In the competitive world of League of Legends, the numbers next to a player’s name—their League Points (LP) and visible rank—tell a story of their journey up the ranked ladder. Yet, the true narrative behind their climb or descent is governed by a hidden, more powerful force: the Match Making Rating (MMR). This invisible score is the core engine of the LP system, dynamically adjusting how many points a player gains or loses after each game.
The fundamental principle is a constant comparison between a player’s visible rank and their hidden MMR. If a player’s MMR is higher than their current rank, the system recognizes them as being “underrated.” Consequently, they are rewarded with greater LP gains for wins and face smaller losses for defeats, allowing them to climb the ranks more quickly.
Conversely, if a player’s MMR falls below their visible rank, the system aims to correct this disparity. They will receive less LP for victories and lose more on defeats, pushing their rank downward to better align with their actual skill level.
The Factors That Influence LP Gains
While the outcome of a match is the primary determinant of LP change, several factors contribute to the final calculation:
- Win/Loss Streaks: A series of wins significantly accelerates MMR growth, leading to a rapid increase in LP gains. A losing streak has the opposite effect, causing MMR to drop and resulting in lower LP gains and larger losses.
- MMR Differential: Beating a team with a higher average MMR will net you more LP, while losing to a lower-MMR team will cost you more. The system rewards challenging yourself against better opponents.
- Player Performance: Although match outcome is paramount, personal performance within a game may have a minor influence on LP, particularly at lower ranks. However, this is always secondary to the core MMR-based calculation.
- Activity Level: In the higher echelons of ranked play, inactivity can lead to LP decay, where a player’s LP is gradually reduced over time if they fail to play a certain number of games. This ensures the top of the ladder remains active and competitive.
The system’s ultimate goal is to align a player’s visible rank with their hidden MMR. When this balance is achieved, LP gains and losses tend to stabilize around 15 LP per game. This is the sweet spot where the system believes the player is at the rank that accurately reflects their skill.
The Road to Promotion and Demotion
Reaching 100 LP in a division triggers a promotion series, a best-of-three or best-of-five showdown to advance to the next rank. Winning this series solidifies your climb. However, the journey can also go in the other direction. Dropping to 0 LP and losing another game can result in demotion to a lower division, especially if the player’s MMR is already well below their current rank.
Ultimately, the League of Legends ranked system is a dynamic and evolving mechanism designed to ensure a competitive and fair environment. It’s a continuous balancing act between visible progress and a hidden skill rating, pushing players toward the rank that truly represents their ability.
Consistent climbing requires not just winning games, but maintaining an MMR that shows the system you are ready for the next challenge.
Written by:
Christian