Becoming a better player

[Gandalf]

Last night I got promoted from Silver V to Silver III (game link = http://matchhistory.euw.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/EUW1/1707810543). I know we have higher-ranked players in RT (or associated with it) but for me it was a big thing. The final promotion game was an intense close game, and I really enjoyed playing with a higher standard player than those I often end up with.

Partly for my own benefit and partly for others, I would like to post some general tips on how to be a better player. I don't always obey them, and by writing them out I hope that I will stick to them more. Please respond with ones of your own, or tell me if you disagree with any of mine.

Ignore the bloodlust. This is such a common thing in lower level play. You get someone down to low health and proceed to chase them across the map, regardless of a) your relative speed or skills that give speed boosts, b) your own health levels and c) the location of the rest of the team. More often than not, giving in to bloodlust ends up with you getting killed my your target's team-mate. This leads me on to...

Situational awareness. This was utterly key in Allegiance and the fact that it is important in LoL is one of the reasons I enjoy it. What does this mean? It means being aware of what is warded, and what isn't. Being aware of what is likely to be the opposition's next target. Having a vague sense of where the enemy might be. And to react accordingly.

Concentrate on objectives. This is linked to the top two, but whatever you do should be with an objective in mind. Objectives include killing a tower, pushing a line, getting that inhibitor, getting dragon/baron. Killing enemy players is in itself not an objective, but can often be part of one, be that because you can then push a tower, or because the money will make you stronger and better-equipped to do things in the future. This means that there are some things you should rarely be doing, such as farming as support, taking ages to kill a jungle minion you end up walking past (I mention this because I did this in the last game), farming when someone else needs it more.

Team-based mentality. This is one of the hardest to find in public games - more common in ranked games but hopefully even better when we work as a team. Don't do thing alone unless it would benefit the team for you to do it! Don't take minion kills from a player who would benefit from it more. Don't take champion kills/assists either - but equally don't yell at your team-mates if they accidentally take them or believe that you aren't going to be able to finish the opponent off. And FOR GOODNESS SAKE DON'T ATTACK THE MINION THAT FIDDLESTICKS IS HEALING FROM. (Yes this one really narks me off).

[Memento]

See everything as a trade of resources.

You have X cooldowns, Y health, Z mana, A pots, B wards, etc. See every single thing as a trade. This is especially useful early.

e.g. "If I q him next he will have to use his last pot, he might retaliate with q but mine does more damage. Just have to make sure to not run too much behind him or I will go under his tower and die. I'm okay with just making him go back and lose half this wave."

eg2. Shit, they got drake cause I ganked top. It's alright, we killed him. Let's finish this wave and take the tower.

eg3. I have to bait out his q before I q him otherwise my ult won't kill him.

[FazzBumm]

i can only assist gandalfs points. The only thing i can add is:

Take decisions and dont lose time. Dont turn forth and backwards when deciding if you go gank mid or bot (as example). Use the time you have and dont waste any if possible. Time is a very important resource.