From Frustration to Addiction: My League of Legends Journey from Ahri Mid to Support “Mastery”
Currently at level 149, which feels like a small milestone compared to others, but I’m aiming for 100 more! Going through my photos, I found a screenshot from when I was level 48—my first S+ rank. I guess I was so proud of it that I had to take a screenshot. I love past me for doing that! Praise your inner child, I always say. It hit me with nostalgia to see how far I've come since then. That moment was the turning point in my League journey, and it’s what inspired me to write this post.
Introduction:
I was first introduced to League of Legends during the pandemic, when everything was locked down and life had slowed to a halt. At the time, I was mostly used to playing casual games like Animal Crossing and Super Mario games, which were relaxing and easy to jump into. But League of Legends? That was a whole new world. My brothers, their girlfriends, my boyfriend Ken, and my friend Kevin would all get together online to play, and I had no idea what I was getting into. What started as a way to kill time during quarantine soon became an addiction I couldn’t shake. Little did I know, this frustrating, fast-paced game would transform my relationship with gaming forever.
The Early Struggles: Ahri Mid and the Hate Relationship
When I first started playing League, I didn’t understand how to last-hit, how to lane, or what all these strange mechanics meant. I had no idea what I was doing. I picked Ahri because I thought she was cool, and I liked her charm and mobility, but boy was I bad. Coming from games like Animal Crossing, where there’s no urgency, no real skill curve, League felt like an absolute chaos. I kept losing, getting ganked, and having no idea how to carry my games. The first two years were a frustrating grind.
I remember thinking that I was just terrible at the game. I hated it, but I kept playing, trying to figure out what I was doing wrong.
The Shift: Discovering ADC and Caitlyn
After a lot of frustrating defeats in mid lane, I decided to try something different: ADC. My first champion was Caitlyn. I was still very much in the “casual” mindset, just wanting to have fun and not be so bad. But slowly, I began to appreciate the finer details of ADC: positioning, last-hitting, and the importance of working with your support. I wasn’t exactly dominating, but I started to feel like I was in control of my performance for the first time. Compared to the complete chaos of mid lane, ADC felt a little more straightforward. It was still tough, but there was a sense of improvement, and that motivated me to keep playing.
But my League journey didn’t truly take off until I tried a role that I never thought I’d enjoy—Support.
The Turning Point: Support, Soraka, and the S+
I never thought I’d get hooked on Support. To be honest, I’d always thought of it as the “easy” role, the one where you’re just there to heal and provide vision. But when I finally gave it a try, starting with Soraka, everything changed. I was drawn to her ability to heal and protect my team, and suddenly, League of Legends clicked for me. For the first time, I felt like I understood the game’s rhythm—when to engage, when to shield or heal, when to place wards. I didn’t need to carry the game with damage; I could help my team win in my own way.
The turning point came when I earned my first S+ rank with Soraka. That was a game-changer. It wasn’t just about the rank itself—it was about realizing that I had finally gotten the game. All that time spent struggling in mid lane and ADC had finally paid off, and now, I wanted more. I wanted to earn S+ with other support champions and see how much better I could get.
The Social Side: Duo Bot with My Boyfriend Ken and Kevin’s "Coaching"
One of the best parts of my League experience has been the people I play with. My boyfriend, Ken, has been my constant duo partner, and we spent hours together in bot lane. We’d try out all sorts of wacky combinations of ADC and support, often with hilarious results. We’d play champions like Seraphine and Yasuo, or Lulu and Teemo—combinations that shouldn’t have worked but somehow did. We learned to communicate better, understand each other’s playstyles, and, most importantly, have fun with the game. Those off-meta combinations weren’t just about experimenting; they were about enjoying the chaos and making the best of it.
Then there’s Kevin, my friend who’s always pushing me to be better—sometimes with a bit of tough love. Kevin is the kind of guy who’s always telling me to “get the minions” and “be more aggressive” when I'm in lane. I’m prone to tunnel visioning as ADC, focusing too much on individual plays, but Kevin’s reminders help me stay on track and play with more purpose. His coaching is all about pushing me out of my comfort zone—whether that’s getting better at last-hitting, making better trades in lane, or being more aware of my positioning. While I’m not always thrilled to hear his feedback, I’ve learned a lot from his persistence. He’s also the one who encourages me to play ranked games, even though I tend to shy away from them. It’s all about pushing my limits and improving, and as much as I might grumble, I know it’s made me a better player.
The Addiction Kicks In: Mastering Support and ADC
As the hours piled up and I played more with Ken and Kevin, my addiction to League grew. I didn’t just want to get better; I wanted to be better the game. I set myself new goals: earn S+ ranks with champions like Seraphine, Sona, and Lulu. Every game became a challenge, a way to improve, and I started to see steady growth. But I didn’t stop there. I knew that to be a top-tier support, I needed to understand ADC better. I revisited my ADC roots, playing with Ken, improving my positioning, and learning how to work with different supports.
Every match, every combination of champions, became an opportunity to learn. My understanding of the game deepened, and my desire to keep improving grew stronger. The addiction to League wasn’t just about winning—it was about learning.
The Beauty of the Game: League of Legends Art and Behind-the-Scenes Creativity
Another thing that’s kept me hooked on League is its incredible art and design. As a former fan of more laid-back games like Animal Crossing, I wasn’t used to the level of detail and artistry that League brings to the table. The champions, skins, and maps are all visually stunning, and I’ve found myself getting lost in their beauty. I love watching behind-the-scenes videos and learning about how the artwork is created—from concept art to final designs. It’s fascinating to see the creative process behind each champion and how their stories are brought to life through their visual design.
Whether it’s the vibrant, whimsical designs of champions like Lillia or the dark, intimidating look of characters like Thresh, League’s art adds so much to the experience. Each champion feels like a piece of art with its own unique personality, story, and visual flair. It’s another layer of League of Legends that keeps me coming back for more, appreciating not just the gameplay, but the artistry behind it all.
Looking Back: Level 149 and Beyond
Fast forward to today, and I’m level 149. It’s been an incredible journey from those early days of hating the game and struggling with mechanics, to now holding my own in bot lane and feeling like I truly understand League of Legends. I never expected to fall in love with a game so different from the ones I was used to. From the laid-back nature of Animal Crossing to the fast-paced intensity of League, this game pushed me to become better and face challenges I never thought I could overcome.
I’m still learning, still growing, and still addicted to the grind. Whether I’m playing casually with Ken, or trying to push myself in ranked games with Kevin, League has become a big part of my life. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Conclusion:
League of Legends is a game of intense highs and crushing lows, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that persistence pays off. I started out as a total noob, hating the game, and now I’m someone who can hold my own and enjoy every role. From Ahri to Soraka, from duoing with Ken to dealing with Kevin’s coaching, League has taught me more than just how to play—it’s taught me about growth, resilience, and the joy of improving.
One thing that really keeps me hooked is watching professional League of Legends esports. Watching players like Faker perform at the highest level is awe-inspiring. His decision-making, positioning, and mechanics are on another level, and every time I watch him play, I’m reminded of just how much more there is to learn. Maybe I’ll never be like Faker, but it’s crazy to see how talented and dedicated these players are. They make League look effortless, and it’s a reminder that no matter how far I’ve come, there’s always more to learn and more ways to improve.
For me, though, my ultimate goal is pretty simple—I just want to hit Diamond at least. It’s not the highest rank, and I may never be a pro, but reaching Diamond would be a huge personal achievement and a clear indicator of how far I’ve come in my League journey. So, whether you’re aiming for the top or just playing for fun, remember that it’s about the journey.
If you’re struggling with League or just starting out, don’t give up. There’s a champion for everyone, a playstyle for every type of gamer, and a challenge for anyone willing to learn. Who knows? Your S+ moment might be just around the corner. And maybe, one day, you’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come, too.
What’s Your League Story?
What role or champion made you fall in love with League of Legends? Share your story in the comments below, and let’s chat about how League has shaped your gaming journey!