Think you’ve mastered your favorite League of Legends champion, only to see them banned from the tournament play?
We’ve all been there. But ever wondered why? Strap in as we peel back the curtain on the strategic world of champion bans.
TL;DR:
- Bans in tournaments are strategic, designed to disrupt an opponent’s comfort picks or game plan.
- Pantheon was the most banned champion in the 2020 League of Legends World Championship.
- Champions might be banned due to their powerful abilities or difficulty to counter, disrupting the game balance.
- Tournament bans are crucial to maintaining a competitive, fair environment in LoL esports.
Decoding the Ban
In every League of Legends tournament, the pick and ban phase is a crucial prelude. According to renowned esports commentator Trevor “Quickshot” Henry, “Banning champions is a strategic move.
It’s about denying your opponent their comfort picks, or champions that would disrupt your game plan. It’s a crucial part of the pre-game strategy.”
Tactical Decision-making
When a champion’s ban rate spikes, it’s usually a sign they’re shaking up the meta.
During the 2020 League of Legends World Championship, Riot Games reported Pantheon had a ban rate of a whopping 79.1%.
This speaks volumes about Pantheon’s potential to disrupt gameplay.
Why the Strong Get Stronger
One key reason why some champions get more bench time in tournaments is their potential to disrupt game balance.
Champions may be deemed too powerful or too difficult to counter, leading to an unfair advantage.
Counter-Strike
Just as important as powerful abilities is a champion’s potential to resist counters. Champions with few weaknesses or with unique abilities that make them difficult to counteract often end up on the ban list.
Keeping it Competitive
While banning champions might feel unfair to some fans, it’s all done in the spirit of maintaining competitiveness.
Fairness is crucial to esports, and a too-strong champion could upset the balance, creating a less enjoyable viewing experience for fans.
Denying the Comfort Zone
Another strategic aspect of banning champions involves knocking opponents out of their comfort zones. Each player or team tends to have ‘comfort picks’ – champions they’re exceptionally adept at playing.
By banning these champions, teams can disrupt their opponents’ strategies, forcing them to adapt on the fly.
FAQs
1. Why was Pantheon the most banned champion in 2020? Pantheon was a powerhouse in the 2020 meta, possessing a unique combination of abilities that made him difficult to counteract, leading to his high ban rate.
2. How are champions selected for bans in tournaments? The decision to ban champions is strategic, focusing on disrupting an opponent’s game plan or denying them their comfort picks.
3. Are champion bans permanent? No, bans are usually only for the duration of a tournament or until a champion is rebalanced by the developers.
4. How do champion bans affect the meta? Bans can greatly influence the meta, steering teams to devise new strategies and adapt to the changing pool of available champions.
5. Do bans apply to all tournament levels? Yes, bans apply to all levels of tournament play, from local competitions to global championships.
6 . What makes a champion “overpowered”? A champion is considered “overpowered” when their abilities are too strong or offer an unfair advantage in the game, often leading to an unbalanced competition.
7. Can champions be unbanned during a tournament? Bans usually last for the duration of a single match. Teams can pick previously banned champions in subsequent matches.
8. How do teams decide which champion to ban? The decision often stems from pre-game strategic planning, which may involve denying the opponent’s comfort picks or banning champions that could disrupt their game plan.
9. How does Riot Games determine if a champion is too powerful? Riot Games uses extensive data analysis, player feedback, and internal testing to evaluate a champion’s power level. If a champion is deemed too powerful, they may undergo a “nerf” – a decrease in their strength or abilities.
10. Are there any upcoming changes to the ban rules? Riot Games continually reviews and adjusts its game balance and competitive rules to ensure fairness and competitiveness. For the latest updates, it’s best to check their official website or community forums.
Sources:
- Riot Games, LoL World Championship Statistics, 2020
- Interview with Trevor “Quickshot” Henry, Esports Commentator
- League of Legends Champion Balance Philosophy, Riot Games, 2021
