Introduction
League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that consists of various roles: Top, Jungle, Mid, Bottom Carry (ADC), and Support. Support, being the least popular role in the game, often gets overlooked. However, the new version of League of Legends has significantly increased the importance of support roles in the game.
Why Support Roles are Important
Support roles in League of Legends have traditionally been viewed as the "ward bots" of the game - the players who exist to keep their team alive and offer a helping hand but not do much else. However, this new version of League of Legends changes all that. Support roles have become crucial to the success of a team, especially in the early game, when they can roam around the map securing objectives and setting up plays. They assist their ADC to get gold, experience, and maintain the vision of the map so that the ADC can safely farm in the bottom lane. A support's ability to bring their team together and work cohesively can make all the difference between victory and defeat.
New Support Champions
With this new emphasis on supporting roles, game developers have released new support champions to the game. These are characters like Seraphine, Rell, and Lillia, who have unique abilities that support and enhance their team's strengths. Seraphine, for instance, has a healing ability that restores health to her team, making her an invaluable ally in team fights. Rell is a tank who can lock down enemy players, limiting their movements and abilities. Lillia is a unique support who is a hybrid between a mage and a tank, making her incredibly versatile when it comes to assisting her team.
Support Builds and Runes
Another significant aspect of a support role is their build and runes. Support players must choose items and runes that offer the most benefits to their team, such as healing or increased movement speed. A support's build typically starts with a support item such as Relic Shield or Spellthief's Edge, followed by boots and items that complement their champion's abilities. These items can range from protection items such as Locket of the Iron Solari that provide a shield for the team to offensive items like Rylai's Crystal Scepter that slows enemies when hit by an ability. Runes also play a significant role in support builds. Keystone runes like Aftershock or Guardian offer significant benefits to support champions, like increased tankiness or a shield that activates when near an ally.
Support Strategies
Support players must understand the importance of strategy when it comes to their role. A support's job isn't limited to keeping their ADC alive, but also controlling the game's flow. For instance, during the laning phase, they have to watch out for enemy junglers, secure objectives such as dragons, and roam to other lanes to apply pressure. During team fights, they have to be the team's eyes, placing wards for vision, and know when to initiate a fight or peel for their teammates. A support must work with their team members to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and coordinate plays to lead the team to victory.
Conclusion
In this new version of League of Legends, support roles have become a significant and essential part of the game. These players are no longer limited to supporting their ADC but are now vital to successful team play. This change has introduced new support champions, unique support builds, and strategies that support players must master to keep up with the ever-changing game. Whether you're a seasoned support player or trying to transition into the role, understanding its importance and the necessary skills and knowledge will undoubtedly make you an invaluable asset to your team.
