Playing League of Legends is a lot like playing chess on steroids: it requires strategic thinking, keen understanding of your opponents, and a top-notch understanding of the game mechanics. But there’s one key factor that can make or break your game, something that has been quite undervalued by many players – vision control. We’ve all been there. You’re just minding your own business, pushing your lane, when out of nowhere, the enemy team swoops in and obliterates you. If only you had known they were coming. If only you had better vision control.
TL;DR:
- Professional teams with better vision control win 70% of matches
- Control wards usage has surged by 20% in high-level ranked games in the past year
- Vision control is a cornerstone of strategic play in League of Legends
- Understanding and implementing vision control can drastically improve your gameplay
- Our guide will provide key insights on how to master vision control effectively
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Why Vision Control Is A Game-Changer
A piece of data speaks louder than any words: In professional League of Legends matches, teams with better vision control win 70% of the time. As pointed out by Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng, a professional League of Legends player, “Vision control is the foundation of all strategic play in League of Legends.”
Power of Control Wards: The Unsung Heroes
Control wards, often seen as the unglamorous part of the game, have started to gain the spotlight. Their usage has risen by 20% in high-level ranked games over the past year. These wards provide crucial vision while simultaneously denying enemy vision, making them the cornerstone of the vision control strategy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Master Vision Control
Knowing how crucial vision control is, how can you incorporate it effectively into your gameplay?
Understanding the Map and Predicting Enemy Movements
Understand the importance of each area of the map and the likely movements of the enemy.
Where would they try to ambush you?
Which objectives would they go after next?
Strategic Placement of Wards
Knowing where to place your wards for maximum benefit is an art. Key locations include the Dragon and Baron Nashor pits, jungle entrances, and the river.
Keeping a Constant Eye on the Minimap
Awareness is key in League of Legends. Always keep an eye on the minimap to identify enemy movements and react accordingly.
Denying Enemy Vision
Placing control wards and eliminating enemy wards are crucial for denying the enemy team valuable information.
Transform Your Gameplay with Vision Control
By embracing these strategies, you can dramatically improve your gameplay and outwit your enemies. Vision control is more than just a technique, it’s a complete game philosophy. Embrace it, and start your journey to League of Legends domination.
Using Vision to Dominate Objectives
Having a clear sight of objectives is key to winning games. Dragon and Baron Nashor not only grant significant bonuses to your team but are also crucial areas of contest in any game. Ensuring you have wards placed around these areas, especially when these objectives are about to spawn, can give you the upper hand in securing these resources or contesting them.
Being Unpredictable with Your Warding
To further enhance your vision control game, consider being unpredictable with your warding. It’s one thing to ward crucial areas like the dragon or Baron pit, but it’s another to ward unpredictably, keeping the enemy on their toes. This could mean warding deeper into the enemy jungle or warding the enemy’s buffs.
Understanding the Power of Vision Denial
Equally as important as gaining vision is denying vision to your opponents. By sweeping and placing control wards to clear enemy vision, you not only secure areas of the map for your team but also create zones of uncertainty and potential danger for your opponents.
Mastering the Art of Vision Control as Different Roles
While vision control is crucial for all players, it takes on a different emphasis depending on your role in the game. As a support or jungler, warding and sweeping for enemy wards are part of your primary responsibilities. However, as a mid-laner, top-laner, or ADC, you’ll focus more on warding your immediate surroundings to avoid ganks.
Communicating and Coordinating with Your Team
Vision control isn’t a one-person show – it’s a team effort. Communicate with your teammates about where you’ve warded, where you suspect the enemy might have warded, and when you might need help to secure vision around important objectives. Your map might be split into the top, middle, and bottom, but your vision should be unified.
Acknowledging the Dark Side of Vision
Even with all these tips and strategies, it’s important to note that having vision doesn’t automatically mean safety. League of Legends is a game full of mind games and strategies. Sometimes, enemies can use your vision against you, baiting you into traps or creating false impressions. Always use your discretion and assess the risk before venturing into the fog of war.
FAQs
Why is vision control important in League of Legends?
Vision control allows players to have a strategic advantage by providing information about the enemy’s position and movements, helping to prevent ambushes and control key objectives.
What are control wards?
Control wards are items that provide vision in a certain radius, reveal and disable enemy wards, and remain indefinitely until destroyed or replaced.
Where should I place my wards for maximum benefit?
Ideal locations to place wards are near the Dragon and Baron Nashor pits, jungle entrances, and the river to ensure vision of key areas and objectives.
How can I deny enemy vision?
You can deny enemy vision by placing control wards and eliminating enemy wards, providing a strategic advantage by depriving the enemy team of valuable information.
How often should I check the minimap?
In general, you should glance at the minimap every few seconds. It provides a wealth of information about enemy movements and positions.
What are some advanced vision control techniques?
One technique is deep warding, where you place wards deep in the enemy jungle to track their jungler’s movements. Another is baiting objectives by clearing enemy wards around an objective, creating uncertainty and potentially catching out enemies who come to check.
How many control wards should I buy?
The number of control wards you should buy varies depending on the game’s state and your role, but as a general rule, it’s always a good idea to have one or two in your inventory whenever possible.
What is a vision score?
A vision score is a measure of how much vision you have provided for your team and how much enemy vision you have denied. It’s a useful metric to understand your contribution to the team’s vision control.
How does vision control differ among roles?
Supports and junglers often bear the brunt of vision control duties, investing heavily in wards and focusing on sweeping for enemy wards. ADCs, mid-laners, and top-laners focus more on warding their lanes and immediate jungle entrances.
Can enemies use my vision against me?
Yes, skilled enemies can manipulate your vision to bait you into unfavorable fights or traps. It’s crucial to not only have vision but also interpret what you see correctly and act accordingly.
How can I improve my vision control?
Practice makes perfect. Always remember to buy wards on your backs, place them in key areas, and regularly check the minimap. Over time, you’ll get a feel for where and when to ward.
Wrapping Up
Mastering vision control in League of Legends is a journey. It requires practice, strategic thinking, and an understanding of the game’s nuances. Yet, the benefits are immense. Embrace the power of sight, and transform your gameplay today.