Why Players Dodge in League of Legends: A Deep Dive
The champion select screen in League of Legends (LoL) is a battlefield of its own, a psychological arena where teams are forged and strategies are conceived. Yet, sometimes, this pre-game war ends abruptly with a phenomenon known as dodging. But why do players abandon their teammates and willingly accept penalties? The reasons are multifaceted, ranging from strategic considerations to emotional responses and even technical issues. In essence, players dodge in League of Legends to avoid a perceived disadvantage or negative experience before the match even begins. This can stem from poor team compositions, unfavorable matchups, toxic teammates, or simply a lack of confidence in the upcoming game.
Strategic Dodging: Maximizing LP Gains
One of the primary reasons for dodging is to maximize League Points (LP) gains and protect their Matchmaking Rating (MMR). While dodging incurs a small LP penalty, it doesn’t affect MMR. Players believe that a potential loss would hurt their MMR more significantly than the LP penalty from dodging.
Unfavorable Team Compositions
A glaringly unbalanced team composition can be a significant trigger for dodging. If the draft phase results in a team with no frontline, excessive damage but little crowd control, or multiple players selecting the same role, a player might dodge to avoid what they perceive as an almost guaranteed loss. They might also dodge when someone picks a champion that is very easily countered. In this case, they might dodge to prevent their entire team from being at a disadvantage.
Unfavorable Matchups
Players often have a deep understanding of champion matchups. If a player is forced to pick a champion into a hard counter, or if their team is filled with unfavorable matchups across the board, they may choose to dodge. This is especially common in higher elos, where players are more attuned to the nuances of these interactions. They might prefer to wait for a better team composition or better matchups.
Ranked Anxiety and Dodging
Dodging can also occur due to ranked anxiety. Players sometimes feel overwhelmed with pressure, especially during promotional series, and may dodge if they perceive any significant risk of losing. This might seem counterintuitive, as dodging a promotional series counts as a loss, but the emotional relief of avoiding a potentially stressful and disappointing game can be a strong motivator.
Social and Emotional Factors: The Human Element
League of Legends is a team game, and the social dynamics within a team significantly influence the likelihood of a dodge.
Toxic Players and Trolls
Encountering a toxic player or someone who appears to be trolling during champion select is a major cause of dodging. Nobody wants to spend 20-40 minutes in a game with someone who is intentionally feeding, verbally abusing teammates, or refusing to cooperate. Dodging, in this case, is a form of self-preservation, protecting oneself from a negative and potentially tilting experience.
Uncooperative Teammates
Refusal to communicate, stubborn champion selections (ignoring team needs), or refusing to compromise on roles can all lead to tension and frustration during champion select. If a player feels like their team is already dysfunctional before the game even starts, they might choose to dodge to avoid a likely defeat.
Avoiding Tilt
Losing streaks and frustrating games can put players in a state of tilt, where they are more prone to making mistakes and playing poorly. Recognizing this, some players may dodge to reset their mental state and avoid compounding their losses. A short break can be all a player needs to come back strong and win a game!
Technical Issues: When Dodging is Unavoidable
Sometimes, dodging is not a conscious choice but a result of technical problems.
Client Issues and Disconnects
The League of Legends client can be prone to glitches and disconnects. If a player experiences technical difficulties during champion select, they might be forced to dodge due to a crash or inability to lock in their champion.
Real-Life Interruptions
Unexpected real-life events, such as a sudden phone call, an urgent chore, or an emergency, can force a player to dodge a game. While unfortunate, these situations are often unavoidable.
The Dodging Meta: Is it Worth It?
The decision to dodge is often a calculated risk. Players weigh the potential LP loss against the perceived likelihood of winning the game. While dodging can save time and prevent frustrating losses, it also comes with penalties. Frequent dodging can lead to longer queue times and potentially impact one’s LP gains in the long run. Players must find a balance between strategically dodging unfavorable situations and committing to games even when the odds seem stacked against them. Learning to be flexible, adapt to the team composition, and maintain a positive attitude can often turn a seemingly unfavorable game into a victory.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dodging in League of Legends
1. What exactly happens when I dodge in League of Legends?
When you dodge in League of Legends, you are essentially leaving the champion select screen before the game officially begins. This cancels the match for all players involved. You will receive an LP penalty and a temporary queue ban, which increases with each subsequent dodge within a short period. Your MMR is not affected.
2. How much LP do I lose when I dodge?
The amount of LP lost for dodging varies. A first dodge typically results in a loss of 3 LP and a 6-minute queue ban. Subsequent dodges within a 24-hour period incur harsher penalties, such as 10 LP loss and a 30-minute queue ban, or even longer queue bans.
3. Does dodging affect my MMR?
No, dodging does not affect your MMR. Your MMR (Matchmaking Rating) is a hidden value that determines the difficulty of your matches and how much LP you gain or lose. Dodging only impacts your visible LP, allowing you to potentially maintain a higher MMR than your current rank.
4. How long are the queue bans for dodging?
The queue ban duration increases with each subsequent dodge within a short timeframe. The first dodge typically results in a 6-minute queue ban, the second in a 30-minute ban, and further dodges can lead to even longer bans.
5. Does dodging affect my promotional series?
Yes, dodging in a promotional series counts as a loss. This is a significant deterrent for dodging during these crucial games, as it can set you back in your climb to the next rank. You should avoid dodging at all costs, as you will lose progress towards reaching the next rank.
6. Can I demote from dodging?
While dodging alone cannot directly demote you, repeatedly dodging at 0 LP can put you in a precarious situation. You will accumulate a negative LP balance, and if you then lose a game without dodging, you could be demoted.
7. Is it better to dodge than to play a game I think I will lose?
This is a subjective decision. While dodging saves time and avoids a potentially large LP loss, it also incurs penalties. If you believe the game is only slightly unfavorable, it might be worth playing, as you could still win. However, if the team composition is disastrous or you have a toxic teammate, dodging might be the better option to protect your mental state and MMR.
8. How can I minimize the chances of needing to dodge?
Improving your champion pool, communicating effectively with your team during champion select, and remaining flexible in role selection can all help to minimize the need to dodge. Try to be open minded and willing to play other positions.
9. What are some common reasons people dodge in high elo?
In higher elos, dodging is often more strategic. Players are highly aware of champion matchups and team compositions. Common reasons include extremely unfavorable matchups, one-trick players getting their champion banned, or encountering known trolls or griefers.
10. Does dodging affect my teammates?
Yes, dodging affects your teammates by canceling the match for them as well. They will have to requeue and wait for another game, which can be frustrating. Therefore, it’s important to consider the impact on your teammates before deciding to dodge.
11. Is there a limit to how many times I can dodge in a day?
While there isn’t a hard limit, the queue ban durations increase with each dodge within a 24-hour period. Excessive dodging will eventually result in very long queue bans, making it impractical to continue dodging.
12. Can I report someone for making me dodge?
You can report a player if their behavior during champion select violates the Summoner’s Code, such as being toxic, refusing to communicate, or intentionally trolling. However, simply making you want to dodge is not necessarily a reportable offense.
13. Is dodging considered unsportsmanlike conduct?
While dodging can be frustrating for teammates, it is generally not considered unsportsmanlike conduct unless it is done excessively or with malicious intent. It is a game mechanic that players are allowed to use.
14. If I disconnect during champion select, is that considered a dodge?
Yes, if you disconnect during champion select and fail to reconnect before the timer expires, it will be treated as a dodge and you will incur the same penalties.
15. Does dodging help my MMR in the long run?
While dodging doesn’t directly increase your MMR, it can indirectly help by preventing losses that would lower your MMR. By selectively dodging unfavorable situations, you can potentially maintain a higher MMR than you would if you played every game, regardless of the circumstances.
Dodging in League of Legends is a complex issue with no easy answers. Players must weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks, considering their individual goals and playstyles. Understanding the reasons behind dodging and the consequences it entails is crucial for navigating the sometimes turbulent waters of the League of Legends ranked ladder.