In the competitive world of League of Legends, few metrics matter more to players than LP, or League Points. This simple yet crucial number forms the backbone of the ranked ladder, determining who climbs to new heights and who risks falling back down.
What Is LP?
LP stands for League Points, the currency of progress in League of Legends’ ranked mode. Every ranked game you play can earn or cost you LP, and your total LP in a division directly determines your standing within that rank.Win a match, and you gain LP; lose, and you lose LP.
The amount you gain or lose depends on several factors, including your current rank, the skill level of your opponents, and your hidden Matchmaking Rating (MMR).
How Does LP Work?
Earning LP: Each win in ranked mode awards you a certain amount of LP, typically between 15 and 25 points per victory, though this can vary. The exact number is influenced by your MMR compared to your current rank—if your MMR is higher than your rank, you’ll gain more LP per win and lose less per loss, and vice versa.
Losing LP: Defeats subtract LP, usually in a similar range to your gains. If you lose at 0 LP, you risk demotion to a lower division or tier.
Promotion and Demotion: When you reach 100 LP in your current division, you’re promoted to the next division or tier (for example, from Silver II to Silver I). Any leftover LP carries over unless you move up a tier, in which case you start at 1 LP in the new tier. If you lose enough games at 0 LP, you’ll be demoted to the division or tier below.
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LP, Ranks, and Divisions
League of Legends features a tiered ranking system:
- Tiers: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger.
- Divisions: Most tiers (Iron through Diamond) are split into four divisions (IV to I), with IV being the lowest and I the highest within each tier.
- Apex Tiers: Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger tiers are not divided and are based solely on LP totals, with only the highest LP players occupying these prestigious ranks.
The Role of MMR
Your Matchmaking Rating (MMR) is a hidden value that reflects your true skill level. It determines the quality of your opponents and teammates and heavily influences how much LP you gain or lose per match. If your MMR is higher than your current rank, you’ll climb faster; if it’s lower, you’ll struggle to gain LP and risk demotion.
Why LP Matters
LP is more than just a number—it’s a reflection of your journey through the ranks, your consistency, and your improvement as a player. Climbing the ranked ladder requires not just skill, but also resilience, as every win and loss directly impacts your LP and, by extension, your rank.
Conclusion
Whether you’re aiming for Gold or dreaming of Challenger, understanding how LP works is essential for any League of Legends player. Every win brings you closer to your next promotion, while every loss is a lesson on the path to mastery. In the end, LP is the heartbeat of the ranked experience, driving competition and rewarding those who rise to the challenge.
Written by:
Christian