+15 LP / -25 LP: The Hidden Reason Your Account is Cursed

+15 LP / -25 LP: Why Your Gains and Losses Look Uneven

You win a long game and get +15 LP. You lose the next one and drop 25. It feels like your account is cursed, but the cause is usually the relationship between your visible rank and your hidden Matchmaking Rating (MMR). This guide explains how that gap works, what usually causes it, and what you can do about it.

1. Visible Rank vs Hidden MMR

League of Legends keeps two numbers for ranked play. The visible one is your tier, division and LP. The hidden one is your MMR, which the matchmaking system uses to choose your opponents. LP gains and losses depend on how the two compare:

• If your MMR is higher than your rank suggests, you tend to gain more LP for a win and lose less for a loss.
• If your MMR is lower than your rank suggests, you tend to gain less LP for a win and lose more for a loss.

So +15 / -25 usually means that the system currently rates you below your displayed rank. It does not mean the game is picking on you, and it is not a separate "curse" that you must remove. For a longer explanation, read our guide to how MMR works in League of Legends.

2. How the Gap Appears

The gap between rank and MMR can build up for a few reasons:

• A losing streak. Losses reduce your MMR even when LP protection means you do not lose a division right away.
• A lucky climb. A winning streak can push your rank above where your overall results would put you.
• A break from the game. After time away, your rank may no longer match how you play now.
• A new role or champion pool. If you play positions you do not know well in ranked, your results can drop.

Riot adjusts parts of the ranked system between seasons, so the exact numbers you see (+15, -25) vary by season and by account. Treat numbers in any article, including this one, as an illustration, not a formula.

3. What Helps Normalize Your Gains

There is no trick that resets MMR instantly. The reliable way to close the gap is to win more than you lose over a meaningful number of games. Habits that help:

• Stop playing when you are tilted. A third loss in a row is usually a sign that your decisions are getting worse, not that the system has turned against you.
• Use a small champion pool. Two or three champions per role give you consistency and let you recognize matchups.
• Avoid testing champions in ranked. Learn new picks in Normal or ARAM first.
• Review your losses. Look for patterns in the first fifteen minutes, such as lane positioning or recall timing.
• Be careful with dodging. Leaving champion select costs LP and a short penalty, so do not use it as a habit.

Our guide to the League of Legends ranking system explains tiers, divisions and promotions if you want the full picture of how LP works.

4. When Climbing Alone Feels Like a Second Job

Improving a bad MMR takes many games, and not everyone has the time. If you want help, you can use a Duo Boost or rank boost service. A run of wins with a verified high-ranked player can help your LP gains recover, though how quickly depends on how far your MMR has fallen. See the LoL rank boost page for the options.

At n1boost, boosts are played by hand by verified high-ranked players. You can choose a solo rank boost, a Duo Boost where you play on your own account, or Coaching, and the full price is shown before you pay. Visit n1boost.com to see the options.

A Simple Plan for Your Next Twenty Games

If you want something practical, try this routine instead of grinding without a plan:

1. Choose your role and two champions. Write them down and do not play anything else in ranked for these games.
2. Set a daily limit. Decide how many games you will play and stop early after two losses in a row.
3. Keep a short note after each loss. One line is enough, for example "died to a gank at 3:30" or "lost lane because I overextended".
4. Look for the repeat. After ten games, read your notes and pick the mistake that appears most often. Work on that one next.
5. Check your gains again. After twenty games, compare your LP gains and losses with where you started.

The aim is not to reach a magic win rate but to build a record of consistent results. Your LP gains follow your MMR, and your MMR follows your results over time. Improvement that comes from better decisions is also the improvement that lasts after the numbers settle.

FAQ

Why do I gain +15 LP but lose -25 LP?

Usually your hidden MMR is lower than your visible rank suggests, so the system gives smaller gains and larger losses until the two align.

Is my account cursed?

No. The effect comes from your recent results and how they compare with your rank, not from a hidden penalty on the account.

How many games does it take to fix?

It depends on how large the gap is and on your results. There is no fixed number.

Does dodging protect my MMR?

Dodging costs LP and a queue penalty. We do not recommend relying on it as a way to manage your MMR.