What counts as matchmade game LoL
A matchmade game in League of Legends is essentially any game that is created and balanced by the game's matchmaking system. This system is designed to place players of similar skill levels together through either ranked elo or MMR (matchmaking rating).
To understand what counts as a matchmade game, it’s important to recognize the different types of games that fall under this category. These include Summoner’s Rift, ARAM (All Random All Mid), special event modes, and even the newer modes like Teamfight Tactics (TFT) and Arena. However, not all games within these modes are considered matchmade. Each queue values and takes in account your MMR.
The Matchmaking System
Matchmaking is the algorithm that calculates the best possible matching of players into teams and against each other among the set of all players presently waiting in the queue for a game. The preferred result is a game where each person on every team has an equal probability of winning. In online games that offer competitive experiences, matchmaking is usually facilitated by a rating number that determines the absolute skill of each player. This skill rating is computed through various algorithms itself. In League of Legends, matchmaking prioritizes the highest uniformity of skill ratings between players and teams, the best queue times, as well as proper role selection for queues that require it.
Types of Queues
Queue types differentiate the preferred matchmaking conditions. A co-op queue is a casual queue type that can match players over a very wide band of skill ratings against Artificial Intelligence robots (= "bots") and has no restrictions on parties of players. A normal or unranked queue is a casual queue type that matches players within a potentially wide band of skill ratings and usually has loose restrictions on parties of players. A ranked queue is a competitive queue type that is involved in the League system and typically matches within a narrow band of skill ratings. A codependent queue, such as the one used in Clash with "Tiers", generates a ranking for each player that is determined by their skill rating in other queues, rather than the codependent queue itself.
Types of Matchmade Games
Ranked Games
Ranked games are the most well-known type of matchmade game in League of Legends. In ranked games, players compete in a highly competitive environment where the outcome of the game directly impacts their rank. Players are placed in a tiered ranking system, ranging from Iron to Challenger, and their rank changes based on their performance in these matchmade games. Winning games increases your elo, while losing decreases it, with some variance on how much your rank is changed depending on your MMR, and some other minor variables like teammates going AFK or remakes.
Ranked games are always matchmade, as the matchmaking system is crucial to maintaining a fair competitive environment.
"Ranked games" usually refers to solo or duo queue.
Normal Games
Normal games (norms), which usually include both Draft and Blind Pick modes on Summoner’s Rift, are also considered matchmade games. Although completing normal games do not impact a player’s rank, they still involve a matchmaking process to create balanced teams.
Draft Pick: Players select their champions in turns, with bans included to prevent certain champions from being picked, for a total of 10 bans for each game. The matchmaking system aims to pair teams of similar skill levels, and automatically tries to compensate for situations where a high MMR player may suddenly be playing with a low MMR player.
Quickplay: The matchmaking itself is the basically the exact same as Draft, but you lock in your champion, runes and summoner spells before you queue up. The game immediately starts when the matchmaking system pairs you up with allies and an enemy team, skipping champion select entirely. Although the MMR is the same one used in Draft, Quickplay is played in an entirely different queue.
ARAM (All Random All Mid)
ARAM is a game mode where players are randomly assigned a champion and battle it out on the Howling Abyss map. Despite the randomness and shorter game duration (10-20 minutes), ARAM matches still count as matchmade games. When players queue up for an ARAM game, they are queued and matched up with allies and opponents depending on an MMR completely separate from their ranked and normals MMR.
Event Gamemodes
Riot Games frequently introduces special event modes, especially during in-game events or major updates. These modes vary widely in gameplay mechanics but always include a matchmaking system to balance teams that utilizes MMR, so they also count as matchmade games for the purpose of missions, keys, etc. Examples of recent event game modes are URF/ARURF, One For All and Nexus Blitz.
TFT (Teamfight Tactics)
Teamfight Tactics is an auto-battler game mode within the League of Legends client. While it differs significantly from the traditional MOBA gameplay of League, TFT still utilizes a matchmaking system to pair players of similar skill levels, with the same MMR and elo point system.
When players queue up for a TFT game, the matchmaking system searches for other players of similar skill. Players compete in a round-based game where they strategically place units on a board to battle against the other team of players. Ranked TFT games also contribute to a player’s rank within the TFT system, separate from their rank in Summoner's Rift. These games are matchmade, but they have their own separate MMR and rank, and do not influence your future matchmade games outside of TFT
Arena
Arena Mode is one of the newer additions to League of Legends. This 2v2v2v2 mode focuses on short, intense battles between duos of players. Arena Mode games are also considered matchmade, as players have their own MMR separate from other queues. Differently from other queues, you can actually see your MMR, although it also doubles as your rank. Check our post about the Arena ranks if you'd like to find out how they work!
What Does Not Count as a Matchmade Game?
While most game types in League of Legends are matchmade, there are several exceptions that do not count as matchmade games and will not contribute to missions or ranked lockouts.
Custom Games
Custom games are matches that players set up themselves. They can choose their teammates and opponents, set specific rules, and can even play on different maps. Because there is no matchmaking involved, custom games do not count as matchmade games.
Co-op vs. AI
Co-op vs. AI games are designed for players to face off against AI-controlled champions. These games are typically a bit easier and are often used by new players to learn the game or by experienced players to complete missions quickly. Despite the fact that you can be queued up with allies, Co-op vs. AI games are not matchmade games. If they were, it'd be far too easy to abuse them and grind out missions on bot accounts.
Summary
A matchmade game in League of Legends is any game created and balanced by the game’s matchmaking system, either through MMR or your rank. This includes Quickplay, Draft Pick, Ranked, ARAM, Arena, TFT and Event Gamemodes. Specifically, custom games and Co-op vs. AI do not count as matchmade games.
