Bronze III to Plat IV: A Guide
As a formerly Silver player (placed there during seasons 3 and 4; never climbed out or dropped down), my terrible placement matches at the beginning of this season left me languishing in Bronze III. This was the best thing that could have happened to my League play--it forced me to learn how to carry again from the ground up. Right now I'm cruising through low Plat, and what follows might help you do the same.
I'm going to refrain from belaboring common points here. Warding, building items situationally, warding, keeping a cool head, warding, accommodating your team, warding, and OH YEAH WARDING FFS are crucial--but you already know that. Onward to a couple lesser known keys to climbing.
- Be aware of your skill relative to your current rank.
Be honest: are you really a challenjour god stuck in "Elo Hell", or are you more or less where you're meant to be, but with the potential to improve and climb?
If you really are far better than those around you, then act like it. Pick mechanically simple, murderously snowbally champions with whom you are familiar. Disregard team comp; acquire kills. Devote your energy toward shot calling, timing objectives, and raising your team's morale. For me, these champions were Xin Zhao, Pantheon, and pre-rework Fiora. Don't overthink things. If you really are better than your peers, then pick a carry champ and proceed to carry.
"B-but muh trolls, muh feeders, muh AFKs!"
Yes, those are obnoxious. Laugh them off, file a report if circumstances dictate, and move on. If you yourself are never guilty of those transgressions, then eventually their presence will work in your favor.
Now, if you genuinely aren't head and shoulders above your peers, you can still climb--you just need to switch tactics. In these cases, be more willing to fill. Play team-oriented champs with lots of utility. Pay close attention to both team comps and behave accordingly.
- Be aware of the meta, but don't be its slave.
There's something of a false dichotomy that exists in the minds of many League players. They think that people either rush to spam whatever champ is FotM before the inevitable swing of the nerf bat, or they main a few champions who are stuck by through thick and thin.
The best way to climb lies somewhere in the middle of those two approaches. Have mains, but be flexible. Try lots of champs in normals, so that you'll be prepared for radical meta shifts.
As as example, I started maining Sion right as I was exiting Bronze. Before his handful of nerfs, he was objectively strong, and fit most any team comp, in addition to being my best champ. I therefore picked him nearly every game.
These days, he's still my main and my go-to when I'm doubt, but I know the juggernauts and a few others outclass him. So, rather than stubbornly spamming him against all comers or dropping him from my pool, I seek the middle ground. I'm proficient with Garen and Darius, who are both quite strong at the moment. If I'm first pick and Garen makes it through bans, I'll blind pick him. If I know my enemy laner and Darius isn't countered by it, I'll pick him. Failing that, it's probably Sion.
To reiterate: stay abreast of the meta, but don't blindly adhere to it.
That's probably enough said for now. I might some more thoughts later on, but until then I'd be happy to field questions for as long as I'm bored at work!