Can You Get LP if You Lose in League of Legends? The Definitive Guide
The short answer is: no, you cannot gain LP (League Points) if you lose a match in League of Legends. LP is awarded solely for victories and deducted for defeats. However, the nuances surrounding LP gains and losses are far more complex and influenced by factors like your Matchmaking Rating (MMR). Understanding these factors is crucial for climbing the ranked ladder efficiently. This guide breaks down the intricacies of LP, MMR, and everything you need to know about the ranked system.
Understanding League Points (LP) and Matchmaking Rating (MMR)
League Points are the tangible representation of your progress within a specific rank. Accumulating 100 LP in a division allows you to participate in a promotion series to advance to the next division. Winning games increases your LP, while losing games decreases it. Simple, right? Not quite.
Underneath the visible LP system lies the MMR, a hidden number that accurately reflects your skill level. Riot Games uses MMR to ensure fair matchmaking, pairing you with and against players of similar skill. The crucial point is that your MMR directly influences the amount of LP you gain or lose per game.
A high MMR relative to your rank means you’ll gain more LP per win and lose less LP per loss, indicating the system believes you belong in a higher rank. Conversely, a low MMR relative to your rank will result in smaller LP gains and larger LP losses, suggesting the system thinks you’re ranked higher than your actual skill level.
How MMR Affects LP Gains and Losses
The core principle is: the game tries to align your LP with your MMR. If your MMR is significantly higher than your current rank, the system will try to “boost” you up by awarding you more LP per win and reducing the LP lost per loss. This ensures you climb faster and reach a rank that accurately reflects your skill.
If your MMR is significantly lower than your current rank, the system will attempt to “correct” your position by awarding less LP per win and penalizing you more for losses. This can be frustrating, but it’s designed to maintain the integrity of the ranked system and prevent players from being carried to ranks they don’t deserve.
Winning consistently is the key to improving your MMR. A winning streak signals to the system that you’re performing above your current rank, leading to increased LP gains. Remember that improving your game knowledge is essential for climbing the ranks in League of Legends. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org studies the intersection of games, learning, and society and has a number of resources that may be helpful.
Decaying LP and Demotion
Reaching the higher ranks of League (Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger) brings additional considerations. Inactivity in these tiers leads to LP decay. After a certain period of inactivity, you’ll automatically lose a set amount of LP each day. This decay continues until you play a game or your LP reaches zero, potentially resulting in demotion.
Demotion can occur in two scenarios:
- Demotion between divisions within a tier: Losing a game at 0 LP in any division except Iron IV will result in demotion to the next lower division (e.g., Gold III to Gold IV).
- Demotion between tiers: This is more complex and requires a significantly low MMR for your current tier. Losing multiple games at 0 LP in Division IV of a tier is usually necessary for tier demotion (e.g., Gold IV to Silver I). The number of losses required depends on how far your MMR is below the threshold for your current tier.
FAQs: League Points and Ranked Play
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of LP and ranked play:
1. What happens if I dodge champ select?
Dodging champion select results in an LP penalty. The first dodge incurs a -5 LP penalty, while subsequent dodges result in a -15 LP penalty. This penalty cannot cause demotion but can accumulate negatively, capped at -100 LP. There’s also a time penalty before you can queue again.
2. Does KDA (Kills, Deaths, Assists) affect LP gains?
No, KDA does not directly affect LP gains or losses. The system primarily relies on your MMR relative to the MMR of your opponents to determine LP adjustments. Individual performance metrics like KDA, damage dealt, or vision score are not factored into the LP calculation.
3. How do promotion series work?
When you reach 100 LP in a division, you enter a promotion series. For promotions between divisions, you need to win 2 out of 3 games. For promotions between tiers, you need to win 3 out of 5 games. If you fail your promotion series, you’ll lose LP based on the losses in the series.
4. Why am I gaining so little LP per win?
Low LP gains typically indicate that your MMR is lower than your current rank. The system believes you’re ranked higher than your skill level warrants and is therefore slowing down your climb. The solution is to improve your MMR by consistently winning games.
5. Why am I losing so much LP per loss?
High LP losses, conversely, suggest that your MMR is significantly lower than your current rank. The system is trying to correct your position by penalizing you more for losses. Again, the key is to improve your MMR by winning more games.
6. How many games can I lose at 0 LP before demotion?
The number of games you can lose at 0 LP before demotion depends on your MMR. If your MMR is close to the threshold for your tier, you might only lose one or two games before demoting. If your MMR is significantly lower, you might be able to lose several games at 0 LP before demotion occurs.
7. Does playing with friends affect my LP gains?
Playing with friends can indirectly affect your LP gains if it impacts your win rate. If playing with friends increases your chances of winning, your MMR will improve, leading to higher LP gains. Conversely, if playing with friends lowers your win rate, your MMR will decrease, resulting in lower LP gains.
8. What’s considered a “good” LP gain?
An LP gain of 18 or more per win is generally considered good. This indicates that your MMR is higher than your rank and the system is actively trying to boost you up. LP gains between 15-17 are average, while gains below 15 suggest your MMR needs improvement.
9. How can I track my LP gains and losses over time?
You can track your LP gains and losses within the League of Legends client’s match history. Third-party websites and apps like Mobalytics also provide detailed LP tracking and analysis.
10. Do I lose LP if my teammate AFKs (Away From Keyboard)?
While having an AFK teammate is frustrating, the LP loss is generally the same as any other loss. The system doesn’t currently compensate for AFK players in terms of LP reduction.
11. What happens if I win all 10 placement matches?
Winning all 10 placement matches typically places you in a higher starting rank than losing a majority of them. The exact rank depends on your MMR from previous seasons. A perfect 10-0 record on an unranked account can often place you in Gold or Platinum.
12. How much LP do I need for Grandmaster?
To reach Grandmaster, you need to reach 200 LP and have more LP than the lowest Grandmaster player in your region. Demotion from Grandmaster occurs when you fall below 200 LP or have less LP than the lowest Grandmaster player.
13. Can I gain more LP for winning against a higher-ranked team?
Yes, winning against a team with a higher average MMR than your team will typically result in a slightly higher LP gain. This is because the system considers it a more significant victory.
14. How important is MMR compared to my visible rank?
MMR is ultimately more important than your visible rank. Your MMR determines who you play with and against, as well as the amount of LP you gain or lose. Focusing on improving your MMR is the key to long-term ranked success.
15. Is it possible to “fix” my MMR if it’s low?
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to improve a low MMR. The best way to do so is to consistently win games. A winning streak is particularly effective at boosting your MMR. Focus on improving your gameplay, learning new strategies, and playing your best in every match. The GamesLearningSociety.org studies the science behind effective gameplay.
Conclusion
While you can’t directly gain LP from losing, understanding the relationship between LP and MMR is crucial for climbing the ranked ladder in League of Legends. By focusing on improving your gameplay, winning consistently, and understanding the underlying mechanics of the ranked system, you can effectively increase your MMR and achieve your desired rank. Remember to always strive to improve and adapt your strategies, and success will follow.