League of Legends: League of Lessons

Welcome back! Today, we're going to pick up where we left off on the power of the bruisers in League of Legends. Previously, we talked about their lane phase and how to win it. Today, let's focus on more of the team dynamics.

Mid-game phase

Around this time, the enemy turret in your lane has been pushed down. This opens up much more movement around the map, as enemies have fewer places to retreat to. Here, you should be roaming to various locations.

• Key objectives
• Lanes with standing turrets
• Lanes that require help defending
• Ganking stray enemies in their jungle.

Most of the time while roaming, team fights will occur, and this leads us to our main topic.

Team fights

Here's a scenario to consider: a dragon has just spawned, your team moves in to take it out, but your support drops a vision ward just to be sure and spots an enemy ward that highlights the entire position of your team. A team fight will break out at any moment now. At this point, the enemy team makes its appearance, the tension lurks in the air, and any move could result in a clash.

During the pre-engage time, your job as a bruiser is to keep your HP up and avoid getting hit! Why? As a bruiser, you're not a dedicated tank. Sure, you can take a few hits, but that's not your priority. Ensure that your carries are well protected for the time being. Look out for your opponent's bruisers as well, as they may jump onto your squishy allies. If your team decides to engage, your job is to break through the ranks of the enemies and push back the high-threat targets, such as the AD carry. Your HP, combined with above-average resistances, will be your trump card against these pesky hard hitters.

Tagging down opponents is just a chop and a swing away. Pin the opponents to the floor!

At the actual engage, this is when your show begins. Run in, unleash your defensive abilities, pick out the highest threat carry, and focus that champion down. However, if the squishy takes a really far retreat from you, turn around and cover your squishy teammate's back.

You must not let them die! Sometimes, enemy tanks may turn their attention on to you, but do not fear. This just means that your carries can have free rein to throw everything they've got with no fear of interruption. You may die, but the team fight will be won overall. A victory for the team is a victory for you.