On the other end, Rocket League and EA FC players rank quite low.
An October study into gaming IQ levels has suggested, at least numerically, League of Legends are the most intelligent among modern fandoms. LoL topped the test after players were trialled across categories like verbal communication, mathematics, logic, and visual reasoning.
From the 1,002 gamers surveyed, LoL players averaged an IQ level of 120.4. Black Myth: Wukong (119.8) and Baldur's Gate 3 players (117.9) followed close behind.
Rounding out the top ten, which ran down to 108.1 average IQ, was newer titles like Deadlock, Overwatch 2, and Elden Ring, as well as long-standing game series like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and the whole Dark Souls franchise.
On the other end of the study's spectrum, Sea of Thieves, GTA, and Call of Duty players all clocked in around the mid-90s and Rocket League fans barely avoided bottom spot with a 90.8 IQ average. EA FC 24 gamers (some polled still played FIFA 23) ranked lowest with 89.8, which is actually bang on the average reported intelligence in the U.S. this decade.
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LoL players take IQ win despite sample size
It is worth mentioning the study only calculated out from a hair over 1,000 respondents, meaning it's quite a small sample size. That hasn't stopped the LoL fandom celebrating regardless, with many jokingly claiming they "always knew."
Some suggested LoL topping the charts - specific IQ number aside - still made a lot of sense: The Riot title demands memory, reflexes, coordination, and knowledge of one of the most expansive rosters in gaming history. That, compared to games like Overwatch or EA FC, often proves to be quite the hurdle.
Other agreed it wasn't surprising to see LoL top the study considering "considering how hard the game is for beginners to get even decent at the game."
Not everyone was totally convinced, however, especially because so few gamers were polled; some LoL players expressed doubt that the average player in their game would rank among the top 8.7% of the U.S. population. Others joked that they'd seen their teammates so it "couldn't be correct" and some pointed to the "absolute degenerate toxicity" in LoL's ranked queues as one reason why average players couldn't be too smart.
Overall though, LoL fans were happy to take the win, with one even declaring "you're welcome" after they suggested they'd polled highly in their personal IQ testing.
As long as this study's findings are taken with a grain of salt, it certainly seems like a great way for LoL players to get one over close gaming rivals like Dota 2 fans - especially considering the Valve fandom often says Dota is a harder game to play.
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