A veteran League of Legends player returning to the game in early 2026 has uncovered a controversial ranking system mechanic that appears to artificially cap progression for dedicated players. The analysis details how Riot Games‘ hidden Matchmaking Rating (MMR) system, combined with point manipulation, can penalize skillful players who climb too high, leading to frustration and a potential need to restart accounts to continue advancing. This report raises questions about the fairness and transparency of League of legends’ competitive ladder as the developer prepares for a important game remake next year.
Returning to League of Legends in early 2026 felt like revisiting an old friend. After a two-to-three year hiatus, diving back into regular gameplay has been a surprisingly positive experience. In terms of pure gameplay, the title is arguably at one of its strongest points in its history. While balance adjustments are still needed for the new season, the changes implemented so far appear to be improvements in the long run.
Riot Games’ Ranking System Can Penalize Dedicated League of Legends Players
One of my goals upon returning to LoL was to take ranked play more seriously. Previously, I typically finished seasons in the lower tiers of Gold. Climbing higher felt like too much effort, considering the time commitment and the playstyle required. I’ve always enjoyed the variety of champions the game offers, and in Season 9, I played an impressive 134 different heroes, even attempting to master them all. However, time constraints prevented me from reaching my goal of a top-four finish that year.
This time around, things started very differently. Leveraging the most powerful champions in the current patch, I quickly reached Emerald IV. However, I now see it as nearly impossible to climb further without dedicating an excessive amount of time to the game – not because I’m unable to win, but because of a built-in system that seems designed to keep players at a certain level. I’m enjoying the gameplay, but I recognize that my progress has been artificially capped.
Riot Games artificially limits player progression.
When you begin a season of ranked play, the point gain is manipulated to allow you to regain your previous rank relatively quickly. This “gravity” pulls you towards your usual position in the ranked hierarchy, awarding significant league points for victories and deducting very few for defeats. Even during a losing streak of ten games, this effect remains noticeable. It’s almost a safety mechanism designed by Riot Games to prevent excessive frustration. It feels as though the developer fears players will become discouraged and abandon the game if they can’t reach their expected ‘ELO’.
However, this effect works in both directions. After surpassing my usual rank, I began to notice that each victory yielded fewer points, while each defeat resulted in a greater deduction. While a slowing of progression was expected, I found that maintaining a 54% win rate throughout my climb (and a 50% win rate in my last 20 ranked games) resulted in a net negative balance of league points. Victories awarded between 17 and 19 points, while defeats deducted 21 or 22. Even winning slightly more than half of my games, I was destined to stall, which is incredibly demotivating.
Previously, Riot Games left more than 50% of players without the Victorious skin.
This occurs because each League of Legends player actually has two different ranks. The visible rank – a league badge accompanied by a division number – is what everyone sees. However, the true determining factor is MMR (Matchmaking Rating). This is a hidden score of up to four digits that the system uses for matchmaking. Ideally, the visible rank is simply a label associated with a specific MMR range, making ranked play more rewarding. Climbing from 1385 points to 1412 isn’t particularly exciting, but moving from Gold I to Platinum IV is worth celebrating.
The ranking system has become less honest over time.
Riot Games manipulates this system to add some excitement to the ranked season. The “gravity” I mentioned earlier exists because when you start the season, your MMR is typically one or two leagues higher than where you begin your placement matches. This creates a feeling of rapid progress with large point gains. However, this trend eventually reverses. Continued winning pushes your visible rank above your MMR, which is corrected by what’s happening to me: I’m losing more points than I’m gaining until the situation balances. Instead of rewarding you, the system penalizes you for winning games.
I’ve always believed that ranked systems should be more honest than fun, and my experience with League of Legends has reinforced that view. In its early years, the game placed over 60% of players within their bottom three ranks. However, Riot Games now fears players falling behind. The ranking system isn’t transparent, and I’m a prime example. Being in Emerald IV with a Platinum 2 MMR suggests I’ve reached this rank without truly deserving it, and that’s not something I want. They’re spoiling a celebration I could have earned through my own merit.
As for a solution, you can either play dozens of games until your visible rank and MMR align, or create a new account… and that’s what I’ve done. However, it’s absurd that the most efficient way to climb the ranks is to go through 30 levels of farming and start from scratch. I genuinely believe this is one of the improvements Riot Games should implement in the League of Legends remake scheduled for next year. However, knowing that the game needs new users more than ever, I doubt they’ll reverse this “casualization” of the competitive system.
In 3DJuegos | Tengo pocas horas para jugar al día y este juego de estrategia me ha dado lo que otros se empeñan en complicar.
