Low Priority Queue in League of Legends
In League of Legends, there's a special queue that no player wants to end up in - the Low Priority Queue.
This is a penalty system put in place by Riot Games to target players who frequently quit or go AFK during matches.
LeaverBuster
The Low Priority Queue is part of Riot's LeaverBuster system.
This system monitors player behavior and punishes those who have a habit of leaving games early.
When the LeaverBuster first flags a player, they get notified by a ‘’LeaveBuster Warning’’
If the player proceeds with AFK’ing games after this warning, they find themselves being placed in the low-priority queue.
Ranked Games
In competitive game modes, when someone goes AFK:
If the player goes AFK before minute 3, teammates can ‘’remake’’ the game without any LP loss/win on either side, except the AFK losing the LP.
If there is an AFK after that time, players are often provided an ‘’early surrender’’ due to being outnumbered in the game. In that scenario, all 4 of the team members with an AFK; lose less LP.
The AFK player gets a warning if it's their first time, and if not, they get placed in low priority queue as well as a ranked LP penalty (Which causes them to Win less LP or Lose more LP for a couple of games.
Why the Low Priority Queue Exists
The main reason the Low Priority Queue exists is to discourage players from quitting games early. When someone leaves a match, it ruins the experience for their teammates.
It puts their team at a big disadvantage and makes the game less fun for everyone.
The LeaverBuster system is Riot's way of cracking down on this disruptive behavior.
By placing people who AFK in the Low Priority Queue, it gives them an extra will to stick with their games until the end.
Low Priority Queue Tiers
The primary punishment for quitting a game is having to wait significantly longer to find a new match.
When you're in the Low Priority Queue, the wait can be 5-15 minutes longer than normal.
The most extreme punishments involve being completely locked out of the queue for up to 2 weeks. After serving the lockout, players still have to deal with the 15-minute queue delays for their next 5 games.
How to Get Out of the Low Priority Queue
The only way to escape the Low Priority Queue is to complete 5 full matches without leaving any of them early. If you decline a game invite or dodge during champion select, it resets the counter and you have to start over.
It's important to note that playing TFT won't help you get out of the Low Priority Queue any faster. The only way to remove the penalty is to stick with the MOBA game modes.
The key is to be patient and see those 5 games through to the end. It may be frustrating, but doing so is the only way to get back to your regular queue times.
How Long Does the Low Priority Queue Last?
The duration of your time in the Low Priority Queue depends on how many times you went AFK in games. For a first offense, it's usually just 1 game with the extra 1 minute queue time. But for players who repeatedly leave, it can go up to 15-minute delays per game, plus lockout periods.
Avoiding the Low Priority Queue
The best way to stay out of the Low Priority Queue is simple - don't quit games early! Even if you get disconnected accidentally, the LeaverBuster system doesn't make exceptions.
Riot wants to discourage all forms of game abandonment.
When you're tempted to leave a match, remember the consequences waiting for you in the Low Priority Queue.
The extended wait times and LP penalties just aren't worth it.
Stick with your games, stay engaged, and you'll avoid this troublesome queue.
Conclusion
The Low Priority Queue is Riot's way of maintaining a fair and enjoyable experience in League of Legends.
While it may seem like a harsh punishment, it's a necessary measure to stop players from ruining matches for their teammates.
If you ever find yourself in the Low Priority Queue, focus on playing the games out and not going AFK in your future games.
It may take some time, but it's the only way to get back to your normal queue.
And remember, the best thing you can do is to always see your matches through to the end, no matter what.
By following the guidelines of the LeaverBuster system, you can help create a better gaming environment for the entire League of Legends community.
So stay committed, play fair, and enjoy your time on the Rift!
