Demystifying League Points: Your Guide to Ranking Up in League of Legends
So, you’re grinding the ranked ladder in League of Legends, chasing that next tier and the sweet taste of victory. But the big question looms: How many LP do you actually need to rank up? The answer, while seemingly simple, has a few nuances.
Generally, you need 100 League Points (LP) to promote within a division, like climbing from Silver II to Silver I. However, reaching 100 LP in Division I of any tier (e.g., Gold I) doesn’t promote you to the next division; instead, it enters you into a promotion series, which is a best-of-five (Bo5) series to advance to the next tier (e.g., Gold I to Platinum IV). Furthermore, reaching 100 LP in any other division (Bronze IV to Bronze I) means you play a best-of-three (Bo3) series for promotion.
It is important to remember that the amount of LP you gain or lose per game is heavily influenced by your Matchmaking Rating (MMR). Think of MMR as your hidden skill level. The system uses it to determine how challenging your matches are and how much LP you earn or lose.
Understanding the Nuances of LP Gains and Losses
If your MMR is significantly higher than your current rank, you’ll gain more LP per win and lose less per loss. This is the game’s way of recognizing that you belong at a higher rank. Conversely, if your MMR is lower than your current rank, you’ll gain less LP and lose more. This is a sign that the system believes you are over-ranked and need to prove your worth.
Sometimes, you might even skip divisions entirely! This happens when the difference between your MMR and your rank is very large. For example, you might jump from Silver IV directly to Silver II upon reaching 100 LP. In rarer cases, you can even skip promotional series and advance to the next tier, such as going from Silver I to Gold IV without a promotion series.
Why Your MMR Matters More Than You Think
Ultimately, your MMR is a better indicator of your true skill than your visible rank. Focusing on improving your gameplay and consistently winning games will naturally raise your MMR, which in turn will make climbing the ladder easier. Don’t get too caught up in the LP grind; focus on the process of improvement, and the ranks will follow.
Reaching the Top Tiers
The rules change slightly as you ascend to the upper echelons of the ranked ladder, specifically when you get to Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger. Once you break into Master Tier, things become less about a fixed LP target and more about relative ranking compared to other players. You get into Grandmaster by reaching 200 LP and having more LP than the lowest Grandmaster player in your region. You can be demoted by falling below 200 LP, or having less LP than the lowest Grandmaster player in your region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About LP and Ranking
Here’s a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand the intricacies of League Points and ranking.
1. Do I always need exactly 100 LP to trigger a promotion?
Yes, you need to accumulate at least 100 LP within a division to trigger a promotion to either a promotional series (if in Division I) or to advance to the next division. Excess LP will carry over to the next division.
2. What happens if I get more than 100 LP in a division?
Any LP you have above 100 when advancing to the next division will carry over. For example, if you have 115 LP when you promote from Silver III to Silver II, you’ll start in Silver II with 15 LP.
3. How many wins does it take to rank up?
There’s no set number of wins required. It depends entirely on your LP gains and losses, which are dictated by your MMR relative to your current rank. If your MMR is high, you might only need a few wins to reach 100 LP and trigger a promotion. If it’s low, it might take significantly more. The more wins you get, the more likely you are to have more LP.
4. What happens if I lose my promotion series?
If you lose your promotional series, you’ll drop back down, usually to around 50-75 LP in the division you were trying to climb out of. You’ll need to earn another 100 LP to re-enter the promotion series.
5. Does my KDA affect my LP gains or MMR?
No. Your KDA (Kills, Deaths, Assists) does not directly affect your LP gains or MMR. The system primarily focuses on whether you win or lose the game, although your hidden performance metrics might influence MMR adjustments to a small degree.
6. Why am I gaining so little LP per win?
This usually indicates that your MMR is lower than your current rank. The game believes you’re not quite skilled enough for your current tier/division, so it’s giving you fewer LP to slow your progress. You’ll need to improve your win rate to raise your MMR.
7. Can I lose LP if I don’t play ranked for a while?
Yes, in the Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger tiers, you will experience LP decay if you don’t play ranked games for a certain period. The amount of LP lost varies depending on the tier. This decay is in place to ensure that players in these top tiers are actively maintaining their skill and rank.
8. How can I improve my MMR?
The best way to improve your MMR is to consistently win games. A winning streak is particularly effective. Focus on improving your gameplay, making smart decisions, and playing to your strengths.
9. Does dodging affect my MMR?
Dodging a game in the champion select screen will not directly affect your MMR. However, it will result in a small LP penalty and a temporary ban from queuing. Dodging strategically can be useful, but it shouldn’t be a regular habit.
10. Do I get more LP for playing Fill?
When you queue as Fill, you do get bonus LP as compensation when you win the game.
11. What is the highest LP gain possible?
There’s no hard limit on the highest LP gain possible, but it’s rare to see gains significantly above 30 LP. Extremely high LP gains usually indicate a massive disparity between your MMR and your rank.
12. Can I skip divisions or tiers?
Yes! If your MMR is significantly higher than your current rank, you can skip divisions or even entire tiers upon reaching 100 LP. This is more common for players with a very high win rate or those returning to ranked after a break.
13. Why do I lose more LP than I gain?
This usually means your MMR is lower than your current rank. The game thinks you’re over-ranked and is trying to push you back down to a more appropriate level. Focus on improving your win rate to counteract this.
14. How does the new ranked season affect my LP?
At the start of each ranked season, everyone undergoes a soft MMR reset. This means your MMR is adjusted downwards slightly. You’ll then play placement matches, which heavily influence your initial rank. Your LP gains and losses will be more volatile during the initial period as the system tries to accurately place you.
15. How do I know if I’m ready to rank up?
Winning more games than you lose and consistently improving your skills are solid indicators that you’re ready to climb. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and queue up for ranked games. Focus on consistent improvement, and the rank will naturally follow.
Final Thoughts
Climbing the ranked ladder in League of Legends is a journey that requires skill, dedication, and a solid understanding of the game’s mechanics. While LP is the visible metric for progress, remember that your MMR is the engine driving your ascent. Focus on improving your gameplay, learning from your mistakes, and playing strategically. You can also learn about other useful strategies, like using educational games, which is one of the key research areas studied by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. With the right approach, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your ranked goals. Good luck, summoner!