What Is The New Emerald Rank in League of Legends?

5 min read

League of Legends has introduced a brand-new rank: Emerald, positioned between Platinum and Diamond. But this isn’t just a new badge; it’s a fundamental shift in how ranks are structured.

League of Legends designed Emerald to smooth out the skill curve, creating a more balanced distribution of players across tiers. But what does this really mean for ranked players?

Let’s dive into how this change impacts rank distribution, climbing difficulty, and the prestige of higher ranks.

The Emerald Rank in League of Legends for Balance

The League of Legends ranking system was long believed to have a bottom-heavy distribution with a massive cluster of players in the Silver and Gold tiers. The leap between Platinum and Diamond was particularly steep, with the effect of uneven skill levels in a match becoming quite detrimental. However, this is all meant to be changed with Emerald, a tier that would balance the climb and maintain the prestige of Diamond and above.

Consequences of the New Emerald Rank

The introduction of the Emerald rank significantly altered the rank distribution among players. According to data from Esports Tales, the percentage of players in each tier shifted to accommodate this new rank. The distribution aimed to center around Gold, with Emerald representing a similar percentage of players as Platinum previously did. This adjustment was part of Riot Games' strategy to create a more balanced and meaningful ranking system, where each tier accurately reflects a player's skill level relative to the broader player base.

Playerbase Rank Distribution Shift

The rank distribution data revealed interesting trends. The percentage of players in the Iron, Bronze, and Silver tiers decreased slightly, while players in Gold maintained their position as the central tier. The introduction of Emerald absorbed a significant portion of players from Platinum and Diamond, leading to a more even spread across these ranks. This redistribution aimed to ensure that each rank, especially the higher ones, retained their exclusivity and prestige in-game.

Why Riot Games Introduced the New Tier

The justification for the ranking updates, as described by the development team of the game, was threefold:

Flatten the Curve and Maintain the Prestige Ranks

The old system provided a steep jump between Platinum and Diamond, with the LP gains being lackluster. The introduction of the Emerald rank in League of Legends has subtly shifted the competitive dynamics of ranked play. We believe that these changes have generally made it easier for players to climb to the Diamond tier. While it might require more time due to the additional division, the skill threshold for reaching Diamond has slightly decreased. Moreover, the increased LP gains implemented alongside the new rank system should compensate for the longer journey, making the climb more rewarding and achievable.

Enhanced Ranking System Motivates Higher Ranks

Players have been experiencing a more gradual and attainable progression through the ranks thanks to the new rank distribution. Many note that the adjustment has positively impacted their perception of skill and achievement within the game. Players will likely find the ranked journey more satisfying, as the incremental progress and clearer milestones provide a sense of continuous improvement. Our experience aligns with this perspective, as the restructured ranking system offers a better overall climbing experience, making each achievement feel more significant.

Influence on Players' Gaming Strategies

While introducing the Emerald rank might not directly influence player strategies, the accompanying changes in LP gains have a notable impact. The increased LP gains make climbing the ranked ladder more appealing, especially for players hovering around the new Emerald tier. This incentive encourages players to engage more actively in ranked matches, potentially leading to a more dynamic and competitive environment in these tiers. Players might be more motivated to refine their skills and strategies, knowing that their efforts are more likely to be rewarded with tangible progress in their ranked journey. The adjustment guarantees that advancement to higher ranks like Diamond requires steadfast skill, not grinding.

New Strategies for Climbing to Emerald+ in LoL

Getting to Emerald and higher ranks requires flexibility. Here's the secret to maximizing your ranked experience:

  • Master Placement Games: Riot reduced placement games from 10 to 5, so make each match count. 

  • Accumulate enough LP: Prioritize consistency over flashy plays, as emerald players penalize misplays more severely than Platinum players.

Player Reactions and Consequences

Surveys among the community show that 60% of the players like the rank of Emerald, which positively impacts the competitive gaming atmosphere. However, some of the bottom Platinum players felt demoted as they dropped from Platinum IV to Gold I.

The Future of LoL with Emerald

Riot has made big changes to the League of Legends ranked system: They added a new rank (Emerald), cut placement games from 10 to 5, and removed the promotion series. These updates should make ranking easier and fun while keeping the top ranks competitive, and many players are already excited to see how these changes shake up the game.

The developer's philosophy of ranked play now emphasizes even tier splits by percentage. Since most players focus on Gold and Platinum, the system rewards skill rather than lengthy grinds.

Future patches would continue this line of reasoning. For the moment, Emerald remains a witness to LoL’s development, striking a balance of competitiveness and accessibility. 

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