Vanno's Gaming Mastery X Journal

[Vanno]

LoL season ended and I reached Platinum after years of not being able to go beyond Gold. Aiming for Diamond next season!

First some obvious points:

1. you need to study and practice the game, subs don’t do all the work for you
2. IRL problems have a massive effect on in-game performance; once you tackle those → better focus → more efficient learning
3. exercising regularly → increases energy and helps dealing with tilt

Interesting realisations/theories:

1. certain information is misleading and can throw you off track! Example: I followed advice from numerous people (including various “coaches”) and some were hurting my progress, like

   • overcomplicating the game
   • rigid and actually destructive practice (this caused a drop from platinum all the way to the bottom of gold again → followed by a loss of confidence and doubting myself - very dangerous stuff all just from following wrong advice and other mental issues)
   • unrealistic expectations (like clickbait content or even from friends/coaches) causing impatience

2. people, friends, communities, media have an influence on you, better choose the surrounding you like and that fit your goals
   I spent more time around supportive + competitive people that also want to get better at the game and who are seeking to learn instead of always blaming either the meta, champions or other players

3. Comparing can quickly turn into venom. When I’m confronted with defeats, failures etc. I’d think: “Why do I have to put all this effort into this, while my friend just does 10% of what I’m doing and is the same rank as me or even higher? Why am I less talented than x? Why am I so stupid?!” Fact is that all those toxic thoughts aren’t helping with getting better at the game and only cause jealousy and discouragement. Everyone is on their own path. Take responsibility for your own journey.

4. Personality is a skill, not an inborn trait?
   Lately I’ve read a lot about “talent”, skill development in sports and music… Basically everything happens in the nervous system, each single move and thought, the more we cause the same neurological process, the more it “solidifies”.
   I’m still learning a lot about this topic, but according to my observation my personality has changed quite a bit compared to 1-2 years ago. I became more analytical and interested in logics and science, but also slightly a more cooperative teamplayer - all as a result of the actions I took throughout this time. On the flipside, I think I don’t have the same devotion anymore to help other people on an emotional basis. Nowadays I prefer to dive into scientific explanations and research, instead of simply “being there for the other person”. Regardless, maybe I’m more helpful for friends etc. after getting a better understanding of human psychology.

Switched to ZP stack recently! So far really happy with Zero Point

[Vanno]

Important reminder that LoL is not a game about winning an argument or making other people submit to you or whatever social/psychologic stuff there is. Maybe it’s like that in other activities, but not in lol. Instead it’s about who can destroy the enemy base more effectively. Using mechanical skill, knowledge about the game, high levels of focus and many other tools.

I admit there’s “trashtalk” that can be used to gain a mental advantage, but all that won’t help vs people who simply /mute all or ignore you. I don’t care whether my team or the enemy talks shit about me, as long as I get the upper hand to win the game. In some matches better team coordination is needed, in others you’re more self-reliant (highly dependent on your role and champion). Regardless, each decision you make, can impact the whole map!
You gotta dominate your opponent, instead of starting a debate with your own teammate.

It’s a common misconception that you need to silent others, 1v9 each game, tell everyone how good u are and then if you LOSE that it’s not YOUR FAULT. (There are unwinnable games, but you can throw a stone at me, if you think you’re making 0 mistakes and are below master tier.) There’s lots of EGO involved. Ego might give you confidence for a while, but it will become an issue sooner or later.

I have my own ego issues and the game helps me recognize and actively work on them.
As this videogame is a lot about fighting your inner demons.

Phoenix (ft. Cailin Russo and Chrissy Costanza) | Worlds 2019 - League of Legends

[Malkuth]

You sound focused and mature. Like you’re integrating life lessons.

Pretty cool.

[Vanno]

Went through a bunch of ground zero moments last months, but I’m equipped with better armor and weapons at my disposal now.

[Vanno]

pretty proud of my new personal best on League of Skillshot

I use this minigame as a warmup, and my ability to hit + dodge skillshots in game has improved significantly.

[Vanno]

Struggling learning a new champion, who is completely different in terms of playstyle to the characters I’ve mained before. He’s more feel/instinct/intuition oriented, while I mostly played a more control/logic oriented style. Nonetheless really fun to play, but I’m losing so many games and dying 2842^3 times.

Mark my words, I’ll become a great Yone player one day.

[Vanno]

After first short ZP washout, I listened to GMX ZP again today. I feel the change in what my brain is processing. Needed slightly more sleep too.
My own curiosity regarding the game is sky rocketing. I can’t stop wanting to figure out why and how things are happening in game.

So here’s some stuff I’m doing:
After my games, whether win or loss, I look at my own replay/recording of the game.

I review the game, and in this case, I’ve taken more detailed notes.

Usually my review notes are more brief, like this:

When I’m not sure about something, I either research or ask other people.

To learn a specific matchup, I watch a bunch of gameplays of better players.

[Vanno]

New season, new rank goals.

Not the best start, but I received insight and detailed feedback from a higher ranked player!

Weird anxiety coming out of nowhere after a walk and while procrastinating. Regardless, I proceeded to practice 1v1s with a friend and all the anxiety and feeling of being sick faded. (As if the sub makes me feel anxious whenever im not properly taking enough action concerning my goals )
Well, I lost most duels, but learned a lot about a difficult matchup and about predicting skillshots.
After the full 3h session my friend wrote me this:

GMX ZP = Determination Booster 3000

[Vanno]

My fatigue that was lasting for almost 3 days faded as soon as I listened to 1 loop of gmx zp. My inner fire ignited again, giving me the energy for my daily practice and reviews.

Thinking about getting more into Valorant in my off time on the weekends or whenever I’ve finished my daily duties and league practice.

Also I’m amazed by all the LoL cinematics. The graphics are insane, watching it on highest resolution.

The Call | Season 2022 Cinematic - League of Legends (ft. 2WEI, Louis Leibfried, and Edda Hayes)

Pantheon (character on thumbnail) surely is a true Spartan sub veteran listener

[Invictus]

and here I am on the Sett stack

Emperor and Wanted

[Vanno]

@Invictus

It’s funny how you can describe your stack with a champ.
My stack kinda has the glorious evolution Viktor vibe, or at least that’s how I interpret it.

[Invictus]

@Vanno

It’s funny how you can describe your stack with a champ.

I mean…. Maybe because he’s one of my 3 mains ?

Also, maybe add WZP to the stack and call it the “the Jayce stack” instead

[Vanno]

yeaaah this and maybe stark or another attraction sub and it would definitely be the Jayce stack xD.

I wonder if it’s because we resonate/identify ourselves with that champ, that we play them A LOT. Surely not the only reason as I play a lot of Vlad too, but I’m not a pale Dracula wannabe bloodsucker ahahaha

[Vanno]

My GMX, AM, R.I.C.H stack in a nutshell.

viktor gets paid

[Invictus]

How’s GMX ZP with you btw?

Noticed a difference?

[Vanno]

@Invictus much much better
feels less dense/heavy and more effective
haven’t gotten any recon with zp yet

[Invictus]

Man in my case, Mind’s eye ZP worked better at boosting my performance in league.

GMX made me feel more macro oriented, and while it was good, I wasn’t doing as well with the match ups.

MEZP, on the other hand, made me be able to play champs and make calculated plays, without even thinking about them.

[Vanno]

@Invictus i don’t own mind’s eye, so can’t judge unfortunately

I guess as a jungler this macro improvement then seems really beneficial, but yeah most laners’ job is reliant on a ton of intuition and mechanics. I think especially for Top/Adc, while Mid is usually 70/30 or 50/50 micro and macro. (All depending on champ of course)

Also is it true that saint will add a bit of mind’s eye to gmx? I think I’ve read that somewhere!

[Invictus]

@Vanno

Also is it true that saint will add a bit of mind’s eye to gmx? I think I’ve read that somewhere!

Yeah, because both Him and I noticed that we’re having better gameplay, in fact, I went on a lose streak on GMX ZP, and MEZP gave me a win streak.

So there’s that.

Also, I guess I feel the same way about you said, because the only games I won (and I performed extremely well) when I ran GMX ZP were 3 games where I was auto filled in jungle and support.

[Risky]

Great and interesting journal. Keep it up.