Stadium has been around for a while and I still see people struggling with basic things. I made this guide to help people understand the game mode a bit better.
Video is also on Youtube if you want to support channel there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9srmJCMxs0
If you prefer text instead of video:
Have you been struggling with stadium and do you want to get the amazing all-star skin? Here are five tips to help you get started with the new season.
1. Always have 6 items
Many people are still rushing random epic items. Most epic items are less money efficient compared to cheaper counter parts. For example, instead of buying champion's kit, you can buy Nano Cola, Multi tool and Power Playbook to get even more AP for over 3 thousand cheaper.
Item buying for weapon power is a bit more complicated. But most of the time cheaper items are still better.
It is rarely useful to buy an expensive epic item for a niche effect. For example Mercy has an epic item that increases her staff range and gives very little weapon power. You really need to think is the longer staff range worth the money for earlier rounds. Or consider the next tip.
2. Farm stats and don’t feed
In stadium you get money from kills, doing damage and healing. Early game you should try to get as much money as possible. You can do it by doing a lot of damage and healing. Try to be active constantly in the fight and avoid long flanks or camping. Get powers and items that maximize your damage and healing first and get other items later. For example as Mercy you should buy weapon power and attack speed for increased healing instead of getting items that don’t give you a lot of stats, like Blessed boosters, that gives you high jump velocity.
You should also keep an eye on your bounty. Especially as a support like Mercy you can get really high bounty. Not relevant any more, but previously not giving up the bounty was important if you wanted to mercy-rule the game.
3. Understand your build
Your build defines your character and you should play how your build should be played. For example healing station soldier and aimbot soldier play totally differently. I see many clone Kirikos that don’t even spam tp on cooldown. You should change your playstyle to fit your build. Ability power reinhardt should play safe and spam fire strikes and get sneaky pins that can one shot anyone. This leads to my next tip.
4. Keep track of enemy builds
Pay attention to enemy builds. If enemy team has full ability power reinheart be careful when peaking corners and try not to get pinned. You don’t need to pay attenton to each item that enemy has but the general vibes of the build. For example is the Ashe building weapon power or ability power? This way you know what to avoid and what is your win condition. For example ability power rein is scary with one shoting fire strikes, but that rein is also really easy to kill since he has no defensive items and can be focused down easily.
5. Adapt your build
Items are the bread and butter of the stadium. You can freely swap your items so you can do this to adapt to the enemy team. For example against JQ you should try to rush healing reduction item since it will make her miserable. You should also adapt your powers based on the enemy. For example in Moira versus Dva, you should consider going weapon power instead of orb build since Dva cannot block your beam damage, but Dva can eat your orbs.
6. Bonus tip
Stadium is really forgiving when climbing. You just need to play the game if you want to climb. You can even have negative win rate when climbing because you don't lose stadium points in lower ranks.
Because Stadium uses quick play mmr, Stadium rank is also always meaningless unless for brag rights and getting the rewards.
6. And also a support hidden extra secret that will instantly rank you up to legend!
If you use your ultimate, it uses a powerful ability. Your ultimate will not be kept for the next round so you should use it before the round ends. Especially, if you are a nano boost ana, maybe use your nano during the game. And if you use your ultimate as soon as you get it, you can have time to get it a second time or even a third time.
edit: Changed video url because of server swap.