Solution to Ranked Play: Remove Bronze

arcinex·Apr 15, 2015·6 votes·1,810 views

Remove it.

Make it so that you have to win x amount of games in your placements to play ranked. Lowest tier being SIlver 5. If you lose enough games at Silver 5 with 0LP you will be kicked out of ranked and will have to play x amount of games in normal draft before being able to reattempt your placement matches. Another suggestion: Having to wait a week before being able to attempt placement matches.

Each season there would be an unlimited amount of times to reattempt placements after being dropped from ranked with the restriction of the aforementioned penalties.

End of season awards: Gold and higher. An aside: I sometimes thought the silver borders around player cards indicated S4 bronzies.

Reason for this idea?: If you're not good at the game you should not be playing in ranked queues hence why there should be a chance that players drop from ranked altogether and have to go through a "rehab", so to speak, before trying to get placed back in to ranked. If you're good enough you will stay in ranked. This will remove having questionably horrible teammates and the notion of elo hell.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Riot, please and thank you.

Edit: I think it might have been over-zealous of me to have suggested entirely removing bronze but all the other ideas I still stand behind. The main point being "Ranked is competitive and players should be to."

77 Comments

Mat7itanApr 15, 20156 votes

So what you're saying is people shouldn't be able to get better at the game? Normal Draft and ranked Draft are very different entities because not everyone who does normal Draft want to play ranked. In the few ranked games I've played I've typically had a much harder time in lane than I normally would. Why? Because the people in ranked games tend to play better and are more skilled than people looking to just play a quick game and be done with it. In a normal game I expect to do well. If I am comfortable with the champion I am playing I will have no problem winning lane. If at this point I only play normals what reason would I have to get better? However, in ranked I don't have as easy of a time winning lane. Even if I am on a comfortable champion it is much harder because my opponent tries. So in ranked I have a reason to improve.

I Kill CommiesApr 15, 20155 votes

Then silver just becomes the new bronze. Nothing changes. Also, why do you want bronze removed? How do those players in bronze affect you, unless you yourself are bronze?

arcinexApr 15, 20152 votes

[{quoted}](name=C9 MonkeyD Luffy,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=0000,timestamp=2015-04-15T17:18:01.954+0000)

Then silver just becomes the new bronze. Nothing changes. Also, why do you want bronze removed? How do those players in bronze affect you, unless you yourself are bronze?

Clearly you lack the ability to understand logical reasoning. Silver will not become the new bronze being the fact you have to be good enough to be first placed in ranked and stay in ranked. Nothing changes?

Please learn to read the post before down-voting and posting an ignorant comment.

Ranked is supposed to be competitive and if a player can't compete with other players then that player should not have the privilege to play in ranked games. This would significantly reduce, if not effectively remove entirely, all of the trolls, feeders, dc'ers, and bad players in general.

Why remove bronze? Because bronze, everything in and of itself, is demeaning.

ErrastasApr 15, 20151 votes

If you don't belong in bronze, it doesn't take too long to move out if it. I don't see a problem with it.

BerserkGoldfishApr 15, 20152 votes

{quoted}

If you don't belong in bronze, it doesn't take too long to move out if it. I don't see a problem with it.

That is beyond false. Like horribly beyond all things that are false. Maybe a lot of people belonged there when they first started, but now they've gotten better. a silver player will not carry themselves out of bronze quickly, a gold player wont either, the only people that get out of bronze "quickly" are people that get placed there then instantly go on a winning streak and challenger tier smurfs.

Hell there was a whole thread from a plat player that he now believes ELO hell exists because his smurf account has a losing record in bronze.

the only way to quickly get out of bronze is to duo with someone you trust, then at max 3/5 players on your team can be trolls, maybe get an advantage on the other team, otherwise its a whirlpool for us.

Last 2 seasons have been the same for me, and I expect nothing less of this one, have good provis, get placed in b5, by end of season have a low gold MMR but still be in bronze because of trolls and feeders, and AFKers, and unskilled and general douchebaggery muddling up my promo matches. Like not sure if promos have different rules for matchmaking than others, but it would literally be play with silver and gold 12 or so games, get to promos and have all bronzies again, be trolled to oblivion over the next 3-5 games and start over.

ErrastasApr 15, 20151 votes

I finished gold in season 3, didn't play season 4. Placed in bronze 4 season 5, made it to gold in 150ish games or so. I'm not the best, but it isn't impossible to make it out.

I Kill CommiesApr 15, 20151 votes

Ranked is supposed to be competitive and if a player can't compete with other players then that player should not have the privilege to play in ranked games.

Or, if they really suck, they get sent to bronze and can live there, only bothering other bronze players. They can play ranked all they want, they can feed and troll all they want. In the end it doesn't matter because they're doing it in bronze. No decent players have to deal with them.

BerserkGoldfishApr 15, 20152 votes

[{quoted}](name=C9 MonkeyD Luffy,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=000000000001,timestamp=2015-04-15T19:05:41.189+0000)

Or, if they really suck, they get sent to bronze and can live there, only bothering other bronze players. They can play ranked all they want, they can feed and troll all they want. In the end it doesn't matter because they're doing it in bronze. No decent players have to deal with them.

The people in bronze don't really want to deal with them either, wed much rather be able to prove were not bronzies than be stuck here because of bad players. only way I could see this is at like the start of a season and have the lowest you can be placed like a silver 3 so you have to fall to bronze...instead of winning most of your provis and getting placed there anyways.

I Kill CommiesApr 15, 20151 votes

If you are so bad at the game that when you actually try you still get placed in the same tier as intentional feeders...I'd say you have bigger problems to worry about.

warpenguin555Apr 15, 20154 votes

removing bronze would end the joy of finally leaving it

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

{quoted}

removing bronze would end the joy of finally leaving it

True~

shalecApr 15, 20153 votes

The problem is that you're creating a solution to something that really won't end up doing anything. What is trying to be done here? All you'll do is eliminate most Bronze players and punish them for not being good at the game. Players wouldn't get better from this, it's actually quite possible that they would become worse since some lower Bronze players would temporarily make it through the filter until inevitably dropping, or if enough players make it through, which will probably happen anyway, Silver would become worse as a whole and would basically become the new Bronze. The system is already frustrating for low elo players, and forcing them out of ranked if they do poorly would make it worse. Nothing would be solved from this.

disregardableApr 15, 20151 votes

Why would forcing them out make it worse? The only real difference it'll create is that it significantly limits trolls- if they go on giant losing streaks, they get removed from ranked. There's no difference between ranked and normal draft, so it's not like game-to-game will be affected.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=The AFK Farmer,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=000a0000,timestamp=2015-04-15T17:54:48.176+0000)

Why would forcing them out make it worse? The only real difference it'll create is that it significantly limits trolls- if they go on giant losing streaks, they get removed from ranked. There's no difference between ranked and normal draft, so it's not like game-to-game will be affected.

It's not forcing "them" out. It's forcing them to actually learn how to play on a competitive level before having the privilege of playing ranked games. If "they" go on giant losing streaks it is because they lack the skill to keep up with other competitive players. Simple as that.

And as for your last comment I do not understand.. The similarity is that they have bans, pick order, and trades. The difference between ranked and normals is that in ranked you can climb the ladder, get noticed, and go pro. Or just for showing off and receiving end of season rewards that are exclusive to successful ranked players. Also, another difference would be that players would play much more seriously in ranked than in normals.

shalecApr 15, 20152 votes

But why? Why do you need to meet a certain requirement to play ranked? Bronze elo is there for the ranked players that aren't really that good at the game anyway. The entire idea itself adds unnecessary frustration without solving anything.

shalecApr 15, 20152 votes

It takes players out of the system for no other reason than that they're not good enough to be ranked. It also does nothing to filter out bad players since some will get through anyway, especially if they face players who are also looking to get into ranked. It doesn't really reduce trolls either, since they'll probably just troll draft games instead. I imagine that normal draft will be ruined since people will have no incentive to try and will just be trying to get through their games so they can try to get ranked again. Not to mention that it's not very friendly to newer players.

Why are we trying to filter out these players in the first place? Bronze exists for a reason.

disregardableApr 15, 20151 votes

Why does Bronze exist? Why are people allowed to be infinitely bad in a competitive environment? The goal is to be good. Trolls should be removed from ranked and put into normals, the same with players with sub-50% win rates. Not a lot of people that play this game would disagree with a skill floor (although, you're right, actually designing an effective one would be difficult)

shalecApr 15, 20152 votes

A large amount of people tend to only play ranked. They prefer to play in a competitive environment. Who cares if they aren't good? I understand that the goal is to be good, but just because someone isn't that good at the game doesn't mean they should be kicked out because they don't meet a certain skill requirement.

disregardableApr 15, 20152 votes

The thing is, you're making it less of a competitive environment when you always lose, you know? When games are decided by which team got stuck with you, then you don't belong in ranked.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=The AFK Farmer,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=000a00000001000000000000,timestamp=2015-04-15T18:29:36.754+0000)

When games are decided by which team got stuck with you, then you don't belong in ranked.

Which is why there should be a minimum skill level in order to play ranked.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

{quoted}

A large amount of people tend to only play ranked. They prefer to play in a competitive environment. Who cares if they aren't good? I understand that the goal is to be good, but just because someone isn't that good at the game doesn't mean they should be kicked out because they don't meet a certain skill requirement.

I would say that 99.9% of all ranked players who have experienced bad players would completely and utterly disagree with you. We definitely care if a player is good or not. Honestly, you sound like an ignorant and oblivious 40 yr-old parent who is concerned their dear child is not starting in a competitive sport when the reason being is that child is not good enough to compete with his/her peers.

Let's say you played a competitive sport and for some crazy reason the worst player on the team gets to play in your spot because every player should have an equal and fair chance and you end up losing the game when you were ahead. Yeah, that's how ranked games feel when you lose because of bad teammates.

This is why in professional sports you have those who start and those who ride the bench and never see action throughout the entire season.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

{quoted}

But why? Why do you need to meet a certain requirement to play ranked? Bronze elo is there for the ranked players that aren't really that good at the game anyway. The entire idea itself adds unnecessary frustration without solving anything.

[{quoted}](name=The AFK Farmer,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=000a000000010000,timestamp=2015-04-15T18:16:22.904+0000)

Why does Bronze exist? Why are people allowed to be infinitely bad in a competitive environment? The goal is to be good. Trolls should be removed from ranked and put into normals, the same with players with sub-50% win rates. Not a lot of people that play this game would disagree with a skill floor (although, you're right, actually designing an effective one would be difficult)

Great. I can answer two questions with one post.

Why does Bronze exist? Why are people allowed to be infinitely bad in a "competitive" environment? Because the only requirements to play ranked are:

Be level 30
Obtain 16 or more champions

This means any player of any skill level can enter promos and then be placed according to how many wins they accumulate in their placements. More specifically speaking, you will have players with no knowledge of how to cs effectively, group, team-fight, take objectives, etc. (basically newbies who grinded to level 30)

However with the buffer of winning x amount of games before being able to play ranked they will realize they are not ready to compete with their higher-skilled peers.

I completely disagree with your rude statement that my idea adds "unnecessary frustration." Literally cannot understand if you graduated middle school with that logic.

Let's be real for a second. Riot has so much trouble removing trolls from ranked that it almost seems like they are doing absolutely nothing while complaints about ranked games continue to pile up with no solution, immediate or eventual.

The skill floor is the main concept of my idea.

disregardableApr 15, 20151 votes

STAHP, I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU. Also, you answered How does Bronze exist, not why.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=The AFK Farmer,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=000a00000001000000010000,timestamp=2015-04-15T18:38:44.882+0000)

STAHP, I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU. Also, you answered How does Bronze exist, not why.

Why? To label players who are at the lowest of the lowest in the ranked system. That's why. However some players are placed there undeservingly so.

disregardableApr 15, 20151 votes

rolls eyes When is your ban over again?

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=The AFK Farmer,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=000a0000000100000001000000000000,timestamp=2015-04-15T18:51:21.155+0000)

rolls eyes When is your ban over again?

Lol you're that eager to watch me continue my climb to challenger huh? It should be lifted today in a few hours.

disregardableApr 15, 20151 votes

I'd bet you $5 RP that you sink back to B1 somewhere in the next 10 ranked games, but honestly I has no money.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=The AFK Farmer,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=000a000000010000000100000000000000000000,timestamp=2015-04-15T19:00:24.259+0000)

I'd bet you $5 RP that you sink back to B1 somewhere in the next 10 ranked games, but honestly I has no money.

I would take your bet and raise it. If I get gold V within the week then the wager is doubled.

Sadly, you has no money item 3070

disregardableApr 15, 20151 votes

Ugh that's like 2 chroma packs. ;_; WHY CAN'T I WIN THE LOTTERY SO I CAN BLOW IT ALL ON LEAGUE AND GAMBLING.

shalecApr 15, 20152 votes

You don't have to insult my intelligence when you try to dispute my claims. It adds unnecessary frustration because players who go on a losing streak and get kicked out of ranked or people who stay out of ranked have to play draft games, then deal with that, while being on tilt already from losing.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

{quoted}

You don't have to insult my intelligence when you try to dispute my claims. It adds unnecessary frustration because players who go on a losing streak and get kicked out of ranked or people who stay out of ranked have to play draft games, then deal with that, while being on tilt already from losing.

There is already unnecessary frustration in the current ranked system because of bad players ruining games for people who are trying their hardest to win. The only difference with my idea would be that this "frustration" would be due to lack of skill, not because of a bad teammate.

People go on tilt in the current system. I'm still not understanding your point of view and I don't think I want to now that I understand your lack of comprehension and logic.

shalecApr 15, 20151 votes

So you're saying you wouldn't be even more frustrated after you go on a losing streak (so you're probably already tilting), and now you have to play draft games just so you can the chance to be placed, knowing that if you aren't able to win enough in the 10 matches, you have to do it all over again. Does that not seem frustrating?

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

{quoted}

So you're saying you wouldn't be even more frustrated after you go on a losing streak (so you're probably already tilting), and now you have to play draft games just so you can the chance to be placed, knowing that if you aren't able to win enough in the 10 matches, you have to do it all over again. Does that not seem frustrating?

No it does not. Unlike a majority of league players I am not a 13 year old child who throws tantrums because they suck at the game they're playing.

At least now (speaking in terms as if my idea was implemented), if I lose I would understand that I am not good enough to keep up with the competition and can improve in normal drafts.

Sure it can be frustrating but it gives it all the more reason to try harder and it becomes more worth.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

{quoted}

The problem is that you're creating a solution to something that really won't end up doing anything. What is trying to be done here? All you'll do is eliminate most Bronze players and punish them for not being good at the game. Players wouldn't get better from this, it's actually quite possible that they would become worse since some lower Bronze players would temporarily make it through the filter until inevitably dropping, or if enough players make it through, which will probably happen anyway, Silver would become worse as a whole and would basically become the new Bronze. The system is already frustrating for low elo players, and forcing them out of ranked if they do poorly would make it worse. Nothing would be solved from this.

Players would have to become better. That is the whole point. Players should have a minimum skill level in order to play ranked and if a player should start falling behind and consistently loses game thus being dropped from ranked then that player now knows that they will have to significantly improve their gameplay.

I think it might have been over-zealous of me to have suggested entirely removing bronze but all the other ideas I still stand behind. The main point being "ranked is competitive and players should be to."

Colgate GatorApr 15, 20152 votes

While the "Rehab" aspect could have some future, I don't understand why you're suggesting to remove an entire tier of the ladder, it isn't like removing Bronze from the game would remove the Bronze players, they'd just move to the next bottom tier.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=Postal Badger,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=0001,timestamp=2015-04-15T17:21:28.280+0000)

While the "Rehab" aspect could have some future, I don't understand why you're suggesting to remove an entire tier of the ladder, it isn't like removing Bronze from the game would remove the Bronze players, they'd just move to the next bottom tier.

Learn to read? There is no next bottom tier. You have to win x amount of games to enter ranked and if you lose enough games you will drop from ranked. Removing bronze-level players entirely and forcing them to actually learn how to play and step up their game.

WarlockLawApr 15, 20151 votes

Just to let you know basically everyone I personally know went 5 wins and 5 losses in their placements this season. Among these people some got placed in bronze some in silver and some in gold. The amount of games you win doesn't mean as much as you might think in the placements. Also as somebody who primarily enjoys normals I would not like an influx of bronze players messing up my casual games because they cannot currently play ranked games

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

{quoted}

Just to let you know basically everyone I personally know went 5 wins and 5 losses in their placements this season. Among these people some got placed in bronze some in silver and some in gold. The amount of games you win doesn't mean as much as you might think in the placements. Also as somebody who primarily enjoys normals I would not like an influx of bronze players messing up my casual games because they cannot currently play ranked games

I was thinking a player would have to win 7 or more games in their placements and each win determines your tier placement (if that makes sense)

E.g. something like this. (Just a quick write up) 7 wins: Silver 1 8 wins: Gold 1 9 wins: Platinum 3 10 wins: Diamond 5

Your casual games in normal queues shouldn't be messed up as your hidden MMR will continue to match you with players of similar skill level.

WarlockLawApr 15, 20152 votes

My casual queues would probably get messed up as I play with unranked players through gold so I would expect some bronze players to be salty over the change and end up in my games. Also as it is currently designed people play their placement games with a mix of currently ranked players and other people in placement games which could be problematic for this new goal. Also 7 wins out of 10 is unrealistic for people playing at the correct skill level

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

{quoted}

My casual queues would probably get messed up as I play with unranked players through gold so I would expect some bronze players to be salty over the change and end up in my games. Also as it is currently designed people play their placement games with a mix of currently ranked players and other people in placement games which could be problematic for this new goal. Also 7 wins out of 10 is unrealistic for people playing at the correct skill level

If you're playing normal blinds or team builder then there's always a chance of having unranked and bronzies even though you are gold. It's unlikely for that to happen in draft as far as I know.

Also, the win requirement was a quick write up, not an end all be all.

WarlockLawApr 16, 20151 votes

I play exclusively draft normals over blind because I don't want to run into mirror matches, deal with insta locking or see the same flavor of the month champion every game. I still see unranked through gold players on a regular basis in it because as I understand it each queue has its own mmr associated with it

CaptnJakSparrowApr 15, 20151 votes

{quoted}

I was thinking a player would have to win 7 or more games in their placements and each win determines your tier placement (if that makes sense)

E.g. something like this. (Just a quick write up) 7 wins: Silver 1 8 wins: Gold 1 9 wins: Platinum 3 10 wins: Diamond 5

Your casual games in normal queues shouldn't be messed up as your hidden MMR will continue to match you with players of similar skill level.

lelelelelelelel.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

{quoted}

Just to let you know basically everyone I personally know went 5 wins and 5 losses in their placements this season. Among these people some got placed in bronze some in silver and some in gold. The amount of games you win doesn't mean as much as you might think in the placements. Also as somebody who primarily enjoys normals I would not like an influx of bronze players messing up my casual games because they cannot currently play ranked games

Read my comment at the bottom of Page #2.

Bronze players won't mess up your casual games given that your mmr is in high standing.

S H A Y C 0Apr 15, 20152 votes

you can do that without removing bronze. its not the worst idea ive ever heard. I have suggested similar things, basically instead of just letting everybody compete, have a minimum skill level. If there is a minimum skill level then even bronze 5 has value, but as of now there is no point in even having the tier because its even lower skilled than blind draft.

arcinexApr 15, 20152 votes

[{quoted}](name=ToiletteOfDoom ,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=0004,timestamp=2015-04-15T17:24:09.710+0000)

you can do that without removing bronze. its not the worst idea ive ever heard. I have suggested similar things, basically instead of just letting everybody compete, have a minimum skill level. If there is a minimum skill level then even bronze 5 has value, but as of now there is no point in even having the tier because its even lower skilled than blind draft.

Exactly. The people against what I suggested in OP can't seem to undestand that ranked is competitive and there should be a minimum skill level in order to play and not just "Must be level 30 and have 16 or more champions that are not included in the free week champion pool"

S H A Y C 0Apr 15, 20152 votes

arent there usually some sort of "try outs" for things? I mean if you are good enough you end up being casted in the minors by the same riot employees that cast TSM and CLG..why shouldnt there be a minimum skill level? Yes, they are in a much higher tier, but technically me in bronze 4 is in the same "league" and i mean that in the institutional sense and deff not skill...not even close, as Dyrus, Faker, and xpeke...it seems only right to have a minimum level of skill to earn that right to be listed..even if its at the bottom...with these titans.

arcinexApr 15, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=ToiletteOfDoom ,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=REGAUqQX,comment-id=000400000000,timestamp=2015-04-15T17:56:40.596+0000)

Yes, they are in a much higher tier, but technically me in bronze 4 is in the same "league" and i mean that in the institutional sense and deff not skill...not even close, as Dyrus, Faker, and xpeke...it seems only right to have a minimum level of skill to earn that right to be listed

I like this.

GaleWinUnleashedApr 15, 20152 votes

I think it'd be a better idea to add a buffer to placement matches, so that you couldn't initially be placed any lower than Bronze 1. That way, anyone that ends up in Bronze 5 clearly deserves to be there, because they fell the whole way down.

TerntApr 15, 20152 votes

MAKE WOOD DIVISION

Edit: On a serious note, doing away with Bronze isn't the solution, but definitely making a minimum skill-cap would make Bronze value higher. Right now I am in Bronze 3, and even when I get to Bronze 1, it all feels like Bronze 5. I think with a skill-cap minimum, you will definitely get more quality out of games, and people who can't rank will hold value in Bronze over nothing. Good idea imo.