Riot’s New Rules Shake Up the Esports Scene
In traditional sports, rising prospects either get drafted straight to the pros or go through a development system. Now, Riot has implemented several new rules that are creating a major buzz in the esports community.
Mandatory Coaches at “Pick and Bans”
One of the new rules is that coaches are now mandatory during the “pick and bans” phase. This rule is expected to be extremely beneficial, especially for teams with unconventional strategies. The coaches now have a few minutes to discuss last-minute strategies with the team before the game begins.
Limiting Foreign Players on Teams
Riot has also implemented a rule that limits the number of foreign players on each team to two. This rule is aimed at promoting local talent and ensuring that the esports scene does not become dominated by imported players. After a certain period of time, foreign players will be considered part of their respective regions. However, some players are exempt from this rule if they competed in two splits prior to its implementation.
The Elimination of Sister Teams
Another significant rule change is the elimination of sister teams in various leagues. This rule aims to prevent monopolies and encourage fair competition. However, it also means that teams no longer have scrim partners or an extra set of friends to help them improve. The Samsung organization successfully managed two teams, which both qualified for Worlds, making them an exception to this rule.
In order to support new talent and allow for player transfers between teams, organizations need to find other avenues. The Coke League, for example, plays a crucial role in developing local talent. The winner of this league deserves a promotion to the LCS by replacing the last place team. Relegation tournaments should be reserved for lower-ranking teams.
The Ranking System and its Flaws
The ranking system, particularly in solo queue, plays a massive role in shaping the esports scene. However, there are issues that need to be addressed. For instance, Riot needs to tackle problems like elo boosting, smurfing by pro players, and the influence of one-trick ponies in team games.
Fostering New Talent
It is essential for the esports community to support and welcome new talent. Riot should consider making changes to solo queue and ranked 5s to promote a healthier environment. The removal of challenger and master divisions from ranked 5s and the introduction of separate tournaments for teams could help in achieving this goal.
Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for my next article, where I will be conducting a straw poll to gather your opinions.
Riot, esports, new rules, coaches, foreign players, sister teams, talent development, ranking system, solo queue, ranked 5s, local scene