If you compete in League of Legends at the highest levels, you will soon see a major change to Ranked. Riot Games plans a hard reset for Apex tiers in Patch 26.9, targeting Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger players across several regions after months of unstable LP gains and ladder issues.
When the patch goes live, your visible rank and MMR will return to Master 0 LP. Developers consider this mid-season reset an uncommon step, but they view it as necessary to restore competitive integrity and better align rank with actual performance.
What changed in the ranked ladder?
You saw Riot adjust matchmaking earlier this year to improve match quality at the top of the ladder. The developer allowed duo queue in Apex tiers and modified how autofill worked, but those updates disrupted progression for many high‑ranked players.
Climbing began to feel uneven, especially in Master and above.
In Patch 26.6, Riot attempted corrections by tightening duo balance and removing LP limits at the very top. Those fixes did not stabilize the system, so Patch 26.9 introduced a hard reset for Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger, returning affected players to Master 0 LP to restore competitive integrity.
Why a Hard Reset in LoL Ranked Becomes Necessary
You value a fair ladder where rank reflects current skill. Player feedback at the Apex tiers shows that competitive integrity matters more than short-term matchmaking comfort, even if games feel uneven for a while.
Riot’s solution places every Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger player back at Master 0 LP, wiping visible rank and hidden MMR.
- No LP carries over
- Everyone restarts from the same point
- Early matches may mix former Masters and Challengers
This clean slate removes distorted standings and allows the ladder to recalibrate through fresh results over the following months.
Updated LP Pace and Tier Thresholds
You now gain and lose 30 LP per match as a standard rate. This higher LP velocity lets you reach your true rank faster, even if you play on a limited schedule. The system pushes you upward or downward more decisively, reducing slow, incremental progress.
To protect competitive integrity at the top, Riot raised the entry requirements for the highest tiers in affected regions:
- Grandmaster: 400 LP minimum
- Challenger: 800 LP minimum
These higher cutoffs require steady performance over time. Short win streaks alone will not secure or maintain a top position, so you must demonstrate consistent results to stay in the highest ranks.
Apex Tier Ranked Rewards
Riot adjusts how rewards apply across the split to account for the reset. You still receive Season 1 rewards on schedule, with no changes to eligibility or distribution.
Season 3 acts as a fallback for Season 2 results. If you finish Season 3 at a higher rank than Season 2, the higher placement counts for both seasons.
For example:
- Reach Master in Season 2
- Climb to Grandmaster in Season 3
- Receive Grandmaster rewards for both seasons
This structure protects your achievements. If the reset limits your Season 2 climb, you can secure stronger rewards by pushing higher in Season 3.
