How does one get S rank?

Whut Thuh ·Mar 16, 2016·5 votes·103,559 views

Recently had a perfect game as leblanc i went 20/0/3 and did not get S rank in fact i got A- i have gotten S rank once since then as a yasuo but that was not a perfect kda and i did not do overlly that well (they had a feeder on their team and agreed to give me a penta to boos my large ego XD)

link to match history scroll down and youll find both of the aforementioned games

Edit: while im glad this got so much support and help this post is 4 months old and i now know the definitive answere from riot on how they determine ranking. but since i still get daily comments on this ill leave this here

http://www.lolking.net/summoner/na/68081559#matches

117 Comments

ƒæµMar 16, 20163 votes

It's just an algorithm based on all stats pretty much. Kills, Kill Participation, wards placed, damage dealt to champions, towers, gold, cs, etc. (-deaths).

Kind of unusual that you didnt get an S on the 20/0/3 game, but hard to say what other factors played a role.

ModWulf HelhammerMar 16, 20161 votes

The mastery system gets harsher the more you play a certain champion, in order to force you to get better. I've gotten an S+ on Xerath even though we lost the game, but just recently I had a perfect game (17/0/17) with Xerath, and I got an S or S- (forget which)

BakedLotionMar 16, 20162 votes

{quoted}

The mastery system gets harsher the more you play a certain champion, in order to force you to get better. I've gotten an S+ on Xerath even though we lost the game, but just recently I had a perfect game (17/0/17) with Xerath, and I got an S or S- (forget which)

CS and game length plays a huge part. I'd say around 50%

ModWulf HelhammerMar 16, 20163 votes

This was the game I didn't get an S+: http://matchhistory.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/NA1/2117747033/205363278?tab=overview

And this is the one I did (95% sure. They really need to add the mastery grades to the match history): http://matchhistory.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/NA1/2090950794/205363278?tab=overview

SpaghettiLobsterMay 17, 20162 votes

If you don't just look at the score you are getting but also look at the detailed stats.

You can see both games were the same length (57:20, 56:15), and you had about the same cs and gold in the end, these make it easier to compare why one got S+ and the other not.

In the S+ game you dealt 80.3k damage to champions while the other game just 60.5k. That's an almost 20k difference, and it's really a huge difference imo.

In the S+ game you had a quadra kill, the other game was a triple.

I think these factors weigh more than simply KDA, and I'm sure more things are added into the calculations.

OksanaandjoyMar 16, 20163 votes

Some good ideas in here. I have recently posted a similar question regarding the importance of this.

Regardless, all these comments sound pretty unreliable. If the grading system is to be used as a tool for players to improve their game, Riot needs to provide the criteria used to assess the performance. It would be great to seem them provide some more transparency in this system. Simple learning theory here.

TrídentMar 16, 20164 votes

They keep it from us for the same reason they keep the MMR system away from us, so people don't abuse it

OksanaandjoyMar 16, 20166 votes

This is a reasonable concern, but not one that should devalue the purpose of the system. Riot's brief explanation on the system only alludes to the purpose being to improve your performance with a particular champion. Regardless, if the system is well crafted, then I don't see how it could be open to abuse. If the criteria they have created are explicitly linked to good player behaviours, then you can't abuse them because you are simply doing what has been asserted as good performance indicators. From a learning perspective, I don't see how this can be abused.

TrídentMar 16, 20162 votes

Well Riot says it can be abused, so unless someone convinces them otherwise, it's going to stay that way

x9aJun 1, 20162 votes

Totally agree, if rito says you need huge Cs and to take your tower and not die, No way to abuse that, it's just making better players, but do they benefit from better players? It's really annoying because I have a few A+'s but no S's

Oberle3Jun 2, 20164 votes

I'm really starting to think the ranking is randomized i just got 10/2/14 with Malphite and was given an A+ but i have done worse and gotten an S

enjoingorangeJun 11, 20161 votes

I went 12/0/7 as Riven, no S which is not great as I want to get Lvl 6/7 with her

SquìdwardJun 13, 20162 votes

I went 17/4/9 with 310 cs and S-, also had a 22/2/7 riven game and S-. Do you know why? Rito hates riven players. It is so stupidly hard to get above that S- (going for mastery rank 7)

DontUseCondemnsJul 12, 20161 votes

Im doing the same, ive gotten 11 S- on vayne in a row, CS playes a huge key. I went 19/2/6 160 cs and got an S- i later went 11/3/9 with 240 cs and got an S-

BerserkGaleriusSep 27, 20161 votes

http://matchhistory.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/NA1/2304176872/233464453?tab=overview

This can't be normal. I went 24/5/14, 179 CS, Most gold earned. 15 wards placed, 12 killstreak and got an A+.

However Annie got an S. Not an S-, an S.

Anthony0603May 31, 20171 votes

I am going to just throw something out there. I may or may not be correct, but from looking at those stats. Your Vayne fed to hell. Annie, I'm assuming, was support. So it may be taking into account that Annie was still able to have a really solid game, even with a Vayne trying to ruin everyones day with that serious 14 death feed.

Also if she hit a few good multi stuns with her ult/w that can definitely boost their chances for an S.

BloodRaider22Jun 28, 20172 votes

did u see the garen?

BloodRaider22Jun 28, 20171 votes

Hmm, not sure why you didn't get at least an s-, good K/D ratio and pretty good CS. Maybe the CS wasn't hight enough for that champion as riot compares the cs for champions from different players to determine what rank you should receive. Btw What did ur 0/22 Garen get lol.

feferstenNov 6, 20161 votes

15/1/5 as Khazix A+ P.S didn't die till 35 mins in ;) summoner 11

BloodRaider22Jun 28, 20171 votes

Maybe you had insane farming skills in your "Worse" game and pulled out the S.

WeatheredMar 16, 20162 votes

It compares your game to other games of that champion/lane, so playing carries who get kills will often result in no S rank. Personally, I've found that playing less played champions or weird lanes/builds get's an S rank if you still do well.

Example, I've gotten 1 S rank with Azir mid, and 2 S ranks with AP Amumu jungle today. Since not many people play Azir, I got a good grade. Since not many Amumu jungles go 10 kills, I got an S rank ^.^

AcePradoMay 31, 20162 votes

It's ok I went 24-0-9 as Leblanc in a ranked game and only got a B+ soooo yeah...

BIue MonkJun 8, 20162 votes

Forget this system, it's awful... Makes people think that KDA, CS, damage curve is a good representation of what you did in the game, when it's not. You can have the worst note and solo carry the game, and the best note and be useless.

bomb mànJun 22, 20162 votes

i srsly got 37/13 in vayne and got A+ fucking kidding me

PlagueDoctorXYZJun 23, 20162 votes

I got an S- as a Braum ... I was 6/3/11, 27:13 minute game, 49 CS and most of my kills were accidental... I was playing supp.... I have no idea how the grading system works

I didnt even had a good build... item 3068 and item 3065 thats it... how the fuck does the grading work

ImainleblancguysOct 7, 20162 votes

My last 4 games as leblanc

14/3/6 = A- 21/6/13 = A+ 16/6/6 = B+ 13/1/2 = A-

I just don't understand this system

Vilseck06Mar 22, 20172 votes

cuz ur a scrub

ImainleblancguysOct 3, 20172 votes

You're*

I Stealth IMar 15, 20172 votes

CS and wards are a huge factor in getting an S

thesamitobgMay 23, 20161 votes

the true is you must get 24 kills on mid for s rank. I get 24/3 on urf with jax Jax we lose and i get s. Soo next time do 4 more kills :D

x9aJun 1, 20162 votes

Not true

FioraWillCarryJun 7, 20161 votes

An easy way to get S rank is to have few deaths with a very high CS. A KDA of say 7-1 with 250 CS in a 30 minute games would yield an S of some kind.

hadafasaJun 16, 20162 votes

http://matchhistory.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/NA1/2215481041/212450661?tab=overview

I got an A- in this game with 25/7/20 239 CS while Draven who went 20/17/12 185 CS and Warwick who went 9/7/23 92 CS got S and S-

I would love to know why I didn't get at least an S- for this game, the grading system is so messed up.

Its GummoDec 3, 20181 votes

I found something kind of broken in the system. I play lux and I play sip at first. I buy the remnant of the eye watcher as my first item but then I switch to full AP after that. I went 14/6/15 and ggot an S-. I think the main factor is kill participation. As a support its easier to get an S for me since I don't have to worry about CS until late game.

GamerGirl9000XDMar 15, 20171 votes

i was playing my main Jax my score was 30/8/9 i had 130g in about 30-35 mins? yeah anyways, i got an A rank not even an S- or S+ wtf like riot hates us or sum sh!t? ( this is my new account my other main account got banned R.I.P)

MαgieFeb 18, 20181 votes

Your problem is that CS. If you're below 200 CS at the end of the game, no way you're getting an -S or higher.

Max2000SeDApr 10, 20171 votes

i got an S- today and i have no idea why ^^ my teamm8 had an 24/3/8 and got A and my score was 10/8/18 (im kinda noob not even lvl 30)

ElisionApr 22, 20171 votes

It's probably your cs, I just went 21/1/6 with 104 cs and got a B+ (i'm quite annoyed about that but meh)

Rekro SenseiMay 3, 20171 votes

{quoted}

Recently had a perfect game as leblanc i went 20/0/3 and did not get S rank in fact i got A- i have gotten S rank once since then as a yasuo but that was not a perfect kda and i did not do overlly that well (they had a feeder on their team and agreed to give me a penta to boos my large ego XD)

link to match history scroll down and youll find both of the aforementioned games

Edit: while im glad this got so much support and help this post is 4 months old and i now know the definitive answere from riot on how they determine ranking. but since i still get daily comments on this ill leave this here

http://www.lolking.net/summoner/na/68081559#matches

The reason why you might not get S is your farm. Basically if your score is good but bad farm you wont get S, and for supports its rather warding than farming i believe

LukaJermanMay 15, 20171 votes

i was 25/3 veigar Veigar with 127 cs, i killed a baron and i get A+...... CAN SOME1 EXPLAIN THIS TO ME btw my brother was playing bliz and i had more kills than he assists, and he got S

MαgieFeb 18, 20181 votes

Your CS is below 200, and if you're below 200, you won't get an S.

DestroyerX52May 27, 20171 votes

pretty fucked up i also only got a a- when i got a 15/4/13 score with veigar

Anthony0603May 31, 20171 votes

OP says he got the question answered, though doesn't specify. So idk. But I will add a few of my own thoughts. Just recently had a Varus game where I went 10/9/17 and got an S-. Now just looking at KDA, that game was pretty bad. I myself wondered how I got an S at all for that game. I then had a Vayne game where I went 9/1/12 I got an A+ for that one. That Vayne game, I had a couple just really lame condemns where the target would end up a unit or two from the wall. I may have hit a total of 2 condemns all game. My farm was pretty weak, 147 in a 21 minute game. and my one death was to a tower being overly aggressive. The Varus game, I hit every single ult, I missed maybe 2 Q's all game, my teamfight prescence was just about all it could be under the circumstances. And my deaths were to a freakin heavy heavy dive composition ignoring my whole team and diving me. Not to mention I had about 270 farm in 30 minutes.

So those games (as well as many others I haven't listed here) tell me a few things. It takes into account your accuracy and use of your abilities. If you are blitzcrank and you go 3/0/20 but have a 12% hook accuracy, you probably won't get an S. It takes into account the effectiveness of your abilities I believe too, for instance as Sejuani, are you detonating your frozen targets? or just using abilities and running away. It absolutely takes into account your farm, more so for mid/top/adc. I "think" it takes into account "how" you died. Did you die to enemy dive tanks/assassins with your whole team surrounding you unable to peel? Or are you dying by yourself extended with no wards trying to kill enemy gromp? I think "key" stats also play a factor. For assassins kills/assists would be important, not as much OVERALL damage, but if they were bursting right targets. For adc overall damage and farm are two biggest factors. For support its deaths, gold per minute, ability accuracy. Mid, ability accuracy and farm. Tank, damage taken, ability accuracy, %kill participation. Lastly but definitely not least, I believe that the overall average for game plays a part. Let's take a bronze game for example. One guy might have 35 farm by 20 minutes, the other guy has 60. The guy with 60 farm at 20 minutes has 9 deaths, and is the lowest deaths on his team by a large margin. While in a game with normal people, 60 cs and 9 deaths at 20 minutes is gonna guarantee you DONT get an S. In this case though, this person is actually likely got get an S because for their level of play, they are playing "above average".

While some aspects of the system seem somewhat flawed (it's hard to account for feeders, afks, and trolls) , when truly thinking about all the games I have gotten S I feel they were deserved in some way or another. All the games where I didn't get S, there was a valid reason for it. Maybe my farm was slacking slightly, maybe I played teamfights a little too scared, maybe I got caught in dumb positions.

KyoshoBroncoJul 4, 20171 votes

I didn't read to far into this thread, but my experience leads me to believe that as you get better as a player, Rito excalates to requirements for an S. Even so far as to fit your champion frequency. If you play that champ alot, and get good scores, then it's harder to get an S. I've played perfect games with Veigar, one comes to mind: Veigar VEIGAR: KDA - 18/0/16 (best) Gold - 14.2k (best) CS - 134 (best) Assist - 16 (runnerup) Damage to champs - ?? (was best)

Got an A-, short game 22 minutes. All I had for items were my starting items (obviously).

In comparison, one of my not so great games with Ziggs ... Ziggs ZIGGS: KDA - 15/3/15 (best) CS - 39 (very bad, harassed mostly) Damage to champs - 24.8k (best) Gold - 11.9k (runnerup) Assists - 15 (4th best)

Got a B+, very short game 16 minutes. So, I believe that KDA doesn't factor in an much as I thought. With my low CS, it makes makes me think that CS is actually very important, but still...

So, I don't completely understand the system, but I've got my suspicions. I used to get an S every couple games when the system started, but haven't gotten one in about....60 key fragments, which I will still get every 4 or 5 games. So, 240 to 300 games without an S. But I've got keys to burn and lots of A's!!!

TrypPpPperAug 13, 20171 votes

I got S- with Rammus. Vicotry 6/5/15

11,9k / 100 cs /game length: 34 min / wards placed: 11

I was bot with Shen.... who kept chat spamming how useless I was whole game... I don't know what was the thing who made the S- but maybe the game length?