When people talk about feedback, some mistakenly think it gets more complex as you climb tiers and simpler as you go down. The truth is exactly the opposite.
With lower-tier players, you don't know their common sense level, reaction speed, skill shot accuracy, or what mechanical variables they're working with. You have to start with lowered expectations when giving feedback.
Even if you're facing an opponent you can definitely beat, if you encourage them by saying, "Why didn't that connect? That was a kill opportunity!" they might dive recklessly next time when there's no real opportunity and die alone.
What they need isn't advanced concepts but fundamentals: how to easily last-hit minions, how to read the minimap to predict enemy team interventions, and solutions tailored to their individual capabilities.
There are certainly players in lower tiers who could adapt well if placed in higher tiers. They remain in lower ranks because they lack time to play, suffer consecutive losses due to terrible teammates, break mentally and become the cause of defeat themselves, or excel in only one area—either information processing or mechanical skill.
If you help them recognize and compensate for their weaknesses, they can certainly climb. Of course, there's nothing you can do about absolute time constraints—you can't tell someone who can only play one game per day to play more.
Conversely, as players climb tiers, certain baseline expectations develop. Even players nicknamed "headbutting dinosaurs" for their brainless gameplay will still check the minimap better than most Iron-tier players once they reach Diamond. If you were to draw their abilities on a hexagonal graph, their weakest areas would show some improvement.
And at the pro gamer level, unless they're ADCs, they already thoroughly understand basic capabilities, so there's no need to discuss fundamentals.
You just need to discuss optimal plays. Was the play made at each moment truly correct? What's the reasoning? Could there have been a better approach?
"Why didn't you fight there? There was no jungle intervention, and if you traded damage early, you'd create health pressure for the objective fight later. Sure, you might lose the immediate trade, but tanks and warriors have base stat differences—in an even health-depleted team fight, the tank wins due to health regeneration differences."
"I thought taking immediate advantage was better. There would have been a more ideal trade opportunity later, so why fight now and take minion damage unnecessarily?"
"When a pushing wave forms, how do you know if they'll fight or not? If you position aggressively to deny a few CS, they'll come to intervene. Just go aggressive here. Your mechanics are good now."
"Hmm, you're right. I hadn't thought of it that way. I guess I was being too defensive out of habit."
The discussion continues like this. My feedback isn't something to be followed blindly—different pilots can perform different roles.
But since we both understand the reasoning behind our statements and what plays should be made—especially since both Hyunseo and I are top laners with a good sense of the ideal way to control the game—we communicate effectively and find the best plays Hyunseo can make.
That's why this is easier than giving feedback to lower-tier viewers. With them, I struggled to determine how much explanation was needed for the correct play and what basic knowledge they already possessed.
But Hyunseo understands everything I say immediately. It's not much different from tutoring—teaching a bright student is easier than teaching those who struggle academically.
This isn't meant to disparage anyone—it's purely about ability. Students who struggle academically likely have other talents, so they should be taught technical skills or guided toward different career paths.
Unfortunately, League of Champions isn't life—it's a game. With competitive systems and rankings, people naturally want to climb higher even if they lack ability. That's why many aim beyond their talents to increase their tier, regardless of their actual skill level.
When this works out, some people develop skills beyond their natural talent through bone-crushing effort. But when that desire manifests negatively, they explore darker routes like boosting services.
"By the way, Noel, about dating Gabi... how far have you two gone?"
After giving feedback and trying to cool down the heated atmosphere, Hyunseo asked me very cautiously.
It's obviously a personal question, which reminds me that he's still a man inside.
Women would discuss this kind of thing openly and loudly. Perhaps Hyunseo is being extra careful because he sees me as a woman.
"How far? I haven't really thought about it. Hmm, does kissing for the broadcast count as progress?"
I might have been embarrassed if things had gone further, but we're both old enough to know what's what. There's no need to be shy about this.
Usually when talking about relationship progress, it means holding hands, kissing, and what comes after.
If we'd used tongues, I might have blushed a bit. But that kiss was literally just our lips touching.
...Though remembering the sensation of those moist, soft lips does make my face heat up a little. Still, this level of intimacy could even be done as affection between family members, though usually just between parents and babies.
"Well, since I appear to be a woman on the outside... even if Jaemin and I are just in a business relationship concept, I'm worried because I'm a man inside. What if I start seeing Jaemin romantically? So I was wondering how far physical contact would be acceptable."
"Ah, if that's your concern, I think anything short of kissing should be fine. She'll probably just take it as playful."
Hyunseo wasn't asking out of curiosity about Gabi and me. He was wondering how far he could go himself, and perhaps how far Jaemin might approach him for content.
I mean, even I get heart flutters when Gabi, whom I've been close with since childhood, just breathes near me. So when a pretty girl like Jaemin holds Hyunseo's hand, it must be quite embarrassing for him.
"You know, I've never dated once in my 30 years, so just living with a woman is stimulating enough. And Jaemin isn't just any woman—she's pretty enough to rival most celebrities. Even though it's a virtual marriage show, it would be terrible if I misunderstood and thought Jaemin actually had feelings for me."
"Hmm, that would be a problem. And you should call yourself 'unnie,' not 'oppa.'"
"Ah, it's just habit. Anyway, it would be ridiculous to have such misunderstandings at my age. I need to be careful."
"Careful about what? Your ID says you're twenty-four."
"That's different, but anyway..."
I honestly thought he was overthinking trivial matters, but watching him worry about such small things was quite amusing.
When Hyunseo was a man, he was thirty years old. While that might not seem like much compared to those with true wisdom of age, he still knew more about life than I did.
But seeing him worry about such unnecessary things now makes it seem like his mental age has regressed too. They say the mind follows the body, and that seems exactly right.
I wonder if I've also adapted to this younger body and changed mentally. The thought did cross my mind.
The idea that I would find a thirty-year-old adult with a man inside cute was amusing, and I secretly smiled while Hyunseo wasn't looking.
Suddenly, a phone rang, and I checked my pocket. When broadcasting, my phone stays on my wheelchair, but at home, I just keep it in my hoodie pocket.
The screen showed an unknown number, but it started with 02 (a Seoul area code) rather than 070 (internet phone), so it probably wasn't spam.
More worryingly, there were two possibilities for unknown numbers calling me.
One would be team-related. Usually, messages would come through the coach or Hyunseo, so if someone was calling me directly, it might be something unpleasant.
The other possibility...
"Hello?"
["Ah, yes. Hello, is this player Noel?"]
"Yes, that's me."
["I'm calling about your mother."]
"What? Did something happen to my mother...?"
The prison where my mother is incarcerated. What reason would they have to contact me except for issues with my mother's health?
My heart sank, and I unconsciously raised my voice. Hyunseo, who had been sharing his concerns, immediately looked serious and studied my expression.
["Your mother has passed her parole review. She's scheduled to be released in about 2-3 days. Since you're her only family, we wanted to inform you."]
The news was completely outside what I had expected. I couldn't respond and just moved my lips silently while facing Hyunseo, who raised his eyebrows questioningly.