Reinstalled League After 4 Years

I haven’t touched League in four years but I finally had a moment of weakness and reinstalled last night. I was excited to see the new changes, and hop back on the rift and just vibe in top lane. I had a special delivery; the riot special coming my way little did I know. but honestly it was an almost nostalgic experience.

I lasted exactly *five* games before the client was uninstalled and i proofed it away but I think I actually needed this. Even though I somehow went 1/4 the experience was like a warm hug from a toxic ex. Here is what was inside the welcome home package Riot handed me; a true experience on the rift:

Game 1.

Met a lobby terrorist who wanted to role swap. I said no and he decided to become my shadow for the rest of the game. Bro spent the entire match following me to steal my waves and afking every teamfight. Honestly I respect the commitment to the bit. He really stayed in character the whole 30 minutes.

Game 2.

My Kalista asks for an engage support then sees a Yuumi hover and immediately crashes out. She goes 2/14 while she and the cat type a whole dissertation of insults at each other in chat. It was a generational performance. I forgot how much people in this game actually enjoy the psychological warfare more than the actual gameplay. Yuumi players are still keyboard warriors as well, nice to see that hasn’t changed.

Game 3.

I call this one *the tease* I actually play well and go 15/3 as a top main thinking I can carry. The problem is every other lane is pushing double digit deaths. My 3/8 mid laner decides to deep push a side lane with zero vision against a fed Nocturne. They get picked/enemy takes Baron/the game ends. You just cannot 1v9 some games man. I diss sort of miss the feeling of being an island while the world burns. A top laner knows this feeling all to well.

Game 4.

Another role swap request. I just wanted to play my lane. NopEEEEE. This guy spends the next 30 minutes typing a manifesto about my bloodline using swear words that I didn’t even know to get around the chat filter. We somehow won, and he did actually try on his role despite being butthurt about it and hurling insults my way, but the vibes were so rancid I felt like I needed a shower afterward. Winning didnt even feel good, I thought about logging off here but decided one more won’t hurt.

*Almost my famous last words, luckily my next match brought me back to reality*

Game 5.

The classic bot lane speedrun to 20 deaths. By the 15 minute mark three people are begging to be let out just so they can go throw the next person's game. They are literally addicted to the defeat screen. I was the one vote that said no, since I was exhausted and just wanted to try to play the dang game, and attempt a comeback. but alas, 4-1 overrides me and the FF vote won right away and I didn’t even get a chance.

What I did next:

I uninstalled immediately after that last one. It is honestly impressive how the community has maintained this exact level of toxicity for half a decade without missing a single beat.

Takeaway:

Should I be grateful? 100%. The itch to play is completely dead and replaced by the realization that my life is so much more peaceful without this game. I missed you guys but I am going back to touching grass.