The ranking system in Valorant is an integral part of the gameplay. If you want to test your skills in competitive play, you should head into ranked matches. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about Valorant ranks and more.

What is the Ranking System in Valorant?

Like many other competitive games, Valorant has its own ranking system that helps track player levels. The game features a variety of unique ranks that reflect a player's skill at different stages of their development.

How Does the Ranking System Work?

Valorant uses a combination of MMR (Matchmaking Rating) and RR (Rank Rating) to determine your rank. For each win, you gain RR points, and for each loss, points are deducted. Important stats, like your K/D ratio, directly impact how many RR points you earn or lose.

In short, if you perform well in a match with a high K/D but lose, you'll lose fewer points compared to a game where you had a low K/D. The same applies to victories—the better your performance, the more points you'll earn.

A Quick Explanation

• You won't be able to see your MMR directly; it's a hidden system that determines the level of players you’re matched against, particularly during the initial calibration stages. 
• After playing a significant number of matches, your MMR and rank will align.
• RR points are earned or deducted after each ranked match. Once you hit 100 RR points, you move up to the next rank.

Approximate RR Points Distribution:

• Loss: -10 to -30 RR
• Win: +10 to +50 RR

This distribution follows the same principles outlined above, where performance affects how many points you gain or lose.

What Are the Requirements to Play in Ranked Mode?

Before you can start climbing the ranked ladder and earn a Val ranks, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. These prerequisites ensure that players entering the ranked mode are familiar with the game’s mechanics and don’t ruin the experience for seasoned players. Currently, the only requirement to enter competitive play is:

• You must reach level 20 on your Valorant account to participate in ranked matches.

This rule was introduced in Act 1, Episode 4, and has remained unchanged since.

READ MORE: How to reach 20 level in Valorant quickly and easily?

All Valorant Ranks

At the moment, there are nine ranks in the game, eight of which have three sub-levels that you need to progress through to advance in the ranking system.

Here are all ranks in Valorant:

The last rank, Radiant, is unique as it has no sub-levels. Only the top 500 players from each region achieve this rank, and not all of them are professional players.

Valorant Rank Explained

To better understand Valorant’s ranking system, we’ve prepared a detailed overview of each rank. This will help you understand where players stand at each level and what aspects of the game need improvement to rank up.

• Iron: Players at this rank are newcomers, learning the basics. Their accuracy and understanding of game mechanics are still at a very low level.
• Bronze: These players have basic skills but are inconsistent. They often lack team coordination and struggle in fundamental situations.
• Silver: Players here show more consistent gameplay, have a better grasp of maps, and possess basic shooting and tactical skills. They are familiar with key game mechanics.
• Gold: Below-average players aiming for teamwork and possessing decent shooting skills. However, they still make fundamental mistakes.
• Platinum: These players take their gameplay more seriously, studying strategies and tactics, and making better decisions more often than lower ranks.
• Diamond: Experienced players with excellent knowledge of all game aspects. They often win due to their skills and experience.
• Ascendant: Nearly professional-level players who rarely make mistakes but may lack the regular practice needed for further development.
• Immortal: Highly skilled players capable of controlling the game and quickly adapting to situations. They possess all the necessary skills at a very high level.
• Radiant: The highest rank in Valorant - Radiant, held by only the top 500 players in each region.

Each rank reflects a player’s progression, and as your gameplay improves, you’ll steadily climb toward the higher ranks.

Why Does Your Rank Reset After Each Act or Episode in Valorant?

To ensure an accurate assessment of player skill levels, the developers of Valorant reset ranks at the end of every Act or Episode.

At the end of each Act, your rank is reset, but don't worry—playing just one match will restore it, and it will be very close to what it was previously. 

However, when a new Episode begins, the process is slightly different: all players must complete five placement matches to reestablish their Valo ranks. The results of these games significantly influence your final rank, and if you don’t perform well, you could drop several levels. Even with five victories, you might receive a lower rank than before, indicating that your hidden MMR (Matchmaking Rating) doesn’t align with your previous rank.

READ MORE: How to Double Your Rank in Valorant?

How to Overcome a Low Hidden Rating (MMR) in Valorant?

The hidden MMR system is a core component of rank system Valorant. There's no single correct or quick strategy to eliminate a low hidden MMR, which causes you to earn fewer points from wins than expected.

Tips to Boost Your Hidden MMR in Valorant:

• Win as often as possible, especially against opponents with higher ranks.
• Maintain strong in-game stats to earn more rank points after wins and lose fewer after defeats.
• Winning streaks and dominating performances signal the system that your current rank doesn’t reflect your true skill, allowing you to gain more points.
• Aim to finish each Act or season with a higher rank than the previous one.

The only reliable path to improving your MMR is to consistently elevate your gameplay. As you grow stronger and more experienced, your rank will rise each season, along with your hidden rating.

READ MORE: Third-party useful resources for Valorant players

Valorant Rank Distribution in 2024

Valorant's ranking system changes each year, sometimes drastically, sometimes subtly. However, the overall rank distribution remains relatively consistent. As in previous years, most players are concentrated in the lower and mid-tier ranks, while the number of high-rank players is significantly smaller. Let’s analyze the rank distribution based on data from September 2024.

Rank distribution can vary each month and season, but we've prepared the most up-to-date stats for September 2024. This data shows that only 5.05% of players have reached high ranks like Ascendant or above, which is a much smaller percentage compared to those in Gold or Silver.

Rank Distribution for September 2024:

As the table shows, the most popular ranks of Valorant are between Bronze and Platinum, with the largest share of players in these tiers. Starting from Platinum, the percentage of players drops significantly, highlighting the challenge of reaching these higher levels.

It's important to note that these numbers are from tracker.gg and are not official or 100% accurate, as they are based on a sample of 9 million players. Riot Games’ official statistics are outdated, as the last release was three years ago.

Who Can Play Together in Valorant?

To rank up, you can form a group of two, three, or five players (four-player groups cannot queue in ranked matches). This restriction ensures that solo players aren't matched against coordinated groups, preventing imbalance in matchmaking.

Five-Player Group

For a five-player group, there are no rank restrictions. This means players of any rank can team up, but there are some penalties:

• If any player in the group is ranked Diamond or lower, the amount of rank points earned will vary depending on the ranks in the group.
• If the group includes players ranked Diamond 2 or higher, there’s a 50% penalty on the points earned.
• If you have friends with Immortal ranks, the point deduction ranges from 75% to 90%.

This system is in place to prevent groups with large rank disparities from unfairly boosting each other.

Two- or Three-Player Group

• For two- or three-player groups, there are also specific limitations. 
• Players in the lowest ranks (Iron, Bronze, and Silver) can play together without restrictions. From Gold rank upwards, certain limitations apply, and the higher the rank, the stricter they become. Any Gold rank can play with Silver or Platinum, but launching a game with other ranks is impossible. 
• For Immortal players, the rules are stricter - they can only queue with 2 or 5 players or play solo.

How to Improve Your Rank in Valorant

When starting your journey in Valorant's ranked mode, players often face various challenges, depending on their previous experience with video games. However, there are several universal tips that can help everyone climb to higher ranks in Valorant.

Warm-Up

Before each gaming session, it's essential to warm up to boost your confidence and increase your chances of success in matches. Regular warm-ups will improve your mechanical skills, positively affecting your rank.

Quick and Standard Warm-Up Routine:

• The Range: Eliminate 200-250 bots.
• Play two or three Deathmatch games, or at least one.
• Play an additional match in other modes like Team Deathmatch, Spike Rush, or Swiftplay.

Teamwork

Going solo is always harder, both in life and in games. That’s why it's a good idea to find or invite friends to play together. This will give you an advantage over your opponents through better coordination and communication.

Practice

Ranking up in Valorant is a long-term process that requires time and effort. Daily practice will help you improve various aspects of your gameplay, from shooting and movement to strategies and map knowledge.

Agent Selection

Choose an agent that complements your playstyle to maximize your potential. For example:

• If you're an aggressive player, opt for duelists like Jett or Raze.
• If you prefer supporting your team, Skye or Sage are excellent choices.
• For battlefield control, pick agents like Sova or Killjoy.
• For a more tactical approach, Brimstone or Cypher may suit you best.

READ MORE: Top 10 Most Popular Agents in Valorant 2024

Conclusion

To sum up, the ranking system in Valorant not only provides players with the opportunity to compete at different skill levels but also encourages constant development. From the basic skills of new players to the mastery of Radiant-tier competitors, each rank reflects individual progress and highlights areas for improvement. Play smart, refine your skills, and never forget the importance of teamwork—these are the keys to climbing the Valorant ranked ladder.

F.A.Q.

How do I unlock ranked mode in Valorant?

To access ranked mode in Valorant, you need to reach account level 20.

What is the most common rank in Valorant?

The most common rank in Valorant is Silver, although sometimes Gold takes its place.

How many placement games do I need to play to get my first rank in Valorant?

To receive your first rank after unlocking ranked mode, you need to play five placement matches. During these matches, the system will evaluate your skill level.

Can I see my MMR in Valorant?

Unfortunately, MMR in Valorant is hidden, and currently, there is no way to view your hidden rating.

Does my rank reset in Valorant?

Yes, Valorant rank reset happens in three cases: at the start of a new Act, at the start of a new season, or if you haven’t played in ranked mode for more than two weeks.