Ranked Restrictions in League of Legends Explained

Keeping Ranked games fair and fun in League of Legends is important. Riot Games has set up Ranked Restrictions to stop bad behavior and keep the game enjoyable for everyone. In this article, we’ll explain what Ranked Restrictions are, why they’re needed, and how they work.

What are Ranked Restrictions in League of Legends?

Ranked Restrictions in League of Legends serve as penalties for players who exhibit negative behavior or break the game’s rules. These restrictions temporarily prevent players from accessing ranked game modes.

In addition to being barred from ranked play, affected players may face further sanctions, such as chat restrictions or enforced delays before joining game queues. Before delving into additional penalties, let’s explore the primary causes that lead to imposing ranked restrictions.

Toxic Behavior

Toxic behavior in League of Legends, such as harassment, intentional feeding, and other disruptive actions, has been a longstanding issue. Ranked Restrictions aim to curb such behaviors by penalizing players who repeatedly violate community standards.

With millions of active players, promoting positive interactions and sportsmanship is challenging. To enhance enforcement, Riot Games has implemented Vanguard security software, which significantly tightens measures against breaches of conduct, ensuring that players face consequences for detrimental behavior.

Account Sharing/Boosting and Cheating

Account sharing, boosting, and cheating disrupt the fair play environment of League of Legends’ ranked ladder. Riot Games imposes penalties on these activities to maintain the integrity of ranked competition, ensuring that each player’s rank truly reflects their individual skill.

Additionally, exploiting in-game bugs or utilizing third-party software to gain an advantage leads to Ranked Restrictions. In early 2024, Riot developers further tightened regulations by introducing new penalties specifically targeting the use of unauthorized third-party applications.

AFKing or Leaving Games

Experiencing an AFK player in a competitive match, where teamwork is crucial, can be incredibly frustrating for everyone involved.

Frequent AFKing or leaving games disrupts the experience for both teammates and opponents who seek a fair and engaging match.

To combat this issue, Ranked Restrictions are applied to discourage such behavior by temporarily banning repeat offenders from participating in ranked matches, ensuring a more reliable and competitive environment for all players.

LoL Ranked Restrictions: Types of Penalties 

Riot Games enforces Ranked Restrictions using a variety of measures designed to maintain a fair and respectful competitive environment. Here’s a breakdown of the primary penalties and the steps that precede more severe bans:

The core objective of these restrictions is to temporarily suspend your participation in competitive modes. Upon receiving a penalty, you must complete a set number of unranked matches before regaining access to ranked play—typically at least five games. It’s crucial to note that only Normal and Draft Pick games count towards lifting this restriction, with modes like ARAM, Arena, and Co-op vs AI being excluded.

Successfully removing your Ranked restriction requires completing these matches without engaging in toxic behavior or going AFK.

Chat restrictions may also be implemented either as a standalone measure or alongside Ranked Restrictions. These limit your ability to communicate in-game, aiming to reduce toxic interactions. Persistent negative behavior despite a chat restriction can lead to a full Ranked restriction.

Repeated offenses such as AFKing or leaving games trigger additional penalties like being placed in the Low Priority Queue, which introduces delays in matchmaking. Severe or frequent violations can extend these delays to a complete lockout from queuing for up to two weeks.

Moreover, players who receive restrictions during a ranked season typically become ineligible for end-of-season rewards and may see a reduction in their Honor level. This drop hampers progress towards higher tiers of Honor and associated rewards, further emphasizing the importance of maintaining positive in-game conduct.

LoL Ranked Restrictions FAQs

How do you unlock Ranked play in League of Legends?

To participate in Ranked games in League of Legends, players must first achieve Level 30.

Are there Ranked restrictions for new accounts in LoL?

Riot Games has implemented a specific guideline for new accounts as of 2024. Given the popularity of modes such as ARAM and Co-op vs AI for quickly leveling up, new players are now required to complete at least 10 Blind or Draft Pick games before accessing Ranked play.

This measure aims to ensure that players are adequately prepared and accurately assessed in terms of skill when they begin competing in League of Legends’ ranked matches.

How to get rid of ranked restrictions in League of Legends?

To lift your ranked restrictions in League of Legends, you must successfully complete the assigned five unranked matches without displaying any negative behavior. Maintaining sportsmanlike conduct throughout these games is crucial for regaining access to ranked play.

Can I play ARAM for ranked restrictions? 

No, ARAM and other special or seasonal modes do not qualify towards clearing ranked restrictions.

Conclusion

Ranked Restrictions in League of Legends serve as a crucial tool for maintaining a fair and enjoyable competitive environment. These penalties, which range from temporary bans from ranked play to chat restrictions and queue delays, aim to discourage toxic behavior and uphold the integrity of the game. Understanding the reasons behind these restrictions and how they function helps players navigate the rules and focus on promoting positive gameplay. By adhering to the community guidelines and engaging respectfully with others, players can avoid these penalties and enjoy a more rewarding experience in League of Legends.