Valorant, a fun game made by Riot Games, has a system for ranks to keep play fair and competitive. Players often want to know which ranks can join together, especially when playing with friends. It is key to know these rules to enjoy your time in the game. Here’s a clear guide to how ranks work in Valorant.
These ranks show how good a player is and their skill in ranked games. To keep play balanced and fun, Riot has set rules on matchmaking based on rank.
Rank rules in competitive play
For Immortal and Radiant, the rules get stricter because there are fewer players and the need to keep play fair:
Immortal players can team only with others within two ranks of theirs (for example, Immortal I can join with Immortal II and low Ascendant).
Radiant players can only join with Immortal III or other Radiant players.
Rank compatibility also changes based on how many players are in your group:
In solo or duo play, the rules apply as stated above. This keeps matches fair and cuts down on unfair play or boosting.
For five-player teams, Riot takes a wider view of rank but adds some limits:
Rank Differences:
Players in a five-player group can have more rank spread, but changes may be made to balance things out.
For example, a top-ranked Immortal player might need to join lower-ranked players for a fair match.
RR (Rank Rating) Penalty:
If there’s a big rank gap in a five-stack, it brings an RR penalty, which cuts the points earned from wins. This stops boosting while still allowing friends to play together.
In Unrated mode, players can team up no matter the rank. This mode is great for casual play and for joining with friends of different skills without any worries about rankings.
Why rank rules matter
Rank rules have a few key reasons:
Fair Play: Stopping top players from ruling lower-rank games.
Skill Growth: Helping players improve by matching them with others of close skill.
Competitive Balance: Keeping play fair, especially in key ranked games.
Tips for Playing with Friends of Different Ranks
Think about Team Make-Up: Pick friends with ranks closer together to lower RR penalties and make matches easier.
Use Unrated Mode for Fun: If rank gaps are too big, try playing Unrated or custom games.
Climb Together: Join games often to rank up with your friends, closing the skill gaps over time.
Valorant’s rank system is smartly made to balance fun with fair play. While the rules may limit who you can play with, knowing them helps you team up well. Whether you’re working hard on ranks or just playing for fun with friends, Valorant has ways for every play style. Have fun!
