Tired of just watching the pros dominate League of Legends and Valorant tournaments? Want to add a layer of excitement and prove your esports knowledge? Then you need to dive into Riot Games Pickems. Get ready to test your prediction skills, compete against friends (and the world), and potentially snag exclusive in-game rewards.
At a Glance:
- Understand the core mechanics of Riot Games Pickems for both League of Legends and Valorant events.
- Learn how to join Factions and contribute to your favorite content creator's success.
- Discover the timelines for each stage of the Pickems challenge and crucial deadlines.
- Identify the rewards up for grabs, including exclusive emotes, buddies, titles, and even skins.
- Develop a simple strategy for making informed picks and maximizing your score.
What are Riot Games Pickems and How Do They Work?
Riot Games Pickems is a prediction-based game tied to major League of Legends and Valorant esports tournaments. The core concept is simple: you predict the outcomes of matches and the progression of teams throughout the tournament. Correct predictions earn you points, and your total score determines your ranking on leaderboards and eligibility for rewards. This guide will focus on how to play and win big in these riot games pickems. You can gain a deeper understanding of the pickems platform with this helpful Mastering Worlds Pick'ems: Guide.
League of Legends Worlds Pickems: A Stage-by-Stage Breakdown
League of Legends Worlds Pickems typically features three stages aligned with the tournament structure:
- Play-In Stage: Predict which teams will advance from the Play-In stage to the Swiss Stage. This stage often involves smaller regions and wildcard teams, making predictions a bit more challenging. For example, in the 2023 Worlds, correctly predicting that Team Whales would advance surprised many.
- Swiss Stage: A unique stage where teams with similar records face off. You'll need to predict which teams will achieve a winning record (3-0, 3-1, or 3-2) to advance to the Knockout Stage.
- Knockout Stage: The final stage, where teams compete in a single-elimination bracket (quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals). Predicting the winner of each match is crucial for maximizing your points.
Key Dates & Deadlines (Example - Worlds 2023): - Play-In Stage Predictions: Opens September 18th, Closes September 25th
- Swiss Stage Predictions: Opens September 29th, Closes October 3rd
- Knockout Stage Predictions: Opens October 13th, Closes November 2nd
Pitfall: Don't wait until the last minute! Procrastination can lead to rushed and poorly considered picks.
Valorant Champions Pickems: Factions and Exclusive Rewards
Valorant Champions Pickems often introduces a unique element: Factions. In Champions Paris, for example, ten global creators each led their own Faction. Players could join a Faction, and their picks contributed to their chosen creator's path to victory.
How Factions Work:
- Join a Faction: Select a creator whose esports knowledge you trust or whose community you want to support.
- Make Your Picks: Your predictions for the tournament outcomes will contribute to your Faction's overall score.
- Faction Leaderboard: Track your Faction's progress against other Factions. If your Faction wins, you'll share the honor and potentially receive exclusive in-game items chosen by the Faction Leader.
Rewards (Example - Champions Paris):
- Winning Faction Members: Special in-game item chosen by the Faction Leader (e.g., a unique gun buddy or player card).
Common Rewards Across Riot Games Pickems
Beyond Faction-specific rewards, Riot Games Pickems typically offers rewards based on your individual performance:
- Participation Reward: Simply making at least one pick often grants a reward (e.g., a spray).
- Top Percentage Rewards: Achieving a high score can earn you exclusive items like gun buddies or titles. For example, placing in the top 50% might grant you a unique buddy, while the top 20% could unlock an even rarer version.
- Perfect Pick Reward: Achieving a perfect score (predicting every match correctly) is incredibly difficult but rewards you with the ultimate prize, such as an exclusive title.
Example Reward Tiers (Hypothetical):
| Score Range | Reward |
| --------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Any Pick | "Esports Enthusiast" Player Title |
| Top 50% | "Clutch" Gun Buddy |
| Top 20% | "Oracle" Gun Buddy |
| Perfect Picks | "Grand Strategist" Title |
| Top 5000 Leaderboard (Combined Pick'Ems and Crystal Ball) | Limited Edition Worlds Skin |
A Simple Strategy for Making Informed Picks
While luck plays a role, a thoughtful strategy can significantly improve your Pickems performance:
- Research the Teams: Don't just pick your favorite team! Look at recent performance, head-to-head records, and roster changes. Websites like Liquipedia and GosuGamers provide detailed team information and statistics.
- Consider the Meta: Understand the current meta (most popular and effective strategies) in the game. Certain teams may excel in specific metas.
- Analyze Playstyles: Different teams have different playstyles. Some are aggressive and focus on early-game advantages, while others are more methodical and prioritize late-game scaling. Consider how these playstyles match up against each other.
- Factor in Regional Strength: Historically, certain regions have performed better than others in international tournaments. While upsets can happen, regional strength can be a helpful factor in your predictions.
- Don't Be Afraid to Take Risks: While informed picks are important, don't be afraid to throw in a few "dark horse" picks. Upsets happen, and correctly predicting them can give you a significant boost in the leaderboard. However, balance risk with probability. Don’t put all your eggs in one surprising underdog basket.
Example: Predicting a Play-In Stage Upset
Let's say a wildcard team from a smaller region has been showing surprising strength in scrims (practice matches) against major region teams. While statistically, they might be an underdog, their performance in scrims suggests they could be a potential upset pick.
Riot Games Pickems: Quick Answers to Common Questions
Q: Where can I access Riot Games Pickems?
A: Pickems is typically accessible through the official League of Legends or Valorant website or within the game client during major esports events. Look for a dedicated "Pickems" or "Esports" tab.
Q: What happens if a match is canceled or replayed?
A: Riot Games typically has rules in place to address canceled or replayed matches. In most cases, the outcome of the replayed match will be used for Pickems scoring. In the rare event of a complete cancellation, the match may be voided, and no points will be awarded.
Q: Can I change my picks after submitting them?
A: No, once the deadline for a particular stage has passed, you cannot change your picks. This is why it's so important to do your research and make informed decisions before the deadline.
Q: Are Pickems available in all regions?
A: Pickems is generally available in most regions, but there are some exceptions. Due to legal restrictions or local regulations, Pickems may not be available in certain regions. See the list in the context research above for specifics.
Q: What is the Crystal Ball event and how does it relate to Pickems?
A: The Crystal Ball event is a separate prediction game that challenges players to make broader predictions about the tournament, such as which Drake will be killed the most or the team that will win the championship. While distinct from Pickems, participating in both can sometimes grant additional rewards or contribute to a combined leaderboard score.
Your Worlds Pickems Playbook: A Quick Start Guide
Ready to jump into Riot Games Pickems? Here's a quick guide to get you started:
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you have a valid Riot Account and reside in an eligible region.
- Mark Your Calendar: Note the opening and closing dates for each stage of the Pickems challenge.
- Do Your Research: Gather information on participating teams, their recent performance, and the current meta.
- Join a Faction (Valorant): Select a Faction Leader whose esports knowledge you trust.
- Make Your Picks: Carefully consider your predictions for each match and stage.
- Submit Your Picks: Double-check your selections before the deadline.
- Track Your Progress: Follow the leaderboards and see how your picks compare to others.
- Claim Your Rewards: If you achieve a high score, claim your exclusive in-game rewards.
Don't just watch the games; participate! By following this guide, you'll be well-equipped to make informed picks, compete against friends, and potentially win big in Riot Games Pickems. Good luck!