Ready to climb that ranked ladder in League of Legends? Get ready for some significant shake-ups coming with lol rank split 2. From placement changes to demotion overhauls, Riot Games is aiming to deliver a smoother, fairer, and ultimately more satisfying ranked experience. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to prepare for the next Split.
At a Glance:

  • End Date: September 24, 2024, 23:59:59 local server time
  • Start Date: September 25, 2024, 12:00:00 local server time
  • Higher Initial Placement: You can now place as high as Diamond III after your provisional games.
  • Smoother Demotions: Demotion protection between divisions is gone, making LP transitions more fluid.
  • Master Duo Queue: Duo queue is back for Master tier (excluding China and Korea).
  • Demotion LP Adjustments: Tier demotions now land you at 25, 50, or 75 LP based on your MMR.

Why the Big Changes for Lol Rank Split 2? Addressing Inflation and Your Experience

The current League of Legends competitive season, Season 14, is divided into three Splits, each offering fresh opportunities and challenges in Ranked. After Split 1, Riot recognized some issues, particularly around LP gains/losses and rank inflation. Essentially, too many players were reaching ranks higher than their actual skill level indicated. This had negative impacts, especially for players in Emerald and above.
In the Emerald to Master tiers, approximately 50% of players were experiencing negative LP gains (+21/-29). Above Master, this figure soared to around 80%. This meant players were winning less LP than they lost, making climbing incredibly frustrating. The goal of these changes in lol rank split 2 is to correct this and promote healthier competition.
Riot has already been working to fix this with adjustments during the first split of 2024. These included fixes for Iron IV placement issues, negative LP gains in Diamond I, reduced LP gains/losses below Emerald, adjustments to demotion handling, preventing new players from being placed into Platinum, implementing 50 LP demotions, reducing queue times below Silver, making team ranks closer in games below Silver, and adjusting how players of other game modes are initially seeded into Ranked. Thanks to these changes negative LP gains are now down by ~37%, close to 0 in most skill brackets.

The End of Split 2 and the Beginning of Split 3: Key Dates

Mark your calendars! Riot Games has confirmed the following schedule:

  • Split 2 End Date: September 24, 2024, at 23:59:59 local server time. This coincides with the release of Patch 14.18.
  • Split 3 Start Date: September 25, 2024, at 12:00:00 local server time. Split 3 will launch with Patch 14.19.
    Ranked play will be available up until the very end of Split 2 at 23:59 local time.

Higher Initial Placements: Diamond III, Here We Come!

One of the most significant changes is the increase in the maximum rank achievable after your placement games. Previously capped at Emerald I, you can now place as high as Diamond III. This means skilled players can more quickly reach their appropriate rank, reducing the grind through lower tiers. This should also result in more balanced matches in those lower elos.

Removing Demotion Protection: A Smoother (But Potentially Riskier) Climb

Say goodbye to demotion protection between divisions (e.g., Silver II to Silver III). In lol rank split 2, Riot is removing this safety net. Demotions will now be much more fluid.
What does this mean for you?

  • If you lose LP at 10 LP in Silver II and lose 25 LP, you will smoothly transition to 85 LP in Silver III.
  • No more clinging to 0 LP, hoping for a lucky win streak.
  • Each game matters, and consistent performance is key.
    According to Riot, the emergency lever of demoting players down to 50 LP when dropping divisions felt pretty bad for players. Instead, these more fluid demotions will allow your LP to transition more naturally between divisions.

Demoting Between Tiers: What You Need to Know

While division demotions are becoming more fluid, demoting between tiers (e.g., Silver IV to Bronze I) will still retain some protection. Riot wants to give players a chance to defend the rank they've earned. However, there's a slight twist! When you demote down a tier, you'll be placed at 25, 50, or 75 LP, depending on how your MMR compares to your rank.

  • Higher MMR: Expect to land closer to 75 LP, indicating the system believes you belong back in that tier.
  • Lower MMR: You might find yourself at 25 LP, suggesting the system thinks you were over-ranked.
    This adjustment is aimed at providing a more accurate reflection of your skill level and preventing players from getting stuck in tiers they don't belong in, Claim Your Ranked Rewards when the time comes at the end of the split.

Master Duo Queue is Back (Almost Everywhere)!

Good news for duo queue enthusiasts! Riot is re-enabling duo queue for Master tier in most regions. This will allow friends to team up and climb the ladder together, making the ranked experience more social and enjoyable.
Important Note: This change does not apply to China and Korea. Additionally, duo queue will be disabled again once players reach Grandmaster. This is to maintain the integrity and competitiveness of the very highest ranks.

Combating Ranked Manipulation: A Zero-Tolerance Policy

Riot Games has a zero-tolerance policy against ranked manipulation, including account boosting, win trading, and deliberate de-ranking. The penalties for these offenses are severe:

  • First Offense: A 30-day ban (increased from previous shorter bans).
  • Second Offense: Permanent ban.
    Riot is actively working to identify and ban these accounts. They are "exploring opportunities with newly implemented tools that will be able to quickly and confidently identify who these accounts belong to". You can do your part by reporting any suspicious activity you encounter.

What Stays the Same? The Core of League

Despite all these changes, the fundamental elements of League of Legends remain the same. It's still a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game featuring fast-paced, team-based gameplay. You'll still control champions with unique abilities, battle to destroy the enemy's Nexus, and rely on strategy and teamwork to succeed.
League of Legends has various modes, such as Summoner's Rift, ARAM, and rotating game modes, offering diverse experiences for players, so don't worry about those game modes changing any time soon.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions About Lol Rank Split 2

Let's tackle some frequently asked questions to clear up any lingering doubts.
Q: Will my rank completely reset at the start of Split 3?
A: No, there will be a soft rank reset. You'll drop slightly in rank, but you won't be starting from scratch. This adjustment is necessary to maintain the integrity of the ranked system after the changes.
Q: How will these changes affect my LP gains/losses?
A: While it's difficult to predict the exact impact on individual accounts, the goal is to normalize LP gains/losses. You should see more balanced gains and losses, with wins earning you a reasonable amount of LP and losses not being overly punishing.
Q: I'm a new player. How will these changes affect my initial ranked experience?
A: The adjustments to initial MMR seeding (how the game places you initially) means that new ranked players are no longer placed into Platinum if they have been playing normal games. New players will be seeded at approximately Silver IV, but can be as low as Iron IV and as high as Gold III.
Q: What happens to my ranked rewards from Split 2?
A: You'll receive your ranked rewards based on your final rank at the end of Split 2, Likely End of LOL Split 2, so make sure you grind!

Climbing the Ladder in Split 3: Tips for Success

Now that you're armed with knowledge, here are some tips to maximize your climb in Split 3:

  1. Adapt to the New Demotion System: Be mindful of your LP and play consistently to avoid unnecessary demotions.
  2. Focus on Improving Your Skill: The smoother demotion system means your visible rank will more accurately reflect your skill. Focus on improving your gameplay, decision-making, and teamwork.
  3. Take Advantage of Duo Queue (If Applicable): If you’re a Master tier player (excluding China and Korea), queue up with a reliable friend to increase your chances of winning.
  4. Stay Updated with the Meta: Keep an eye on patch notes, champion buffs/nerfs, and popular builds/strategies.
  5. Maintain a Positive Attitude: Tilt is real. Stay calm, communicate effectively, and focus on what you can control.
  6. Practice: The old saying is true, practice makes perfect!

What This Means for You: A More Accurate and Competitive Ranked Experience

The changes coming to lol rank split 2 represent a significant shift in Riot's approach to ranked play. By addressing rank inflation, smoothing out demotions, and cracking down on ranked manipulation, they're aiming to create a more accurate, competitive, and ultimately rewarding experience for all players.
Embrace the challenge, adapt to the changes, and get ready to climb! Good luck on the Rift. Riot is also cracking down on making new accounts as they want you to play on your main account. Riot wants to detect and ban new accounts, so that reaching the rank you deserve will be faster on your main account than it will be with a new account. More on the LPL Split 2 to climb faster!