Mid lane is the shortest path to both sides of the map, so the team whose mid wave is pushing can move to dragon, Baron or a side lane first. Contest the enemy mid push by clearing the wave with help, positioning forward with vision, or forcing a fight when the enemy is weaker. If you can never push mid, every objective fight starts with you arriving late.
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Why mid priority matters
When your mid wave is pushing into the enemy tower, your mid laner and jungler can walk to either river first. When the enemy has it, they get there first and set up vision while you are still catching the wave.
That's why fights for dragon and Baron often start with a fight for the mid wave a minute earlier.
Three ways to contest it
Clear it with help: your jungler or a roaming support helps the mid laner push the wave fast. Take forward position: ward the jungle around mid and stand where the enemy has to walk through you to push.
Force a fight: if the enemy mid laner pushes alone and your team is close, start the fight on them. A pick on the player pushing mid often gives your team the next objective.
When to let it go
If the enemy team is stronger right now, grouped near mid, and you have no vision, contesting the wave can mean a lost fight. Let the wave come to your tower and clear it safely instead.
Losing one mid wave is fine. Losing a fight for it, and then the objective too, is not.
Common mistakes around mid push
Letting the enemy push mid every time before an objective, walking forward alone into the jungle around mid without vision, and fighting for the wave when the enemy is clearly stronger are the usual mistakes.
In a replay, look at the minute before each objective fight. Which team had the mid wave pushed? Usually the team that pushed mid got to the objective first.
Practice the decision on real game situations
Contesting mid push is one of the 51 patterns on MOBA Trainer's Pattern Map, in the Map movement group. It has a video explanation from a coach and training puzzles built from real game situations: you see the map, choose where to go, and learn why the best players choose differently.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is mid priority important in League?
- Because mid lane is the shortest route to both sides of the map. The team with mid priority can reach dragon, Baron and side lanes first and set up vision there.
- How do I get mid priority as a jungler?
- Help your mid laner push the wave before an objective, ward the jungle around mid, and punish the enemy mid laner when they push alone.
- What if the enemy mid laner always pushes first?
- Ask your jungler or support for help clearing the wave before objectives, and keep vision around mid so you can see when they move. If they keep pushing alone, they can be caught.
- Is MOBA Trainer free?
- The daily puzzle and the first lesson are free. The full campaign with every pattern is part of the Season Pass. MOBA Trainer runs on Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android and the web, and the Discord bot Moti brings the daily puzzle to Discord.