Valorant is a popular tactical shooter by Riot Games where players compete in ranked matches to prove their skills.
If you want to reach the top ranks like Radiant or just want to understand how Valorant’s ranking works, this guide breaks everything down for you. From unlocking competitive mode to climbing ranks and understanding rank distribution, we cover all you need to know.
What Are Valorant Ranks?
Valorant ranks are levels that show how skilled you are compared to other players. Your rank changes as you win or lose competitive matches. It helps match you with players at your skill level.
But before you can play ranked matches, you need to reach account level 20 by playing unranked games. After that, you must complete five placement matches to get your first official rank.
Most players start around Iron or Silver ranks after placements. If you do very well, you might start higher, like Gold or Platinum.
How to Unlock Competitive Mode?
To unlock Ranked Mode (also called Competitive Mode), you have to reach level 20 on your account. This means playing normal games to earn experience points (XP). Reaching level 20 usually takes about 20-30 hours of gameplay, depending on how often you play and how well you do.
This level requirement ensures you know the game basics and agents well enough before joining the serious ranked matches. It helps keep matches fair and fun for everyone.
How Did Your First Rank Decide?
Once you hit level 20, you can start your first ranked match, but you’ll still be Unranked. You need to finish five placement matches to get your first rank.
During these matches, the game judges your skill based on your performance, wins and losses, round scores, and other hidden factors.
If you do great, you might skip some ranks and start at a higher rank. If not, don’t worry — your rank will adjust as you play more and improve.
All Valorant Ranks In Order
Valorant has 8 main rank tiers, each split into 3 sub-levels, except the top rank, Radiant, which stands alone. Here’s the order you climb from lowest to highest:
- Iron 1, 2, 3
- Bronze 1, 2, 3
- Silver 1, 2, 3
- Gold 1, 2, 3
- Platinum 1, 2, 3
- Diamond 1, 2, 3
- Ascendant 1, 2, 3
- Immortal 1, 2, 3
- Radiant (top 500 players)
Most players start in Iron or Silver and try to climb higher by winning games.
Player Distribution Across Ranks
Not all ranks have the same number of players. Based on recent data (May 2025):
- Silver has the most players (~22%)
- Gold follows closely (~21.5%)
- Bronze is next (~16.5%)
- Iron, Platinum, Diamond, and Ascendant hold smaller groups
- Only about 1.6% of players reach Immortal
- The exclusive Radiant rank is held by just 0.04% of players
This shows how tough it is to get into the top ranks.
How Rank Rating (RR) Works?
Rank Rating or RR is a point system from 0 to 100 that shows your progress in each rank.
- You gain RR mostly by winning matches
- The bigger your round win margin (like winning 13-2 vs 13-9), the more RR you gain
- Your performance (kills, assists, damage) also affects RR
- Playing against stronger players can increase or decrease your RR gains
- Losing matches or playing poorly causes you to lose RR
- If your RR drops below zero, you can be demoted (deranked) to a lower rank
After reaching Immortal, RR becomes open-ended, and more points mean climbing Immortal 1, 2, 3, and then Radiant.
How to Rank Up and Climb the Ladder?
To rank up, you must keep winning matches and earn RR. Each rank needs 100 RR to move up to the next tier.
However, climbing higher ranks is harder because opponents are tougher, and you need to be consistent. You might earn less RR per win at higher ranks than at lower ones.
If you lose matches or perform badly, your RR can drop, and you might lose your rank.
Most professional Valorant players are in Radiant or Immortal ranks, showing how competitive these top levels are.
Difference Between Rank and ACT Rank
- Rank shows your current competitive rank based on recent matches.
- Act Rank shows the highest rank you achieved during the current ranked season (called an Act).
Your Act Rank reflects your peak skill level for the season and is based on your best 50 games.
Valorant Ranked Rewards
At the end of each season (Episode), players receive rewards like:
- A gun buddy matching their highest Act Rank
- A profile border showing their rank level
These rewards show off your achievements and skills to others.
Top 5 Tips to Improve Your Valorant Rank Fast
- Communicate: Learn map callouts and use a mic to talk to your team.
- Practice Aim: Use the shooting range daily to sharpen your skills.
- Use the Mini-map: Pay attention to enemy positions and teammates.
- Listen Carefully: Footsteps and sound cues are important for awareness.
- Watch Streams or Videos: Learn new strategies, spots, and tricks.
Valorant Matchmaking and Friends
You can play ranked matches with friends, but there are some rules:
- Players with very different ranks can’t team up easily to keep matches fair.
- At high ranks (Diamond+), you can only play with one friend in competitive.
- Playing with a full squad (five players) who communicate well helps climb the ranks faster.
- Riot has also improved matchmaking to reduce unfair advantages and smurf accounts (experienced players using new accounts to dominate lower ranks).
Recent Changes in Valorant’s Ranked System
- Riot split the Immortal rank back into three parts (Immortal 1, 2, 3) for better skill representation.
- Smurf detection has improved, punishing players who try to cheat the system.
- Climbing the lower ranks is now a bit easier, helping new or returning players.
Summary
Valorant’s ranked system helps players compete fairly by matching skill levels through ranks from Iron to Radiant. Unlocking competitive mode requires reaching level 20 and completing placement matches.
Climbing ranks depends on your match wins, performance, and consistency. The system rewards good teamwork and individual skill, and Riot regularly updates matchmaking to keep the game balanced and fair.
Whether you’re a beginner or aiming for Radiant, understanding the ranks and how RR works is your first step to success.