In League of Legends, ending a game with an S, S+, or S- grade isn’t just a badge of honor—it’s your gateway to earning Mastery tokens and showing off your skill with a champion. But how exactly does Riot decide who gets that glowing S rank, and how can you consistently hit that mark?
The grading system isn’t random, and it’s not purely based on kills. It’s based on a mix of stats, compared to how other players perform with the same champion and role. To get an S, you need to play better than most players on that champion. Here’s how to do that.
Focus on Your KDA, But Don’t Obsess Over Kills
Kills help, but KDA (Kill/Death/Assist ratio) is what truly matters. You don’t need to be a 20-kill carry to get an S. In fact, low deaths and high assists can be just as important—especially for supports and tanks.
To improve your KDA:
- avoid risky solo plays unless they’re calculated
- don’t chase kills unnecessarily
- always position yourself to either clean up fights or protect allies
- contribute to fights even if you’re not the main damage source
Even if you’re playing a low-damage champion like Braum or Janna, a 1/0/20 score can easily be S-worthy.
Outperform Other Players on the Same Champion
The grading system compares your performance to other players in the same role using the same champion. That means it’s harder to get an S on a champion that’s already popular and widely played well.
For example, getting an S on Ezreal in the ADC role might be more difficult than getting one on a less common ADC like Seraphine. If you’re struggling to earn high ranks, try champions that have lower pick rates.
Farm Well and Manage CS Per Minute
Consistent CS (Creep Score) matters. The system tracks your CS per minute, not just total farm. A good target is around 7–10 CS/minute, especially for laners. Even junglers should aim for strong CS numbers when they’re not ganking.
Missing farm is one of the most common reasons people don’t get S grades—even in games where they get a lot of kills. It’s easy to tunnel on fights, but great players keep their farm steady throughout the game.
Participate in Objectives and Vision Control
The system also rewards players who contribute to the team beyond raw numbers. This includes:
- destroying turrets
- taking dragons and Rift Herald
- placing and clearing wards
- helping secure map control
Supports, in particular, benefit from good vision scores and objective presence. A Thresh with great hooks, wards, and assists can score an S even with very few kills.
Keep Games Efficient
Surprisingly, game length affects your grade. A long game with average stats might not be enough to hit S rank, while a short game with a high-impact performance could do the trick. Try to close games cleanly and don’t pad stats just to look good on the scoreboard.
Final Thoughts
Getting an S in League of Legends is about more than just kills—it’s about consistency, contribution, and outperforming expectations. Focus on farming, dying less, helping your team, and staying efficient. Every role has its own path to an S grade—you just need to play your part better than most.
And remember: S isn’t for “solo carry”—it’s for smart, strategic, and standout play.
Written by:
Christian