How does MMR work in Valorant? (Ranking System Explained)
Released in 2020 at the heart of a deadly pandemic, Riot’s answer to the decline in the tactical shooter genre has been an enjoyable addition to FPS gaming as a space.
Valorant is one of the most popular multiplayer video games in 2022, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. If you’re thinking of getting into the game, it’s important to know how the ranked system works. By doing this, you’ll have a good idea of how you’ll fare in the various aspects of climbing to the top of the Leaderboard.
Guide to Ranked in Valorant
Firstly, let’s establish some of the terms you’ll see scattered around in this guide. Rank Rating (RR) is a number you’ll see below your rank. It’s essentially your current position within a rank. You’ll learn more about it as you read along.
Match Making Rating (RR) is a hidden value used in multiplayer ranked gaming that reflects your current performance level. It is determined by Riot Games when you are first given your rank. For every game you play after your placements, this hidden MMR value will change based on your performance in games, including losses and wins.
Rank Rating Explained
The Rank Rating emerges from the outcome of a match. For a win, you’re given between 10 – 50 RR. Meanwhile, losses will incur a loss lying between 0 – 30 RR. If you earn the rank of Diamond and above, your Rank Rating will change slightly and not as widely as the ranks below. For example, rather than gaining 50 RR, you’ll be more likely to gain 5 RR, and losses can get as bad as 50 RR, although this is rare. This encourages players to rack up consistent wins in order to avoid demotions.
On the topic of demotions in Valorant Ranks, you must lose a game at 0 RR in your current rank. This is called demotion protection. Meanwhile, to move up a tier you simply need to get above 100 in your current rank. The RR is between 0 – 100 for every rank.
The only exception to this system is in the rank of Radiant which is the highest in Valorant. To
reach Radiant, you need to acquire a higher Rank Rating than the 500th player in Radiant. There is no demotion protection once you reach Radiant. In order to advance, you need a higher Rank Rating number than other players. To be at the top of the Leaderboard, you must be the highest in your Server region.
Match Making Rating Explained
MMR is a fluid system that has been highly secretive in multiplayer games from the developers. Riot Games, creator of Valorant have used the MMR ranked system in their previous title “League of Legends” for years prior to the arrival of Valorant. Therefore, it’s safe to say that they believe in its efficiency for competitive gameplay.
Valorant ranks use MMR that usually changes for every game you play, and you’re not told what the number is. MMR is separate from RR as it’s possible for you to be ranked in Gold 3 with the MMR of a Gold 2 player. As you start to rack up wins, your MMR begins to climb up and pit you against slightly higher-tier players. This helps the game determine if you’re worthy of a higher rank.
The game tries to get your visible rank as close to your MMR as it can. This causes you to lose more ranked rating for a loss than you gain for a win, especially when you’re on a losing streak.
On a winning streak, the inverse is the case as the system rewards you for winning against players on a higher rank than you. Loss streaks can be super frustrating to experience due to the fact that your hard work to climb up a higher rank may be doubled because of a bad MMR.
Even though winning streaks have a good reward for your ranked rating and MMR, they can increase your MMR in a way that may end up hurting once you’re no longer getting consistent wins.
How to climb in Valorant Ranked
Now that you understand how this complicated system works, it’s time to figure out how you’ll work your way through the Valorant Ranks and find yourself at the top of the leaderboard. In order to climb, the first thing on your mind should be achieving consistent wins. You don’t need win streaks even though they are helpful. Having a higher than 50% win rate is good start.
Also, you need to know that winning regularly over a long period of time is far more helpful than winning every game for a week straight. It’s basically creating a good quality foundation for your account, and convincing the system that you have what it takes to stay at the top.
When you first join Valorant, you’ll be placed in the lower end for your MMR and RR. However, you should just aim to get as many wins as possible in your unrated games. If you have a tendency to win more than you lose, you’ll have a good MMR that places you in games with players ranked higher than you. This is the best chance to shine. You should aim to win these games as you’ll end up beating players ranked higher than you. In turn, this will lead to a higher RR gain compared to playing in games with a lower average MMR.
Aiming to climb through the Valorant Ranks is very achievable if you are consistent. Along the lines, there will be hurdles, but you should learn to manage to keep your cool and avoid playing in a session if you’re incurring consistent losses.
A sinkhole most players fall into is enduring loss streaks in hopes of one win. Don’t fall for that. If you see yourself losing a lot in a play session, cool off for a day or two, go to practice mode and try again with a fresher mind. Good luck and see you on the leaderboards!
