The competitive hierarchy of League of Legends underwent a significant transformation in 2023 with the introduction of a brand-new division: the Emerald tier. Positioned between Platinum and Diamond, Emerald was specifically implemented by Riot Games to smooth out rank distribution, create a fairer competitive experience, and address the vast skill gap that previously existed in the mid-to-high tiers.
For competitive players, achieving Emerald has quickly become a major goal and a badge of honor, signifying a level of play well above the average.
Defining the Emerald Tier
Emerald sits squarely in the upper-middle section of the ranked ladder: it is higher than Platinum but lower than Diamond. Like all standard tiers, it is divided into four subdivisions, ranging from Emerald IV (the lowest) to Emerald I (the highest).
This tier is populated by players who demonstrate a strong foundation in League of Legends. They typically possess solid mechanical skills, good champion knowledge, and effective teamwork. However, they are often still working to perfect the high-level consistency and advanced macro play (map rotations, objective control, and strategic vision) required to truly compete at the Diamond and Master tiers.
The Purpose Behind the Introduction
Riot Games introduced the Emerald tier to solve a long-standing issue with ranked distribution: the extreme bottleneck that occurred in the Platinum tier.
Historically, Platinum housed a massive range of player skill, leading to frustrating and inconsistent games. By adding Emerald, the ladder was effectively stretched, achieving several goals:
- Smoother Progression: Rank advancement feels less punishing and more attainable for dedicated players who were previously stuck bouncing between the highest divisions of Platinum.
- Reduced Skill Disparity: The immense skill difference that used to exist between a high-Platinum player and a low-Diamond player is now better accommodated by the two separate tiers, leading to more accurate matchmaking.
- Broader Player Base: By spreading players out, the system allows for a larger percentage of the active player base to feel like they are achieving “above average” status, making the climb more rewarding.
Rank Distribution and Competitive Status
The introduction of Emerald significantly shifted the player distribution. Before Emerald, Platinum contained a much larger slice of the overall player population. Now, on major servers like EUW, Emerald often contains a significant portion of active ranked players, often placing it above the top 20% of the entire player base.
Reaching Emerald is a clear signal of proficiency. In the post-Emerald system, the achievement of Diamond and above represents an increasingly smaller and more elite minority of competitive players. This new tier serves as a robust and challenging checkpoint, ensuring players who reach it have fully developed the fundamentals necessary to begin the difficult climb into the game’s highest echelons.
In summary, Emerald in League of Legends is the essential competitive checkpoint between Platinum and Diamond. It has successfully streamlined ranked progression and improved the fairness and accuracy of the competitive experience for dedicated mid-to-high-level players.
Written by:
Christian