How Long is Decay in League of Legends? A Comprehensive Guide
In League of Legends, “decay” refers to the loss of LP (League Points) due to inactivity in ranked queues. Decay primarily affects players in Diamond tier and above. The timeframe for decay varies depending on your rank, and it’s crucial to understand how it works to maintain your hard-earned position on the ladder. Players in Diamond tier and above will lose LP (League Points) due to inactivity in ranked queues.
Understanding Decay Mechanics
The key to understanding decay lies in banked days. When you reach a division subject to decay (Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger), you start accumulating banked days. Think of these as days you’ve “saved up” by playing games. Each day, one banked day is consumed. Once you run out of banked days, that’s when the decay process kicks in, causing you to lose LP.
Decay Timelines by Tier
-
Diamond: After 28 days of inactivity, you’ll be hidden from the standings in your league. Every seven days after that, you’ll lose 50 LP until you play a game in that queue.
-
Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger: The decay mechanics for these tiers are slightly different. Instead of banked days, each game you play is stored as a “banked game,” up to a maximum of 10. If you have no banked games, you will lose 75 LP per day.
Preventing Decay
The best way to prevent decay is simple: play games! Each game you play will replenish your banked days (or banked games, in Master+) and stave off the LP loss. It’s a good idea to check how many banked days or games you have remaining to avoid surprises.
Why Does Decay Exist?
Decay serves an important purpose in maintaining the integrity of the ranked ladder. It ensures that the highest ranks are occupied by players who are actively engaged and performing well. If players could simply reach Diamond+ and then remain inactive without consequence, the standings would become stale and inaccurate, failing to reflect current skill levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Decay
Here are some frequently asked questions about decay in League of Legends to further clarify the mechanics:
1. Do I still decay in League if I’m not Diamond+?
No. Decay only affects players in Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger tiers. If you’re in Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum, you don’t need to worry about decay.
2. How many banked days do I get initially when reaching Diamond?
The exact number of initial banked days isn’t explicitly stated, but the system is designed to give you roughly four weeks (28 days) before decay starts after a period of inactivity.
3. How much LP do I lose for decay in Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger?
You lose 75 LP per day if you don’t have a banked game in Master, Grandmaster, or Challenger tiers.
4. Can I decay after the season ends?
No. Ranked decay is turned off when the season ends. You don’t have to worry about losing LP due to inactivity during the off-season.
5. Can you decay out of Masters or Diamond?
As of patch 10.6, you cannot demote out of Master or Diamond from decay. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t drop in LP.
6. What happens if I win all 10 placement matches? How high can I be placed?
Winning all 10 placement matches can place you in Platinum or Gold, depending on your MMR (Matchmaking Rating) from previous seasons.
7. Can I demote from Gold to Silver in League of Legends?
Yes, you can demote from Gold to Silver. Losing too many games at 0 LP in Gold IV will cause you to demote.
8. How often does my League rank reset?
League of Legends typically has two Ranked resets per year, coinciding with the season splits.
9. How does MMR affect decay?
MMR doesn’t directly affect the amount of LP you lose from decay. Decay is a fixed amount based on your tier. However, MMR does influence how much LP you gain or lose per game, affecting how quickly you can recover from decay if you start playing again.
10. What if I’m traveling or unable to play for an extended period?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to temporarily pause decay. The best strategy is to try and play a few games before your trip to maximize your banked days. Also, try contacting Riot Support because in some rare cases, Riot Support has been able to work with players in this regard.
11. Does decay affect my normal game MMR?
No, decay only affects your ranked LP and MMR. Your normal game MMR is separate.
12. Are there any visual indicators for decay in the client?
Yes, the client usually shows a warning when you’re nearing the end of your banked days, reminding you to play a game to prevent decay. Always pay attention to these indicators!
13. How does queue dodging affect decay?
Queue dodging doesn’t directly impact decay. However, it can affect your LP and MMR, making it slightly harder to climb back up if you do decay.
14. If I get banned, does decay still occur?
Yes, decay continues to occur even if your account is banned. This is another reason why it’s crucial to manage your banked days proactively.
15. Where can I learn more about improving my League of Legends gameplay?
There are numerous resources available, including guides, coaching services, and educational websites. Exploring resources like the Games Learning Society can provide insights into game strategy and learning principles. You can also find valuable communities and guides at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Understanding decay is crucial for maintaining your rank in League of Legends. By staying informed about the mechanics and actively managing your banked days, you can avoid unnecessary LP losses and continue your climb to the top of the ladder.