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Mid lane mains: how do you play mid lane? (Silver)

Sirin Gioro·5/19/2015, 3:44:57 AM·1 votes·1,922 views

Backstory: So I've been maining ADC and support since I start playing this game, I only play mid when I'm playing normals. How do you even play mid?

  • vulnerable to ganks both side of brushes
  • no babysitter (support :^) )
  • requires decision making (when to roam)
  • requires mechanical skill (1v1 with enemy mid)
  • being the second jungler (especially as an assassin)

Like I have literally no idea how to carry, how to play, how to NOT die in mid lane. Playing as a melee is miserable, you get zoned off CS and you get punished so hard it's depressing. I feel like trying to main mid, since it is a fun lane but then I have like 10% win rate with mid lane lol. I don't know if I can change my main role but I'd like to try to main mid to see if it's better for me or not. I'd like to start with Ahri if that's ok? But I usually play "high skill-cap" mids like Zed, Talon. Those two are pretty much the only mid I play but now I wanna learn/main Ahri, and Talon if possible too.

Tl;dr: main ADC and support since I start playing, every time I play mid I can't carry and idk when to roam, get outplayed very often, get punished for CS (melee vs ranged especially), win lane lose game, etc. I'd like to start mid with Ahri so any advice is appreciated. Btw I also play Zed and Talon but I wanna start with Ahri and Talon.

Thanks.

6 Comments

some taters5/20/2015, 1:19:36 AM2 votes

I main mid in Diamond 5 and stream as often as I can. The tips listed above are spot on but it can be hard to remember everything without seeing them in action. http://www.twitch.tv/sometaters

WalkingInACircle5/19/2015, 4:58:28 AM1 votes

Yeah you don't want to extend beyond halfway down mid unless you have a ward up or know where the enemy jungler is. You can ward one side and lean on that side for protection from ganks. Theres a lot of skillshot duels in mid which is tied to attacking when the enemy goes to cs. Choosing when you go to gank is all a matter of timing. The enemy must be pushed in their lane and its not good to leave your opponent free to push. AoE the creeps, slip back, and head bot/top when you're in good shape and a lane is pushed and your allies are ready to receive a gank.

Getting a pink ward on your first back is very helpful for me. You can plop it down in the river for some vision. It also helps you call mia properly if you see your opponent go by. You must keep your hp high, theres a lot of burst potential around. Try to avoid pushing the lane when possible. The dangerous game mastery is good for making you survive close victories, as it can save you from ignite DoT. So can biscuits. 10 hp has saved my life from ignite more than once.

With Ahri, her standard is to throw Q and run. Harass? Throw Q and run. Trades in lane? Throw Q and run. Getting ganked? Throw Q and run. Need to sustain? Consider using w as it cost less mana and pushes less. Then when you have 9 stacks throw Q at a new creep wave. Some people still think she's all about landing Charm, but they're living in season 4. Its a hard CC, no more or less. Its mana cost makes it sparingly in lane.

Eraest975/19/2015, 4:34:50 PM1 votes

If you are use to playing ADC and support, I'd suggest trying to learn a champ that pokes instead of burst. Try out Ori, ziggs, or xerath. Not saying you are going to be bad as Zed, talon, or ahri, just saying try the mid laners that out range the assassin champs. I think you would enjoy them better!

Drunk Rummate5/19/2015, 5:30:11 PM1 votes

It really, really depends on your champion. I play Ahri and Azir mid so my playstyle generally focuses on early game poking and shoving the wave into my opponents tower. If you keep them pushed it lessens the likelihood that they will roam and it opens up opportunities for you to roam. Just watch the map and if you see an opportunity while your lane is pushed, take it.

Good rule of thumb - every time you shove a wave into the enemy tower, you should walk through the river. Your opponent is farming minons, so you can walk around and check for pink wards or just place some wards yourself. Also, it's a lot easier to gank reactively if you're already halfway through the river when a fight breaks out bot lane.

If you're getting shoved into tower constantly it generally means you're losing map pressure. Your jungler is in danger of being invaded and your bot/top are in danger of ganks from both the enemy jungler as well as your midlane opponent. 4 man dives bot are really common as you get higher MMR and it's also common to see enemy mids contesting your junglers blue with their jungler. You have to keep your lane pressured and pushed to prevent this.

Obviously pushing lane puts you in position to be ganked. Always be mindful of the enemy jungler, keep your lane frozen at river if it's a dangerous one so that you can still threaten pressure without putting yourself in too much danger. Midlaner should be buying the most wards in the early game due to the number of gank paths mid. Always buy a pink on your first back and put it in the river brush or the brush by your red buff, it helps a lot.

Happy Cheerful 5/20/2015, 2:47:45 AM1 votes

My most successful mid in silver is Brand. He is a major lane bully, and if he gets ahead can easily pick up doubles in bot lane. I even play him as support sometimes and can top damage with support masteries/runes. Just a strong champion - and very fun to play.