When should I start playing ranked games?

Supportive AF·10/28/2014, 6:11:23 PM·2 votes·1,121 views

So I've been playing league for almost 4 years and I have never played ranked. I own 99% of champions and have 20 mastery and rune pages set up for any role. What I'm concerned about is the fact that I have always played support. While I can play mid, support, adc, and top. I have never played jungle before. Should I practice jungling with a few champions before I start playing ranked, or is my ability to play all roles except jungler good enough? Any other tips would be very helpful. :)

13 Comments

ValyrianBlade10/28/2014, 6:24:11 PM1 votes

Get at least a basic understanding with jungle. Not knowing it is probably okay, but in playing normal drafts it's always so frustrating to have give up a favorite role because last pick can't/won't do the other remaining role.

I'd also recommend you practice non support roles for a while... support is great and all, but I feel like now it's a common back up role (Oh my mains taken? Will cost us the least as support). Which isn't to say support is easy (far from it) or can't carry (it can), but that it's a lot easier to not feed as a support since you don't need to cs or gank. So basically I'm saying you won't always get support, make sure you're at the same elo/skill level in a Lane role (adc is a natural choice since you'll know how your support should behave, but if you're matched with a duo who wants bot Lane [more common? ] maybe having mid/top at a high level would be better).

AbiwonKenabi10/28/2014, 6:29:28 PM1 votes

You should be perfectly fine. As long as you have a rudimentary understanding of the jungle, you should be ok. Most people main a certain role anyways, sometimes even a certain champion. Just ask for your role every game and hope for the best. And remember, respect the pick order: if you're first, you get whatever you want, if someone picks support above you, you have to respect that...although it honestly doesn't happen often.

You have heaps more experience than most of the hoo-has in ranked. Good luck :3

Horuzar10/28/2014, 7:56:04 PM1 votes

Personally I would suggest that you know how to jungle before you go in to ranked so that you know how to do every role.

Chaotic Reks10/28/2014, 8:24:04 PM1 votes

Don't do ranked until you have mastered at least 2 champions from every role. Before you do ranked, i would recommend trying to jungle in norms. LeeSin and Maokai would be good for you if you're used to supping, as both have a support ability

Onegarion10/28/2014, 8:28:04 PM1 votes

While everyone is giving good advice am I the only one that sees him playing for almost 4 years and NEVER jungled? I've played for 2 and have played all roles a good extent.

Malkmus71010/28/2014, 9:00:05 PM1 votes

Honestly, I would duo q with someone who's more versatile than you if you solo/duo at all. If you're on a consistent 5v5 team with the understanding that your main role is support, then you'll (ideally) never have this issue!

Magma Lux Mid10/28/2014, 9:14:06 PM1 votes

I would at least watch a stream (recommend Nightblue for learning) or some videos on jungling. I've only played a year and have been doing okay in ranked, but I have played each role a few times in normals.

Merxamers10/28/2014, 9:20:03 PM1 votes

ummm if you've been playing for 4 years then i'd say you're well equipped to play some ranked games.

The Chin10/28/2014, 9:46:58 PM1 votes

LOL I only started playing this year, around when jinx came out... I'm silver 2 :p

I'd say you're good to go

Daaaaang10/28/2014, 11:39:59 PM1 votes

You're overanalyzing it. It's okay, I do it too. You're fine to jump into ranked. Be aware though, that you WILL be forced to play a position you aren't used to. Luckily, usually someone always wants to jungle. But there will be times you need to do it.

Find what champs you are good with in lane that you can also jungle with.. Fiddlesticks Pantheon Rengar Twitch Nasus and do some practice games. I'd do at least 1 with bots.. but focus on keeping constant awareness on the map. While you're AAing some jungle creeps, or running to another camp, keep a constant lookout on every other lane. The champ's mechanics will come to you like every other champ, but jungling is really a game of awareness.

MysticWav10/29/2014, 2:37:19 PM1 votes

Whenever you want. Contrary to most beliefs, ranked is still just a game. Have fun. :)

The first few games will be rough, but just mute the ragers at the first sign and you'll figure out the conventions soon enough from those that don't rage.

OmniMoto10/31/2014, 12:25:33 AM1 votes

I would most certainly recommend that you pick up the jungle a little bit, at least get the basis of some champs, I wouldn't play ranked until s5 as well, its about 15 days away or something like that (don't take this too seriously I aint ranked either).