In the hyper-competitive world of League of Legends, few terms are thrown around as often—or misunderstood as deeply—as ELO. Whether it’s in post-game chat, Reddit debates, or esports commentary, players constantly refer to “high ELO,” “low ELO,” or “ELO.” But what does ELO actually mean, and how does it shape the ranked experience in League of Legends?
The Origins: ELO’s Chess Roots
The term ELO comes from Arpad Elo, a Hungarian-American physicist who developed a rating system for competitive chess in the 1960s. The Elo system (spelled with a capital E when referring to the person, lowercase when used as a term) was designed to rate players based on their performance relative to their opponents.
Each player starts with a numerical rating. When you beat a stronger opponent, you gain more points; when you lose to a weaker one, you lose more. The system continuously adjusts based on outcomes, creating a dynamic leaderboard where your score reflects your skill.
ELO in League: A Legacy System
When League of Legends launched its competitive ranked mode, Riot Games initially used a system very similar to Elo’s original formula. In early seasons, players had a visible ELO rating that determined their matchmaking and rank.
However, as the game evolved, Riot transitioned to a more structured tier system—Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger—backed by MMR (Matchmaking Rating), an invisible number similar in function to ELO.
Even though Riot stopped displaying the numerical ELO publicly, the term stuck.
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What Players Mean by ‘High ELO’ and ‘Low ELO’
In today’s League lexicon:
- “High ELO” typically refers to ranks Diamond and above, where gameplay is more coordinated and mechanically intensive.
- “Low ELO” usually includes Bronze, Silver, and sometimes Gold, where inconsistencies, solo plays, and lack of map awareness are more common.
- “ELO Hell” is a widely used—but unofficial—term for the feeling of being stuck in low ranks due to bad teammates, smurfs, or perceived unfair matchmaking.
Though “ELO hell” is more psychological than mathematical, it reflects a very real frustration for many players trying to climb the ladder.
How ELO (MMR) Still Affects You Today
Even if Riot doesn’t show your ELO score anymore, it still exists behind the scenes. This MMR affects:
- Matchmaking: Who you’re paired with and against.
- LP gains/losses: If your MMR is higher than your visible rank, you gain more LP per win. If it’s lower, you gain less—or lose more.
- Promotion speed: A hidden MMR far above your rank may result in skipping divisions.
As such, improving your MMR—not just your visible rank—is key to long-term climbing.
Why It Still Matters
Understanding ELO helps players grasp the logic behind ranked matchmaking. It clarifies why some games feel easier or harder, why LP gains fluctuate, and why dodging games or duo queuing can shift your climb.
Final Thoughts
ELO may be a relic of League of Legends’ early ranked system, but its influence is very much alive. As the game continues to evolve, the concept of ELO remains a useful shorthand for describing rank, performance, and the never-ending climb toward the top.
Whether you’re grinding out of Silver or pushing into Grandmaster, one thing’s certain: ELO—visible or not—is always watching.
Written by:
Christian