What is considered a matchmade game in LoL?

So recently (or maybe not recently, I just started playing again) Riot implemented a "Hextech crafting system". I'm still really confused how it works, but I managed to obtain another box besides the one that they gave me as intro-freebee. Now I think I need a key, but i don't know how to earn one. The article i posted in that link above says:

Earn keys as rewards for winning any matchmade games or by purchasing them at the store for 125 RP. Keys unlock chests through Hextech Crafting.

But I don't know what a "matchmade" game is officially. This Q&A says:

anything that uses the matchmaking system, so custom games are out, and that's it

but that doesn't help because I still don't know what the matchmaking system is. Aren't all games made by matching? if so, why didn't i receive keys for winning a normal-draft game? And I have RP but whats the point of spending it on this if i can just win it somehow?


Matchmade games are any game that is not a custom game, so any game that is played that isn't a custom game can give you a key/keyshard. However, the reason behind you not getting a key/shard is that there is a random chance to get one after a matchmade game, but it doesn't happen every game. I have gotten one about every other game so far, so just play more matches and you will get some.

As of patch 6.6 TT and ARAM are bugged so keys won't drop from them. A fix is planned to be released in the next patch.


A match-made game is any game that is not a custom match, so Co-op (bot) and PvP (normal and ranked).

Also, I think that League re-uses this terminology in two different contexts; the first being for the crafting system and the second being for missions. But, I don't think they mean the same thing in both contexts.

In terms of the crafting context, match-made means "any game that is not a custom game or a bot game" which Dragonrage said, since I don't think I have received a key/key shard from a Co-op (bot) game, but if I'm wrong there, please comment and I'll correct.

In terms of the missions context, match-made means "any game that's not a custom game" since I have had Co-op (bot) games count towards missions which have used this terminology.