Riot Details Changes to New Player Experience, Tutorials & Competitive Play

A lengthy blog post has been published on the League of Legends site that provides a first-look at some big changes coming in time for the 2019 competitive season and some tune-ups of the new player system. Most significantly, big changes are coming to ranked play.

The new player system will be tuned up for 2019 including an optional "auto-buy" system that provides guidance to new players in terms of how to build their characters. The tutorial system is being updated and retooled to give newbs more information about characters, game mechanics and more.

Probably the biggest changes are coming to ranked competitive play. Changes are being "shared early so you can help us shape Ranked, and we'll be updating you regularly throughout development", the blog post reads.

• at a season's start, players receive a provisional rank that marks the lowest a player can go after placement games. This lets players know what to expect up front
• players will be matched in Ranked Solo / Duo according to "positional matchmaking" where opponents are found "based on your skill in the position you're playing". Players will have up to five ranks, one for each position played. at Master Tier, all games count towards a single rank much as it is today.
• 2 new tiers will be added to the rank system 
• the number of divisions is being compressed from five to four
• seasons will be divided into three splits. "You'll have the opportunity to reflect on how you're doing, set new goals and earn better rewards".
• rewards will be provided that showcase a player's skill and will "reflect your rank"

Riot has plans for testing opportunities and will be providing more details over the coming weeks.

Check out the video below and then head to the League of Legends site to read up on the deets.