What is Dodging in League of Legends?
If you watch League of Legends streamers, you may have heard them mention “dodging” during queues. Dodging refers to players who disconnect from the server before a match starts by closing the game during champion select or intentionally not picking a champion before the timer runs out. This leads to the other players in the lobby being sent back to the queue to find a new match with another player filling the dodger’s spot.
Reasons Why People Dodge Queues
There are various reasons why players dodge queues. In higher Elo, where you encounter the same players frequently, players may dodge if they notice auto-filled teammates. Some players may dodge to avoid playing with specific players they’ve had negative experiences with in the past or renowned Elo terrorists.
Even in lower ranks, players may dodge if the champion they want to play has been banned or if they don’t like the team composition that their teammates have drafted. Some players may dodge if someone in the lobby chat is behaving erratically, as this can indicate potential issues in the game.
What Happens When You Dodge a Game
The consequences of dodging a game depend on several factors, such as the queue you’re in, recent dodges, and whether you’re in a promotional series or not.
Dodge Timers
Each time you dodge a game, you’ll receive a dodge penalty that determines how long you have to wait before re-entering the queue. In most queues, except ARAM, the wait time starts at 6 minutes. Ranked queues also come with a penalty of -3 LP. The wait time increases if you continue dodging within the next 24 hours, reaching up to 720 minutes after the third dodge.
Dodging in a Promotional Series
It’s not recommended to dodge a promotional game, even if it seems likely to end in defeat. Dodging in promos automatically counts as a loss for one game in the series. It’s better to try winning an unlikely game rather than accepting a loss from the start. Dodging placement games for promotions also means you won’t receive a free win in your next placement attempt.
When Should You Dodge?
Dodging can have its advantages, such as during placement matches in the preseason, where you can avoid potentially unwinnable games and increase your chances of winning a higher percentage of your placement games. Dodging might be worth it if you’re a one-trick and can’t play your main champion or if you’re auto-filled and lack experience in a certain role, like jungle.
Researching your teammates using companion apps like u.gg, blitz, Mobalytics, or op.gg can also help you make a decision. If a teammate consistently has a low win rate or has been losing all their games that day, it might be better to wait and hope for better teammates after a short dodge penalty.
Although dodging can lower your LP temporarily, it can increase your win rate by avoiding games that seem to be doomed from the start. By reducing the number of unwinnable games, you can maximize your chances of winning. However, be aware that dodge abuse can extend queue times and is not a substitute for improving your skills in the game.
Now that you are aware of the benefits of dodge and the penalties it entails, you have the power to avoid unpleasant games. Good luck in your matches, and may you find lobbies that don’t compel you to dodge.