Riot Games has limited the Duo queue option for high-ranked players in League of Legends to prevent matchmaking abuse after patch 16.1. The change primarily affects Grandmaster and higher ranks.
New Restrictions and Player Impact
Lead gameplay designer Matt "Phroxzon" Leung-Harrison explained that the changes follow the recent MMR reset, which disrupted early-season play. Riot aims to curb system exploitation by a minority that affects overall gameplay balance.
- High-ranked players, up to Grandmaster, face Duo queue restrictions from 2026-01-16.
- Masters can still duo with Diamond 1 players.
- The company aims to re-enable Challengers duoing with Grandmasters soon.
Adjustments in Matchmaking Mechanics
The company increased the penalty for Duo queue to balance the inherent advantage duos have over solo players. Although the system may lead to odd matchups, Riot believes it's balanced across various ranks.
Phroxzon highlighted that MMR resets aim to widen opportunities for new players despite causing temporary rank imbalances. A new indicator will show if a player's actual MMR is higher than their visible rank.
Future Updates and Community Feedback
Autofill matching system improvements were postponed due to timing risks but are expected to roll out soon. Riot invites players to provide feedback on these changes to ensure they align with intended goals.
