Learn to decode League of Legends matches: strategies, key metrics, and examples
When it comes to trading on eSports, League of Legends (LoL) stands out as one of the most complex yet exciting games. If you’re a sports trader looking to expand into this market, the first step is to understand how to read a match, not how to play it. You don’t need to know the intricacies of champion combos or perfect item builds; what matters is deciphering the flow of the game to make informed decisions.
Let’s break it down into simple, digestible parts.
What’s the Big Deal About League of Legends?
Picture a chess match… but on steroids. Two teams of five players battle it out on a map called Summoner’s Rift, aiming to destroy the enemy’s Nexus (their base). Along the way, players gain gold, buy items, and strategize, making the game a constant balance of tactics, skill, and adaptability.
For traders, the real action lies in the constant ebb and flow of control.
Who’s dominating? Who’s slipping? And more importantly, how can this knowledge guide your trades?
The Basics: Understanding the Map
The map in League of Legends is like a well-designed board game. It’s split into three lanes – top, mid, and bottom – along with a jungle in between. Each lane has specific objectives, like towers to destroy, and is occupied by champions with distinct roles.
Here’s a detailed look at each:
- Top Lane: often a slower-paced battleground, where tanky champions and bruisers dominate. A key role here is map pressure—top laners can teleport to team fights or objectives at critical moments.
- Mid Lane: the focal point of action. Mid laners are versatile, with mages and assassins dictating the pace. Think of them as quarterbacks in football—key players who often initiate big plays.
- Bottom Lane: a duo lane featuring a marksman (damage dealer) and a support. This lane often sees explosive early-game action, as it’s a prime target for enemy ganks.
- Jungle: the hidden corridors where junglers thrive, ganking lanes and controlling the game’s tempo. Junglers also play a critical role in securing objectives like dragons and Baron Nashor.
The lanes and jungle act as dynamic indicators of momentum. If a team is ahead in multiple areas, their chances of victory climb significantly.
Gold, Objectives, and Game Flow
Gold is the lifeblood of League of Legends. Players earn it by killing minions, monsters, and opponents, or by taking objectives like towers and dragons. The more gold a team has, the stronger they become due to better items. But how does this impact trading?
Follow these pivotal factors:
- Objectives: towers, dragons, and Baron Nashor are game-changing. For instance, the Infernal Dragon provides increased attack damage and ability power, while the Elder Dragon grants a devastating damage-over-time effect. Securing these buffs often shifts the game’s momentum.
- Vision Control: wards provide visibility, which is crucial for decision-making. Teams with superior vision control often dominate fights and objectives, as they can plan ambushes or avoid traps.
- Gold Lead: a steady gold lead of 3,000 or more can be a reliable indicator of dominance. However, watch for swings during team fights or sudden objective steals.
Example in Action
Take the 2019 World Championship Finals between FunPlus Phoenix and G2 Esports. FPX’s superior map control and vision allowed them to dominate objectives and dismantle G2’s strategies. You can watch highlights from the match here to see how objectives dictate the flow of the game.
Key Metrics: How to Gauge Control
When watching a match, focus on these core indicators:
- Kill Count: While flashy, kills alone don’t determine the winner. Instead, analyze how kills translate into objectives and map control.
- Gold Lead: Teams with more gold often dictate the game’s pace, but don’t ignore the potential for comeback mechanics.
- Objectives Taken: A team consistently securing dragons or Baron Nashor is likely in control.
- Map Pressure: Teams forcing their opponents back into the base—often referred to as “sieging”—hold the upper hand. This pressure is a clear sign of dominance.
Understanding these metrics is like reading the stats in a football game. The numbers tell a story, but you need to interpret them within the context of the match.
The Art of the Team Fight
Ah, the team fight—a chaotic dance of skill shots, ultimate abilities, and raw coordination. These battles often decide the outcome of a match, and for traders, they’re key moments to watch.
Specifics to Observe
- Positioning: Are the carries (damage dealers) protected? Teams that keep their carries alive usually win the fight.
- Crowd Control: Stuns, roots, and knock-ups can turn the tide of battle. Teams with better crowd control often dominate.
- Cooldowns: Watch for big abilities, or ultimates. A team that wins a fight without using their ultimates is in a strong position for the next skirmish.
Example Highlight
A classic example of a pivotal team fight is the 2018 World Championship match between Invictus Gaming and Fnatic.
IG’s coordination and ability to protect their carries led to their decisive victory. Check out the highlights here.
A Trader’s Mindset: Watching Without Bias
Here’s the challenge: don’t get too attached to a team or player. As traders, our job is to observe objectively. Is the favorite team faltering? Are underdogs taking control? Emotional bias can cloud judgment, so focus on the data: gold leads, objectives, and momentum shifts.
Why It Matters for Trading
You might wonder: why does understanding the game matter if I’m just trading?
Because knowledge is power. Markets react to what happens in the game, and traders who can read a match in real-time have a distinct advantage. You’ll spot trends, predict outcomes, and make sharper decisions – all because you understand what’s unfolding on the Rift.
Practice Makes Perfect
Like any sport, League of Legends takes time to understand. The more matches you watch, the more patterns you’ll recognize. Start with major tournaments like the LCS, LEC, or Worlds. These events showcase the best teams and provide a wealth of data for analysis.
To get started, watch some recent games from the 2024 World Championship – you can find some matches here.
So, grab a stream, take notes, and watch how the chaos unfolds. Before you know it, you’ll go from “What is happening?” to “I see the play here.” And that’s where trading success begins.
