How does LP actually work?

Vajuel·7/5/2017, 7:23:27 PM·4 votes·23,354 views

Ok, so I've been playing ranks since season 5 and I tried figuring it out myself on how I can earn the most LP at its finest. Doing this, made me realize that I actually lose more LP than earning them... if you are in silver (like I am), and it got me thinking. Lately I've only been earning 18 LP because I had a losing streak, but before that I only earn 20-22, but when it comes to losing it rose from 15 TO 20, and that sucks so much to see that I lose more LP than earning them. I know riot is trying to make this rank system fair and easy, but lately, LP earnings just gets harder when you yourself know that you lose 20 LP in defeat but only earn 18 LP when you win.

IDK 'bout you guys but that system is getting really butthurt to me in my opinion.

11 Comments

Zielmann7/5/2017, 7:38:26 PM2 votes

LP gain is relative to your MMR compared to the 'expected' MMR for your current ranking.

Let's say you're Silver 3, which has an expected MMR of 1200 (made up number, just go with it). If you get your MMR to, say, 1350, you're going to earn a lot more LP for wins than you drop from a loss. This could be about +25 for a win, and only -15 for a loss. This is to help facilitate better players to climb through the lower ranks and help them reach a more appropriate ranking much faster. Even if they go 50/50 in games, they'll still climb ranks since they gain so much more for wins than they lose in a loss.

Now, if you're in Silver 3, but your MMR drops to 1050, you'll find the opposite to be true. When your MMR is below the expected MMR for your rank, you will lose more LP for a loss than you gain in a win. That could mean gaining only 15-18 for a win, while losing 20 or so in a loss. This is mostly to help filter players back to an appropriate ranking if they placed too high. It would also help to filter down players who get boosted and then continue playing at a higher rank than they should be playing.

Unfortunately, the latter also means that going on a losing streak can result in seeing your LP losses quickly increasing. Which is quite disheartening when you're already having a hard enough time just pulling together a win in the first place. The only upside is that a short winning streak can quickly pull your MMR back up to where you're at least back to even gains/losses.

Best Ekko NA2/23/2018, 5:55:08 PM2 votes

People are feeding you a bunch of garbage. Don't listen to that. It has nothing to do with your rank, and it's not based on any type of "expected" MMR. This is how the system works..

It looks for players near your current MMR
If the system finds enough players, it splits the players into 2 teams.
If the system cannot find enough players, it expands the search radius to higher / lower MMR.
The system splits the players to equal MMR teams, or close to equal.
You play the match.

If the other team has a higher cumulative MMR than you, the system expects you will lose, thus you will lose less LP.
If your team has a higher cumulative MMR than the enemies, the system expects you will win, you gain less LP.

When you win games which the system did not think you would win, you gain more LP.
When you lose games which the system believed you would win, you will lose more LP.

Win streaks increase the MMR you are playing at little by little. Your actual MMR goes up little even though you are winning, but you begin playing in matches that have a higher cumulative MMR rating the more you win. After about 4 wins in a row, you will be playing in matches about 1 division higher cumulatively than your current MMR. Winning these games, increases LP gains since there is a large disparity between your current MMR and your cumulative match MMR. If you lose, the system degrades your cumulative match MMR slightly (around 10 - 20 MMR?), and you lose normal amount of LP based on whether the system believed you should win or lose.

If you are trying to gain more LP, win a lot of games in a row without losing. That is the only sure way to increase LP gains. Everything outside of that is luck of the draw in the matchmaking system.. something players have no control over.

God, someone necro'd a really old post.. why is this on the front page. XD

Pie Cubed7/5/2017, 7:25:02 PM1 votes

I think it's MMR vs current rank. Streaks will skyrocket or plunge your MMR, making a huge difference in LP gain. The further your MMR is ahead of your current rank, the more LP you gain. And vice versa.

LeeSin Carefully2/23/2018, 5:39:31 PM1 votes

Idk, but i've been getting like 20lp for a win , even tho i have really good mmr, like a rank higher than average.

Fist0ffists9/27/2018, 3:52:08 AM1 votes

Ahhhh the good ol' just go win streak.. as if low ranking cucks are going to allow you to progress.. hey riot im in promo.. (dumbass rito) oh shit this new unranked kiddo wants to play with you guys??? Sure I've got room for ya gl trying to promote, try not to go on a losing streak now. Fucking kys bby

3k4ever5/28/2019, 11:57:39 AM1 votes

its all about mmr dude..