Top 10 Art of War Quotes Relevant to League

The art of war is a complex affair, one thousands of years have been dedicated towards perfecting. In modern day battles, victory is comprised of the weapons we have, and the strategies we employ to use them.

On the Rift, your weapons are your champion choices. Choose one that suits your needs, either one that is strong in the hands of most players, or one with the highest potential strength.

Either way, once you've picked your weapons, now it's time to pick your battles.

The strategies below have been studied for thousands of years from the ancient Chinese military treatise known as "Art of War" by Sunzi. Maybe it's time to employ them in your own warfare and gain some LP.

Introduction

The art of war is a complex affair, one that thousands of years have been dedicated towards perfecting. In modern day battles, victory is comprised of the weapons we have, and the strategies we employ to use them.

On the Rift, your weapons are your champion choices. Choose one that suits your needs, either one that is strong in the hands of most players, or one with the highest potential strength.

Either way, once you've picked your weapons, now it's time to pick your battles.

The strategies below have been studied for thousands of years from the ancient Chinese military treatise known as "The Art of War" by Sunzi. Employ them in your own warfare tactics and gain some LP.

1. Be Deceptive

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

Just because you see the enemy jungler approaching doesn't mean that you need to instantly back off. Similarly, just because you see your allied jungler approaching doesn't mean you need to quickly engage. Slowly and casually move into position, but don't give anything away that you don't have to.

2. Concentrate on Safe Objectives

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

The reason why kills are so noteworthy in the LCS professional scene is because they rarely try and force fights. Instead, they focus in on the objectives that will ensure victory.

3. Map Control Wins Games

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

Stay in the fog of war or bushes as much as possible. The less your enemy knows exactly where you are on the map, the less time they have to react to any plays you make. When you do make a play, make sure to hit them hard and hit them fast.

4. Split-pushing Crushes Souls

Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

How often have you felt utterly powerless against a split-pushing champion like Udyr, Shyvana, or Master Yi? Remember back when Shen was overpowered? If you can whittle away at their defenses in places the enemy team can't  fight back in, you can quickly overwhelm them without ever fighting.

5. Fight Where Strongest

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected .

There's so much in the passage above that you should just read it a few times. It's chock full of good advice. 

6. Force Enemies to Fight Uncomfortable Battles

When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.

Are they turtling? Force an objective. Are they farming? Reset the lane and freeze it. Are they gathered together in a lane? Rotate to another.

7. Be Kind to Teammates

Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons and they will follow you into the deepest valley.

If you plan on playing a 5v5 game, be kind to your teammates. Few people have the heart to be mean to people who aren't being mean back.

8. Don't Scare Off Free Kills

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

If you're winning your lane but don't have quite enough damage to finish off an enemy for a kill, don't force it. Zone them off and wait for your allies to come before using up all your summoner spells unless it's a guaranteed kill. If it looks like they're in danger of dying, then they're already getting ready to flash out as soon as you try and attack them.

9. Pick Fights In Fortified Locations

Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.

Do you have a Caitlyn/Shaco/Teemo/Jhin on your team? If so, then fight somewhere that you've already fortified the area with traps. Don't force an engage on their side of the teamfight if it means moving away from a fortified objective area.

10. End Games, Don't Troll

There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.

Even if you think grabbing Zhonya's Hourglass would be hilarious for your 11-2 Darius, just be aware that at 50 minutes, everybody's strong. The longer a game goes on for, the closer every champion's win rate normalizes to 50%.

Which quote is your favorite? Want to see more? Comment below!