Riot Games is gearing up for a significant change in League of Legends, moving away from the traditional ELO system and embracing the new and sophisticated TrueSkill2. This shift marks a pivotal moment in the game's history, promising to redefine how players are ranked and their progress evaluated.
The ELO system, the long-standing backbone of League's ranking mechanics, has been a source of both triumph and frustration for players. Here’s a breakdown of its workings and why it often left players pulling their hair out:
The ELO system was heavily reliant on team performance. This meant your rank didn't just hinge on your individual skills and decisions but also on the performance of your teammates. In essence, you could be the star of the match, but if your team lost, your rank suffered. This team dependency often led to feelings of helplessness, especially in solo queue scenarios.
One of the biggest gripes with the ELO system was the loss of LP (League Points) regardless of personal performance. You could have an outstanding game, with high kill counts, low deaths, and excellent objective control, but if your team ended up losing, your LP would still take a hit. This aspect of the system felt particularly unjust to many players, as it seemed to disregard individual effort and skill.
The ELO system required players to participate in a large number of games to achieve an accurate rank placement. This often meant a long and sometimes grueling grind, with the system taking its time to understand and accurately place a player in their rightful tier and division. For many, this process felt tedious and time-consuming.
Another common issue with the ELO system was the disparity that could arise between a player's visual rank (the rank you see) and their hidden MMR (Matchmaking Rating). This discrepancy could lead to confusing scenarios where players would be matched against opponents of differing apparent ranks, making the ladder climb feel inconsistent and sometimes unfair.
In summary, while the ELO system has been a fundamental part of League of Legends for years, its reliance on team success, disregard for individual performance in LP gains, the tedious nature of rank placement, and the occasional mismatch between visual rank and MMR have led Riot Games to seek a more balanced and player-focused approach with TrueSkill2.
TrueSkill2 is the next evolution in ranking systems for League of Legends, a fresh approach to evaluating player performance. The system was created by scientists from Microsoft. Unlike the traditional ELO system, TrueSkill2 isn't just about whether your team wins or loses. It delves deeper into how each player performs in a game. This system considers individual metrics like KDA (Kills/Deaths/Assists), objective control, and overall in-game impact. It's designed to provide a more nuanced and accurate reflection of a player's skill, taking into account their contribution to the match beyond just the final outcome.
With the introduction of TrueSkill2, several key changes will be noticeable:
Your rank won’t solely depend on whether you win or lose. Individual performance takes the front seat. If you’re acing your lane, securing objectives, or consistently outplaying your opponents, TrueSkill2 will recognize these efforts. This means even in a lost game, good performance can mitigate LP loss.
TrueSkill2 is designed to be more forgiving and accurate for new players. It aims to quickly identify smurf accounts and place them accordingly, while genuinely new players won’t be overwhelmed by being placed too high too soon. So if you want a true smurfing experience you will need an account with some MMR attached to it, try our de-ranked or pre-ranked accounts here. We have accounts from Iron up to Challenger available.
If you still want a fresh smurf and see where Riot Games places you in the new system check our fresh lol accounts.
The new system aims to reduce the disparities between a player's visible rank and hidden MMR. This should lead to fairer matchmaking, where you're more likely to play with and against players of similar skill levels.
With individual performance becoming a key factor, players might alter their strategies to optimize their stats. This could lead to a shift in how the game is played, with players potentially focusing more on personal metrics.
TrueSkill2 is set to hit the Rift by the end of the 2024. Players can expect to see these changes implemented in the upcoming season, bringing a new dynamic to the ranked experience in League of Legends. This timeline gives players the chance to gear up for the new system and adapt to the changing landscape of competitive play. With TrueSkill2, the ranked climb could feel more personal, rewarding, and reflective of individual skills and contributions.
Sources:
