Valorant Ranked System Explained

Sep 27, 2023

Riot Games has continually improved this 5v5 FPS game, making it a top choice for gamers. Once you've mastered your favorite Agents, it's time to showcase your skills and aim for the top of regional leaderboards to earn bragging rights. But before diving into competitive matches, equip yourself with essential knowledge about Valorant's ranking system. Read on to understand how it works, rank advancement strategies, and how Acts affect your ranking.

Valorant's ranking system may seem complex to newcomers, but it sets itself apart with Riot Games' unique Rank Ratings (RR) and Matchmaking Rankings (MMR). You won't jump into competitive mode without consideration, as matchmaking ensures fair matchups. Leaderboards factor in kills and wins while balancing playtime and skill ratios.

How to Unlock Ranked Mode in Valorant

Before you can jump into Valorant's competitive ranked mode, known as competitive mode, you must meet specific criteria. Unlocking rank mode requires reaching account level 20 within the game. Valorant encourages you to play more games to reach these 20 levels, but we've got some quick tips to help you gain XP (account points or AP) rapidly, allowing you to level up faster. Every 5,000 AP earned grants you one account level. If you're eager to dive headfirst into Valorant's ranked mode immediately after installing the game, there's a catch—you can't. Access to Valorant's competitive modes is locked until you achieve account level 20. This requirement offers players valuable time to familiarize themselves with various agents, learn the maps, and refine their gameplay skills.

The Valorant Ranks

There are 25 Valorant ranks split into nine different tiers:

• Iron – Iron 1, Iron 2, Iron 3
• Bronze – Bronze 1, Bronze 2, Bronze 3
• Silver – Silver 1, Silver 2, Silver 3
• Gold – Gold 1, Gold 2, Gold 3
• Platinum – Platinum 1, Platinum 2, Platinum 3
• Diamond – Diamond 1, Diamond 2, Diamond 3
• Ascendant – Ascendant 1, Ascendant 2, Ascendant 3
• Immortal – Immortal 1, Immortal 2, Immortal 3
• Radiant

Rank Rating (RR)

Valorant's ranking system revolves around Rank Rating, abbreviated as RR, and understanding it is crucial as you ascend the competitive ladder. To advance from one rank level to the next, you must accumulate 100 RR. For example, transitioning from Iron 1 to Iron 2 necessitates reaching 100 RR, and achieving 100 RR in Iron 3 promotes you to Bronze 1. This rule remains in effect up to the Ascendant 3 rank in Valorant. Keep tabs on your rank progress through Match History, the leaderboard, and a progress bar. Earning Valorant RR hinges on your performance in matches. Winning always boosts your Rank Rating, while losses result in Rank Rating deduction. Notably, lower ranks take into account individual performance to expedite progression. Wins typically grant between 10 to 50 Rank Rating, with a maximum of 20 for a draw. In the Iron to Diamond ranks, individual performance factors into Rank Rating calculations. Upon promotion to a new rank, you start with 10 Rank Rating, and in case of a demotion, you'll have a minimum of 80. For information on each Episode's rank rewards, consult the rank info page.

Match Making Rating(MMR)

MMR differs from your rank rating. According to Riot Games, no two players can have the same MMR simultaneously. This MMR determines your RR gain or loss in competitive games and influences your teammates and opponents. Unfortunately, there's no way to access your hidden MMR.

Encounter MMR considers your performance against enemy players, including duels won, damage dealt, assists, and ability effectiveness. It also factors in your rank relative to your opponents when assessing duel outcomes.

Win/Loss MMR is more straightforward, focusing on which opponents you win matches against.

By combining both components, Riot Games gauges your effectiveness against players near your MMR as well as your overall win rate. At lower ranks, Encounter MMR holds more weight, so in-game performance matters significantly. Conversely, at higher ranks, winning matches takes precedence over individual duels, as reaction time and aim become less impactful.

It's worth noting that your choice of agent has no impact on your MMR, meaning duelists do not gain more MMR just because they secure more kills. Similarly, your Average Combat Score (ACS) at the end of a match doesn't affect your rank or MMR; it merely provides context for the match.

Act Rank

Valorant's episodic structure consists of three acts, or seasons. At the culmination of each act, the game determines your act rank, which you can easily view on the career page. This rank is solely influenced by your wins in ranked games, with each victory at a specific rank level contributing to your act rank triangle.

Your act rank is determined by the highest rank level you achieved in that act, continually accumulating as the act progresses. It's important to note that your act rank doesn't impact your placement rank in the next season. When your act rank resets, your Matchmaking Rating (MMR) comes into play for determining your placement rank in the upcoming act. Valorant Act Ranks serve as a testament to your skill throughout the season.

By the end of an act, some players will boast colorful badges, while those at the pinnacle, dominating Radiant, will proudly display a solid gold triangle.

Conclusion

Whether you're aiming to dominate lower ranks with exceptional in-game performance or conquer higher ranks through consistent victories, this guide has provided valuable insights to help you on your journey. Remember, your choice of agent and your Average Combat Score (ACS) may not directly influence your MMR or rank, but they add context to your matches.

So, as you embark on your competitive Valorant journey, armed with this newfound knowledge, take the plunge into the exhilarating world of one of the finest FPS games. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, the competitive arena of Valorant awaits, ready to test your skills and offer a thrilling gaming experience.