Protect, engage, ward: the job of a support is simple. Simple is far from easy, though. When it comes to how to play support, LoL offers plenty of ways of carrying the game. Landing crucial hooks, outsmarting the opponents, controlling the vision might not grant the recognition, but it’ll yield the LP. Here’s how to play support in League of Legends.
In League of Legends, supports go to the bot lane alongside the ADC. A core particularity of this role is to not farm minions to let the marksman get more money, instead relying on their class’ item that passively generates gold.
In lane, the support fights the enemy bot lane with their marksman, being able to focus on the PvP as they don’t need to farm. Having access to refillable wards, they’re also tasked with providing vision around the lane and map.
Later on, supports keep their vision duties, and the rest of their role in the game depends on their champion’s class.
LoL supports are split into three major categories.
Blitzcrank, one of the best LoL supports for beginners. Image Source: Riot Games
Supports start the game with a World Atlas, the support item. The World Atlas passively generates gold and charges of Shared Riches. Supports can use charges by:
After earning 400 gold, the World Atlas upgrades into an item of the player’s choice, and holds 3 stealth wards which refill upon going to base.
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In the laning phase, the first thing to do is to push the minion wave for level 2. At level 2, champions are much stronger than at level 1, creating an opportunity to initiate a fight with that advantage.
It’s important to count the minions and act accordingly. A duo lane reaches level 2 when the 9th minion dies (3rd minion of the 2nd wave). Count allied and enemy creeps, be ready to engage upon hitting level 2, or to play back if the opponents are set to reach it first.
The same strategy repeats at every level, but mostly 3 and 6.
In lane, supports want to simultaneously protect their ADC and allow them to farm in peace, and prevent the opponent from doing so. Enchanters and pokers have damaging spells for that, while tanks want to walk into the opponent’s face to force them away.
Braum will always be there to show you how to play support in LoL. Image Source: Riot Games
Supports in LoL can roam from their lane to help another (usually, mid lane or the jungler). The best time to do it is when the marksman is recalling, and the wave will push back towards them, and they are at no threat of being dove.
Roaming has a cost. The support loses resources, the bot lane loses pressure, and a positive result isn’t guaranteed. If done at the wrong time, roaming can throw the game.
When in doubt, it’s best not to roam at all and to stay with the marksman. Simply trying to follow what the best LoL players in support do without understanding why won’t end well.
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After the laning phase, the best bet is to stick with the marksman, especially for an enchanter. A tank support might also want to pair up with the jungler for tag-team plays. Enchanters can stay by the carries and worry about their safety, poke champions can try to harass from afar, and tanks posture aggressively to look for engages.
The support also needs to ward objectives, the jungle, and the flanks when pushing. A dragon or Baron without vision is a major risk. Supports shouldn’t ward alone unless the area is safe. Following a teammate to go warding while protected is always better than wandering alone and risking dying.
Featured Image Source: Riot Games
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