If you’re familiar with competitive games, learning the rank calibration system in Dota 2 would be a walk in the park. The MMR (Matchmaking Rating) calibration is important for Dota 2 players to earn their official ranking, which reflects their skill level. But before you can start climbing the ranked ladder, you'll need to go through the calibration process.

How to Calibrate Your Rank in Dota 2

To begin your calibration, you need to complete 100 hours of gameplay in normal matches (Unranked or Turbo mode). Unlike Dota 2’s old system, the current calibration doesn’t account for a fixed number of matches, and instead measures your hours played. 

No loopholes allowed, however. Idling in the Dota 2 menu or spectating matches won’t count toward your 100-hour requirement. Valve only tracks time spent in actual matches, so you’ll need to play real games in Unranked Mode or Turbo to hit that threshold.

While Turbo Mode does count toward your hours, we don’t recommend using it for calibration prep. Turbo games are often treated casually, with many players using them to test heroes or try out experimental builds. The mode also features altered timers and modified mechanics, which can give a distorted view of how standard Dota 2 matches play out. This can be especially misleading for newer players, making the jump into ranked games more challenging.

Valve uses this requirement to ensure players have enough experience and commitment before entering the ranked pool. Once you hit the 100-hour mark, ranked mode unlocks, and your first placement will be determined based on your performance in a series of matches.

After calibration is done, you will receive any one of these medals according to your skill level:

Dota 2 Medal Tiers (Lowest to Highest):

• Herald
• Guardian
• Crusader
• Archon
• Legend
• Ancient
• Divine
• Immortal (includes leaderboard ranks from #5000 to #1)

New players often find themselves placed in the Herald to Crusader range (typically MMR below 2000), while top-tier players and pros are placed in Immortal, the highest and most competitive bracket.

Can You Recalibrate Your Dota 2 Rank?

Yes, Dota 2 allows recalibration, but only under specific conditions.

Players can recalibrate once per year, or a year after their last calibration. This is a popular option for those who feel their current rank no longer reflects their actual skill level.

To recalibrate your account, go to Settings and head to the Account tab. If eligible, you can click on the "Activate Recalibration" button to start.

However, recalibration is a double-edged sword. If you perform well during recalibration, you can gain a significant MMR and medal boost. But if you lose more than you win, you may end up dropping in rank instead.

So make sure you're ready before you hit that recalibrate button, because once you start, there's no turning back.