Do you belong in your ELO?

Ever since ranked games have been introduced, I've been seeing countless rant threads posted in the forum complaining about how "ELO hell" is impossible to get out of, thanks to feeders/leavers/etc...Although I have not been to the deepest end of the so-called "ELO hell", I can tell you one thing: you belong in your ELO, no excuse, no exceptions.


Most players that complain about being stuck in "ELO hell" simply don't understand what it takes to carry themselves to a higher ELO. Because they don't truly understand their weaknesses and playing style, blaming others for losing is much easier. Think about it this way, if there is such a thing called "ELO hell" where its impossible for GOOD PLAYERS SUCH AS YOURSELF to rise to a higher ELO, then how did hundreds of other players do it? Do you think Riot is purposely fking with you by putting all the feeders, leavers, non-english speakers and trolls in your team for shits and giggles? To put it in an even more humiliating way, how the hell did Milkfat climbed to 1750 rating when he has only been playing LoL for 32 days? (I don't care who he duo-queued with).

For one thing, I can assure you that 90% of the whiners that complain about leavers are exaggerating. I have never had a ranked game where a player would leave under normal circumstances. Sure, if 25 minutes into the game and the score is 0-20 and my team is full of trolls, even I would leave.  But how did a perfectly good game turn out like that anyways? Maybe your lack of leadership skills, or skills, caused an enraged player to leave?


I have created a list of reasons why players are stuck in "ELO hell" and provided solutions to all of them. The verdict remains the same: ELO hell is merely an excuse created by incompetent players. Harsh, but if you are serious about leaving ELO hell, you have to accept the reality.


1. Are you truly, truly trying hard enough?
If you think you are truly trying hard in this game to improve your skills, check the following criteria:
0. I play ranked games for SRS BSNS and improving is part of having fun.
1. I try to fight to the last minute even if only my Nexus is left standing. (if there is a slight possibility in winning)
2. I always blame myself in someway for losing. I remember my mistakes and work hard every game to correct them so I won't make the same mistakes twice.
3. I watch Pro livestreams and read guides whenever I have time.
4. I try to make friends in every game and duo queue with the ones I believe can help me improve my ELO.
5. I always create practice games to improve specific skills such as last hitting, positioning, etc.
6. I play a variety of champions with different roles and are decent with most of them.
7. I see feeders as a challenge that can force me to improve my gameplay, not complaining how much Riot sucks.
8. I don't care what my score is or how much my team hates my build as long as we win.


2. Trolls are always pissing me off and distracting the team!
Trolls are everywhere and they will always exist whether you like it or not. Troll is not a specific group of players because everyone can be a troll. I troll too sometimes when I have a really, really bad day. I have a friend I play with on vent. He is a very nice person but sometimes he intentionally feeds when a flame war occurs. He is a troll, but still a human being. Sometimes we do disgustingly mean things over the internet without even realizing it. Many players label someone as a troll for ONE THING they said. Sometimes a group of players will all gang up against the troll. Chill the fk out, it's just a game! Have you ever tried to understand a troll and offered a solution instead of countering? If you really can't help feeling pissed - type /ignore playername.


Trolls don't have to be bad players. I have games where trolls get the most amount of kills and carry the team to victory. In these games, no one on my team started any kind of flame war just because the troll said something. If we flamed the trolls, they might leave and we would lose a game otherwise could have been won.


3. feeders screw up the game!
Feeders feed because they are either new to the game, not good with a certain champion, or just having a bad day. I have fed a few times in the past, but I don't lose every time I feed because other players carry me and make up for my mistakes. Sometimes I play better on later in the game and carry my team instead. If there are feeders in your team, they can't do anything about it IN THIS GAME. They can improve later on, but not right away. Therefore, it is up to you to try 2 times harder and carry the feeders, not flame them for sucking. Most players that are stuck in "ELO hell" simply give up at some point during the game and blame fate. Maybe some games aren't possible to win due to feeders, but these games should help you to improve your carrying skills for the next time feeders appear on your team. Therefore, you should have the mindset that there will always be at least one feeder in your team in every game.
Example: if Milkfat absolutely sucked every game, how did Atlanta carry him to 1750 ELO?


4. Leavers/afkers
What cause them to leave or afk? I haven't had a single leaver/afker so far that left/afked because he or she can't play the game anymore for reasons other than rage quitting. The chances of having such players are very small. The best way to deal with rage quitters is to ask yourself what could you have done to play better and helped your teammates to relieve their frustrations.You and your recently rage quit teammate could be reading this post at the same time. Try harder next game.


5. We are doomed since champion selection
To put it simply, you never know until the game starts. A team with no pure tanks can steamroll the other team (i have seen this happened so many times). If you are judging others based on Elementz' tier list, or any other tier lists, shame on you! Before mid-high ELO, individual player skills have about the same importance as team composition. Please don't troll during champion selection. Killing the hopes of everyone in your team before the game even starts is even worse than trolling in game.


Try harder. If you play casually, don't complain about ranking or ELO hell. Play normal with your friends.