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Have you heard "It's just normals." too many times?

acidxrain·3/21/2015, 3:49:58 PM·10 votes·4,905 views

We've all been there. Hearing someone say those words is not only outdated and just a poor excuse to come up with for not trying, but recently, I'm finding players in my games tend to say this as a way to exclaim they're not trying, or never had any intention of trying.

I personally find it not only unacceptable to say something like this, but it feels like it falls into a category of "it's not ranked, I don't care about feeding, losing, or working and communicating with my team." This fits so many of the report categories available at post-game.

Apart from ignoring those people in-game, how do you all deal with those who aren't interesting in working with the team/make up excuses for why they're doing extremely poor and don't want to admit it? Do you just move on? Do you talk with them after the game ends? I always find myself speaking with them after the game ends and asking them why they feel that way and attempting to explain why ranked is no different from normal games -- in the sense that it's a really poor excuse and creates a self-accusation that said player doesn't care about the experience of the game and/or trying hard enough to win the game simply because it's not important to them.

Perhaps I get upset over these words because I don't enjoy hearing that because I'm playing in a specific game mode, there's some reason to not care, since it's not ranked. I try my best in every game I play, whether it be ARAM, Ranked, or Normal Draft. I simply cannot use the excuse that because it's not ranked the game mode is inferior and that's grounds for not putting forth any effort.

So again, how do you guys deal with players like this, how does it affect your game, and how do you move forward with a positive attitude?

55 Comments

Alljoy3/21/2015, 3:51:32 PM6 votes

You tend to hear that alot from people who're terrified of failure or acknowledging failure, so they 'don't try' or at the very least pretend not to so they have something to say when someone calls them out on a mistake or loss.

Konidias3/21/2015, 5:21:41 PM5 votes

If you want serious games, play ranked. You can't have serious normal games... that's why they are normal.

I know it sounds stupidly simple, and that's because it is.

Shynkle3/21/2015, 4:01:03 PM5 votes

Well, now see, I take a different viewpoint on this. I use the phrase "It's just normals" when people are freaking out and taking it way too seriously. It's not that I'm not trying, or want an excuse for not trying, but when people freak out over every little mistake they need to be reminded "Hey, it's just normals" or it really is "just a game". Some people take it way too seriously, and I can accept that when people say that in ranked, and I acknowledge that, but in normals it really isn't that big of a deal if we lose a game because our bot lane doesn't really know how to play their role. Normals is for learning and growing, while ranked is for testing those skills to the max. So people in normals need to let people grow and learn in an environment that they feel it is ok to make mistakes, so I will say "it's just normals" to the people freaking out over them.

Im neurotoxin3/21/2015, 8:19:50 PM2 votes

I will admit that I'm one of the people that uses the phrase, but only when I'm being flamed by another player. I am a relatively new player and as such I've been trying to learn the mechanics and trying out different builds in AI matches. However, the AI matches can only go so far. These matches only get me to a few of the items in my build and I'm unable to get to the last few items that could be critical in the match. Plus the AI matches tend to stick to the laning phase and don't go into the team fights or jungling that often. Normals are really the only place you can get that experience.

I've only done normals a few times (3 or 4) and inevitably I do terribly. My last normal I went 1/17/6. I knew I was doing absolute shit, but I was legitimately trying. The problem was that my ADC wasn't taking the initiative and following my attacks up, but I didn't know what else to do so I kept on initiating hoping that he would follow me up. There was an Ahri on my team who didn't offer any advice whatsoever, nor was she offering any help in the lane. However, she wouldn't waste an opportunity to yell and complain about how badly I was doing.

The problem with people like that is they ruin any possible fun or relaxation in these matches. Normals are for people who just want to play the game and not worry about a ranking system (for fun or relaxation or just for the love of the game). Ranked is the competitive aspect of the game and where people who want to take the game seriously should go. I'm not saying that I don't try to win normal games; I do want to win or at least do well, but its not as important as learning different tactics/builds and providing crucial experience in my growth as a player. There's a saying that goes, "a novice has not attempted something more times than a master has failed" or something to that effect and without that experience in a relaxed setting (you don't want to go into war without first training in a less stressful environment) you will do absolutely horrible.

I feel that people like that Ahri person (ones who demand that everyone know exactly what they are supposed to do and be able to execute flawlessly with no prior experience) provide a toxic and inhospitable learning environment much like DotA 2. As such, they will get rid of people who just want to play the game in their off time and have no intention of being LCS material.

The phrase should only be used to remind a hostile and super serious player that it's not that crucial. There is no prestige or money on the line and therefore should not be treated as if your life depends on the outcome. Just calm down and rethink you're approach to the problem. I've never used it as an excuse to not try to win or change the outcome of a match and I've never intentionally fed the other team. I just suck right now, simple as that.

BetaDude403/21/2015, 7:06:18 PM1 votes

These are situations where saying "It's just a normal" makes sense or works (most of the time):

-Experimenting with a new build pattern, position, or tactic. Bot matches should always be used before you attempt in normals, as you first need to calculate your build path, strategy, or whatever. However, bot matches can only help you get started. You're going to have to attempt in a normal match if you want to see how effective it will be in a PvP scenario. It won't always work 100% as planned, and both you and your team mates need to understand this. So if a team mate begins flaming you because it wasn't as successful as you thought, they think it won't be successful, or even if its just "breaking the meta", you can say that it is just a normal game and that you are trying to experiment with a new idea, and you're trying to work out how to use this build/tactic/position. After all, experimenting in normals is INFINITELY better than experimenting in ranked. You should still play intelligently and try to be a help to your team rather than a burden. Losing is part of the experiment, and you can use that loss to help you. Don't just make excuses.

-You aren't doing so well in lane, and a team mate begins flaming. Now, let me get something straight here. There is a HUGE difference between losing lane and feeding lane. Not every matchup will work. Sometimes, especially in blind, there isn't a way to protect yourself from being counter picked by someone else. If you've been trying your hardest not to be zoned by the enemy laner, or trying as hard as you can to keep your own jungle safe from counter junglers, and you can barely keep even with the enemy, then I think you've done fine. Some people, on the other hand, see a score like 0/2 and assume that to be heavy feeding, when it's not. If that team mate is calling you out for making them lose the game, or harassing you for the "easiest matchup to win ever", say that its a normal, and that its not the end of the world. Get help from your jungler or a team mate that's winning their lane to come up and help you. Learn why you're losing, understand what they're doing, coordinate ganks, keep your head high and don't go into tilt. You can lose lane and still come back from it and win. Don't harass other team mates for losing either, as that won't help them win in the slightest. If you win, then it was an excellent show of teamwork and perseverance. If you lose, then it was a bad matchup in a normal game. Win or lose, though, now you can learn more on how to stay even or even win against opponents like that. It's a normal game, but that doesn't mean you can't learn from it or play intelligently.

Here are some situations where saying its a normal game does not work:

-Intentionally troll picking/doing something unconventional completely unprepared. I am all for experimentation and wacky picks and ingenious tactics. But I am not for sheer randomness or stupidity. If you plan on going AD Vel'Koz jungle, PLAN AHEAD!! I don't expect you to become a god at everything you attempt, but at least have an idea of what you're doing!! When scientists do experiments, do they just run around the room throwing random chemicals into other chemicals and seeing what happens??? NO! They don't!! That's just an easy way to kill you, other scientists in the room, or everyone within a 6 mile radius! Scientists carefully calculate their procedures, they outline what they're supposed to do, and they attempt to execute it to the best of their ability. Do they work all the time? No! But was it an honest attempt that, in the end, taught them more about how something worked, and could lead them to develop something that really does work? Hopefully, yes. So don't just go Lux jungle, not know what to do or how to play your role, and then question why other people are mad at you when you use the "it's just a normal" excuse. Again, start with bots and work out a plan. Don't dive in blind without knowing what to do.

-Feeding lane or being an asshole. Remember when I said there was a difference between losing and feeding? Well, there is. I can work with you if you're merely losing lane. If you can get decent CS, or you can maintain power in the face of an "unwinnable" lane, or just generally stay as close to even as possible with the enemy, I can help you. In fact, I will help you if you need me to help you. You'd be very surprised at how easily you can turn a losing lane into a winning lane just by actually helping them. However, I draw the line at the point you are 0/5, you constantly are over-aggressive or pushing to tower, or you're being an asshole to other people for your loss. Again, I can help you, but in an ideal situation where there aren't any trolls just feeding enemy lanes, your loss is entirely due to you. Don't blame me if I come to gank and you don't engage along with me and cause me to die. If you're just losing lane, at least you're trying. If you're feeding, then you use the "Normal" excuse and continue to feed, then I'm reporting. There's a difference. Learn how to stay even, don't just give up and feed them even more. And don't rage at your jungler for not helping, because I wouldn't want to gank the 7/0 Riven and risk giving her a double kill either. Play smart. I'm okay with "losing", I'm not okay with "feeding".

TL;DR: Play intelligently, learn from your mistakes, and seek help if you need it. Don't use the "it's just a normal!" excuse soley to cover for your horrible playing.

PandahHeart3/21/2015, 7:16:42 PM1 votes

Some people take normals too seriously sometimes. If you constantly criticize another player in normals for doing poorly then you need to calm down. People use normals as a way to have fun, relax or try out new champions. (you can practice on bots but that's too easy sometimes). I used to take normals too seriously but I've stopped. I have a friend that still takes normals too seriously, he calls everyone bad when they make a TINY mistake, even the person that can out play him and will d/c occasionally. He doesn't say it to them but he tells me and my boyfriend on TS. A lot of people like to go into a normals match and think "well it's normals, who cares if I win or lose?" I don't see what's wrong with that. They practice/have fun while trying and will make mistakes. Besides, what happens if you lose a normal game? You still gain IP and can reflect on mistakes that you made. And you can potentially learn from others' mistakes as well.

If they're doing poor, then they know it. You don't have to point it out. I know if I'm going 0/5 as an Orianna that I am doing bad this match and don't want to take blue because I'll die again. It's a place to learn and try. I tried hard when I was behind as Ori one match and even got a double kill but we still lost. So who cares if someone says it's just a normals match? The only time I mention that is if I'm being yelled at by someone for doing bad. You can encourage them (in a friendly way) by asking if they could do their combo a certain way, focus a certain champion or ward somewhere specific so maybe they will start being more helpful. I get that you try to win every match, which is fine because winning is great but not everyone puts in all of their ability to win, or they are just doing too poor at the moment (which I am sure they know).

Loli Waifu Lover3/21/2015, 7:51:00 PM1 votes

Personally/Truthfully I have used this phrase. My ranked games technically became my normal games, what i mean by that is i just play ranked only lol. that rare time i play normal is when im on a losing streak, with friends, etc. but when i do play normal i feel as though i don't need to try as hard, there lower ranks/unranked, and i don't feel the need to try as hard as i should almost because even if i did try as hard as i can, no one really takes it seriously enough. its almost like a superiority feeling even though i shouldn't think that haha.

Angry Monster3/21/2015, 8:21:42 PM1 votes

Also its just a game. Drives me nuts when people say its just a game. I am putting X time commitment for this game. Its not the end of the world if we lose but not trying is not a excuse for its just a game.

Iridis3/21/2015, 9:11:52 PM1 votes

I've been playing a lot of normals to practice, and I think that people shouldn't intentionally feed in any mode or not try at all. That being said, I have said "It's just a normal" sometimes if people are freaking out. If I see someone getting raged at really badly, I basically tell them that it's not ranked and not to be so upset about that person feeding.

A lot of people, including myself play normals to practice. Sometimes, the games go great and we wreck them. Other games, someone feeds or our teamwork is not in synergy. Just because someone says it's just a normal doesn't mean they aren't trying. I play normals to get better, and I like that there is no pressure. That doesn't mean I don't try to get kills/win the game. Imo, ranked is to show people what you're best at, and this is where your main champions should be played.

As I've been expanding my champion pool, I haven't been playing ranked. I've just been playing normals. I'm not a perfect player, and I try to reflect on my mistakes so that I can get out of gold and into plat (or higher) when I do decide to play ranked again.

Your point is very valid though. People that are intentionally feeding shouldn't be ruining the game for others and then just blaming it on "It's just a normal". In some cases, as was talked about a little bit above, I think it's okay. If it really annoys you, just mute them and try to enjoy the game, whether you are winning or losing :)

Snarflaz3/21/2015, 9:19:33 PM1 votes

I always hear people say this. Fiora going adc Fiora Oh im sorry is this Ranked? No? Then shut the fk up.

Everytime i see someone say that i always try to yell at them. Not too good at it though since i always wind up getting nowhere for example,

Xerath People are trying to practice here. Saying its "Just norms" is like saying No i don't wanna study for my Final exams that'll determine if i pass or not.

Then they mute me.

Sanguine Law3/21/2015, 11:34:45 PM1 votes

I say this a fair few times, but I've never just out of the blue said "It's only normals.." because it's completely unwarranted. In fact, 99/100 times I'll say "It's only normals" in response to someone getting really upset in an attempt to calm them down. When I'm losing a game and being outplayed or I've been misplaying a lot, the last thing I want to hear is some random guy giving me crap for it.

I mean in normals you pick from a free rotation too, so if for instance I'm trying Draven out and I get dumpstered because I don't know how to play him, I'll be fully aware that I blow chunks but I don't need crap from my teammates for it. In my books saying "It's just normals" is a polite way of telling someone to calm the hell down.

bad arcade kitty3/21/2015, 11:37:25 PM1 votes

if you don't care of ranked you can play ranked and say 'it's just ranked, i care only of my normals' (: people will be mad

IcyPepper3/21/2015, 11:43:18 PM1 votes

There's a difference between being a tryhard and just playing the game properly. Don't just throw or refuse to cooperate just because it's normals.

But on the other side of the coin, it's normals. If I want to play jungle Leona/Soraka/Morgana after already practicing it with my friends, I don't want to be raged at during a game that's intended for competitive fun. I'll save the strict meta and strategy for ranked, please.

Leti the Yeti3/22/2015, 12:12:50 AM1 votes

I will do things like ap xin zhao penetration mundo ap sona

stuff like that, because well..."it's just normals" I dont let it excuse my failures, but it is certainly for that reason which I would do dumb shit.... (that doesnt fail)

AbsoluteSadman3/22/2015, 12:41:44 AM1 votes

Hey, if i want to play on hit zac in a normal and you flame me, i will darn well tell you "Its only normals"

Matthias91193/22/2015, 2:06:35 AM1 votes

You can't have it both ways. If you want people to tryhard and bring their "A" game every match, you should play Ranked. Not that this is a guarantee, but you're more likely to get that in a Ranked queue.

You get matched up with people that are doing about as well as you are over time. That group might include:

  • A player who is not as strong as you are mechanically but trying really hard, with good meta game knowledge, etc.
  • A player who has worse game knowledge than you but is stronger mechanically and trying really hard.
  • A player whose "A" game is somewhat better than yours but who goofs around a bit and tries different things in normals.
  • A player whose "A" game is MUCH better than yours but does silly/meta-breaking things or plays normals under the influence.

I'm not saying this excuses people deliberately throwing matches or doing things they know to be terrible. Players need to try to win regardless of the queue. But expecting everyone to take everything EXACTLY as seriously as you want them to is not realistic.

I also suspect that sometimes you're misreading the tone of the statement. There's a big difference between "IMMA THROW THIS GAME BECAUSE ITS JUST NORMALS LOL" and "there's no need to get upset at someone who's struggling, it's just normals".

bad arcade kitty3/22/2015, 2:18:37 AM1 votes

hm, reading all this i think i definitely should begin to play penetration mundo in ranked, i dont care of ranked so to 'expect me take everything exactly as serious as they want me to is not realistic' right?

Mahautsukai3/22/2015, 4:07:14 AM1 votes

There is nothing I've read officially to say you have to apply yourself fully in Ranked or that normal is face-roll play. You just have to adhere to the Summoners Code and Terms of Service. I get tired of people trying to impose what they think each division should mean.

Personally I don't understand why people would bother playing a game and further impose on 9 others their toxic laziness and don't try to a fair level. That said I don't think it is black and white. I'm not looking for balls-to-the-wall serious time! I would just ask for a fair and honest attempt at working with the team and trying to win while you learn or experiment.

Of course the whole issue and discourse is muddled by the endless deluge of trolls, asshats and toxic players muddying this issue and the discussion.

Lagerbaer3/22/2015, 5:07:01 AM1 votes

You have to be careful here. Normals is not ranked. This means that I shouldn't be expected to have every aspect of my performance optimized for maximum win. If I play ranked, I want to support as Leona, Thresh or Morg, because I'm really decent at those champs. But I know that I'll eventually reach a plateau where I'll have to broaden my spectrum. I can only play a half-assed Nasus top, Annie/Morg/Karma mid, a few Junglers and I completely suck at ADC.

So now that I'm actually placed in ranked and want to improve, what do I do? I go into normal games and play new champions in new roles. I'm not as good as Corki, Zed, Jax, Lee Sin as I am as Leona or Morgana. So I'll miss skillshots, mess up combos, get timings wrong etc etc.

On the other hand: Within the champion selection I still try my best, and on this point I'm with you. "It's just normals" is no excuse to feed or troll.

Thing is, the people who say that actually do care, and they care so much that they have to make an open demonstration of how little they care. It's kinda sad.

So... what to do about it? I don't know. Make "Not even trying" a reportable offence?

Divewing3/22/2015, 5:58:53 AM1 votes

"It's just normals" is fine when: You play AD Taric mid "It's just normals" is not fine when: You play rammus mid with tp ghost so you can run into the enemy mid t1 to feed super hard

bad arcade kitty3/22/2015, 7:18:10 AM1 votes

had 'it's just normals' ziggs today who heavily fed and then began to run into the towers and afk at the base i'm seriously considering to troll ranked training new champions and stuff there, i dont care of ranked so why i cannot spoil it for people who care of it if they can spoil me my normal drafts

warpenguin5553/23/2015, 2:05:04 PM1 votes

most of the people who say that clearly dont understand that some people are using normals to practice for ranked. If somebody is getting down on themselves i will say that its just normals sometimes because i wanna make them feel better.

RandyKuntz313/21/2015, 4:07:46 PM1 votes

This also happens in ranked now a days to. Last season I was a Silver 4 player and this season I ran into so many of those people in my provisional matches which then resulted in me only winning 4 matches and being place Bronze V, I always get near promotion matches and then find myself getting teams who feed or just don't communicate. Personally I feel the overall Ranked system and what not needs a re-work.

AJStarhiker3/21/2015, 4:08:33 PM1 votes

If I'm saying "It's just normals" it because I'm trying to convince myself not to be be annoyed at another player or an imminent loss.

Distractivated3/21/2015, 4:14:19 PM1 votes

Just mute them and continue to carry. Moving forward? Play ranked, nobody's going to stay "it's just ranked" ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)