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Front-to-back DPS is attacking the closest enemy you can hit from where you already stand, and moving on to the next one as targets die, instead of forcing your way to the enemy carry. A carry that is alive and hitting a tank deals more than one that died on the way to the backline.

What it is

In a teamfight the enemy frontline stands between you and their squishies. Your damage only counts while you are alive and in range. If you walk around or through the frontline to reach the carry, you spend the fight pathing instead of attacking, and you usually end it dead with little damage dealt.

The rule follows from how attack orders work. When you order an attack on a target that is out of range, your champion walks toward it until it is in range, then attacks. So an order on a far target is also a walk forward. Hitting what is already in range means you keep your position, and every second is spent firing.

Front-to-back is not tank-only. It is the closest target you can safely hit, and that changes as the fight does. If a squishy walks into your range, hit them. If the frontline dies or is crowd controlled, your accessible targets move back, and your attacks move back with them.

How to do it

  1. Start the fight behind your frontline

    Stand behind your own tank and the other fighters, outside the enemy's threat range, while the engage plays out. In a long game your damage window is shorter, so wait for the enemy to use their engage first and then start dealing damage.

  2. Pick the closest champion you can hit without moving forward

    Look at who is in range right now, not who you wish you could hit. The closest reachable champion is your target, even if it is a tank. Damage on a tank still counts, and it keeps you from walking forward past the frontline.

  3. Make your input aim at champions

    Use Target Champions Only, held through the fight, or attack-move with the cursor beside your chosen target. Both stop you clicking minions or the ground. Keep the cursor near the target instead of sweeping across the screen.

  4. Kite as the fight comes to you

    Alternate attack and move clicks as usual and let your movement go sideways or back toward your team, not forward. If an enemy dives you, step away between shots and use your slow or peel instead of standing still. Moving toward the enemy happens only when it is safe.

  5. Re-pick the target when the picture changes

    After each kill, crowd control or knock-up, ask who is now the closest reachable champion. When the frontline falls, shift your hits to the next person in range. Do not keep attacking the same tank out of habit when a carry has stepped into reach.

  6. Use abilities and defensives on the backline

    Your abilities may reach further than your auto-attacks. Use them on a backline target if you have a clear line, while your autos stay on the closest champion. Keep your Cleanse or Quicksilver for a lock that would decide the fight, especially against a team full of crowd control.

Watch it

What to watch for: The chapters cover how to join fights from 1:52 and teamfight positioning from 3:23.

Video: ADC Fundamentals Guide: Teamfighting & Positioning — Tonirel

Common mistakes

  • You click the enemy carry behind their frontline. Your champion walks forward to reach them and dies before the first shot. Hit what is in range and let the fight come to you.
  • You wait for the perfect target and deal no damage. A tank in range is a better target than a carry out of range.
  • You keep hitting the same tank after a squishy steps into your range. Your target choice should follow the fight.
  • You advance with the frontline as it chases. You become the closest target. Stay behind it.
  • You start the fight before the engage is used. You eat the engage with no one in front of you. Wait for it, then deal damage.

Practice drill

  • In the Practice Tool, spawn dummies at different distances, some behind others. For one minute attack only the closest dummy you can reach without walking forward. Success is never taking a step toward a dummy that was out of range.
  • In your own replays, pause at the start of each teamfight and note who you hit first and how far you moved forward. Aim to deal damage in every fight and to finish each one alive.

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