What is a Slow Push in League of Legends?

What’s a Slow Push

Slow pushing is a wave management technique in League of Legends used primarily in the mid to late game. This strategy involves creating a large minion wave that builds up as it advances towards the enemy tower. By doing so, you apply constant pressure on the enemy, forcing them to respond to the wave and creating opportunities for your team to make plays on the other side of the map.

Why Slow Push?

1. Apply Pressure: A large, slow-pushed wave can put significant pressure on the enemy team, compelling them to respond and deal with the minions. This creates openings for your team to take objectives or set up plays elsewhere on the map.
2. Objective Opportunities: Timing a slow push to crash into the enemy tower while your team is taking an objective like the dragon or Baron forces the enemy to choose between contesting the objective or defending their tower.
3. Deny Farm and Experience: A slow-pushed wave can deny the enemy farm and experience if they can't deal with it in time. This is effective against champions who struggle to clear large minion waves.
4. Set Up Ganks and Dives: A slow push can set up opportunities for your jungler or other teammates to gank or dive the enemy under their tower, as the large minion wave can tank tower shots, making dives easier.

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How to Execute a Slow Push

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Kill Enemy Caster Minions: Clear the enemy caster minions first, as they deal the most damage to your minion wave. This allows your melee minions to survive longer and create a larger wave.
2. Maintain Minion Advantage: Ensure your wave has a consistent minion advantage over the enemy wave by leaving a few of the enemy's melee minions alive while clearing the rest.
3. Avoid Pushing Too Fast: Be careful not to push the wave too quickly, as this will reset the wave and eliminate the slow push.

Strategic Uses of Slow Pushing

1. Before Recalling: Set up a slow push before recalling to buy items, ensuring the wave is in a favorable position when you return to lane. This allows you to apply pressure immediately upon returning.
2. Roaming and Ganking: Slow push the wave before leaving your lane to roam or gank other lanes, keeping the enemy busy clearing the wave while you make plays elsewhere on the map.
3. Setting Up for Objectives: Slow push the wave before major objectives like dragon or Baron spawn, forcing the enemy to deal with the wave and giving your team an advantage in securing the objective.
4. Creating Large Minion Waves: By slow pushing, you can create large minion waves that take down multiple towers if left unattended by the enemy.

Timing and Execution

When to Slow Push:

1. Mid to Late Game: Slow pushing is most effective during the mid to late game. It can create opportunities to pressure objectives and force the enemy to respond.
2. Before Major Objectives: Slow push before taking major objectives like dragon or Baron to split the enemy’s attention and create favorable conditions for your team.
3. When Roaming: Before leaving your lane to help other lanes, set up a slow push. This ensures the wave pushes towards the enemy tower while you're gone, minimizing the risk of your tower taking damage.

Examples of Slow Push Champions:

• Top Lane: Champions like Shen, Yorick or Gnar excel at setting up slow pushes. Shen can use his abilities to maintain lane pressure while preparing to join his team with his ultimate.
• Mid Lane: Champions like Twisted Fate and Orianna can manage waves effectively with their abilities, setting up slow pushes that allow them to roam and make plays.

Practical Application

Slow Push Tips and Tricks:

1. Map Awareness: Always be aware of the minimap and enemy champion positions. Slow pushing leaves you vulnerable to ganks, so ensure you have adequate vision and know where the enemy jungler is.
2. Warding: Place deep wards in the enemy jungle and river to spot potential ganks and rotations, giving you information how the enemy is planning to respond.
3. Communication: Communicate with your team about your slow push. Let them know your intentions and coordinate to maximize the pressure you’re creating.
4. Timing: Time your slow push to coincide with major objectives or team plays, maximizing the impact of your strategy and forcing the enemy to make difficult decisions.

Conclusion

Slow pushing is a powerful wave management technique that can significantly impact the flow of a game in League of Legends. By understanding when and how to execute a slow push, you can apply constant pressure on the enemy, create opportunities for your team, and control the tempo of the game. Practice this strategy to enhance your gameplay and contribute to your team’s success.