How do I effectively play burst mages?

Acolyte of Steel·Oct 11, 2014·2 votes·1,754 views

I mostly play support and top lane fighter-tanks, so my experience with league has been rather limited to careful timing and risks... I'm having a lot of trouble learning other roles and even champions simply because I don't know how to easily control burst; which in this meta, is everything. I can easily spot mistakes and weak spots (thanks to 30 levels of supporting) yet no matter which attack-based champion I play - even when I'm very used to them - I can't figure out when to pull out and when to go for it.

Any advice would help at this point...

12 Comments

A0 SHINOct 11, 20143 votes

Well, all of the burst mages I can think of have ways to poke. Velkoz, Q/W, Brand W/Q, Viktor, E/Q, etc.. Generally you want to poke until you or your allies can land CC to help you hit a full combo to score a kill or get them low enough they have to base/get zoned. Its mostly patience and positioning.

Acolyte of SteelOct 11, 20141 votes

Yeah, I can do that really well; I just don't fully grasp when to go in or not. By the time I see they've hit their limit, they're already kiting off, and chasing leaves me vulnerable. Maybe it's just inexperience with mages?

kswimming101Oct 11, 20142 votes

most likely just a learning curve. the more you play bursty champs like leblanc, zed, fizz etc. youll learn their dmg potential and when to jump in. itll just take a bit of time since youre used to playing support and not a jump in, kill, jump out role. youll get it dont worry

Acolyte of SteelOct 11, 20141 votes

Yeah, that sounds like it honestly. :/ If I'm not winning a trade off the bat, I'm used to backing right out, since giving the enemy adc a double kill is a very bad idea. Thanks for the advice! Maybe I should try LeBlanc... :)

kswimming101Oct 11, 20142 votes

np, i have the same issue honestly. ive found that im just personally not great at the super bursty guys myself but i do really well as a bruiser or tank. as long as you put time into learning bursty champs (id recommend practicing with 3 and get to know them well in case any get takin in rank or banned etc.) then youll pick it up quick. GLHF

Xela SyabOct 11, 20141 votes

The key is your teammates (jungler/roamer) and what the enemy is doing. If you got a decent counter pick and the enemy is lane freezing, don't go in because the enemy is planning a gank and luring you into a trap, farm when the wave pushes and roam and take out other lanes. If the enemy is aggressive and constantly pushing, hold back, hope your jungler sees the easy gank and kill him when an opening presents itself.

Mid lane isn't my favorite role either it's the most hectic lane since a gank can come from anywhere. Playing a champ with an escape mechanism helps or counter ganking skill (Morg, Kayle, Akali, Gragas, Shaco, Kass, Lux, Fiddle, Vlad, Fizz) also ward always always ward.

PBnJamsOct 11, 20141 votes

In my opinion if you want to learn a burst champion you should pick up fiora (in your case). She is a Top lane Fighter, but her concept of play is all about bursting someone from 100 to 0. I think she would be a great place for you to start in learning burst champions.

Acolyte of SteelOct 11, 20141 votes

But if I do that I'll get reported for playing Fiora... Fiora item 3070

PBnJamsOct 11, 20141 votes

thats not true, you just gotta be aware of the type of team you are picking fiora with. If you got an amumu, morg, or leona on your side, Fiora would be an extremely good pick for your team.

Acolyte of SteelOct 11, 20141 votes

I was partially kidding, but that's some really good advice to remember, too. CC compliments bursty champions really well, so the more CC my team has the more I can feel comfortable as a burst champion. Thank you :)

AmoralismOct 11, 20141 votes

Most mid champs are played as opportunists. In team fights you won't ever be initiating and unless your range is massive then you will stay out of it for like 3 seconds for enemies to use CC.