League of Legends XXXVIII: Featuring Mumble, The Giant Halibut

[PersonMan]

Wow ... I just had what was without a doubt my best game ever. So much fun. And even the enemy team agreed, unanimously, that it was a very fun game.

I never knew Lulu could be so much fun. She has like a hundred tricks, and I think this was the first time I correctly used them all. I teamed with Karthus for much of the late game - it makes just a ton of difference. When he's just about to die, heal, bounce, shield, transmoglify the enemy carry ... and that's basically a team fight won.

Woo! =)

Lulu is absurdly fun. The whole 'thought you were winning? Polymorph and Wild Growth say no' thing is wonderful when you make it work right. It's part of why I love going on-hit bruiser Lulu, having damage means you can bait enemies alone rather than having to hope your team can take advantage of an enemy rushing in on you.

[sonofzeal]

So, I was joining up with MrCarter11 for some fun times in Dominion. We lost our first game pretty handedly and were just heading into our second when this happened:

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Yeah, I got booted to the desktop and all I could get up was that. If you can see a "CLICK HERE TO JOIN GAME" butten, lemme know, 'cause I sure can't. I had to restart the client, and sit through the 5-minute load, during which time my team was apparently struggling along as a 3v5 since someone else was gone too. Six or seven minutes in I finally come back, get a kill, die, get a TRIPLE kill, slug it out for Windmill, do a lot of defending, and walk out with a vistory and the #3 slot despite missing half the game. Not sure how that happened - I'll attribute it to MrCarter's brilliant shorthanded play as Kog'Maw of all champs.

The next game was even stranger though. Tired of PvP we went for a quick Co-Op, but drew the short end of the straw for teammates, and I ended up carrying, dare I say hypercarrying.... as Urgot. Urgot, the "mediocre earlygame, abysmal lategame" nerfbat victim. Carrying. Yeah, not sure how that happened either.

[Miscast_Mage]

So, I decided to give Sona a go, after not having played her in months:

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Holy poop she is so much fun to play when you're not against a kill-lane support(*cough* Leona *cough* Blitz). I had forgotten how painful a Q + Powerchord AA is from her.

The only thing I'm wondering, is what's the best way of keeping her mana at acceptable yayness-levels? I prefer having armour Yellows to help circumvent squishiness, and I go 0/9/21, so I only get +3 mregen per 5 from masteries. I'm thinking build philo, then maybe soul shroud, if the AD carry is mana hungry/likes CDR too. Would Tear be a good alternative though? She would be able to fill it quite easily. Also, tried getting a zekes, and loved it; I can see it really helps the carry out.

Also, didn't grab HoG here, as I thought Rammus was getting it; otherwise I would have grabbed it after Philo.

[PersonMan]

Bruiser Lux is fun. Especially if you get fed early and snowball with your team. Our teamwork was perfect, we could chain CC so hard (Ali/Lux/Shaco in 3v3) that once, when their full-HP Rengar jumped our 100 HP Shaco, our Shaco lived easily after we stomped him.

[Nadevoc]

Sounds like I was mostly on par, just need to prioritize CDR a bit more.

Also, Nadevoc, what the hell is in Utility that you're using 21 in it? The CDR mastery doesn't seem worth it since he's got enough itemization to hit cap anyway.

Honestly, that was basically me regurgitating some advice from a few high Elo folks I hang out with/follow. I generally try to avoid it, but jungle Olaf is one of the things they've talked about/complained people tend to do 'wrong' a couple times, so I went ahead and said it. Looks like TheOddOne's guide does 0/9/21, taking spell vamp, exp gain, and CDR. It's possible 5 or 6% CDR is sort of a 'magic number' for him as far as axe CD goes at level one, but I'm not sure/would have to look into it.

Yes it is. I also did notice a lot of people fishing for honor. I'm not entirely sure how to feel about that. I give honor to those who stand out - not to anyone who wasn't an ass, or asks me to. It feels like that would be diluting it, but maybe I'm wrong. After all, it doesn't cost me anything.

I've decided I'm totally fine with people fishing for honor. If they're asking for it, I won't give it to them. But if they're being artificially nice/friendly? That's still them being friendly. I don't really care if it's them going out of their way and faking their personality, because either way, I get to play with nicer people

So, I decided to give Sona a go, after not having played her in months:

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Holy poop she is so much fun to play when you're not against a kill-lane support(*cough* Leona *cough* Blitz). I had forgotten how painful a Q + Powerchord AA is from her.

The only thing I'm wondering, is what's the best way of keeping her mana at acceptable yayness-levels? I prefer having armour Yellows to help circumvent squishiness, and I go 0/9/21, so I only get +3 mregen per 5 from masteries. I'm thinking build philo, then maybe soul shroud, if the AD carry is mana hungry/likes CDR too. Would Tear be a good alternative though? She would be able to fill it quite easily. Also, tried getting a zekes, and loved it; I can see it really helps the carry out.

Also, didn't grab HoG here, as I thought Rammus was getting it; otherwise I would have grabbed it after Philo.

I've found just mana regen blue runes and the early Utility tree masteries are enough mana regen that I rarely run out so long as I'm poking OR sustaining. Usually cast Q whenever I get a chance, and then use W a few times if my ADC is getting low. Make sure to bring a few health pots with you and use those instead of W if it's just you that needs healing - your W *will* drain your mana very quickly.

I'm a bit confused why you avoided HoG because Rammus was going to get one? The health and HP5 are always good. I usually end up holding onto my HoG the whole game for the extra bit of survivability and ward cash.

[Godskook]

The only thing I'm wondering, is what's the best way of keeping her mana at acceptable yayness-levels? I prefer having armour Yellows to help circumvent squishiness, and I go 0/9/21, so I only get +3 mregen per 5 from masteries. I'm thinking build philo, then maybe soul shroud, if the AD carry is mana hungry/likes CDR too. Would Tear be a good alternative though? She would be able to fill it quite easily. Also, tried getting a zekes, and loved it; I can see it really helps the carry out.

Also, didn't grab HoG here, as I thought Rammus was getting it; otherwise I would have grabbed it after Philo.

1.*ALWAYS* grab double GP5 in solo queue, and with rare exception in team play. If you needed beef, it doesn't matter how many of your team is buying Randuins, buy a HoG. Kage's is acceptable as an alternative if you're literally never dying, or as a 3rd GP5. You can always sell it in the end-game -OR- upgrade to a Locket.

2.I find the best itemization for MP5 is always Chalice. 890g is a small price to pay to never run out of mana, but I'd say that you should only itemize MP5 if you're ahead. When behind, its better to build things like Zeke's(inflates your carry) or Aegis(improves group survivability). The reason for this is that when you're behind, you're going to back more often due to various things like being too low on health, or being unable to survive by yourself, making MP5 less useful.

3.While tear is a great way to continue upgrading your ROFL-stomp, generally, you're going to need more beef than that, making it less-than-attractive both before and after Chalice.

[Mephit]

If you're conservative with your mana, you don't really need runes or items for mana regen as Sona.

1.*ALWAYS* grab double GP5 in solo queue, and with rare exception in team play. If you needed beef, it doesn't matter how many of your team is buying Randuins, buy a HoG. Kage's is acceptable as an alternative if you're literally never dying, or as a 3rd GP5. You can always sell it in the end-game -OR- upgrade to a Locket.

I hardly agree that it's mandatory at all times - If you're ahead a lot, building a big item straight up can help snowball your lane even harder.
On Sona, a Heart of Gold is a really good idea though, because you're already squishy.

[ex cathedra]

Tear is really dumb and really weak in a large majority of situations. Don't even think about it, for reals.

If you're conservative with your mana, you don't really need runes or items for mana regen as Sona.

Agreed. I run Sona with 15 Armor, 12 MR, and 4 gp10 from runes, and with nothing but Philo, the utility masteries, and a basic understanding of mana conservation I very rarely find myself wanting for mana. Once you have double gp10 and laning begins to end, Chalice can be useful for constant roaming, but until that point her mana consumption is really manageable. I max Q, because of sick damages. Plus, because of how often you might have to W the increased mana cost on the heal is much more troublesome than the increase on Q. E uses up a decent amount of mana and you really shouldn't use it very much at all in lane. It's rarely useful.

[Math_Mage]

Lulu is incredibly difficult to play... but really rewarding when she works. She's one of the great examples of kit fitting lore - it's an oddball, rather whimsical, highly unpredictable support kit. She slows, or she hastes, or she shields, or she heals, or she hurts, or, heck, let's throw an entirely new class of CC in there just for giggles.

I can't play her well, and I always end up more frustrated than anything, but I still like her and like her kit.

One of the most devastating combos I have ever seen was Orianna, Lulu, and a gapclosing bruiser like Shyvana or Jax. Ori E, Lulu EW, gapclose, Ori RW, Lulu R. Suddenly, the teamfight is over.

Now imagine it with Rengar. *maniacal giggle*

[NineThePuma]

I've been playing a lot of panth.

I seem to have mana problems

What's good itemization for that?

[ex cathedra]

Potions.

Chalice can work if you're laning against a mage or something, but it isn't something on which you should rely.

[NineThePuma]

I suppose carting around an item slot devoted to potions is fine. =\

[Forrestfire]

So, I decided to give Sona a go, after not having played her in months:

Spoiler

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Holy poop she is so much fun to play when you're not against a kill-lane support(*cough* Leona *cough* Blitz). I had forgotten how painful a Q + Powerchord AA is from her.

The only thing I'm wondering, is what's the best way of keeping her mana at acceptable yayness-levels? I prefer having armour Yellows to help circumvent squishiness, and I go 0/9/21, so I only get +3 mregen per 5 from masteries. I'm thinking build philo, then maybe soul shroud, if the AD carry is mana hungry/likes CDR too. Would Tear be a good alternative though? She would be able to fill it quite easily. Also, tried getting a zekes, and loved it; I can see it really helps the carry out.

Also, didn't grab HoG here, as I thought Rammus was getting it; otherwise I would have grabbed it after Philo.

I've never had a problem keeping her mana where I need it. You just need to be careful, and maybe pick up a mana potion whenever you go back if you have the gold.

[Anonomuss]

So with season 2 drawing to a close, I decided that it was better late than never to start playing ranked. Managed an 8-2 on my qualifying games to get me to 1402elo which I'm really happy with. I was majorly lucky though, most teams I had were more cooperative than I'd ever seen before.

Managed to top off getting silver by getting my first pentakill! As volibear. Turns out when the enemy team runs 2 junglers, and doesn't put someone top, volibear can just start rolling. Then a teamfight after first warmogs allowed me to get my lightning claws into the entire enemy team. Not bad for my first voli game vs people.

feelsgoodman.jpg

[Forrestfire]

I just got matched with someone I honored as an honorable opponent for the first time. It was neat to see the red sash on their box in champ select.

EDIT: What the hell am I watching?

It appears to be a 5v5, very random game, between players from 10 different teams.

EDIT: "And here comes tryhard Chaox into the fight!"

Also, apparently Junie can't run in a dress (as soraka).

This is the best thing I've seen this tournament.

[Mephit]

I'm a bit disappointed they weren't on the same page and it ended up being a complete stomp. It was pretty funny, though.

I called the first few minutes of that game. ''Huh, doesn't Jungle Lee start E?''

[Forrestfire]

I arrived about the time Teemo was stealthing next to red.

I had totally forgotten that Lee Sin reveals people.

[Reynard]

'So, Junie's going to let his health bar drop a little, and when it reaches zero...

He's going to die.'

Almost fell over laughing.

[Volatar]

Wow. They filled that place.

This is gonna be good.

EDIT: Over 7k apparently.

[Forrestfire]

'So, Junie's going to let his health bar drop a little, and when it reaches zero...

He's going to die.'

Almost fell over laughing.

I think the best part was Scumbag Krepo and him "killstealing" as the support.

[Mephit]

That's actually why his name is Scumbag Krepo. He's well known for intentionally stealing kills that were secured anyway.

[sonofzeal]

EDIT: What the hell am I watching?

It appears to be a 5v5, very random game, between players from 10 different teams.

EDIT: "And here comes tryhard Chaox into the fight!"

Also, apparently Junie can't run in a dress (as soraka).

This is the best thing I've seen this tournament.

I clicked your link.... and it was just interviews of random competitors talking about what their favorite moments of the tournament thus far were.

[Lix Lorn]

I just got matched with someone I honored as an honorable opponent for the first time. It was neat to see the red sash on their box in champ select.

EDIT: What the hell am I watching?

It appears to be a 5v5, very random game, between players from 10 different teams.

EDIT: "And here comes tryhard Chaox into the fight!"

Also, apparently Junie can't run in a dress (as soraka).

This is the best thing I've seen this tournament.

I'm a bit disappointed they weren't on the same page and it ended up being a complete stomp. It was pretty funny, though.

I called the first few minutes of that game. ''Huh, doesn't Jungle Lee start E?''

'So, Junie's going to let his health bar drop a little, and when it reaches zero...

He's going to die.'

Almost fell over laughing.

I think the best part was Scumbag Krepo and him "killstealing" as the support.

...why didn't I watch this D=

[Volatar]

...why didn't I watch this D=

It'll be on VoD by tomorrow.

[EifieFlare]

I clicked your link.... and it was just interviews of random competitors talking about what their favorite moments of the tournament thus far were.

Unfortunately, you were just a bit too late. That link is just to the world championship stream; earlier, the teams that were already knocked out were playing an "all-star match" with one person from each of the 10 teams playing a showcase game.

[Forrestfire]

So I'm actually thinking that Singed may end up banned, because Shy has just utterly obliterated with him every time he played as him.

Also, I really enjoyed the stick-figure video. Especially the end.

Can't say the same about Dunkey's video, though.

[Lix Lorn]

I was laughing so much for both. xD

[Forrestfire]

I've actually had that Garen+Darius situation happen before. Ults all around, and top lane became empty

EDIT: Ooh, a SivHD video coming up.

[Volatar]

They have a flipping live orchestra and chorus. Wow.

[Mephit]

I wish they'd stop the overanalysis, though. The ''Keys to the game'' business is honestly absolute nonsense and the amount of filler leading up to the game is ridiculous.

Loved the Orchersta anyway.