Season 6 AD Carry Insight
ADC Main but can't seem to carry? Maybe I can help!
ADC Main but can't seem to carry? Maybe I can help!
First and foremost since the HUGE marksman update at the beginning of this ranked season, bot lane in it's entirety has changed (i.e. Graves becoming a Jungler, Corki as a top tier mid lane pick, etc). Getting back on track I'm going to list a few key points that I believe will help anyone from any elo learn/re-learn what it means to be an AD Carry.
CSing:
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No matter what your score is at any point in the game, a good CS amount (or lead if you're good at last hitting) is a key part of the pressure you bring to teamfights! How do you CS properly or get a minion too close to the enemy bot lane? Why, my dear Watson, abilities of course! Knowing the mana costs and limitations of your Carry is especially key to keeping yourself alive/healthy during the match. Of course you can't just spam your abilities on minions and not expect a response from the enemy but I'll cover this part in another segment.
See that minion just out of auto attack range that's REALLY low? Don't be afraid to use a quick ability on it then go back to last hitting like usual (Lucian Q/W, Jhin Q/W, etc). If the enemy happens to be in range of the minion as well then hey! Free trade and CS, feels good man. Also, don't be afraid to ping for your support to take a minion if they have a stack on two on their relic shield passive (I highly recommend using the stacks on cannon minions). How much CS should you have by a certain time period in the game? Well it varies, for those still improving overall, the ideal would be at least 80 by 12 minutes into the game.
Got that down? Then aim higher! Make it 100! Make'em feel your pressure! Still having trouble? I gotcha covered! Another really awesome tip is to go into a custom game (on summoner's rift of course) with a blank rune/mastery page and watch the auto damage your carry of choice applies to the minions. This will help you when it comes to last hitting as it gives you a sense of exactly how strong you are in the early game. Got it down? Now do the same thing but with a rune/mastery page this time! Can you feel the difference?
Positioning:
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This is a really important aspect of teamfights, heck maybe even of the game itself! As an AD Carry you are the primary backline of your team. Depending on your team comp you may also have your support (Sona, Nami, Soraka, mainly squishy types) on the backline with you as well with your mid lane (which also varies on mid laner choice). In the midst of a team, fight your team is your peel. Holding off the enemy tanks and carries while you apply every ounce of damage you have in you to completely shutting them down.
Outside of team fights a key part of overall positioning is making sure that you have wards for whatever location you happen to be walking toward. Nothing sucks worse than going for a minion near your side of the map and dying because of lack of vision. By no means should you ever outright yell at your support or anyone else for not warding when you can apply your warding trinket/vision wards. One last fact which happens to me as well from time to time is tunnel vision during team fights or just in general.
What is Tunnel Vision? Tunnel Vision is...well it's like being really into a TV show or Book and the rest of the world just shuts off around you. Same thing happens in League, except you focus your all on one enemy champ instead of the entire fight itself. Sometimes it can work out but odds are you'll die for it. How do you avoid Tunnel Vision? I personally think Music and/or being on a voice communication application with friends helps (Skype, Curse Voice, etc).
Last pointIi'm gonna make for today is Support.
Support:
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What do I mean when I say that? I mean knowing the way your support's kit works and how to Synergize your playstyle's together to dominate. For example, a Nami with awesome bubble landing skills can apply enough pressure while empowering your autos and healing you. Talk about a complete fish package! 90% of your time in lane, you should always let your support or jungler (when they gank) set the pace and follow up accordingly, unless you feel you can apply enough pressure to make the enemy retreat for a moment while your support catches up. Outside of ganks, your support is your Best Friend in the game and they'll do everything to help you win the game, so be sure to respect them! Sometimes you'll get a toxic one but that's fine, in a huge player base game like this, it's bound to happen. Just focus on your CS and Positioning and things will work out. Last but not least, while support's are the main sightstone/ward providers, remember that they can't light up the entire map for you. So be sure to try and do your part as well with warding.
Thanks for reading part one of my ADC insight Articles. Look out for more to come soon!