How to Climb Each Rank and Escape Your ELO
Are you finding yourself stuck at a specific rank or ELO tier, and you’re not really sure how to climb or what you should be working on to accomplish that goal? Well, the good news is, you’re in the right place. The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all; the best strategies depend on your current rank. Take a look at our tips below and see if you can climb out of your current tier!
Iron Tier
In the Iron tier, the foundational skills are key. This includes CSing as a laner, pathing as a jungler, and using wards. The first step to improving your win rate in Iron is caring about the games. This means being fully present and committed to each match, not leaving mid-game to grab food or attend to other distractions.
Once you’ve built your foundational skills, you can look at strategies that work best in Iron. Choosing a champion that is easy to use and execute is crucial. Champions like Mordekaiser, Dr. Mundo, and Garen have the damage you need to carry but are tanky enough that you don’t need a team to set you up. These champions are more forgiving regarding mistakes and allow you to focus on improving your basic skills.
In Iron, it’s also important to remember that you’re playing in the lowest ranks, so keep your strategies simple and easy to execute. Avoid unnecessary team fights and focus on split pushing and small skirmishes. This approach is more manageable and allows you to have a greater impact on the game’s outcome.
Bronze Tier
In Bronze, players are slightly better than in Iron, but the same general advice applies. Split pushing and keeping fights limited to 2v2s and 3v3s is typically the way to go. This strategy minimizes the unpredictability of larger team fights and allows you to leverage your skills more effectively.
Picking simple, easy-to-pull-off champions is also recommended. While it might be tempting to try more complex champions, sticking to the basics will yield more consistent results. Remember, the goal is to climb the ranks, and consistency is key to achieving this.
In Bronze, it’s also crucial to focus on your laning skills. Instead of just mindlessly trading, aim to punish your foe when they move up to CS, all the while working to keep your own CS up. This will help you build a lead and put you in a stronger position to carry the game.
Silver Tier
In Silver, players start to be quite a bit better. You’ll notice that team fighting is a bit more of a thing here, but you still want to lean more into split pushing and small skirmishes as much as you can. This strategy allows you to exert pressure across the map and forces the enemy team to respond to your moves.
The best aspect of your gameplay to focus on here is your individual mechanics. This includes your ability to last-hit minions, your understanding of your champion’s abilities, and your skill in trading with your lane opponent. Most games in Silver are going to be won and lost off mechanics alone since it’s going to be determining if you can get the lead that you need to force the wins on your own.
Gold Tier
Gold is the start of high ELO or mid ELO. Concepts like macro wave management and things like that are going to be a lot more understood, and the mechanics of most players should be relatively solid. You won’t see a blitzcrank hooking 45 degrees to the left of their targets or any flashing just to miss Tibbers by a mile.
At this point, players are so highly graded in both mechanics and the know-how that most champions are playable at a very strong level. This means that you can start to diversify your champion pool and experiment with different playstyles. However, it’s still important to choose champions that you’re comfortable with, and that make sure the Champ fits your team’s composition.
In Gold, it’s also crucial to start thinking more about the bigger picture of the game. This means paying attention to the state of the map, understanding when to push or freeze your lane, and knowing when to join your team for objectives. It’s not just about winning your lane anymore; it’s about using your lead to help your team secure victory.
Platinum Tier
In Platinum, players excel at having a better understanding of specific game knowledge. This includes knowing what items do and when they are good, as well as knowing what most of the champions’ abilities do. This level of understanding allows you to make more informed decisions during the game and gives you an edge over your opponents.
The best way to get out of Platinum is to really work on your mechanics. This means practicing your champion’s combos, improving your CSing, and refining your positioning in team fights. It might also involve spending time in the practice tool or watching replays of your games to identify areas for improvement.
Diamond Tier
In Diamond, the skill level is just too high to brute force your way out of this tier. The biggest key to climbing at this point is stellar teamwork and communication. You have to work with your team, coordinate invades together, call junglers for dives, and communicate which enemy carries don’t have summoner spells so you can target them.
In Diamond, it’s also important to start thinking more strategically about the game. This means understanding when to take objectives, when to push or defend towers, and when to engage or disengage in fights. It’s not just about individual skill anymore; it’s about making the right decisions for your team.
Master and Above
Once you’ve broken out of Diamond and hit Master or above, you’ve completely mastered solo queue. Players here have the mechanics to play champions that are usually reserved for pros. However, the biggest issue by far is mental fortitude. By focusing up, stopping the tilt, and playing every game to win instead of just giving up at five minutes because of one bad play, you’re automatically going to increase your win rate.
At this level, it’s also crucial to keep up with the meta and understand how different champions and strategies fit into it. This means staying informed about balance changes, new champion releases, and shifts in the meta. It also means being adaptable and willing to change your playstyle or champion pool as the game evolves.
Remember, climbing the ranks in League is a journey. It requires patience, skill, and a lot of practice. But with the right mindset and strategies, you can escape your ELO and reach the top of the ladder. Good luck!
