Ultimate Beginner Support Guide: How to Play Support in League of Legends 2024

Ever wonder why support players are the unsung heroes of League of Legends? In the fast-paced world of Summoner’s Rift, mastering the support role can be the key to unlocking victory. This comprehensive lol support guide dives deep into the essential gameplay mechanics and champion mastery needed to excel.

Ultimate Beginner Support Guide Article Thumbnail

As we step into 2024, the support role has evolved. It now demands a perfect blend of strategic vision control, diverse playstyles, and calculated roaming. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, this guide will equip you with the tools to boost your winrate and make game-changing plays.

From understanding core responsibilities in the bot lane to mastering advanced itemization, we’ll cover everything you need to know. Get ready to dive into the intricate world of support play. Your actions can turn the tide of battle and lead your team to victory.

Key Takeaways

  • Vision control is crucial for support success in League of Legends
  • Diverse champion playstyles offer flexibility in the support role
  • Strategic roaming can create game-changing opportunities
  • Mastering support itemization is key to team success
  • Understanding bot lane synergy enhances gameplay effectiveness
  • Adapting to changes is essential for support players

Understanding the Support Role Fundamentals

The support role in League of Legends is key to team success, mainly in the bot lane. As a support champion, you’re the hero who makes a big difference. You do this through smart plays and controlling the game’s vision.

Core Responsibilities in Bot Lane

Your main job is to protect your ADC and pressure enemies. It’s important to know where to position yourself in the bot lane. This helps you stay alive and get kills.

Season 14 Support Guide - Best wards for lane, Void Grub rotation, Vision tips & tricks

Impact on Team Success

Support players have a big impact on the game, not just in the bot lane. Good roaming can change the game in other lanes and get you objectives. Some supports are now great roamers, like those in mid lane.

Your role in teamfights depends on your champion:

  • Healing supports: Position behind carries
  • Tank supports: Stay near the front to peel
  • Mage supports: Align with carries to deal damage

Vision Control Basics

Ward placement is a key skill for supports. Finishing your warding quest early helps your team see more, leading to more kills and saves. It’s important to buy the right wards and use items like Wardstone to keep the upper hand in vision.

Good vision control can mean winning games.

Learning these basics will help you become a top support player. This will improve your team’s performance and help you climb the ranks in League of Legends.

Complete LoL Support Guide 2024 Overview

Mastering support in League of Legends requires a wide range of skills. This guide focuses on key gameplay mechanics for success in 2024. You’ll learn about vision control, strategic roaming, and champion mastery to improve your support game.

Support in League of Legends is more than just helping your ADC. You must secure early advantages, keep lane priority, and watch the jungle. Learning recall timings is crucial for your lane presence.

ChampionWin RatePick Rate
LoL Champion Zilean Icon Zilean52%2%
LoL Champion Sona Icon Sona52%2%
Icon showing League of Legends Champion Maokai Maokai51%2%
LoL Champion Bard Icon Bard51%3%
LoL Champion Soraka Icon Soraka50%5%

Knowing champion classifications is key for team composition. Enchanters, engage tanks, mages, and roaming specialists each offer unique strengths. Your choice can greatly affect your team’s success.

Effective support play is more than just mastering a champion. It’s about working well with your team, controlling objectives, and making crucial plays. Stay tuned for more advanced support strategies in the next sections.

Support Champion Classifications

Knowing the different types of support champions is key to choosing the right ally. Let’s look at the main categories in League of Legends.

Different type of Supports in League of Legends

Enchanter Supports

Champions like Icon showing the League of Legends Champion Lulu  Lulu and Icon showing the League of Legends Champion Janna  Janna are great at keeping allies safe. Lulu helps ADCs with buffs, and Janna’s speed and shields help a lot. They focus on healing, shielding, and empowering teammates.

Engage Tank Supports

Engage tanks disrupt enemies and control crowds. Icon showing the League of Legends Champion Leona  Leona is top in ranked matches with her crowd control and roaming. LoL Champion Rell icon Rell, an S-tier champion, is great in team fights. These supports start battles and protect allies.

Mage Supports

Mage supports deal damage and put pressure on lanes. Icon showing League of Legends Champion Lux  Lux offers high utility and damage with quick cooldowns. LoL Champion Brand Icon Brand, a strong A-tier pick, adds a lot of magic damage. These champions poke enemies and help in team fights.

Roaming Specialists

Roaming supports affect multiple lanes and objectives. LoL Champion Thresh Icon Thresh provides stability, crowd control, and mobility across the map. LoL Champion Pyke Icon Pyke, an S-tier champion, roams well and offers engage potential. These supports create map-wide pressure.

Support TypeTop ChampionsKey Strengths
EnchanterIcon showing the League of Legends Champion Lulu  Lulu, Icon showing the League of Legends Champion Janna  Janna, LoL Champion Nami icon NamiShielding, Healing, Buffing
Engage TankIcon showing the League of Legends Champion Leona  Leona, LoL Champion Rell icon Rell, LoL Champion Alistar Icon AlistarCrowd Control, Initiation
MageIcon showing League of Legends Champion Lux  Lux, LoL Champion Brand Icon Brand, LoL Champion Swain Icon SwainDamage, Poke, Utility
RoamingLoL Champion Thresh Icon Thresh, LoL Champion Pyke Icon Pyke, LoL Champion Bard Icon BardMap Pressure, Mobility

Each support type has unique strengths for your team. LoL Champion Taric Icon Taric has the highest win rate among supports. LoL Champion Morgana Icon Morgana, LoL Champion Blitzcrank Icon Blitzcrank, and LoL Champion Sona Icon Sona are also solid choices. Choose a champion that fits your playstyle and team for the best results.

Early Game Strategy and Lane Presence

Mastering the laning phase in League of Legends is key for support players. Your early game choices can greatly impact your team’s success. Let’s explore important strategies to dominate the bot lane from the start.

Getting a level 2 advantage is crucial in the bot lane. Ranged supports have an advantage in pushing for this, while melee supports face more challenges. Use minion execute support items to stay safe while helping your ADC farm.

Getting lane priority puts enemies in tough spots. After the first three waves, focus on keeping priority and watching the enemy jungler. This lets you make smart trades or pokes.

Support Guide - Early Game Macro (Lane Prio, Roams, Recall Timing, Wave States) - League of Legends

Gold Generation from Turrets

Knowing how turret gold rewards work is key to your early game strategy:

Turret TypeLocal GoldGlobal Gold
Outer25050
Inner (Mid)42525
Inner (Side)67525
Inhibitor37525
Nexus050

Turret platings are worth 125 gold each, offering a big economic boost. Focus on breaking these platings to get an early advantage and control your lane.

League of Legends Outer Turret
Outer turrets have large stone shields attached called plates

Remember, your role is more than just helping your ADC. By mastering these early game tactics, you’ll set the stage for a strong performance all game long.

Vision Control and Map Awareness

Vision control is key in League of Legends. It’s about placing wards smartly to deny enemy vision. This gives your team an advantage. Let’s explore the basics of this important skill.

League of Legends Map displaying different warding positions

Strategic Ward Placement

Warding well can change the game. Focus on areas that offer the most value. River entrances, enemy jungle paths, and objective zones are key. Adjust your warding as the game progresses and based on your team’s goals.

Vision Denial Techniques

Denying enemy vision is as crucial as getting your own. Use League of Legends item sweeping lens sweeping lenses to remove enemy wards. Watch for common ward spots and clear them often. This reduces the enemy’s map awareness and opens up chances for your team.

Control Ward Usage

League of Legends item control ward Control wards are essential for vision control. They show and disable enemy wards nearby. Place them in important areas like Dragon or Baron pit. Always have a control ward ready and replace it when it’s destroyed. They’re crucial for securing objectives and setting up plays.

Ward TypeDurationVision RangeBest Used For
League of Legends item stealth ward Stealth Ward90-120 seconds900 unitsGeneral map vision
League of Legends item control ward Control WardUntil destroyed900 unitsDenying enemy vision
LoL Item Farsight Alteration Farsight Aleration60 seconds500 unitsLong-range scouting

Mastering these vision control methods can boost your support play. Good vision leads to better decisions and more wins on Summoner’s Rift.

Mastering Support Itemization

Choosing the right support item is key to success in League of Legends. Your picks can greatly affect your lane and team’s success. Let’s explore the basics of support itemization to improve your game.

Starting Items Selection

Your first support item sets the stage for the early game. Choose based on your champion and how you play:

  • A point gemstone on the tip of a stick Spellthief’s Edge: For poke-heavy supports
  • starting item, relic shield icon Relic Shield: Ideal for tanky engage supports
  • Starting Item Spectral Sickle Spectral Sickle: Great for AD supports

Core Item Builds

Core item builds differ by support type. Enchanters might rush An ominous glowing censer Ardent Censer for team-wide buffs, while tanks focus on Mythic Item - Locket of the Iron Solari icon Locket of the Iron Solari. Tailor your build to your team’s needs and the enemy’s strategy.

Situational Items

Being flexible is crucial. Items like Gun that shoots chemicals Chemtech Putrifier counter healing, while A golden cube with an orb - Watchful Wardstone icon Watchful Wardstone enhances vision control. Adjust your build as the game evolves and enemy threats change.

ItemBest ForWhen to Buy
An ominous glowing censer Ardent CenserEnchantersWith attack speed ADCs
A golden cube with an orb - Watchful Wardstone icon Watchful WardstoneAll SupportsMid to late game
Gun that shoots chemicals Chemtech PutrifierAP SupportsAgainst healing comps

Remember, the best supports adjust their builds for each game. Try out different items to see what fits your style and climb the ranks!

IN-DEPTH SEASON 14 SUPPORT ITEM GUIDE & TIERLIST

Advanced Roaming Techniques

Mastering roaming as a support can change the game. Let’s look at key strategies to improve your roaming. This will help you impact the map more effectively.

Timing Your Roams

Roaming isn’t just about leaving your lane. It’s about picking the right time. Check if your ADC can farm alone safely. Think about the enemy support’s position and your team’s goals.

Roam when enemies least expect it. This can create big advantages for you.

Coordinating with Jungler

Work with your jungler for strong ganks. Use vision control to set up ambushes in the enemy jungle. Plan your roams to match your jungler’s pathing.

This teamwork can lead to successful ganks in mid or top lane.

Safe Roaming Paths

Travel the map safely to avoid getting caught. Use the fog of war to your advantage. Stick to river bushes and unwarded areas.

Be careful of enemy vision and adjust your path. Smart pathing boosts your gank success.

Roaming TechniqueBenefitsConsiderations
Fog of War RoamingSurprise factor, Higher gank successRequires good map awareness
River ControlObjective control, Mid lane pressureVulnerable to enemy jungler
Deep WardingInformation gathering, Set up picksRisk of getting caught

Effective roaming is about making opportunities across the map. Keep an eye on lane states and talk to your team. Always be ready to change your roaming plan based on the game’s flow.

Wave Management for Supports

Wave management is key for supports in League of Legends. It helps your team and blocks your opponents. Let’s explore the important parts of wave management for supports.

The minion wave starts at 1:05 and hits the side lanes at 1:38. As a support, you must work with your ADC to manage these waves well. There are three main ways: fast pushing, slow pushing, and freezing.

  • Fast pushing: Clear enemy minions fast to push your wave under their tower.
  • Slow pushing: Last hit minions to build up a big wave slowly.
  • Freezing: Keep the wave near your tower, often.
Mastering Slow Push in LoL Article Background
Slow Push initiated!

Your job as a support is to help your laner manage waves smartly. For example, you can push the wave before recalling. This saves experience and gold. Knowing wave states helps plan roams and control vision.

Good wave management can give you level advantages early on. If you and your ADC hit level 6 first, you get a big power boost. This can lead to kills or make enemies play defensively.

Mastering wave management boosts your support gameplay. It helps your team win more. Try these techniques in games to see how they improve your lane control and map presence.

Teamfight Positioning and Mechanics

Mastering teamfight positioning and mechanics is key for support players in League of Legends. With over 100 million active players, getting these right can greatly improve your game. It can also boost your win rate.

Peeling for Carries

As a support, your main job in teamfights is to protect your carries. This means keeping them safe from enemy attacks. Use your crowd control to keep enemies from your damage dealers.

Engage Timing

Knowing when to start a fight is crucial. Look for enemy mistakes and cooldowns. Team communication is vital for a good fight plan.

Target Priority

Focus on the most important targets in fights. Supports should try to stop enemy carries or protect their own. Knowing your champion’s strengths helps in making smart fight decisions.

Support TypePrimary RoleSecondary Role
EnchanterPeel for carriesBuff allies
Engage TankInitiate fightsFrontline
MageZone controlBurst damage

Your position in fights depends on your champion. Enchanters should stay back, while engage tanks need to be up front. Practice these skills to make a big difference in fights and climb the ranks.

Support and ADC Synergy Guide

Mastering bot lane synergy is key to dominating in League of Legends. Your support champion choice can greatly affect your ADC’s performance. Let’s explore the dynamics of this crucial partnership.

LoL Champion Rakan Icon Rakan is a top-tier support, working well with many ADCs. His versatility and engage potential help your carry shine. Icon showing the League of Legends Champion Lulu  Lulu, with her diverse toolkit, pairs well with newer ADCs like LoL Champion Smolder Icon Smolder, offering protection and empowerment.

LoL Champion Sona Icon Sona‘s W ability provides excellent healing, keeping your ADC healthy in the laning phase. Mastering LoL Champion Thresh Icon Thresh can yield incredible results. His playmaking potential is unmatched when skillfully executed.

LoL Champion Nami icon Nami stands out as a stellar carry support, amplifying your ADC’s impact. Pay attention to ADC-specific strategies: punish Champion close up photo of Kog'maw in ADC Tier List Kog’Maw when his W is on cooldown. Be wary of Champion close up photo of Ashe in ADC Tier List Ashe‘s fan of arrows and adapt to LoL Champion Heimerdinger Icon Heimerdinger‘s turret placements.

Understanding your lane matchups is crucial. Champion close up photo of Ashe in ADC Tier List Ashe and Champion close up photo of Varus in ADC Tier List Varus pose major threats as ADCs, while LoL Champion Brand Icon Brand and LoL Champion Karma Icon Karma can be challenging to face as supports. Adjust your playstyle to maximize lane synergy and secure early game advantages.

Remember, communication is key. Sync your playstyles, coordinate engages, and protect each other. With practice and understanding, you’ll turn your bot lane into an unstoppable force.

Objective Control and Macro Play

Mastering objective control and macro play is key for supports in League of Legends. Your role goes beyond the bot lane, affecting the whole map and game outcome. Let’s explore the important parts of this skillset.

Dragon Control

Dragons are crucial game changers. As a support, helping your jungler get these buffs is vital.

League of Legends illustration of all Dragons

The Voidgrubs Camp appears at 5 minutes, changing top lane.

Help your jungler with Voidgrubs at level 3. Their ‘Hunger of the Void’ buff speeds up turret destruction.

Baron Setup

Baron Nashor is a late game game-changer. Since Season 14, it has three forms that change the terrain. Getting Baron gives your team buffs that enhance jungle camps.

3 Forms of Baron Nashor in League of Legends

Vision control is essential. Use Place League of Legends pink ward pink wards to control the Baron area.

Late Game Rotations

Good map rotation in the late game can win you the game. Supports need a macro score of 4/5. Your decisions are critical.

Work with your team using pings and chat. The Rift Herald appears at 14 minutes. It can quickly destroy turrets and give you map control.

ObjectiveSpawn TimeImpact
Voidgrubs5 minutesTurret damage buff
Rift Herald14 minutesTurret destruction
Baron Nashor20 minutesTeam-wide buffs

Mastering objective control and macro play greatly improves your team’s victory chances. League of Legends is as much about strategy as skill. Your macro decisions can often be more important than just being mechanically good.

Common Support Mistakes to Avoid

Playing support in League of Legends can be tough. But, avoiding common mistakes can really boost your game. Let’s look at some pitfalls that can hold supports back.

Poor warding is a big error. Without good vision control, your team is easy prey for ganks and enemy moves. Place wards in busy areas and near objectives for best results.

Another big mistake is overextending. Pushing too far without vision or backup can get you killed. Keep close to your ADC and stay safe in lane.

Supports often make mistakes with timing roams. Leaving your ADC alone at the wrong time can be a disaster. Work with your jungler and only roam when it’s safe.

Choosing the wrong items is another common mistake. Blindly following builds without thinking about the enemy team is a rookie error. Choose items that fit the game’s needs.

  • Prioritize vision control
  • Avoid overextending without backup
  • Time your roams carefully
  • Build items that counter the enemy team

By fixing these common support mistakes, you’ll play better and climb ranks faster. Remember, supporting is about helping your whole team, not just your ADC.

Conclusion

The support role in League of Legends is far more than just a sidekick position – it’s the backbone of successful teams and the catalyst for game-changing plays. As we’ve explored throughout this guide, mastering support requires a unique blend of skills, from precise vision control to strategic roaming and champion expertise.

Key aspects of support mastery include:

  • Strategic vision control that enables team success
  • Calculated roaming that creates map-wide pressure
  • Synergistic partnerships with ADCs that dominate the bot lane
  • Smart itemization that adapts to game situations
  • Precise positioning that maximizes impact in teamfights
  • Objective control that secures game-winning advantages

Remember that great support players are distinguished not just by their mechanical skills, but by their game awareness and decision-making. Whether you’re playing an enchanter, engage tank, mage, or roaming specialist, your actions ripple across the map and influence every aspect of the game.

The support role continues to evolve, offering more opportunities than ever to impact the game. By applying the strategies and concepts covered in this guide, while staying adaptable to meta shifts and patch changes, you’ll develop into a formidable support player who can consistently create advantages for your team.

Whether you prefer the protective style of enchanters, the playmaking potential of engage supports, or the aggressive approach of mage supports, your success comes from mastering these fundamental principles and adapting them to each unique match. Now it’s time to take this knowledge to the Rift and begin your journey to support excellence!

FAQ

What are the main responsibilities of a support in League of Legends?

Supports in League of Legends have key roles. They engage in fights and set up vision. They also protect the ADC and ward important map areas. Their work is crucial for early game success and team coordination.

How can I improve my vision control as a support?

To better control vision, place wards strategically. Use control wards to block enemy vision. Focus on areas around objectives and your side of the map. Work with your team to keep vision and clear enemy wards.

What are the different types of support champions?

There are several types of support champions. Enchanters, like Yuumi and Karma, offer heals and utility. Engage tanks, such as Alistar and Leona, disrupt the battlefield. Mage supports, like Brand, add damage. Roaming specialists, like Bard, impact other lanes.

How do I secure a level 2 advantage in bot lane?

For a level 2 advantage, ranged supports push the wave hard. Melee supports use items to stay safe. Aim to kill the first wave and the first three minions of the second wave to level up first.

What are some key items for supports?

Important items for supports include Chemtech Putrifier and Thornmail. Ardent Censer is great for enchanters. Watchful Wardstone boosts map control. Always adjust your build based on the game and use Blitz.gg for the best builds.

When is the best time to roam as a support?

Roam when your ADC is safe and can farm alone. Roam for objectives or to help your jungler. Always think about your ADC’s safety and use safe paths through the jungle.

How can I improve my teamfight performance as a support?

To do better in teamfights, know your role. Practice good positioning and timing. Work on engaging at the right moment and prioritize targets. Communicate well with your team during fights.

How do I choose the right support champion to complement my ADC?

Choose a support that matches your ADC’s style. Consider synergies and communicate with your ADC. Be flexible and adapt to your team’s needs.

What are some common mistakes to avoid as a support?

Avoid overextending without vision and poor ward placement. Don’t roam too early and leave your ADC exposed. Choose the right items and focus on objective control. Adapt to the game state and enemy composition.

How can I climb ranks faster as a support?

To climb ranks faster, master vision control and map awareness. Improve your lane presence and early game strategy. Learn advanced roaming and understand wave management. Focus on teamfight positioning and mechanics. Develop synergy with your ADC and control objectives. Adapt to meta changes and learn from mistakes.

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Chris

Chris, the founder and owner of lolfinity.com, is a seasoned veteran in the world of League of Legends and online gaming. With a passion that ignited at the very inception of League of Legends, Chris has been an active player and community member since the game's earliest days.

In 2012, recognizing the challenges faced by fellow gamers in acquiring reliable and high-quality League of Legends smurf accounts, Chris founded lolfinity.com. It was born out of a desire to provide a trustworthy solution to the community, protecting enthusiasts from potential scams and ensuring a seamless experience.

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