A new ranked split has just begun in League of Legends. Everyone’s rank is reset, and you are staring at those unplayed Placement Matches. For many players, these games are the most stressful matches of the entire season.
There is a good reason for that anxiety: Placement matches dictate your starting point for the months ahead. Win them, and you get a massive head start. Lose them, and you will spend the next three months desperately trying to fix your MMR (Matchmaking Rating).
In this guide, we will break down exactly why these initial games hold so much power, the hidden mechanics behind them, and how you can maximize your chances of getting a perfect placement record.
The Hidden Power of MMR in Placements
League of Legends uses a hidden system called MMR to determine how much LP (League Points) you gain or lose. During your regular season, your MMR is relatively stable. However, during your placement matches, your MMR becomes “volatile” or “soft-reset.”
This means the system is aggressively trying to figure out where you belong. A single win during placements is worth significantly more than a regular ranked win. * The Snowball Effect: If you win your first two or three games, the system quickly assumes you belong in a higher tier. It starts matching you against better players, and if you keep winning, your rank skyrockets.
The Pitfall: If you lose your first few games, the system immediately drops your MMR. Even if you win your final games, you will be placed in a lower division and will earn less LP per win once the season officially starts.
Top Strategies to Survive Your Placements
Because these games are so crucial, you cannot treat them like normal solo queue matches. You need a strict game plan.
1. Never Play on “Patch Day”
The first week of a new split is pure chaos. Players who haven’t touched the game in months return to play their placements. The meta is unstable, and the risk of encountering AFK players or trolls is at an all-time high. Wait a few days for the ladder to stabilize before queueing up.
2. Stick to Your “One-Trick” Comfort Picks
This is not the time to test out the new champion you saw in a YouTube montage. You should only play the 1 or 2 champions you have the highest win rate with. If your main champion is banned, be prepared to dodge. Taking a small time penalty is always better than taking a guaranteed loss in a placement game.
3. Warm Up Before You Queue
Never let your first game of the day be a placement match. Go into the Practice Tool to practice last-hitting for 10 minutes, or play a quick ARAM to get your mechanics and reaction times ready.
The Ultimate Strategy: Don’t Rely on Randoms
Even if you play perfectly, you still only control 20% of your team. You can pick your best champion, win your lane, and still lose the game because your jungler decided to disconnect at the 10-minute mark.
Losing a placement match because of someone else’s mistake is the most frustrating experience in League of Legends. Because these games are so important for your MMR, leaving them up to the RNG (randomness) of matchmaking is a huge risk.
The best way to guarantee a high win rate in your placements is to remove the random factor entirely by playing alongside a reliable Duo partner, or better yet, a professional.
Guarantee a Perfect Start with Professional Help
If you want to skip the stress and ensure your account starts the season with sky-high MMR, the most efficient method is a Placement Boost.
By having a professional Challenger player handle your placements (or playing alongside them as a Duo), you can consistently secure a 4-1 or even a perfect 5-0 record. This sets your account up for massive LP gains (+25 to +30 per win) for the rest of the season, saving you weeks of unnecessary grinding.
Conclusion
Your placement matches are the foundation of your entire League of Legends season. Treat them with respect, prepare accordingly, and do everything in your power to win them. A strong start is the secret to a fast and painless climb.
Start Your Season Right with GoBoost
Don’t let a bad team ruin your MMR for the rest of the split. Secure your perfect placement record today!
GoBoost LoL Elo Boosting – Visit our boosting page and select the “Placement Matches” option. Choose to have our Challenger boosters secure your wins for you (Solo), or team up with them and dominate the lobby together (Duo). Lock in your dream rank from Day 1!
