.

10110011100010/14/2014, 8:14:11 PM1 votes

When you can 2 v 1 top lane bots. Go to normals.

Magma Lux Mid10/15/2014, 9:17:08 PM1 votes

I say go normals when you feel you are ready. AI doesn't give you a good feel for how to actually play the game.