League of Legends uses a tiered ranking system to match players of similar skill levels, and your progress within this system is measured by League Points (LP). Understanding how LP gains and losses work is crucial for anyone looking to climb the ranked ladder. These points fluctuate based on your match outcomes, but several other factors can influence the magnitude of these changes.
Winning and Losing
The most straightforward determinant of LP change is the outcome of your ranked matches. Winning a game grants you LP, while losing a game deducts LP. The amount of LP gained or lost is not fixed and can vary significantly from game to game.
Matchmaking Rating (MMR)
At the core of the LP system is your Matchmaking Rating (MMR). This hidden rating represents your true skill level as determined by Riot Games' algorithms. Your MMR is constantly adjusted based on your wins and losses.
- Gaining LP: When you win a game, you gain LP. The amount you gain is influenced by the difference between your MMR and the average MMR of the players in your match. If your MMR is higher than the average, you will gain less LP per win, as the system believes you are already in the correct rank. Conversely, if your MMR is lower, you will gain more LP.
- Losing LP: When you lose a game, you lose LP. Similar to gains, the amount lost is affected by your MMR. If your MMR is higher than the average, you will lose more LP per loss, as the system believes you are ranked too high. If your MMR is lower, you will lose less LP.
LP Gains and Losses Explained
The difference between your MMR and your visible rank (e.g., Silver II, Gold IV) is a key factor. If your MMR is significantly higher than your visible rank, you will experience larger LP gains and smaller LP losses. This is often referred to as being "promoted" by the system. Conversely, if your MMR is significantly lower than your visible rank, you will have smaller LP gains and larger LP losses, indicating that the system believes you are ranked too high.
Example:
| Scenario | MMR vs. Average MMR | LP Gain/Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Win, MMR > Average | Your MMR is higher than opponents' | Small LP Gain |
| Win, MMR < Average | Your MMR is lower than opponents' | Large LP Gain |
| Loss, MMR > Average | Your MMR is higher than opponents' | Large LP Loss |
| Loss, MMR < Average | Your MMR is lower than opponents' | Small LP Loss |
Promotional Series
When you reach the end of an LP division (e.g., 100 LP in Silver IV), you will enter a promotional series to advance to the next division (e.g., Silver III). These series typically consist of a best-of-three or best-of-five matches. Winning the required number of games in your promo series will promote you to the next division. Losing the series will set your LP back, but you will usually retain some LP to prevent drastic drops.
Demotion Shielding
To prevent rapid demotions, Riot Games implements a demotion shield. If you are at 0 LP in a division and lose a game, you will not immediately be demoted. Instead, your LP will drop below zero, and you will need to lose another game at negative LP to be demoted to the previous division. This shield is typically stronger for players in lower divisions.
Understanding these mechanics can help you manage your expectations and focus on improving your gameplay, which is the most effective way to increase your LP and climb the ranks in League of Legends.