Top 10 Telltale Signs A Game Is Rapidly Turning North or South

After playing hundreds, if not thousands of games, players quickly learn that there are certain events that quickly snowball into victory or defeat. Obvious objectives like dragon, baron or an inhibitor falling to the enemy are things that everyone notices. However, what are some subtle things that indicate imminent victory or defeat?

Check out these ten things that indicate whether a game is going to be an awesome win or a frustrating loss.

Introduction

After playing hundreds, if not thousands of games, players quickly learn that there are certain events that quickly snowball into victory or defeat. Obvious objectives like dragon, baron or an inhibitor falling to the enemy are things that everyone notices. However, what are some subtle things that indicate imminent victory or defeat? 

Check out these ten things that indicate whether a game is going to be an awesome win or a frustrating loss.

The Game Is Heading South When...

Your Allies Start Complaining In Champ Select

When your teammates start complaining about the picks and bans, things are looking down. Discussion over picks and bans are one thing, but negativity surrounding locked in picks and bans are not helpful for team morale. If your teammates already locked in Teemo and Fiddlesticks, it does not mean the game is over. Maybe picking up a Leona or Blitzcrank would help out.

Your Allies Start Raging In Champ Select

Beyond the champions themselves, sometimes you get two players that just played in a previous game that they lost. Losing brings out the worst in people, and they might still be screaming at each other over last game's failures. If this is the case, definitely consider if a -3 LP dodge might be worth it if it continues into the last pick.

Nobody On Your Team Has A Positive KDA

If nobody on your team has a positive kill/death/assist ratio, this spells trouble for any potential for winning, especially if the enemy team is looking good. The best way to solve this problem is for you to play a champion that you have a positive KDA on, then at least 20% of your team will have a positive KDA.

Progress.

First Blood Occurs Before Level Three Without Jungler Assistance

No guts no glory right? Sometimes players want to go for broke and secure an early lead via massive aggression. Sometimes it does not pan out and they end up three levels behind. Could be a bad sign. Allied junglers may want to camp that lane early if it looks like the battle was at least close (before the enemy starts picking up items and snowballing).

Your Allies Start Typing in "All" Chat

When your allies start raging in all chat I'm not sure if there's anything to do at this point, as your teammates are likely rapidly spiraling into a demoralizing defeat. Good luck summoner.

On the other hand...

Games are looking UP when...

Your teammates all select champions before the ban phase

WHOA that means everyone is actually paying attention and invested in the game. Even better, maybe someone notices that your team is lacking crowd control or a front line and switches their own pick to accommodate the team composition! 

Everyone is playing their "mains"

Sounds like you are on a team of "tryhards" who plays their hardest in ranked anyway? Be nice to the people with allies raging in champ select. Mercy.

Someone switches to a different main to counter an enemy pick

There are few things that are sweeter than when your ally mid main with a 60% win rate on Xerath over 250 games switches to Brand after the enemy mid picks Cho'Gath. Actually I can think of one, and that's when you find out she has a 65% win rate on Brand and 300 games played.

Thanks Riot!

Someone on your team is typing out enemy summoner timers

Even in Diamond+ divisions, few players actually try hard enough to time out enemy flashes, much less enemy heals and exhausts. On the other hand, if you have someone on your team that does this, it's a great feeling.

You could even be that person yourself you tryhard you.

Your laners are buying pink wards

Ever since Riot gifted players with a free rechargable ward via the yellow trinket, few players actually buy wards now, even though they last *forever* (until an enemy kills it). If your allies are all buying pink wards, you know you have some pros on board.

All hail the gift of sight.

Got more signs that things are looking up or down in the game? Comment below!