When you watch professional League of Legends matches, you’ll notice that pros play the game at a completely different level. They seem to always know when to fight, where to be on the map, and how to snowball small leads into game-winning advantages. The good news? Many of these skills are transferable to solo queue.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best pro strategies for ranked players. These are insights and techniques from competitive play that you can adapt to your own games, helping you climb the ladder more consistently.
1. Draft With a Win Condition in Mind
Pros never pick champions randomly — every draft has a purpose. In ranked:
- Pick for synergy, not just comfort.
- Think about your comp’s scaling curve (early aggression vs late game).
- Avoid overlapping weaknesses (e.g., no engage, no frontline).
2. Play Around Objectives, Not KDA
Pro teams prioritize Dragons, Rift Herald, and Baron because objectives win games.
- Track spawn timers.
- Group 30–40 seconds early.
- Use vision control before fights.
A good rule: if an objective is spawning soon, play for it instead of chasing kills.
3. Learn Pro-Level Wave Management
Wave control is a hidden skill that separates pros from solo queue.
- Freeze to deny farm.
- Slow push before objectives.
- Fast push when resetting.
These techniques give you priority to roam or set vision like a pro.
4. Communication Without Words
In pro play, comms are constant. In solo queue:
- Use pings effectively (danger, assist me, on my way).
- Ping timers on summoner spells.
- Use chat briefly, but don’t tilt.
Good communication increases your team’s odds of acting like a coordinated squad.
5. Objective Trading Instead of Coinflips
Pros rarely contest everything. Instead, they trade.
- If enemy takes Dragon, you take Herald.
- If they commit to Baron, you push mid or take inhibitors.
Learn to recognize when a fight is lost before it starts.
6. Vision Control Like a Pro
Wards win games.
- Buy Control Wards on every reset.
- Swap to Oracle Lens after laning.
- Ward not only objectives but also entrances and jungle paths.
A single ward can prevent a throw.
7. Play Around Your Strongest Teammate
In pro games, the team funnels resources into the carry. Do the same in ranked.
- Identify who’s strong (check items).
- Rotate to help them push their lead.
- Don’t demand resources if you’re behind.
8. Map Awareness and Cross-Map Plays
Pros constantly look at the minimap. Develop the habit of glancing every 5 seconds.
- Track jungler’s position.
- Watch for missing enemies.
- Rotate quickly for skirmishes.
9. Discipline in Fights
Pros don’t chase kills across the map. They focus on objectives after a won fight. Apply this by:
- Killing Baron after an ace, not chasing into base.
- Taking inhibitors instead of padding stats.
10. Mental and Tilt Control
Pros reset after mistakes. Ranked players often tilt and chain int.
- Accept that deaths happen.
- Focus on the next play, not the past one.
- Mute if needed — mindset is a hidden MMR booster.
Conclusion
The best pro strategies for ranked players aren’t about mechanical outplays; they’re about decision-making, discipline, and consistency. If you start drafting with purpose, playing around objectives, managing waves, and keeping your mental strong, you’ll notice steady improvement in your climb.
Apply these pro habits, and you’ll transform solo queue chaos into controlled, winnable games.
