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RE: Champion Pools

EkkoFroffles·4/6/2015, 4:28:27 AM·1 votes·1,020 views

The majority of the time in ranked, I go top lane or jungle, as I'm trying to use the "main a role" (fighter/tank) approach to move up. But whenever it would come to me playing mid, the only champion I felt comfortable enough with that could slot in there was Wukong. I have a 54% win rate with him in 35 matches, including those matches when I went mid (and lost), so I've just assumed I could translate my success top and jungle to mid, especially since Wukong mid isn't unheard of.

However, I've yet to win playing Wukong mid, and that being my only option when I'm forced to mid seemed kind of crappy on my part. So I used this as an excuse to start following through on one of the more popular tips for getting out of bronze, which is having a champion pool for each role. And I was just wondering if I could get some feedback on where I stand now with relation to those champion pools. You know, if a particular champion pool should be bigger or more varied. Stuff like that.

For each role, I'll first list my go-to champions, then the ones I can see potentially joining their ranks, and lastly the ones are 100% not for me.

Top: Mains: Garen, Malphite, Wukong. Possibilities: Darius, Jarvan IV, Lissandra, Pantheon. No: Dr. Mundo, Jax, Jayce, Maokai, Riven, Rumble, Singed, Sion, Tryndamere, Vladimir, Xin Zhao.

Jungle: Mains: Amumu, Vi, Warwick, Wukong. Possibilities: Jarvan IV, Lee Sin, Pantheon. No: Nidalee, Sion.

Mid: Mains: Heimerdinger, Wukong. Possibilities: Azir, Katarina, Lissandra. No: Ahri, Annie, Zed, Ziggs, Zilean

Support: Mains: Sona. Possibilities: Blitzcrank, Leona. No: Janna, Morgana, Thresh.

ADC: Mains: Caitlyn, Tristana. Possibilities: Sivir. No: Ashe, Corki, Jinx, Kog'Maw.

Top lane, I worry I don't have enough diversity, which is why I hope to add Darius (hyper carry) and Lissandra (CC) to the rotation. Jungle, I think I have a nice mix already, but would love if I could somehow make Lee Sin happen for me. He's a ton of fun, yet I don't know if I can master him enough for it to ever be worth choosing him over one of my other options. Mid, Heimerdinger is the first champion I've really taken to. I was a huge fan of Azir when he was first released, but am way out of practice and he's been since nerfed. If I can work him and Lissandra into the rotation, I think that'll be more than good enough for a role I'm almost never stuck playing. Support, it's just a matter of gaining more experience with Blitz and Leona. Though I've yet to find a support I truly love. Lastly, ADC's another role you don't often get forced into, so Cait and Trist seems sufficient to me. Two ADCs whose kits make them safe options for people with awful ADC mechanics, such as myself.

14 Comments

EkkoFroffles4/6/2015, 4:32:45 AM1 votes

I didn't want to make this post any longer than it already was, so that meant failing to list some champions that I either plan to try (and expect will fit my play style) or haven't played enough to weigh in on yet. For example, I tried Sejuani in PBE today since she's such a powerhouse and am not yet sure if my ceiling with her will be high enough to bother buying and using her in the actual client. It'll take more testing to determine that.

Quantum Bread4/6/2015, 12:08:45 PM1 votes

Why and how ....that you do not have Vlad in your top or mid arsenal is beyond me with the right team not even matchup with games going later this season late game Vlad just utterly destroys the late game tank meta...Tbh I think you need to add him in a spend extensive times in normals solo or with friends and learn him. He isn't pulled out frequently in mine maybe at most 3-4 out of every ten games but he is very strong when played correctly. :D

Big Hans4/6/2015, 12:53:40 PM1 votes

For mid I think its important to have either a good mage or assasin in your pool. That is usualy what is expected from mid. Unless someone already picks a mage for top for whatever reason then you can play your tank in mid too but you are going to have a hard time if you rely on melee farming.

The most annoying mage to me is LeBlanc. If you are good with her you can pretty much carry the whole team.

Jungle Paws4/6/2015, 4:13:50 PM1 votes

Don't play azir if your bronze

IcyPepper4/6/2015, 6:24:31 PM1 votes

that being my only option when I'm forced to mid

I have not once seen someone forced into mid. It seems like the most popular role that first pick will take (and then immediately get hard countered because they didn't use their noggin).

Frank3274/6/2015, 9:25:07 PM1 votes

I'd pick up Karma or Lulu if I were you. Good in midlane and support (where you seem to have the least champions) and they're lane bullies in the early game with good utility in late game.

But if you're feeling most comfortable with tanky champs, pick up a support like alistar/braum/leona first.