For the bigger picture and full context, make sure you read our main guide on Worlds Pickems: How To Play and Win Big.
The thrill of predicting upsets and champion picks at Worlds is a core part of the League of Legends esports experience. But with many third-party league pickems tracker tools potentially facing shutdowns or reduced functionality, staying on top of your predictions just got a bit trickier. Don’t worry, though; we’ll walk you through how to adapt and ensure you don’t miss out on those sweet rewards!
At a glance:
- Understand why third-party pick’em trackers might be unreliable.
- Learn alternative methods for tracking your picks and the competition.
- Discover insider tips for making more informed predictions.
- Stay updated on official Riot Games pick’em information and resources.
- Maximize your chances of earning those coveted Worlds Pick'ems rewards.
Why Your Favorite Tracker Might Be Going Offline
The League of Legends ecosystem relies on Riot Games' API (Application Programming Interface). This API provides developers with the data needed to create various tools and services, including league pickems trackers. Changes to the API, whether intentional or due to unforeseen circumstances, can break these tools, rendering them useless.
Factors that can cause third party tools to disappear:
- API Changes: Riot frequently updates its API to improve security, performance, or introduce new features. This can cause compatibility issues with existing trackers.
- Maintenance Costs: Running and maintaining a pick’em tracker requires server resources, development time, and ongoing maintenance. If the tracker doesn't generate sufficient revenue (through ads or donations), the developers may not be able to justify the expense.
- Lack of Official Support: Riot doesn't officially endorse or support third-party pick’em trackers. This means that developers rely on reverse engineering or community knowledge to keep their tools functioning, which is prone to errors and instability.
- Shifting Focus: Developers may lose interest or pursue other projects, leading to the abandonment of their pick’em trackers.
Essentially, relying solely on unofficial sources is a gamble. Let's focus on what is reliable.
The Official Pick’em Platform: Your Rock-Solid Foundation
Riot Games provides an official platform for Worlds Pick’ems directly within the League of Legends client and on the LoL Esports website. This should always be your primary source for making and tracking your picks.
Benefits of using the official platform:
- Guaranteed Reliability: You can be confident that the official platform will be available and functioning correctly throughout the Worlds tournament.
- Direct Integration: The platform is directly integrated with your League of Legends account, making it easy to track your progress and claim your rewards.
- Accurate Information: The official platform provides the most up-to-date information on match schedules, team rosters, and standings.
- Reward Eligibility: To be eligible for rewards, you must make your picks on the official platform.
While the official platform might not offer the same advanced features as some third-party trackers, its reliability and direct integration make it the best place to manage your Worlds Pick’ems.
Manual Tracking: Embrace the Old-School Approach
While it might seem less convenient than using a tracker, manually tracking your picks can be a surprisingly effective way to stay organized. It forces you to think critically about each match and keeps you engaged with the tournament.
How to manually track your picks:
- Create a Spreadsheet: Use a spreadsheet program like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel to create a table with columns for:
- Match Number
- Teams Playing
- Your Pick
- Actual Result
- Points Earned
- Record Your Picks: Before each stage of the tournament, fill in the "Your Pick" column for each match.
- Update Results: After each match, update the "Actual Result" column with the winning team.
- Calculate Points: Use a formula to calculate the points earned for each correct pick.
- Track Your Overall Score: Add up the points to track your overall score and compare it to the leaderboard.
Example:
| Match Number | Teams Playing | Your Pick | Actual Result | Points Earned |
|--------------|----------------|-----------|----------------|---------------|
| 1 | T1 vs. Gen.G | T1 | Gen.G | 0 |
| 2 | JDG vs. BLG | JDG | JDG | 2 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Pro Tip: Share the spreadsheet with friends to create a mini-competition and add some extra fun to your Worlds Pick’ems experience!
Beyond Brute Force: Smart Pick Strategies
No tracker, official or otherwise, can substitute for actual knowledge. So sharpen your analytical skills.
Key factors to consider when making your picks:
- Team Form: How have the teams been performing in recent matches? Are they on a winning streak or struggling to find their footing?
- Head-to-Head Record: How have the teams performed against each other in the past? Does one team have a clear advantage?
- Meta Analysis: What are the most popular and effective champions and strategies in the current meta? How well do the teams adapt to the meta?
- Roster Changes: Have there been any recent roster changes or player substitutions? How might these changes impact the team's performance?
- Regional Strength: Which regions are generally considered to be the strongest? Teams from these regions may have an edge in international competition.
Example:
Let's say Team A has a strong early game but struggles in the late game, while Team B is known for its excellent late-game scaling. If the current meta favors late-game compositions, you might lean towards picking Team B, even if Team A has a slightly better overall record.
To truly dominate at Worlds Pick'ems, Learn Pickems: Play to Win. That guide gives you a broader picture of strategies and resources.
Community Wisdom: Leverage Experts and Opinion
While you shouldn’t blindly follow anyone’s picks, engaging with the League of Legends community can provide valuable insights and perspectives.
Where to find expert opinions:
- Esports Analysts: Follow esports analysts and commentators on social media and watch their pre- and post-match analysis.
- Pro Players: Pay attention to what pro players are saying about the tournament and their predictions for upcoming matches. Note: they may sometimes be biased!
- Reddit and Forums: Participate in discussions on Reddit and other League of Legends forums to get different perspectives on the matches.
- Discord Servers: Join League of Legends Discord servers to chat with other fans and share your pick’em strategies.
Caveats: - Remember that everyone has biases and blind spots. Don’t rely solely on the opinions of others.
- Be skeptical of overly confident predictions. The unpredictability of League of Legends is what makes it so exciting.
- Focus on understanding why someone is making a particular prediction, rather than just blindly following their picks.
Timeline and Rewards: Key Dates and Prizes
Staying on top of the schedule is crucial for maximizing your pick’em rewards. Make sure you know the start and end dates for each stage:
- Play-In Stage: September 18 at 10am PT - September 25 at 5:15am PT
- Swiss Stage: September 29 at 1pm PT - October 3 at 5:15am PT
- Knockout Stage: October 13 at 4pm PT - November 2 at 7:15am PT
Here’s a breakdown of the rewards and how to get them: - Crystal Ball Pick: Kha’Zix “You Don’t Say” Emote
- Swiss Picks: Gragas “Here’s to You” Emote
- Knockouts Quarterfinal Picks: Esports 2024 Capsule
- Knockouts Semifinal Picks: Esports 2024 Capsule
- Knockouts Final Picks: Esports 2024 Capsule
Tiered Rewards (Based on Global Rank):
| Tier | Top % | Rewards |
|------------|--------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| C-Tier | 70% | Esports 2024 Capsule and One of the following emotes depending on the stage: Briar “I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU” or Galio “Gasp!” |
| B-Tier | 40% | Two Esports 2024 Capsules and One of the following emotes depending on the stage: Briar “I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU” or Galio “Gasp!” |
| A-Tier | 20% | Three Esports 2024 Capsules, One of the following emotes depending on the stage: Orianna “I’m So Sorry, WHAT?” or Teemo “Up To No Good” Emote, and Galio “Gasp!” Emote |
| S-Tier | 5% | 100 Event Pass Tokens, Four Esports 2024 Capsules, One of the following emotes depending on the stage: Orianna “I’m So Sorry, WHAT?” or Temp “Up To No Good” Emote, and Galio “Gasp!” Emote |
| Perfect | N/A | All seven ultimate skins |
| Top 5,000 | N/A | Worlds 2024 Viego Skin and Viego champion |
Quick Answers: Common Pick’em Questions
Q: What happens if a match is postponed or replayed?
A: Riot typically provides guidance on how postponed or replayed matches will affect Pick’ems. Check the official LoL Esports website or announcements for the specific rules.
Q: Can I change my picks after I submit them?
A: No, once you submit your picks for a stage, you cannot change them. So, double-check your selections before confirming.
Q: Do I need to own all the champions to receive the Perfect Pick’em reward?
A: The reward of all seven ultimate skins suggest you do not need to own all the champions to receive the perfect pick’em reward!
Q: Is it better to make risky picks or play it safe?
A: The best strategy depends on your risk tolerance and goals. Risky picks can earn you more points if they pay off, but they also have a higher chance of being wrong. Playing it safe is more likely to guarantee some points, but it might not be enough to reach the top tiers.
Dominate Worlds Pickems: How to Play - Practical Playbook
Here’s a step-by-step guide to maximizing your Worlds Pick’ems success:
- Stay Informed: Regularly check the LoL Esports website, social media, and community forums for the latest news, analysis, and predictions.
- Analyze Team Performance: Review team records, head-to-head matchups, and recent performances to identify potential upsets and sleeper teams.
- Consider the Meta: Understand the current meta and how the teams adapt to it. Pay attention to popular champion picks and strategies.
- Make Your Picks Strategically: Weigh the risks and rewards of each pick. Don’t be afraid to make a few bold predictions, but also prioritize consistency.
- Track Your Progress: Use the official platform or a manual spreadsheet to track your picks and monitor your score.
- Learn From Your Mistakes: After each stage, review your picks and analyze what went right and what went wrong. Use this information to improve your strategy for future stages.
- Claim Your Rewards: Don’t forget to log in to the League of Legends client to claim your rewards after each stage.
Your Worlds Pickems Strategy
The decline of some third-party league pickems tracker apps doesn't mean the end of your pick'em journey! By relying on the official platform, employing manual tracking techniques, and sharpening your analytical skills, you can still dominate the competition and earn those sweet Worlds rewards. Focus on the information you can control: your knowledge of the game and your strategic approach to making picks. Good luck, summoner!