Sam "Såm" Hok Tang is a player of the rank 1 team of NA server of 3vs3 ranked matches. His team is Gucci Gamin. In this interview we, him and I, will explain a little on how the current meta of this type of map works.

He is a great player, not only in Twisted Treeline matches but also on Summoners' Rift. This type of game involves a lot of teamplay and it is not identical to the Summoners' Rift game.

In this interview Såm explains in detail some things about the current "meta" of this type of game to help people who like to play in the Twisted Treeline but just don't know what they are supposed to do. Såm gives lessons to any player who wants for $10 and you can talk to him just by adding him on Skype (skype name: kickbackbecool).

He also has his own personal tier list for 3vs3 matches (posted below) that is constantly updated in every patch here. I hope you enjoy this interview and that you get more excited to play 3vs3 matches. Enjoy!

Såm's Twisted Treeline Tier List

Tier God :

God AP : Singed, Kennen, Cassiopeia
God AD : Tryndamere, Gangplank
God Jungle : Lee Sin, Riven, Shyvana

Tier 1:

AP Carry : Rumble, Morgana, Gragas, Karma, LuLu
AD Carry : Yorick, Wukong, Patheon, Renekton, Irelia, Shen, Fiora
Jungle : Rammus, Shaco, Dr. Mundo
Hybrid : Poppy

Tier 2:

AP Carry : Brand, Cho-Gath, LeBlanc, Ryze, Sion, Ahri, Janna
AD Carry : Garen, Nidalee, Jax, Skarner, Volibear, Jarvan, Warwick, Olaf
Jungle : Nocturne, Udyr
Hybrid : Akali

Tier 3:

AP Carry : Karthus, Swain, Mordekaiser, Nunu, Fizz, Amumu, Annie, Orianna, Galio, Vladmir, Ziggs
AD Carry : Graves, Talon, Teemo, Vayne, Miss Fortune, Malphite, Natilius, Ezreal, Corki
Jungle : Trundle, Xin Zhao
Hybrid : Kayle

Tier 4:

AP Carry : Maokai, Soraka, Anivia, Kassadin, Heimerdinger, Zilean, Lux, Veigar, Malzahar
AD Carry : Nasus, Caitlyn, Kog'Maw, Urgot, Tristana
Jungle : Master Yi

Tier 5:

AP Carry : Fiddle, Katarina, Viktor, Twisted Fate, Sona, Eve, Taric, Xerath, Alistar, Sejuani
AD Carry : Sivir, Leona, Ashe, Twitch
Jungle : Blitzcrank

Thanks a lot for this interview! Let's start just with an introducing question: Why do you prefer 3v3 more that 5v5?

Såm: 3v3 is faster paced, much more intense and if you mess up it can be really costly. High-Risk, High Reward.

Do you think it involves more strategy and it is more of a team game than 5v5?

Såm: Strategy wise not really, heavily reliant on the early game. It is more of who wins lane earlier and snow balls faster. And yes it is more of a team game, you need to coordinate more frequently, know where you should be at in teamfights, item builds, and etc.

A lot of people play 3v3 but don't really know the meta, is there a real meta for Twisted Treeline games?

Såm: There actually really isn't, it is more counter-picked based game-play. But the most common rank line ups are Top Lane with an AD bruiser, Jungle Bruiser, and Bottom Lane with an AP Caster.

Sometimes there are teams run support on their team, is that viable? Isn't it a less source of damage in a team composition?

Såm: It really isn't viable, support roles should not even be played in 3v3. In 3s you want a very strong mobility, high burst and to be able to survive lanes.

How is jungling in 3v3? Isn't it really hard to jungle there?

Såm: Jungling in 3s is actually recommended, a lot of players don't think so, but it really pays off to have smite and somebody clearing jungle. Jungling may be hard for beginners but for experienced players it really isn't.

How is the standard jungle route for 3s?

Såm: There actually isn't, it all depends on what occurs because some people counter jungle, some people go straight for the 1st blood, and some champions are just way too strong, forcing you to move out of your regular jungle route.

But my route is pretty much, start from your middle jungle camp, than go up to the other little one, and finally you either have 3 options.

1. Counter jungle them.
2. Gank if possible.
3. Go back to base, heal up, and buy a few items (wards, etc )

Talking about the middle jungle camp: Sometimes at those camps appear wraiths and other times appears a golem and two wolves. The camp with the golem gives an instant level 2, while the wraith lets you only get 3/4 of level 1 or so. Do you think that you get an advantage when you get the camp with the golem?

Såm: It does give you a slight advantage, but it's not anything really bad. I mean they can level 2 gank, but you can clear your jungle get level 2, and counter jungle, while they attempt a level 2 gank. So there are some arguements, but that’s how I think of it. They might get level 2 and go for the gank, but you can go for the counter jungle.

When you said this: "than go up to the other little one" did you mean the one that is near the lane or the camp with the buffs?

Såm: The smaller camp, like wolves/wraiths/golems. Don't attempt the stronger wolves/wraiths those would literally kill you in like 5 seconds. The only way possible to kill those are have a teammate pull it really hard for you, but other than that you cannot kill it.

When should the buffs - the top ones, and the red - and the drag be done?

Såm: It really all depends to be honest. Dragons should be done when either their team is out of position and you can clear it really quickly, or just when they are low on mana, etc.

The red buff like I said it all depends. Red buff isn't that important, you can take it when you guys need a little more CC (slow). I'd prefer taking it when you are around 3-4 level. (My Opinion)

The top buffs, you take those when you are around level 3-4 as a jungler.

Nice! Should a Summoner build his champion the same way he builds him in 5s?

Såm: Sort of, for the Gold Per 5s, they are only good for turtling potential, and Warmogs you really don't need, games don't last long enough to where you can get full stacks, plus a Frozen Mallet slow really is game changing :)

Is warding essential in 3vs3 matches?

Såm: Yes, wards win games. That is simple. Know where your enemies are at all the time.

What do you get more in a game- Sight wards or vision wards?

Såm: Sight wards (green). In every game you should only have like 1-2 vision (pink) ward. Unless you guys are counter warding each other, than you will need to constantly buy them.

Early in the game, when you get a kill on a lane after a jungler's gank, what should you do?

Såm: You push it. Than item up, you'll have a huge advantage - Maybe a Dorans or boots.

Do you think 3s matches will ever have the same popularity as 5s? Will they ever be on the competitive scene as much as the Summoner's Rift ones?

Såm: Probably not, unless people like Scarra/HotshotGG start bringing it up. Actually if Riot starts bringing any attention… They never put any tournaments or etc. I feel that if Riot does some drastic changes it'll be popular, but until than nope!

Some last questions! How do you stream with such a low computer? I read that you have 5-10 FPS, don't you think you have a big disadvantage comparing to other players?

Såm: I don't stream. I mean if any sponsors or even just somebody nice enough can give me a stronger comp I'll start streaming! ;)

And 5-10 fps…Yes …That really is annoying. But I manage, people are really surprised though, because most of them all play on 60-up. I feel like it improves my patience and teaches me how to play better.

When do you think you'll ever stop playing LoL?

Såm: Maybe when I have a wife haha! No I'm joking, probably not any time soon. I enjoy this game. Riot is a good company, constantly updating and keeping the community happy. I just wish they pay a little attention on Twisted Treeline. I'd be gladly to give them some assistance.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Såm: Um... Probably have a job, girlfriend, etc. Not sure yet. Maybe just discover different perspectives in life.

Are there any last shoutouts or anyone you would like to thank?

Såm:Thank my team members BaBeeQ (Friend), Porter23 (Friend), Vsepr (Brother) . And all the people that support and enjoy having me around :)!

I hope Såm gets a great future and I hope Riot invests in this map that not only involves great skill but also great teamplay and strategy with some breathtaking games.