What to Do When You're Losing in League of Legends

On Summoner's Rift, even a small slip-up can become a big issue fast, which puts your team’s Nexus in danger. Still, being behind early does not always mean you’ll lose. If you stay calm, change how you play, and team up with your teammates, you can come back or get better for the next game.

Stay Calm and Reframe Your Mindset

Taking a break and taking a breath when things get tough, like in League of Legends, is very key. If an enemy is trying to beat you in your lane or someone is going into your jungle, it can make you upset. But getting mad will not help. So, be nice to yourself and see each loss as a way to improve.

Ask yourself what went wrong and what you could have done another way. Did you think you were better than you were? Was your map positioning wrong? Knowing these errors helps you get better and not mess up in the same way again. Learning is about trying and changing as you go. Think of it like poker—everyone gets bad cards sometimes. The goal is to stay calm and focused so you can win. Every part of the game is a chance to beat your enemy and take over.

Assess the Game State Objectively

If you're losing, stop and look at the game. See the minimap, score, and where the enemy is. Do they win in one spot, or all over? Knowing their strong points helps you plan. If their top player is strong, but their bottom players are bad, beat the weaker players to even things up.

League of Legends is like poker. Good players watch the table, find weak spots, count chips, and see their chances. League of Legends needs you to understand the game to play better. If you are losing, don't run in without thinking. Wait for chances and use the enemy's errors, like a poker player who bluffs to win. Do you want to refine your strategic approach in a distinct context? You could play poker online to hone your skills in situation assessment and making deliberate, calculated moves when the pressure is on. Djordje Todorovic has selected a range of poker sites with low minimum deposits and fast payout rates. 

Focus on Farm and Vision Control

If you are falling behind, a good way to get back in the game is to focus on farming. Creep Score (CS) is very important because each group of minions you defeat gives you gold and experience. This helps you catch up to the other players. If your lane is too risky, farm near your turret or move to a safer part of the map. Don't try too hard to get kills. Instead, focus on getting gold regularly to get stronger again.

When you are behind, your team is easier to attack and has a higher chance of losing objectives. Put wards in important places like the river, the entrances to the enemy jungle, or around objectives like Dragon or Baron. Vision stops the enemy from surprising you and lets your team make plays. Think of wards like poker chips for your team. Each ward you place in a smart spot makes it more likely you will come back and win.

Adapt Your Playstyle and Build

If you are losing, your first plan might not be the best anymore. Be willing to change your approach. If you are a squishy ADC and keep getting defeated quickly, think about buying defensive items such as Guardian Angel or Maw of Malmortius. If your team cannot start fights easily, stay further back and be careful. Wait for the other team to make a mistake by pushing too far. Being able to change your strategy is the most important thing when you are behind.

In poker, being able to adapt is also very important. If a player is losing chips, they might change from playing aggressively to playing more cautiously. They will wait for the best time to make a move. Similarly, in LoL, know when to stop trying to carry the game yourself and start helping your team’s best player. If your mid laner is doing very well, protect them or help them see where the enemy is to make them even more effective.

Capitalize on Enemy Mistakes

Even with a sizable lead, the opposing team will still be able to make errors. Overconfidence can lead to mistakes, such as pushing too deep into our zone, poor positioning without awareness of our players, or mistimed use of their abilities. Watch for these chances to strike. If the other team messes up in just one fight, it can completely change the game. Your team can get gold and have more space to move.

For example, if the enemy ADC is by themselves getting gold in a side lane, plan an attack together. If their jungler doesn't have much health left after fighting the Dragon, go after them as a team. These times are like finding out someone is pretending in poker. Taking advantage of these moments can turn the game around for you.

Focus on Objectives and Scaling

When you’re behind, objectives like Dragon, Rift Herald, or turrets become even more important. They provide global gold, experience, and map control, helping your team claw back into the game. Prioritize objectives you can realistically contest, and avoid forcing fights when the enemy has a clear advantage.

Additionally, consider your team’s scaling. Some champions, like Kassadin or Vayne, thrive in the late game. If your team has strong late-game potential, play defensively and stall until you hit your power spikes. This long-term thinking is akin to a poker player folding weaker hands to preserve chips for a stronger position later.

Learn from the Loss

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the game slips away. That’s okay—every loss is a lesson. After the match, review what went wrong. Did you misjudge a matchup? Were you too aggressive early on? Use tools like replays or third-party apps to analyze your gameplay. Some platforms offer resources and insights to help you improve, from champion guides to strategic tips.

Reflecting on a loss is like reviewing a bad poker session. You might realize you overcommitted to a risky play or didn’t read the situation correctly. Each game, win or lose, hones your skills for the next one.

Conclusion

It can be upsetting to lose in League of Legends, but you can get through it. If you keep calm, figure out what mistakes you made, improve your farming, and communicate with your allies, you can recover or gain knowledge. It's like poker; strategic thinking, patience, and flexibility can significantly help you when you face difficulties. The next time you see that game over screen, just remember that victory might be right around the corner, and each defeat has value. Keep at it, and you'll improve quickly.