Valorant, the popular first-person shooter developed by Riot Games, features a competitive ranking system that allows players to test their skills and climb the ladder. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, understanding how ranks work in Valorant is crucial for improving gameplay and advancing to higher tiers.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Valorant ranks, their requirements, and tips to climb faster.
How Does Valorant’s Ranking System Work?
Valorant uses Matchmaking Rating (MMR) and Rank Rating (RR) to determine a player’s rank.
- MMR (Hidden Skill Rating): Determines the opponents you face based on your skill level.
- RR (Visible Points): Decides rank progression based on wins, losses, and in-game performance.
Key Points:
- Winning matches grants +10 to +50 RR points while losing deducts -10 to -30 RR points.
- High performance, such as maintaining a strong Kill/Death (K/D) ratio, helps minimize losses and maximize gains.
- Players earn 100 RR points to advance to the next rank.
MMR cannot be seen directly, but it influences match pairings and rank resets.
Requirements to Unlock Ranked Mode in Valorant
To access Valorant’s ranked mode, players must:
- Reach account level 20.
- Complete five placement matches to receive an initial rank.
All Valorant Ranks and Tiers
Valorant offers 9 main ranks, with 8 of them divided into three tiers each to measure progress more accurately.
| Rank | 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 | No tiers (Top 500 globally) |
Radiant is the highest rank, reserved for elite players, and requires exceptional skill to achieve.
Valorant Rank Distribution
Based on September 2024 data, most players are in lower or mid-level ranks.
| Rank | Percentage | Approximate Players |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | 7.47% | 678,354 |
| Bronze | 18.7% | 1,697,319 |
| Silver | 23.05% | 2,091,959 |
| Gold | 21.63% | 1,962,844 |
| Platinum | 14.79% | 1,342,557 |
| Diamond | 9.26% | 840,741 |
| Ascendant | 4.25% | 386,375 |
| Immortal | 0.78% | 71,650 |
| Radiant | 0.023% | 2,091 |
Only 5.05% of players are in Ascendant or above, showing the competitive difficulty of reaching higher ranks.
Valorant Rank Reset Rules
Ranks reset at the end of each Act or Episode:
- Act Reset: Requires one match to re-establish rank, often close to the previous rank.
- Episode Reset: Requires five placement matches and can significantly lower your rank based on performance.
Playing with Friends in Ranked Mode
Valorant allows playing with friends, but rules differ based on group size:
- Five-Player Groups: No rank restrictions but point penalties apply based on the highest rank.
- Two- or Three-Player Groups: Rank limitations apply. For example, Gold players can team up with Silver or Platinum, but not higher.
- Immortal and Radiant: These players face stricter rules and often require 2 or 5-player queues.
Tips to Improve Your Rank in Valorant
- Warm-Up Before Matches: Use practice ranges and quick matches to improve aim and confidence.
- Focus on Teamwork: Effective communication with teammates helps win matches.
- Choose the Right Agents: Pick agents suited to your playstyle, such as duelists like Jett for aggressive gameplay or controllers like Brimstone for strategy.
- Analyze Gameplay: Review past matches to identify and fix mistakes.
- Consistent Practice: Daily drills on shooting accuracy and map knowledge will gradually improve skills.
Valorant’s ranking system rewards skill, consistency, and strategic thinking. By understanding the mechanics of MMR and RR, meeting rank requirements, and applying effective strategies, players can steadily climb the ranks. Whether starting from Iron or aiming for the prestigious Radiant tier, success depends on dedication, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
