The final weeks of the ranked season always feel shorter than they are. Suddenly, every game counts. The ladder is brutal, players are hungrier, and mistakes are punished faster. So how do you make a solid push before the cutoff hits? Planning. Here’s how to organize your climb so you don’t end up stuck a tier below your goal.
1. Set a Realistic Rank Goal Based on Your History
Start with your current rank and take an honest look at your average gains and losses per match. Use that to reverse-engineer how many wins you’ll need. For example, moving from Gold IV to Platinum IV might take around 100 LP per division, so four divisions mean 400 LP. If you gain 18 LP per win and lose 15 per loss, your winrate needs to hover around 55–60% to climb consistently.
Do the math. If you play 5 matches per day over 3 weeks, that’s about 105 matches. If you win 60, you’re in range to jump a full tier. Don’t set goals like “I’ll hit Diamond” unless the numbers back you up.
2. Create a Fixed Weekly Schedule
Random queue times kill consistency. Designate fixed blocks for ranked. These don’t have to be long—quality beats quantity. Two focused 2-hour sessions are more productive than five scattered games played after work in a tilted mood.
Structure helps your mindset. Treat it like a gym plan: warm up, review mistakes, queue with intent. If your schedule is flexible, aim to play ranked during off-peak hours to avoid high-tilt prime time matches.
3. Lock In a Limited Champion Pool
This isn’t the time to be “trying things.” Pick two primary champions and a backup for bad matchups or role swaps. The narrower your pool, the faster your muscle memory, decision-making, and match-specific tactics sharpen.
Make sure your champ pool fits the current patch. Look at win rates, pick rates, and meta shifts. Don’t stick with a comfort pick that’s been nerfed into the ground.
4. Track Your Matches with Purpose
Don’t just rely on win/loss memory. Use tools or spreadsheets to log:
- Champion played
- Role
- Outcome
- What went wrong or right
- Mental state before queuing
This helps you find patterns—maybe you win more in the morning, or you lose every jungle game after three ranked losses in a row. Data prevents autopilot.
This is also where week numbers can be used to guide readers on pacing. Setting short-term goals based on weekly benchmarks helps you manage expectations and avoid burnout.
5. Avoid Queueing Tilted or Fatigued
Every late-night “one more” game played while annoyed has probably cost you LP. Know your mental thresholds. Take breaks when your focus dips. Use that time to watch high-level replays or review your own VODs. Decision fatigue is real and can swing a game.
Create rules:
- Never queue after a rage loss
- Stop after three wins in a row to avoid a throw
- Pause if you go on a two-loss streak
Discipline wins over streak chasing.
6. Understand the End-of-Season Crunch
The last two weeks of the season get sweaty. Expect higher queue times, more smurfs, and fewer chill players. If you’re nearing your goal, consider hitting it and stopping. Risking your gains late in the season is a gamble.
That said, use this time to target your highest focus hours. Be sharp, play only when rested, and avoid distractions.
7. Review Patch Changes Weekly
Late-season patches can flip the ladder. A minor change to jungle XP or tower aggro might drastically affect your core strategy. Always read patch notes, watch tier list updates, and adapt quickly. Those who adjust first, climb faster.
8. Avoid Duo Queue Unless It’s Practiced
Unless you’ve climbed consistently with a duo all season, solo is safer. The matchmaking system often balances a duo’s winrate differently. If your synergy isn’t sharp, you risk LP for the sake of comfort.
If you must duo, practice in normals first, test champ combos, and communicate constantly. Don’t drag each other down.
Final Tips:
- Ban your worst matchup, not the “most OP” champ
- Play warm-up games in normals or ARAM before ranked
- Sleep and eat well—your brain needs fuel to perform
- Don’t touch ranked if you’re tilted, sick, or distracted
Planning your climb doesn’t mean obsessing. It means stacking the odds in your favor with consistent habits, discipline, and self-awareness. The ladder doesn’t care about excuses. Only the win screen matters.