The Summoners Code

I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. Support your Team Drive Constructive Feedback Facilitate Civil Discussion Enjoy Yourself, but not at Anyone Elses Expense Build Relationships Show Humility in Victory, and Grace in Defeat Be Resolute, not Indignant Leave No Newbie Behind! Lead by Example

Unofficial Preamble

by LunarFrenzy

What is the mark of a truly Honorable Summoner? Is it the number of champions he slays? Perhaps the amount of gold he accumulates over the course of a match? Or could it be the items he utilizes to crush his opponents? Throughout my days as a League of Legends player, I have witnessed countless hours of battle on the Fields of Justice. I have experienced many uplifting victories, as well as numerous crushing defeats in the crucible that is solo queue. After countless hours of play, I can now look upon the totality of my League Career and say with certainty that I have grown immensely as both a Summoner and a player. I have seen just how toxic one player can be to every member of the game, yet I have also witnessed the enormous benefits that one honorable player can bring as well. When a Summoner chooses to behave with nobility and tact, he is unknowingly making a profound decision with significant positive effects on the entire community. He is taking a higher road than most are willing to embark upon, and in doing so he is dedicating himself to the Great Challenge presented to each of us: will we be a part of the problem, or a part of the solution? An Honorable Summoner is not the player who carries his team to victory while venting his inflated ego in allchat. Nor is an Honorable Summoner the player who becomes discouraged by his teammates poor play and begins to intentionally feed. For a player to be called a proper asset to the League of Legends community, he must possess several characteristics that enhance the enjoyment of the game for every member of the match. This document is an attempt to define these characteristics, and serve as a roadmap for all players to follow for the betterment of the community, and the advancement of the League. Widespread improvement to The League will never be possible if we are unwilling to change our own negative behaviors. If you desire to see the community improve, and you are committed to this path, then follow in the footsteps of the many great Summoners before you. Use this Code as a foundation for positive play, and build upon it a stronghold of nobility, humility, and dignity.

I. Support your Team

[Teamwork] is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. -Andrew Carnegie While we all carry a diverse set of individual ambitions and expectations into a game of League of Legends, once we hit the Field were a part of a team. For better or worse, our fates are intertwined with that of our teammates. Once the game gets into full swing, you have to make a choice between being a positive force for your team, or contributing to your own demise. Being a good team player begins at champion select. Be open minded when considering the needs of your team. If youre the last one to pick, try to fill a niche in your team that hasnt already been filled. If everyones picked and something stands out as a deficiency in your team composition, try asking for another player to fill the gap, or change roles to embrace that responsibility yourself. Remember, that by taking on a role you dont normally play, youll learn more about unfamiliar champions and increase your own skill level. Once you get in game, try to keep an open line of communication. Warn your teammates if someone is missing from your lane, or if something is placing them in immediate danger. If theyre not paying attention to chat you can always try pinging the map. Just remember that one ping is enough! Also, remember that you have to be there to contribute, so dont leave the game or go AFK! Encourage players who are having trouble, and congratulate those who are playing well. And most of all, if youre having a bad game dont take it out on your team!

II. Drive Constructive Feedback

When you confront a problem you begin to solve it. -Rudy Giuliani Player feedback is an important force in the decision making process of Riot Games. If you want to make your voice heard, taking the time to let us know how youre feeling about the game is a good place to start. When you give feedback, make sure you take a holistic approach. If you only give negative feedback, you may find that the changes you influence detract from what you initially enjoyed. Moreover, people are simply more likely to listen if you present yourself in a calm, well thought out manner. That being said, dont be afraid to tell us if you feel strongly, and why. Try to be straightforward, specific, and always try to make your feedback direct and concise. For instance, saying something along the lines of: I used to love playing Katarina because her skills give her high mobility in lane, but with the latest nerfs to Death Lotus, I no longer feel like I have a strong enough presence in team fights to be viable. I dont think that Im going to be playing Kat in the future unless she undergoes some revisions. Is a much better way of expressing your dismay at a patch than beginning with an irate tirade, then asking for changes to be reverted or attempting to force an alternate solution. Remember that were listening and making changes every couple of weeks, so, with a little patience, you may find that your issues will work themselves out.

III.

Facilitate Civil Discussion

To disagree, one doesn't have to be disagreeable. -Barry Goldwater

As we mentioned earlier, we want you to give feedback, but being part of the community doesnt stop there. Whether youre in chat, in a game, or on the forums, there are plenty of people to meet, and plenty of topics to discuss. Whether youre discussing game balance and champion viability, trying to form a premade team, or just want to express your affection for the legendary and infamous Gentleman Chogath, we encourage you to share your thoughts with other players. When you choose to participate in a discussion with the rest of the playerbase, always try to be receptive to another players point of view. If you keep an open mind, youd be surprised what valuable information you can glean from your fellow players. Also, be mindful of how you present your point of view. If a player feels strongly on a subject, dont get caught up trying to have the last word. Just state your side and exit the conversation gracefully rather than give them the opportunity to pick a fight.

IV.

Enjoy Yourself, but not at Anyone Elses Expense

Short is the joy that guilty pleasure brings. -Euripides

Making games is our business, so it should come as no surprise that we want you to have a lot of fun. We want you to get excited, to have tension-filled moments, and to celebrate your success. This doesnt mean that were okay with you ruining anybody elses day. Remember, taking a jab at your friend in the middle of the game is a lot different than making a glib remark at a complete stranger. Someone who is unfamiliar with what you consider playful may take your comment as an attack and react unfavorably. If two players on a team start fighting, good communication and teamwork become nearly impossible. Once communication breaks down, the likelihood of victory is drastically diminished. It isnt uncommon for simple, good natured teasing to spiral out of control into a loss, so do yourself a favor and dont run the risk of sabotaging your own success.

V. Build Relationships
No man is an island... -John Donne League of Legends is a team game, and, as such, familiarity and rapport with the other competitors with whom you play is going to be a big part of your success. With that in mind, it would behoove you to adopt a cordial demeanor and attempt to make friends. If you have fun playing with another player, make use of the end of game lobby to thank that player for the game and send a friend request. The more friendly players that you have at your disposal, the better your chances are of getting a good, friendly game. Also, if you have friends who you think might be a good fit for the game and community, dont hesitate to shoot them an invite. Not only will you earn yourself some awesome swag, youll have more friends you can call upon when youre having trouble flying solo.

Use the tools at your disposal to try and build a circle of other players of a similar skill level. If you have a relationship with a group of players that you trust, you are much more likely to get good feedback on how youre playing, receive support when learning a new champion, and just have a good time overall.

VI.

Show Humility in Victory, and Grace in Defeat

To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals is courtesy, to inferiors is nobility. -Benjamin Franklin Having a great game is one of the biggest joys that League of Legends can bring you. But always bear in mind that when youre relishing that landslide victory there is someone on the receiving end that is probably ripping their hair out. While its alright to celebrate, make sure that you keep any gloating (or any other mode of self-indulgence) out of all chat. Instead, thank your opponents for the game. After all, despite their best efforts, they just made you a very happy person. Moreover, if youve just lost, avoid pointing any fingers or deploying excuses. Even if you had a great game, its not alright to blame your team. You had five opponents in that game, and - seeing as you just lost - chances are that they had something to do with it. We all know that losing can be frustrating, particularly if its a close game or one thats completely one sided, but nobody likes a sore loser. Instead, thank your opponents for the game, and take a moment at the end of game screen to ask what you could have done better. If youre polite, you might pick up a few pointers that can help you counter your opponents strategy in the future.

VII.

Be Resolute, not Indignant

It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience. -Julius Caesar Intrinsic to the idea of competition is the notion that, when our pride is on the line, emotions tend to run high. Every person that we encounter is going to carry a different set of circumstances with them into the game, and therefore is going to have a different level of tolerance for frustration. If you end up in a game with an abusive player, dont lower yourself to their level. Instead, politely ask them to calm down.And remember, even if youre having a bad game, quitting or going AFK just ruins the game for the rest of the players. If someones really starting to bother you, the mute and ignore commands are always there to resolve the situation. And remember, while nobody likes being insulted, it pays to take a moment to consider the circumstances. Remember that this is a competitive game, and, more often than not, the other player is just venting their frustration. Try not to take it personally. Everyone has a breaking point and everyone rages sometimes. At some point you may find yourself in the other persons shoes.

VIII.

Leave No Newbie Behind!

Be an opener of doors for such as come after thee. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

We all started somewhere, and if were going to do justice to the people who helped us move up the ladder, we have to start by paying homage to our roots. If you see a player having a bad game, or who clearly doesnt grasp the fundamentals of the genre, try offering some constructive advice. If you do so in a civil and friendly manner, its likely that they will be receptive. Oftentimes theyll be downright grateful that somebody took the time to let them know how to improve instead of yelling at them. Never get frustrated by an inexperienced players performance. At some point, you were just as green as they were, even if it was the day that you downloaded the League of Legends client. Have a little patience, and try and help the player step up to a level where both of you can enjoy the game. At the same time, dont be discouraged if they arent receptive. Some small percentage of players will get hung up on the notion that they dont need anybodys help, and, no matter how politely you try to lend a hand, they wont want to hear it. Thats no reason to give up on the rest of them!

IX.

Lead by Example
Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions. -Harold S. Geneen

If you share our vision of a game where players exercise good sportsmanship, help each other improve and form lasting friendships, youve got to start living the dream before anybody everybody else is willing to do so. Its all well and good to say youre on board for the revolution, but if you dont first make yourself a paragon of model behavior, no one is going to be fooled. Nobodys asking you to be perfect, but we do want you to, whenever possible, strive to uphold the same standards of behavior that you expect everyone else to maintain. So, remember! Stay positive, remain calm, and keep to the code!