Why Am I Getting So Little LP When I Win in League of Legends?
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The frustration of grinding through the League of Legends ranked ladder only to be rewarded with a pittance of LP (League Points) for your victories is a feeling every player knows well. The simple answer is: your Matchmaking Rating (MMR) is lower than your current rank. The system believes you’re not performing at the level of your visible rank, so it’s trying to correct this discrepancy by awarding you fewer points for wins and potentially penalizing you more heavily for losses. Let’s unpack this further and dive into all the nuances of LP gains and MMR.
Understanding the LP/MMR Relationship
League’s ranked system isn’t just about your visible rank. It’s built on two distinct yet interconnected pillars: LP (League Points) and MMR (Matchmaking Rating). LP is what you see; it determines your rank, division, and tier. MMR, however, is a hidden number that the system uses to determine your skill level and who you are matched with in games.
The game uses your MMR to match you with players of similar skill levels. Ideally, your MMR and your rank should be in sync. If they are, you’ll typically see “normal” LP gains/losses (around 16-20 LP). However, if there is a significant gap, the system tries to correct it.
The MMR Gap
The issue arises when your MMR and rank become desynchronized. Here’s how it usually plays out:
- Lower MMR than Rank: This is the scenario where you win little LP. The system believes you are ranked too high for your actual skill level, so it offers small LP gains to slow your climb and encourage you to improve. Losses will also tend to hurt more as the system attempts to gently guide you back down to where it thinks you belong.
- Higher MMR than Rank: Conversely, if your MMR is higher than your rank, you’ll experience larger LP gains. The system recognizes that you’re performing above your current rank and rapidly boosts you up the ladder. You’ll also lose less LP on losses.
How MMR is Calculated
Riot Games keeps the exact MMR algorithm under wraps, but the core principle is based on your win/loss record against other players. Every game you play influences your MMR. Winning consistently increases your MMR, while losing consistently decreases it. Factors that DO NOT affect MMR:
- KDA (Kills, Deaths, Assists)
- Champion Mastery
- Spending money on skins
- Anything else that doesn’t directly influence your win/loss record
Factors Affecting Low LP Gains
Several factors can contribute to the dreaded “low LP gain” situation:
- Losing Streaks: A prolonged losing streak will significantly damage your MMR, causing it to plummet.
- Duo Queueing with Lower-Ranked Players: While duo queueing itself doesn’t directly affect LP gain, consistently playing with lower-ranked friends can artificially inflate your win rate, potentially placing you in a higher rank than your true MMR would suggest.
- Low Win Rate: A consistently low win rate indicates that you may be struggling to maintain your current rank, which the system interprets as a sign that your MMR should be lower.
- Dodging: Dodging games does not affect your MMR, but you lose LP. Repeated dodging will eventually put you in a situation where you need to win many games to recover the lost LP.
Correcting Your MMR and Improving LP Gains
The good news is that you can improve your MMR and, consequently, your LP gains. Here are some strategies:
- Win Consistently: The most effective way to raise your MMR is to go on a winning streak. Every win pushes your MMR higher, signaling to the system that you deserve to be in a higher rank.
- Focus on Improvement: Instead of fixating on LP gains, focus on improving your gameplay. Review your replays, identify mistakes, and actively work to correct them. Better gameplay naturally leads to more wins, which boosts your MMR. Consider visiting Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) to see if they have resources that can help improve your learning process!
- Play Your Best Role/Champions: Stick to the roles and champions you are most comfortable and successful with. This increases your chances of winning and improving your MMR.
- Don’t Tilt Queue: Avoid playing ranked games when you are feeling frustrated or tilted after a loss. Tilt can lead to poor decision-making and more losses, further damaging your MMR.
- Take Breaks: If you find yourself on a losing streak, take a break from the game. Clear your head, relax, and come back refreshed and ready to play your best.
- New Account: This is a more extreme option. If your MMR is truly tanked, creating a new account can be a fresh start. However, this means leveling a new account to ranked status again, so it’s only recommended as a last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about LP gains and MMR:
1. How much LP is considered “normal” gain/loss?
Generally, 16-20 LP is considered the “normal” range for both gains and losses. Anything significantly below 16 LP suggests that your MMR is lower than your rank.
2. Does dodging affect my MMR?
No, dodging a game does not affect your MMR. However, it does result in an LP penalty and a queue timer.
3. Can I gain MMR from losing?
Technically, no. Losing always decreases your MMR, but the hidden MMR system is complex. While it is not possible to gain MMR from losing, the system does have some small protections in place to prevent a complete MMR collapse after only a few losses.
4. Why am I losing more LP than I’m winning?
This indicates that your MMR is significantly lower than your current rank. The system is trying to correct this imbalance by making you lose more LP than you gain.
5. What’s the highest possible LP gain?
In initial placements, it’s possible to gain up to 100 LP for the first win. However, in regular ranked play, LP gains are usually capped around 30 LP.
6. Does my KDA affect my LP gains?
No, your KDA does not directly affect your LP gains. MMR is primarily based on win/loss record.
7. Does queueing with a duo partner affect my LP gains?
Duo queueing does not directly change how much LP you gain, however, it can affect your MMR. By queueing with someone of lower MMR than you, it is possible that your MMR decreases.
8. How do I fix my MMR?
The most effective way to fix your MMR is to go on a winning streak. Consistent wins will raise your MMR and improve your LP gains.
9. Does my performance in a game affect my LP gain?
While your personal performance might contribute indirectly to winning (and thus affecting MMR), the algorithm doesn’t directly factor in your KDA, damage dealt, or other in-game stats when calculating LP gains.
10. Can you have negative LP?
Yes. The negative LP trick is done by dodging many games in a row. It cannot demote you.
11. Does region affect LP gain?
LP is region specific, as the region you play in has its own player skill and ranked distribution.
12. Can I decay out of Diamond?
Yes, you can decay out of Diamond if you do not play enough games. This is a system designed to protect ranked integrity.
13. What is LP?
League Points are the points you get with each win or loss, determining your progress through the ranked system.
14. Can I get banned for bad LP gain?
No, the fact that you have a bad LP gain is not a valid reason for you to get banned.
15. What is MMR?
Matchmaking Rating (MMR) is a hidden number that the system uses to determine your skill level and who you are matched with in games.
Conclusion
Getting low LP gains can be frustrating, but understanding the relationship between LP and MMR is crucial. By focusing on improving your gameplay, winning consistently, and avoiding the pitfalls that can damage your MMR, you can improve your LP gains and climb the ranked ladder more effectively. Remember that consistency and self-improvement are key to long-term success in League of Legends.