Valorant’s ranking system remains a puzzle for many players four years into its release. players still have trouble understanding the game’s matchmaking rating (MMR) and rank rating (RR) systems. There’s always a post or two on the game’s subreddit every day asking about it,
Players often express confusion over their RR gains and losses, especially when performance appears inconsistent with expectations. A common complaint is gaining few points for winning, even when performing well, and losing many points despite close matches.
The Valorant Ranked System Works in Mysterious Ways
One common thing that players have noticed is the mismatch between their visible rank and their hidden MMR. For instance, a player might consistently perform well with a lot of kills and match MVPs but see minimal RR gains.
This is because Riot Games‘ system prioritizes overall performance and win/loss ratios over individual match performance. So a high rank doesn’t always mean you have a high MMR.
The MMR system and its impact on RR are often misunderstood. MMR is an internal number that Riot uses to match players with similar skill levels. This hidden score influences how much RR players gain or lose.
If a player’s MMR is higher than their current rank, they’ll gain more RR for wins and lose less for defeats, pushing them towards their “true rank” faster. And if their MMR is lower, they’ll struggle to climb the ranks.
I’m currently immortal and im losing so much rr compared to winning why?
byu/Nohva- inVALORANT
Several players on the Valorant subreddit have shared their experiences with this confusing system. One player shared that despite being a consistent top performer, they gained only 15 RR. Meanwhile, a teammate with poorer performance gained 19 RR.
This disparity occurs because MMR considers the skill level of opponents, past performances, and win/loss streaks, rather than just a single match’s statistics.
Underneath the Complexity, the System Does Work Well
A common misconception among players is that achieving high combat scores or being the match MVP will result in more RR. However, Riot’s system prioritizes overall match outcomes and individual performance within the context of each match.
For example, outperforming a higher MMR opponent will impact MMR more significantly than defeating lower-ranked players, even if the kill totals are similar. This nuanced approach ensures that skill and consistent performance are rewarded over time.
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byu/Prestigious-Thing-42 from discussion
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The system also has ways to adjust rank known as convergence. When there’s a significant difference between a player’s MMR and visible rank, the system adjusts RR gains and losses to align the two metrics. This can result in lower-than-expected rewards for wins and harsher penalties for losses, which the system deems necessary for accurate rank placement.
To understand Valorant‘s ranking system, players should focus on consistent improvement and win/loss ratios rather than individual performances. Despite the complexity and occasional frustration, Riot’s system aims to ensure fair matchmaking and accurate representation of a player’s skill level over time.
What do you think of the Valorant ranked system? Let us know in the comments below.
