State Of Supports: My Opinion & How To Improve Them

Hey everyone! Let's dive deep into the current state of supports in our favorite games. As a dedicated player and avid observer, I've got some thoughts on where supports shine, where they struggle, and what could make them even better. So, grab your potions, ward your bushes, and let’s get into it!

The Role of Supports: A Shifting Landscape

The support role, guys, has evolved dramatically over the years. No longer are supports just the ward bots or heal spammers of yesteryear. Modern supports are playmakers, strategists, and the unsung heroes who enable their teams to victory. They’re the quarterbacks of the team, calling the shots and setting up crucial plays. The best supports I've seen aren't just reacting; they're actively shaping the game. They control vision, peel for their carries, and even dish out surprising amounts of damage.

One of the biggest changes has been the increased agency supports have in the early game. With the right runes and masteries, a support can now dictate the pace of the laning phase. Aggressive supports can bully opponents, while more defensive-minded supports can effectively protect their carries and set up ganks. This early-game influence is crucial because it sets the tone for the rest of the match. A support who can secure early advantages can snowball that lead into a significant mid-game advantage for their team.

Another area where supports have really grown is in their versatility. We’re seeing supports who can flex into multiple roles depending on the game’s needs. Some supports can build damage items and become secondary carries, while others can focus on utility and crowd control to disrupt enemy formations. This adaptability is huge because it allows teams to adjust their strategies on the fly and keep their opponents guessing. This versatility adds a layer of complexity and excitement to the role, making it more engaging for players who enjoy adapting to different situations.

The Good: What Supports are Doing Right

Let’s start with the positives because supports deserve some love! One thing supports are absolutely crushing right now is vision control. The importance of vision cannot be overstated. A well-warded map provides crucial information about enemy movements, allowing teams to make informed decisions about objectives, rotations, and fights. Supports are the primary vision providers, and their ability to deny enemy vision while establishing their own is a game-changer. Good supports are constantly thinking about ward placement, ward timers, and how to maximize the value of their vision.

Another area where supports excel is in their ability to enable their carries. Whether it’s through heals, shields, buffs, or crowd control, supports are the glue that holds the team together. They create opportunities for their carries to shine, and they’re often the difference between a fed carry and a shut-down one. This enabling role is crucial because carries are often the primary damage dealers, and they need support to stay alive and deal that damage. Supports understand this and play accordingly, prioritizing their carry's safety and effectiveness.

Supports also shine in their ability to make game-changing plays. A well-timed crowd control ability, a clutch heal, or a perfectly executed engage can turn the tide of a fight and win the game. Supports are often the initiators, setting up plays for their team to follow through on. This playmaking ability is what makes the support role so exciting. It’s not just about passively protecting; it’s about actively creating opportunities for your team to succeed. The satisfaction of landing a game-winning crowd control or making a clutch save is unmatched.

The Bad: Challenges and Frustrations for Supports

Now, let’s talk about the not-so-good stuff. Being a support isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. One of the biggest frustrations for supports is the lack of recognition. Supports often make crucial plays that go unnoticed, and they rarely get the same glory as carries or damage dealers. This lack of recognition can be disheartening, especially when you’re putting in the effort to keep your team alive and set them up for success. It's frustrating when the carry gets all the credit for a play that was entirely set up by the support.

Another challenge for supports is the limited gold income. Supports often have to make do with very little gold, which can restrict their item builds and overall impact on the game. While support items have become more gold-efficient over time, it can still be challenging to keep up with the rest of the team in terms of power. This limited gold income means supports have to be very strategic about their item choices, prioritizing items that provide the most utility for their team.

Supports also face the challenge of dealing with toxic teammates. Because supports are often seen as the “mom” of the team, they’re frequently the target of blame when things go wrong. Dealing with negativity and toxicity can be draining, and it can make it hard to focus on playing your best. Supports have to have a thick skin and the ability to shrug off negativity while still focusing on their job. This can be a real challenge, especially in high-pressure situations.

The Potential: What Could Make Supports Even Better

So, what can be done to improve the support experience? I have a few ideas. First, I think it would be great to see more ways for supports to earn gold. Maybe some new support items that generate gold passively, or perhaps some changes to the support quest that reward aggressive play. Giving supports more gold would allow them to build more impactful items and have a greater influence on the game. This would not only make the role more rewarding but also allow for more diverse support builds and playstyles.

Another thing that would be awesome is more visibility for support plays. Maybe some in-game highlights that showcase support plays, or a better system for recognizing support contributions on the scoreboard. Giving supports more recognition would help to combat the feeling that they’re underappreciated and encourage more players to pick up the role. Highlighting support plays would also educate other players about the importance of the role and the impact that a good support can have on the game.

Finally, I think it’s important to continue to develop new and innovative support champions. Champions with unique kits and playstyles can make the support role feel fresh and exciting. We’ve seen some great support champions released in recent years, but there’s always room for more. These new champions could introduce new mechanics, new strategies, and new ways for supports to impact the game. A constant influx of new support champions would keep the role dynamic and appealing to a wide range of players.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the current state of supports is a mixed bag. Supports are incredibly impactful and essential to team success, but they also face unique challenges and frustrations. By addressing these challenges and continuing to innovate, we can make the support role even more rewarding and engaging for players. So, next time you’re in a game, take a moment to appreciate your support. They’re the unsung heroes who make the magic happen! And for all you support mains out there, keep doing what you do. You’re making a difference!