How to Excel as an Enchanter Support: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
When it comes to playing enchanter champions as a support role, there is more to it than just healing your ADC. Despite recent nerfs, enchanter champions still hold a high win rate. In this guide, we will provide you with five simple steps to improve your skills as an enchanter support. While playing this role might not always bring you gratitude from your teammates, it is essential to understand the intricacies of the role to truly excel. So, let’s dive in!
Step 1: Don’t Leave Your ADC Hanging Early – Play Aggressively
As an enchanter support, you may not be the tankiest champion, but that doesn’t mean you should play too passively. It’s crucial to peel for your ADC and apply pressure to the enemy in lane. By carefully watching your own minions’ health bars, you can anticipate when the enemy ADC will go in for a last-hit, allowing you to safely poke and create pressure. Remember to maintain good positioning, staying close enough to poke effectively without putting yourself at risk.
Step 2: Focus on the Poke Ability in the Beginning
To establish lane dominance and gain an advantage, focusing on poke ability early in the game is key. Most enchanter supports opt for items like Spellthief’s Edge, which rewards successful poke with gold. After unlocking your core abilities, prioritize leveling up your poke ability to create kill pressure and chip away at the enemy ADC’s health. This strategic approach can give your lane a significant advantage, increasing your chances of success.
Step 3: Know When to Use Your Spells
As an enchanter support, you possess crucial abilities that can heal, shield, or disable opponents. However, it’s essential to use these spells strategically rather than spamming them hastily. Timing your heals and shields based on enemy engagement or poke against your ADC can make a significant impact. Similarly, disabling enemy champions with the right spell at the right time can turn the tide of team fights. For instance, saving Soraka’s silence (E) to counter a threatening Malzahar ultimate can protect your ADC and provide more opportunities for victory.
Step 4: The Map Is Your Best Friend
While supporting your ADC is essential, remember that sometimes a strong bot lane isn’t enough to secure a win. Being aware of the overall map and other lanes’ situations is crucial. Higher in the ladder, it becomes even more important to consider leaving your ADC temporarily to assist other struggling lanes. Developing good map awareness and identifying opportunities to roam can greatly impact the outcome of the game. Don’t hesitate to join the fight if it will be advantageous for your team.
Step 5: You Are Not the Engager
As an enchanter support, it’s crucial to understand your role in team fights. While engaging with Lulu’s ultimate or other flashy plays might be tempting, your primary responsibility is to protect and buff your carries. Position yourself in the backline, ensuring the safety of your team and providing necessary buffs and heals. Remember, as an enchanter, you’re not tanky, and engaging in the midst of enemies may put you at unnecessary risk.
Conclusion
Playing the enchanter support role requires more than just healing and shielding your ADC. By following the five steps outlined in this guide, you can elevate your gameplay and have a greater impact on the outcome of the game. Remember to play aggressively, focus on poke in the early game, use your spells strategically, be aware of the map, and prioritize your role as a protector rather than an engager. With practice and a deep understanding of the role, you can become a formidable enchanter support.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What items should I prioritize as an enchanter support?
As an enchanter support, you should prioritize items that enhance your supportive abilities. Spellthief’s Edge is a popular choice for its gold generation on successful poke. Redemption, Ardent Censer, and Athene’s Unholy Grail are also valuable options to amplify your healing and shielding capabilities.
2. How can I improve my map awareness?
Improving map awareness requires active attention to the minimap and constant assessment of the game state. Make a habit of glancing at the minimap between minion waves and be aware of the enemy team’s positions, summoner spell cooldowns, and possible objectives. Practice and experience will help you develop better intuition for when and where to rotate or assist other lanes.
3. Are enchanter supports viable in all team compositions?
Enchanter supports can be effective in various team compositions, but their success often depends on team coordination and composition. Enchanter supports work best when accompanied by hypercarries that rely on sustained damage. Ensure that your team understands the need to protect and utilize your supportive abilities to maximize your impact.
4. How can I contribute to vision control as an enchanter support?
Warding is crucial for any support, including enchanter supports. In addition to the standard warding locations, prioritize vision around objectives such as Dragon and Baron. Control wards are invaluable for denying enemy vision and establishing control. Coordinate with your team to establish vision control and deny the enemy team vital information.
5. What should I do if my ADC becomes overly aggressive?
If your ADC becomes overly aggressive, it’s important to communicate with them and encourage a more calculated approach. Remind them of the risks involved and suggest alternative strategies. As the support, you can also adjust your playstyle to provide more defensive tools and keep your ADC protected. Communication and cooperation are key to finding the right balance in lane.