The Autobattler genre has long been humorously referred to by Vietnamese gamers as “fortune chess” due to its highly enticing element of luck. Although it may not have a specific name like in Vietnam, foreign players also understand that luck plays a part in this game. However, as this genre has evolved to its peak with Teamfight Tactics, it has become clear that knowledge and strategy are the most important aspects of this game.
However, for most players, when they hear the term “fortune chess,” they often blame their losses on luck. This happens so frequently that players sometimes view Teamfight Tactics as a “luck-based” game. Perhaps seeing their product misunderstood so often, Riot Mortdog – the lead designer of Teamfight Tactics at Riot Games – made a strong “jibe” at the players, essentially stating that if they want to win, they need to play better.
Riot Mortdog: The Truth Scroll says – “It’s not a matter of luck. You can play better to reach the top 4 or win.”
There is a saying that “luck is a part of skill,” which means that to have high skills, you also need some luck; however, it is only a part of it. The same goes for playing Teamfight Tactics; there are matches where you might get lucky and win easily, but in matches without that “luck,” what will you do? Accept defeat and settle for a bottom 8 finish?
For top players in ranks such as Challenger, they play hundreds, even thousands of matches to reach that rank; you can’t say someone has been “lucky” for several hundred matches. Skills like observing opponents, calculating which champions to acquire, and understanding team composition strength are what elevate a player’s skill level.
The ranking system created by Riot is not just an achievement to brag about; it also reflects the actual skill level of players. If you are stuck at lower ranks, the best way to get out is to practice your skills, learn from top players, rather than blaming “fortune.”