Duo Queue?

I started this ranked season with a friend.

I’m currently S3, originally placed in S4 with a 5/5 placement. He is S2, placed in S3 with 1/9, and climbed by playing with a plat adc. I play Jungle at a high Silver Low Gold level, while he is a Silver support.

On our own, we both have a win rate of roughly 55ish, but as soon as we Duo Queue, regardless of whether we go Duo bot or anything else, the win rate goes straight down to 20%.

Out of 10 games, we would lose 1-2 because we were simply outclassed by the enemy lane. And would die 1-2 in lane phase.

Most games we break even, but then by the time we hit say 10 mins, top and mid would be both 0/7, and the enemy team goes for a 4 man dive down bot lane.

Now, I did some research and found that there is a mechanism that Duos get queued with higher MMR players, since they technically have an advantage. But what this really does is force other soloQ players on the team to fight against opponents much better than they are.

In low elo, that instantly translate into feeding.

I feel like this system really discourages Duo Queue. I wouldn’t mind if we get paired up with another Duo, which is only fair, and I would suffer longer wait times just to get that. But having all the players, including yourselves, outclassed by default against better enemy players, isn’t a way to make the game a worthwhile experience. I understand that this is a team game and the team needs to work together, but when you’re in Silver and all lanes are 0/5 and one tower down by the 12 minute mark, you’d have to be pretty amazing to make it back from there.

The only way to win these games is either by luck and queue into a really messy and weak enemy team, or stomp so hard in lane that you would get out in time to help other lanes before they hit 0/5. That’s really hard to do, when your lane opponents are technically just better.

I propose we change the system in this regard. It’s really fun to play with a friend, especially in ranked since the games are more sensible, and the stakes are higher.

But it’s not fun always losing, 10 games in a row and losing entirely due to elements beyond ones control.

Please share your thoughts!