What is Valorant’s Episode 5 Ranked Distribution?
Valorant Episode 5 Act I completely changed the ranked system with the introduction of the Ascendant rank. Players have mixed feelings about the changes and some of them prefer the old system that did not have Ascendant. The implications of these changes are not visible just yet and the current Act’s ranked distribution is not available. Players will know how many players are in each tier only after Episode 5 Act 1 ends.
Episode 5 Ranked Mode Explained
Valorant patch 5.0 added a new Ascendant rank above Diamond and below Immortal. Riot Games revealed in the official Episode 5 Act I blog, “When we were looking at rank distribution, we realized that if we were to move some of you up and out of those lower ranks, it would overpopulate Platinum and Diamond. So by adding a new rank we can better distribute you across ranks, keep the prestige of high ranks, while helping better define the skill level of each rank.”
The new update moved the rank matchmaking rating (MMR) targets that determine rank down, due to the addition of the new Ascendant rank, for all ranks below Ascendant. The developers also moved up the ranked target for Immortal 1/2/3 and Radiant. MMR targets determine your ranked rating (RR) gains and help push your rank to match your MMR.
Other changes in new system include:
Grouping restrictions for Ascendant are 3 ranks above or below the Ascendant ranked player
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The highest placement allowed has increased to Ascendant 1 (previously Diamond 1)
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Five stacking 25% RR penalty now starts at Immortal 1 (previously Diamond 3)
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Solo/Duo/5-stack restriction now starts at Immortal 1 (previously Diamond 3)
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Due to a naming clash with the new rank, Riot has renamed Sage’s tier 8 Agent Contract unlock to Dauntless.
In June 2022, the ranked breakdown was as follows:
June 2022 – Valorant Rank Distribution
The breakdown by Esports Tales revealed that 0.03% players made it to Radiant. And it is the Immortal and Diamond players who are most likely going to be affected by the new change to the system. Once the current act ends on 23rd August, we will be able to see how the ranked system has changed the distribution of players across all tiers.
