Tom Misch
The ranked queue in League of Legends has always been a highly sought-after game mode, attracting the most dedicated and ambitious players in the community. It offers a competitive environment where players can test their skills and climb the ranks, from Iron to Challenger. However, Riot Games is introducing new restrictions to further enhance the integrity of the ranked experience.
Previously, players only needed to reach Level 30 and own a minimum of 20 champions to participate in ranked play. But now, Riot is implementing a new requirement for new accounts. Players must complete at least 10 unranked matches on the iconic Summoner’s Rift map before they can queue up for ranked games.
This change is driven by Riot’s observation that many new players are leveling up through alternative game modes without fully understanding the core 5v5 experience. By mandating unranked matches on Summoner’s Rift, Riot hopes to provide players with a solid foundation of game mechanics and strategies before jumping into the competitive ranked queue.
The goal is to reduce issues such as toxicity, trolling, and poor teamwork that often arise in ranked games. A more skilled and prepared player base will lead to more enjoyable and meaningful matches for everyone involved.
While opinions may vary among the League of Legends community, this change showcases Riot’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and prestige of the ranked system. It is a proactive step towards fostering a more informed and competent player base. With the introduction of this requirement, Riot aims to improve the overall quality of ranked games and ensure a healthier competitive environment.
As the updated ranked play requirement is rolled out, it will be fascinating to see its impact on the competitive landscape. Will it lead to noticeable improvements in the quality of games? Will it discourage or motivate new players to engage with the competitive side of League of Legends? These questions will be answered as the changes take effect, and the community adapts to the evolving ranked play experience.
Here are some additional facts, key challenges, and controversies related to the evolution of ranked play in League of Legends:
1. Balance and matchmaking: One of the key challenges in ranked play is maintaining balance and ensuring fair matchmaking. The system should strive to match players with similar skill levels to create competitive and challenging games. Achieving this balance can be difficult, especially when there is a wide range of skill levels within the player base.
2. Elo system and LP gains: The ranked system in League of Legends uses an Elo-based system to determine a player’s skill rating. However, there have been debates and controversies regarding the accuracy and fairness of this system. Some players have expressed frustrations with the amount of LP (League Points) gained or lost after each game, believing that it does not accurately reflect their performance.
3. Smurfing and account boosting: Smurfing refers to high-skilled players creating new accounts to play against lower-skilled opponents. This not only disrupts the matchmaking system but also creates an unfair playing field for less experienced players. Account boosting, on the other hand, involves paying someone to play on your account to increase your rank. Both practices have sparked controversy and discussions on how to address them effectively.
4. Seasonal rewards and ranked decay: In ranked play, players are often motivated by the desire to earn specific rewards based on their rank at the end of each season. However, there has been debate regarding the appropriateness of these rewards and whether they adequately reflect a player’s skill. Additionally, ranked decay is a feature that lowers a player’s rank if they do not actively play ranked games for a certain period. This has been a topic of debate, as some players feel it punishes those with personal or time constraints.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
– Advantages of the new requirement for new accounts:
– Provides a solid foundation of game mechanics and strategies before playing ranked.
– Reduces toxicity, trolling, and poor teamwork in ranked games.
– Improves the overall quality of ranked games.
– Disadvantages of the new requirement for new accounts:
– Could potentially deter new players from engaging with ranked play due to the additional requirement.
– May lead to longer queue times as players are required to complete unranked matches first.
