How do I not be scared of Ranked?

Delta F508·2/4/2015, 9:36:57 AM·2 votes·3,577 views

I'm here because I was at Bronze 1 in S3/4. I would like to play with people who are good at the game so to enjoy the game at a higher level. There is only one problem, I am scared of playing ranked and trying to climb the ladder. I don't understand it though. No other game has this daunting feeling like League of Legends does. I really enjoy this game at most times, but playing Ranked in my head is this line that I feel like I have to perform perfect or why even play it at all. I understand Riot wants all modes to be fun for everyone, but for some reason my Anxiety flares up when I even consider clicking on that Solo Que button. So my question is this; How did you start playing ranked and get over any Ranked Anxiety if you did? What are some good steps to ease into playing Ranked? Thank you.

16 Comments

Tin Tarantino2/5/2015, 6:27:39 PM2 votes

Have you tried picturing the champions on the other team naked?

Mellori2/4/2015, 9:51:25 AM2 votes

I just pretend I'm in a normal. Then again, I kinda don't like playing ranked without a duo. It's a confidence thing knowing you're in it with someone else, and you're not alone if you do badly (since I know people get toxic in ranked), and you have someone to help you check your mistakes.

When I started playing ranked, I just threw myself into it. Slowly I realized I couldn't do much by myself, but I kept track of my personal score, not the result of a game. When I'd go 5/1/30 and we lost (I play support, don't judge the numbers :p), I still knew I did great. It gave me more confidence. Eventually I looked for duos, so I didn't have to rely on 4 randoms, only 3. That also helped a ton.

I only played during last preseason, as I hit level 30 right as 2014 season ended and I landed Bronze I. Not bad considering most of my now-plat friends were Bronze III or lower their first go.

Deep Terror Nami2/4/2015, 10:47:43 AM1 votes

For me;

Either A) Play Normal games until you aren't nervous, especially if you had just gone on a losing streak in Ranked or are rusty from a hiatus,

or B) Don't worry about what your rank is. Just do your best. Rank isn't a reflection of your character.

You said you're a Support main, I am as well. Send friend requests to ADC's who do very well with you; it's hard to make a huge impact by yourself as a Support, but it's easy to feed a Carry who thinks like you, and THEY in turn make a huge impact.

B3ER2/4/2015, 11:38:07 AM1 votes

You stop playing it. :P

DatPikachuTho2/4/2015, 1:15:46 PM1 votes

When you play ranked in Bronze, you're basically playing Normals anyways. Just go into it with that in mind - Ranked is literally no different than Normals. The game plays exactly the same way, so just enjoy yourself and have fun!

j j2/4/2015, 4:12:04 PM1 votes

stop caring about your rank, stop caring what others say, and refrain from being a bully.

basically what it comes down to.

Easiest way to do that? Stop checking your rank or lp gains/loss after your games, be a team player, ignore the toxics. Games become much more enjoyable after that. You be the one that rallies your team together even when the odds are against you and people will respect you and you will be encouraged to play more. Even if you have an afk, leave never think of it as negative you can still win. In some cases 4 v 5 can help your team snowball quicker in levels if one lane roams after picking up an early kill. Also teams will be more lax if they think you have a leave.afk making them susceptible to mistakes that you can capitalize on.

Stay positive keep negative thoughts away. I used to have a negative mind set and that discouraged myself and others from playing to their full potential or even wanting to ranked. When you're happy and boosting your team moral you will all over enjoy the experience and not be afraid of ranked

Yuumidiocre2/4/2015, 5:51:30 PM1 votes

I had the same problem. but as soon as a got into Bronze I i stopped going ranked because i was sick of being judged and blamed on for others mistakes. so now im playing normal to learn how to help people deal with their mistakes and straaighten the game out. I main jg and when you have a bot laner going gung ho and getting murdered by turrets at 3:00 mins i just want to learn to gank early. so advice is to just practice normal until you feel confident enough to go ranked. i havent gone duo before and waaas gonna ask my friend. but he thinks i need more practice as well.

NorthTurtle112/4/2015, 8:10:48 PM1 votes

for me i just got at least 1 or 2 champs that i could play every role except jung. it took away the stress of not getting a lane i'm good at and then feeding hard and then the game is lost because of me. also doing duo que can help as theirs at least one less person u don't have to worry about making bad calls

AwesomeChad2/4/2015, 8:49:38 PM1 votes

{quoted}

I'm here because I was at Bronze 1 in S3/4. I would like to play with people who are good at the game so to enjoy the game at a higher level. There is only one problem, I am scared of playing ranked and trying to climb the ladder. I don't understand it though. No other game has this daunting feeling like League of Legends does. I really enjoy this game at most times, but playing Ranked in my head is this line that I feel like I have to perform perfect or why even play it at all. I understand Riot wants all modes to be fun for everyone, but for some reason my Anxiety flares up when I even consider clicking on that Solo Que button. So my question is this; How did you start playing ranked and get over any Ranked Anxiety if you did? What are some good steps to ease into playing Ranked? Thank you.

How did i start playing ranked? My friend convinced me to test my skills since he thought i was a decent player so i played my placement games in season 1.

How did i get over the anxiety? I played ALOT of ranked. Thats the only way to get over your anxiety. Trust me, I had major anxiety because i was very scared of getting bad teammates and losing games. My friend said that I needed to play more ranked and the feeling would eventually go away. I've been playing ranked since season 1 and that feeling diminished once I went through at least 50 games of ranked which was in season 2. If i gave into my anxiety and fear, I wouldn't have made it to diamond elo nor would I have gotten the determination to get better at this game and climb higher. If you want to fight your anxiety, play ranked. You won't solve anything by avoiding it.

The Chin2/4/2015, 9:44:43 AM1 votes

Play 10 ranked games in a row to desensitize yourself, even though it's ranked it's still just a game. No reason to be anxious. Don't worry if you lose a match or do poorly, it happens to everyone and it's not a big deal.

Raxicor2/5/2015, 7:09:15 PM1 votes

I just started my ranked promos. And let me tell you the anxiety disappeared after the characters were selected. The game itself is no different, there's nothing to be afraid of. Just keep thinking about the end of season rewards. :D

TT312/4/2015, 9:47:41 AM1 votes

Really, you just gotta try to get in the mindset that its just a normal game except with draft picks. I was really scared my first time in ranked as well. Though after a while, the fear should just subside. Try playing a role that isn't relied upon too heavily as well.