Decoding the Secrets of S Rank in League of Legends
In League of Legends (LoL), achieving an S rank is a badge of honor, signifying exceptional performance within a match. It’s more than just a pat on the back; it unlocks faster champion mastery progress, grants access to sought-after cosmetic upgrades, and even boosts your lol level up rewards. Think of it as the game’s way of saying, “You crushed it!” and rewarding you accordingly.
Understanding the League of Legends Grading System
The League of Legends grading system, much like traditional academic grading or tier lists used in gaming, progresses from worst to best as follows: D, C, B, A, and S. Each letter grade is further nuanced with minus (-), neutral, and plus (+) degrees, reflecting the depth of your performance within each tier. Therefore, the rock bottom is a D-, while the coveted pinnacle is an S+.
The S rank itself sits at the top, representing “Special,” “Super,” or even the Japanese word for “Exemplary” (秀, shū). The adoption of “S” stems from its widespread use in Japanese culture for advertising and academic grading, where it signifies outstanding achievement. So, landing an S in League is a big deal!
The Nuances of S Ranks: More Than Just Kills
While racking up kills is definitely helpful, an S rank hinges on a constellation of factors that showcase overall mastery of your champion and role within the game. A high kill count alone doesn’t guarantee an S, especially if other aspects of your gameplay are lacking. The game evaluates your performance relative to other players using the same champion in the same role.
Demystifying S+ Rank
Securing an S+ rank is the holy grail of League of Legends performance. It demands not just competence, but dominance. To reach this elite tier, you need to:
- Maintain a considerably better KDA (Kills, Deaths, Assists) than the average player using that champion.
- Achieve a very good vision score, demonstrating your commitment to warding and map awareness.
- Outperform the average player on that champion in a combination of key metrics, including:
- Damage to champions
- Farm (CS – Creep Score)
- Crowd control score
- Healing/Shielding on allies
- Damage taken
Essentially, an S+ means you’re not just playing well; you’re playing exceptionally well, setting a high standard for others to follow.
What an S Rank Unlocks
Earning an S rank in League of Legends isn’t just about bragging rights. It directly impacts your in-game progression, unlocking several valuable benefits:
- Faster Champion Mastery Progress: S ranks grant significantly more Champion Mastery Points, accelerating your journey to mastering your favorite champions.
- Access to Cosmetic Upgrades: Obtaining S ranks is crucial for unlocking champion mastery emotes, which display your mastery level in-game.
- LOL Level Up Rewards: S ranks contribute to your overall account level progression, rewarding you with loot capsules and other valuable items.
- Teammate Recognition: Earning an S usually attracts positive feedback from your teammates, acknowledging your contributions and solidifying your reputation as a skilled player.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about S Ranks in League of Legends
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of S ranks in League of Legends:
1. Is an S Grade Better Than an A?
Yes, an S grade is superior to an A in League of Legends. It represents a higher level of performance and unlocks greater rewards.
2. Can You Get an S If You Lose?
Yes, it’s possible, albeit difficult, to obtain an S rank even in a losing game. You would need to significantly outperform other players on your champion, compensating for the loss with outstanding individual stats.
3. Does an S Affect Your GPA?
In the context of League of Legends, S ranks do not directly affect your GPA. However, in academic settings using Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading, “S” indicates passing performance and doesn’t factor into GPA calculation.
4. What Does FF Mean in League?
FF stands for “forfeit” in League of Legends. Players type “ff” to indicate a desire to surrender the match and end it early.
5. What Does CS Mean in League?
CS is the abbreviation for “creep score,” which represents the number of minions or neutral monsters a player has killed. It’s a key indicator of farm and gold income.
6. What is F Tier?
F Tier represents the worst tier in a meta tier list. Builds or champions in F Tier are generally considered unviable and ineffective.
7. What Does D Tier Mean?
D Tier signifies a below-average tier in the meta. D Tier builds and champions have significant flaws and are generally not recommended.
8. Where Did the S Tier Come From?
The S Tier originates from Japanese grading systems, where it signifies “Special,” “Super,” or “Exemplary” performance, surpassing the A grade.
9. Why Do Tiers Go From A to S?
The tier system borrows from the American grading system, but the S rank comes from the Japanese. The Japanese school systems added an S rank above A to allow a wider spectrum of possible grades.
10. What Does B Mean in Tier?
B Tier signifies a tier in the game’s meta. These builds are above average but not amazing.
11. How Do You Get an S in Pizza Tower?
Although this article is about League of Legends, and not Pizza Tower, getting an S in Pizza Tower generally requires completing all optional challenges, such as collecting all Toppins and completing all secret rooms.
12. What Grade s Means?
An S grade in academic settings often means “Satisfactory.” However, in League of Legends, it means “Special,” “Super,” or “Exemplary.”
13. Does S Grade Mean Fail?
No, an S grade does not mean fail. In academic settings, where “S” is used, it indicates satisfactory completion of coursework, equivalent to a C or higher. In League of Legends, it is a high achievement.
14. What Does Z Tier Mean?
Z Tier is often a joke among players, indicating performance so poor that it falls below even the lowest ranked tiers.
15. What is Tier 1?
In the US, Tier 1 often refers to major private research universities with significant resources and prestigious programs.
Conclusion: Aiming for Excellence
Understanding the nuances of S ranks in League of Legends is crucial for improving your gameplay and maximizing your rewards. It’s not just about kills; it’s about demonstrating mastery of your champion, contributing to your team’s success, and consistently outperforming your peers. So, aim for the S, embrace the challenge, and reap the rewards of your exceptional performance.
The world of online gaming offers excellent opportunities for learning and growth. For more insights into the intersection of games and education, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. You can also visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.