How Does Decay Work in League of Legends?
Decay is a crucial concept in League of Legends that can impact a player’s rank and League Points (LP). In this article, we’ll explore how decay works in League of Legends and what you need to know to avoid being demoted.
What is Decay?
Decay is a penalty system implemented by Riot Games, the developers of League of Legends, to discourage inactive players from remaining in a queue without playing games. When a player has not played a game in a particular queue for an extended period, they are subject to decay, which can lead to a loss of LP and potentially a demotion to a lower division.
How Does Decay Work?
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how decay works:
- Queue Selection: You can select a queue to play in by clicking on the queue icon.
- Matchmaking: The matchmaking system will match you with other players who are in the same queue and division.
- Gameplay: The game starts, and you play against your opponents.
- Winning or Losing: You win or lose the game based on your performance.
- LP Gain or Loss: If you win, you gain LP. If you lose, you lose LP.
- Decay Trigger: If you have not played a game in a queue for a specified period (usually 30 days), you will trigger decay.
- LP Loss: You will lose a set amount of LP each day until you play a game or the decay is removed.
Factors Affecting Decay
Here are some factors that can affect decay:
- Queue Type: Decay only affects ranked queues, not casual games.
- Division: Decay applies to players in Diamond and higher divisions.
- LP: The more LP you have, the more LP you will lose when decay is triggered.
How to Avoid Decay
To avoid decay, you can follow these tips:
- Play Regularly: Try to play at least one game per week in a ranked queue.
- Focus on Your Division: Prioritize your current division and focus on improving your rank.
- Bank Your Games: If you’re close to getting demoted, bank your games to avoid losing LP.
- Choose the Right Queue: Select a queue with a smaller pool of players to minimize the time between matches.
Examples of Decay
Here’s an example of how decay works:
- Scenario 1: You have 100 LP in the Gold division. You haven’t played a game in 10 days. You will lose 10 LP each day until you play a game.
- Scenario 2: You have 1500 LP in the Diamond division. You haven’t played a game in 30 days. You will lose 30 LP each day until you play a game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, decay is an important concept in League of Legends that can impact your rank and LP. Understanding how decay works and taking steps to avoid it can help you maintain your current division and prevent demotion. Remember to play regularly, focus on your division, bank your games, and choose the right queue to minimize the impact of decay.