How Do League of Legends Placements Work Posted Mar 23, 2025
There’s a certain rush when you queue up for League of Legends placements each season. You might feel your heart pound as the champion loading screen appears, knowing these crucial matches can set the tone for your entire climb. Some gamers thrive on this pressure, while others approach it with nerves on edge. Wherever you stand, understanding the placement process is one of the best ways to step onto Summoner’s Rift with confidence.
What Are League of Legends Placements?
Placements are a set of matches that determine your starting rank at the beginning of a new season—or sometimes midway through if there’s a ranked reset or a split change. After finishing these matches, you’ll receive a provisional rank based on your wins and losses. This helps match you with players with similar skill ranges, setting the stage for your tenprogression up the ladder.
The underlying system, often called Matchmaking Rating (MMR), is partly hidden behind the scenes. However, Riot Games provides updates and general guidelines so players can keep track of changes to the ranking experience. MMR influences how much League Points (LP) you gain or lose after each match and where you land when your placement series finishes.
How Many Placement Matches Are There?
You’ll play 5 matches to determine your starting position in a new ranked season. The higher your hidden MMR from previous seasons, the better your chances of skipping several lower divisions. It’s also possible to land higher than your prior rank if you’ve made consistent strides in your gameplay.
For returning players who participate in every season, your MMR carries over, but it might be adjusted based on past performance. Riot sometimes tweaks these systems to keep competition balanced, so it’s always worth reviewing official announcements on the League of Legends support site to see if any major changes are happening.
How Does MMR Affect Your Rank?
MMR is a hidden rating that influences your match outcomes in a big way. If you win against higher-rated opponents, the system sees you as a strong competitor, and your MMR typically goes up fast. On the flip side, losses to opponents with lower MMR can place a dent in your rating. Over time, the game aims to group you with others at a similar skill level, ensuring balanced and exciting encounters.
When you wrap up your placement matches, your final rank is heavily influenced by that behind-the-scenes number. While it may seem like magic, it’s actually math at work—though Riot keeps the specific details under wraps to discourage exploitative behavior. Players eager for an estimate can look at third-party sites like the League of Legends Wiki for community-collected data, though these figures are never 100% accurate.
Tips to Maximize Your Placement Performance
1. Warm Up with Normal Games
It’s tempting to jump right into your placement matches, but a quick warm-up can sharpen your skills. Normal or Flex queue matches can help you test new champion builds, brush up on mechanics, and ease into the competitive mindset.
2. Choose Champions You Know Best
Experimenting with a champion you’ve never tried may be fun, but placements carry a heavier weight than regular matches. Sticking to tried-and-true picks often yields a better win rate, setting you off on the right foot.
3. Track Enemy Jungle Timers and Wards
Awareness of map control is vital in ranked matches. For example, dropping a ward in the enemy jungle before the scuttle crab spawns can yield vital information about your rival’s path. This awareness often separates the casual player from the competitive grinder, so keep an eye on your map.
4. Communicate with Your Team
Even if you’re a bit anxious about your first few matches, remember that typed or ping-based communication can be a powerful tool. League is a team game, and synergy often trumps raw mechanical skill. A simple ping to group for a dragon or baron can shift momentum in your favor.
5. Control Your Mental State
Ranked can be intense. A single mistake might cost you a match, but that doesn’t mean it’s over. Keeping a level head when things look grim can help you stage remarkable comebacks. After all, one good team fight can turn the tide. If you’re feeling unsettled after a tough loss, take a break, reset, and return when you’re ready.
6. Consider Buying a LoL Account
Some folks want a speedy route to placements without slogging through levels, while others like the idea of acquiring a high-rank profile that lets them skip placements altogether. Boostroyal has a bunch of LoL accounts that can meet both needs: you can snag a smurf for early placements or secure a higher-ranked account to jump right into upper divisions. Just be sure to check the seller’s track record to avoid potential headaches.
What Happens After Placements?
Once your initial placement rank appears, you’ll have a clearer picture of the climb ahead. The system awards LP based on your ongoing performance and hidden MMR. While some might feel disappointed if their assigned rank is lower than they hoped, remember that it’s just the start. Many players use these early matches as a springboard to refine their champion pool and adapt to the season’s meta changes.
Plenty of gamers also keep an eye on the preseason patch, where Riot often tests big adjustments to items, runes, or champion balance. If you want a head start, staying updated on preseason details from resources such as Pro Game Guides can help you plan your picks and strategies before ranked competition restarts.
FAQs
Q: Will my rank drop at the start of a new season?
A: Most players will see a slight shift when a fresh season begins. It’s normal to land a tier or two below your final rank from the prior season, but good performances in placements often offset any loss.
Q: Is duo queue better than solo?
A: That depends on your goals. Coordinating with a friend can boost your chances of success if you share a similar skill level and communicate well. However, if your partner’s MMR is far from yours, it might skew matchups and create an uphill battle.
Q: Do I need to complete placements in Flex queue, too?
A: Flex queue has its own rank, so yes, it requires separate matches. Some people enjoy having two different ranks to track progress, while others focus purely on solo/duo.
