Every year, the League of Legends World Championship electrifies the esports scene, bringing together the best teams from around the globe. But the excitement isn't limited to just watching the games! Worlds Pickems add another layer of engagement, allowing you, the fan, to test your knowledge and predict the outcome of the entire tournament.
Think of it as your chance to become a fortune teller of League of Legends. You get to forecast which teams will dominate, which underdogs will surprise, and ultimately, who will lift the Summoner's Cup. It's a rite of passage for any true LoL Worlds fan, and this guide serves as your complete playbook. Let's dive into how you can play and, more importantly, how you can win big with worlds pickems!
Predict the Path to Victory: Understanding Worlds Pickems
So, what exactly are Worlds Pickems? Simply put, it's a prediction game where you try to guess the winners of matches and the advancement of teams throughout the various stages of the World Championship. It's your chance to showcase your deep understanding of the game, the meta, regional strengths, and individual player performances. And trust us, bragging rights are definitely on the line!
Participating is easy. All you need is a valid Riot Account and Summoner Name. Head to the official League of Legends website during the open periods for each stage, log in, and make your picks. But remember, you're up against everyone else trying to make the best predictions too, so it's best to get your friends in on the competition as well!
Navigating the Stages: From Play-Ins to Finals
The tournament is broken down into several stages, and each stage offers a new opportunity to make predictions:
- Play-In Stage: This is where the wildcard teams and lower-seeded major region teams battle for a spot in the main event. This year, keep an eye as players predict the two teams will make it out of the Play-In stage to the Swiss Stage. Play-Ins pick'ems open close to the begining of Worlds, so keep an eye out!
- Swiss Stage: A brand-new format! Here, teams play a series of matches in a Swiss-system tournament. Your challenge is to predict which teams will go 3-0, which teams will advance, and ultimately, who will make it to the Quarterfinals.
- Knockout Rounds (Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals): This is the elimination bracket, where teams face off in single-elimination matches. Predict the winners of each Quarterfinal, Semifinal, and the Grand Final to maximize your points.
Timing is Key: Don't Miss Your Chance
Each stage has a specific window for making your picks. Pay close attention to the open and close dates to avoid missing out! The Coin is always there to randomly select teams if you do miss your pick stage, at the cost of a deduction of points earned. Here's a general idea of when picks open and close (times in CET for reference):
- Play-Ins: Opens October 4, 2023 at 5:00 PM and closes October 10 at 9:15 AM.
- Swiss Stage: Opens October 15 at 5:00 PM and closes October 19 at 7:00 AM.
- Quarterfinals: Opens October 30, 2023 at 5:00 PM, closing right before each match (November 2-5, 2023 at 9:00 AM).
- Semifinals: Opens November 5, 2023 at 5:00 PM, closing right before each match (November 11-12, 2023 at 9:00 AM).
- Finals: Opens November 12, 2023 at 4:00 PM and closes November 19 at 9:00 AM.
Increase Your Odds: Understanding Scoring and Rewards
Making correct predictions is only half the battle. Understanding the scoring system and the rewards on offer is crucial for maximizing your gains.
How Points are Awarded
The scoring system is straightforward:
- Play-In Stage: 10 points for each correct prediction.
- Swiss Stage: 5 points for each team correctly picked to advance to Quarterfinals; 15 additional points for correctly picking a team that goes 3-0; 20 additional points for a Perfect Swiss Stage (all 8 teams and a 3-0 pick).
- Knockout Stage: 10 points for each correct Quarterfinals pick, 15 points for each correct Semifinals pick, and a whopping 20 points for correctly predicting the World Champion!
The Glory of Victory: Claiming Your Rewards
The rewards for Worlds Pickems are plentiful, ranging from in-game emotes and capsules to the ultimate prize: all Ultimate Skins in the game, should you achieve a perfect score. Last year, rewards for participation and performance were granted through both Pick'Em and Crystal Ball.
Here's a glimpse of what you could earn:
- Participation Rewards: Emotes for making picks in Crystal Ball and Swiss stages, and Worlds Capsules for Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals picks.
- Pick'Em Performance Tiers (Traditional):
- Perfect Picks: All Ultimate Skins!
- Top 5,000 Rank: Worlds Renekton Skin + Champion.
- S-Tier Rank (Top 5%): Event Tokens, Worlds Capsules, Emotes.
- A-Tier Rank (Top 20%): Worlds Capsules, Emotes.
- B-Tier Rank (Top 40%): Worlds Capsules, Emote.
- **C-Tier Rank (Top 70%):**Worlds Capsule, Emote.
Additionally, the Crystal Ball offers its own set of performance-based rewards. All performance-based Tier rewards will be delivered after the conclusion of Worlds.
Beyond Predictions: Mastering the Crystal Ball
In addition to the traditional pick'em format, Riot Games throws in the Crystal Ball. This feature challenges players to answer 20 questions about the upcoming World Championship. These questions can range from predicting the highest KDA player to the total number of dragons slain throughout the tournament.
Lock in your Crystal Ball predictions before the event starts. The Crystal Ball predictions will close before Play-Ins begin. The Crystal Ball scores will have a leaderboard of their own, with the right picks earning you points. Participation and performance in the Crystal Ball award in-game items as well. Good luck using your infinite game knowledge!
Take Your Shot at Glory
Worlds Pickems is more than just a game; it's a way to connect with the League of Legends community, test your knowledge, and potentially walk away with awesome rewards. Whether you're a seasoned esports veteran or a newcomer to the scene, embrace the challenge, make your picks, and cheer on your favorite teams. Who knows, maybe you'll be the one boasting about your perfect predictions this year!