Ranked Play Guide: How to Play and Rank Up Rewards

Ranked Play has arrived in the Season 2 update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MW2). Read on to learn more about the features of Ranked Play, the game modes & maps involved, and all Ranked Play rewards!

Ranked Play Release Date

Ranked Play is Now Live!

Ranked Play is now live in the Season 2 update for Modern Warfare 2. Hop right in the competitive action and climb your way up the ranking ladder to earn rewards!

What is Ranked Play?

Competitive Skill Based Matchmaking

Ranked Play is a competitive 4v4 Multiplayer mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) that is similar to the regular multiplayer experience but uses the official tournament rules, restrictions, map pool, and game modes from the Call of Duty League (CDL).

In this mode, players are matched based on their skill level using Skill Divisions or popularly known as an ELO System.

This game mode was originally introduced in Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the latter calling it 'League Play'.

Ranked Play Automatically Unlocks All Weapons

All players participating in Ranked Play will have access to all weapons and attachments in MW2. It does not matter if you do not have all weapons and attachments unlocked in regular matchmaking. Ranked Play will allow you to customize all weapons for your loadouts much like in a private lobby.

Some Weapons and Utility Will Be Restricted

Certain Weapons, Attachments, Equipment, Perks, Field Upgrades, and Streaks will be restricted based on the official CDL Competitive rules.

How to Play Ranked in MW2

Level 16 and Modern Warfare 2 is Required for Ranked Play

In order to access Ranked Play, players will need a Level 16 Account as well as a copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Warzone 2.0 players will need to purchase a copy of MW2 if they want to participate in the coming season's ranked leagues.

Ranked Play Game Modes & Maps

Three Available Game Modes

There are three game modes available for Ranked Play: Hardpoint, Search & Destroy, and Control. Each of the game modes have specific maps available to them.

Game Modes	Maps
CDL Hardpoint	・Al Bagra Fortress ・Breenbergh Hotel ・Embassy ・Mercado Las Almas ・Zarqwa Hydroelectric
CDL Search & Destroy	・Al Bagra Fortress ・Breenbergh Hotel ・El Asilo ・Embassy ・Mercado Las Almas
CDL Control	・Al Bagra Fortress ・Breenbergh Hotel ・El Asilo

Ranked Play Features

Confirmed Ranked Play Features
Ranked Skill Divsions Top 250 Leaderboards Ranking Symbols and Seasonal Win Challenges Penalties and Suspensions

Ranked Skill Divisions

Skill Divisions are the competitive group rankings based on the individual skill of a player. There are 8 Skill Divisions ranging from Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Crimson, Iridescent, and Top 250.

These divisions are used in matchmaking to appropriately pair players of the same rank together against opponents of equal skill.

All Call of Duty players will start out in the Bronze division and there will be no placement matches to determine which rank you'll start out in.

In addition to this, all ranks below Iridescent will be divided into three tiers, this is done to provide further transparency in gameplay skill and a sense of progression to the players as they grind through the ranks.

Your current tier will be displayed in the center of your Rank icon.

Skill Rating Determines the Skill Division

Division	Skill Rating Required
Bronze	0-899 SR (Starting Division)
Silver	900-2,099 SR
Gold	2,100-3,599 SR
Platinum	3,600-5,399 SR
Diamond	5,400-7,499 SR
Crimson	7,500-9,999 SR
Iridiscent	10,000 SR minimum
Top 250	10,000+ SR

Skill Rating (SR) is the numerical score on which determines your Skill Division ranking. Each time you win a game, you gain Skill Rating points, whereas getting defeated in a match will lose you SR points.

Simply put, gain enough Skill Rating points and you'll move up to the next higher division ranking, lose enough points and you'll be demoted to the previous rank.

Your overall contribution in a match as well as your team's performance will have an effect on the amount of Skill Rating points you'll receive. SR points in higher ranking skill divisions will be based mostly on teamwork to make sure that individual playstyles are properly rewarded.

Skill Division Matchmaking Restrictions

Since Ranked Play is a 4v4 mode, you are allowed to squad up with up to three other members in a lobby provided that the party falls within the accepted Skill Division threshold.

• Bronze through Platinum players can party up with no restrictions.
• Diamond and Crimson players can only form parties with and play against other players within two Skill Divisions.
• Iridescent and Top 250 Players can only form parties with and play against other players within one Skill Division.

Skill Rating Forgiveness

If a player quits or disconnects during a match, all team members who are not a part of that player's party lobby will not lose any Skill Points (SR). Additionally, losing in 3v4 matchup on the shorthanded team will not lose you any Skill Rating points.

Demotion Protection and Hot Streak Flames

Season 2 Ranked Play introduces the Demotion Protection system where players will not lose any Skill Points for the first three matches after getting promoted to a new Skill Division.

Additionally, the Hot Streak Flames system rewards players who manage to win 3+ games in a row within a 72-hour period with Ranked Play icons in their Social Profiles.

Top 250 Leaderboards

Players who achieve a Skill Rating of 10,000 points and above in Season 2's Ranked Play will be placed in the Top 250 Leaderboards for everyone in the world to see!

Special Rewards for Number One Rank

The number one ranked player will receive a special One-of-a-Kind Calling Card and Emblem at the end of each Season.

Ranking Symbols and Seasonal Win Challenges

A separate Rank is used to represent your progress in Ranked Play starting at Rank 1 all the way through Rank 50. Winning in ranked matches will earn you one Star; earn enough Stars and you'll advance to the next Rank.

Every five ranks will award you with a new symbol that will appear in the color of your Skill Division. Confirmed symbols are a Wolf for ranks 11-15 and a Silverback Gorilla for ranks 31-35. These Ranks do not reset between seasons unlike Skill Divisions.

Each victory will also count towards a Seasonal Win Challenge which will offer new unique rewards each Ranked Season. Rewards are the same for each player despite their current Skill Division ranking.

Penalties and Suspensions

To promote fair play and good sportsmanship in Ranked Play, penalties and suspensions will be given to players who display bad behaviour during competitive matches.

The system will punish those who frequently disconnect, go AFK (Away From Keyboard), or commit friendly fire often. The more players commit such heinous acts, the more severe the punishments will get.

In addition, players who disconnect will receive Skill Rating deductions and temporary suspensions, with escalating penalties for repeat offenders.

Ranked Play Rewards

Ranked Play Rewards
Ranking Rewards	Skill Divisions	Seasonal Wins	Starting Rank

Ranking Rewards

Players will earn these Cosmetics and Customizations Items once they achieve certain rank milestones.

• Rank 5: Ranked Competitor Operator Skin Pack, one “Home” version and one “Away” version awarded for both the Male and Female CDL Operators
• Rank 10: Press F Emblem
• Rank 15: Pro Issue X12 Weapon Blueprint - which has similar attachments to what is used at the highest level of competitive play.
• Rank 20: Ace Weapon Charm
• Rank 25: Turn It Up Emblem
• Rank 30: Ranked Win Tracker Gun Screen that displays the player’s lifetime Ranked Play win total.
• Rank 35: I’m Cracked Large Weapon Decal
• Rank 40: Pro Issue Combat Knife Blueprint, which is another popular competitive Secondary weapon.
• Rank 45: Sweep Weapon Charm
• Rank 50: Ranked Veteran Operator Skins (Home and Away) awarded to Male and Female CDL Operators, proof of your commitment to Ranked Play no matter your Skill Division
• Every 5 Ranks: A Unique Calling Card

Skill Division Rewards

Players will be awarded with Skill Division Rewards at the conclusion of each season depending on their highest Division attained for that particular season.

The following are the Season 2 Skill Division rewards:

• Top 250: ‘Season 2 Top 250’ Weapon Charm, Emblem, and Calling Card
• Iridescent: ‘Season 2 Iridescent’ Weapon Charm, Emblem, and Calling Card
• Crimson: ‘Season 2 Crimson’ Weapon Charm and Emblem
• Diamond: ‘Season 2 Diamond’ Weapon Charm and Emblem
• Platinum: ‘Season 2 Platinum’ Weapon Charm and Emblem
• Gold: ‘Season 2 Gold’ Weapon Charm and Emblem
• Silver: Emblem
• Bronze: Emblem

Division Skins

Skill Division Skins can be used for both CDL Male & Female Operators to showcase your highest achieved Skill Division. These reward skins are permanent and can be used in the succeeding Seasons.

• Top 250: Unlock the ‘Top 250 Competitor’ Skin by finishing a Season in the Top 250 Skill Division. NOTE: Players must be in the Division at the end of the Season to qualify for this reward.
• Gold - Iridescent: Earn the applicable ‘Gold Competitor’, ‘Platinum Competitor’, ‘Diamond Competitor’, ‘Crimson Competitor’, or ‘Iridescent Competitor’ Skin based on your highest Skill Division reached over the course of the Season.

Seasonal Win Rewards

Each Ranked Season, players can earn exclusive limited-time rewards by achieving a certain number of Ranked Wins. These rewards range from Charms, Blueprints, Decals, Loading Screens, and Stickers.

• 5 Wins: Season 2 Competitor Weapon Sticker
• 10 Wins: Pro Issue Vaznev-9k Weapon Blueprint
• 25 Wins: MVP Weapon Charm
• 50 Wins: The Factor Large Weapon Decal
• 75 Wins: Ranked Play Season 2 Loading Screen
• 100 Wins: Season 2 Ranked Veteran Weapon Camo

Starting Rank for Next Season

The highest Skill Division placement that you'll achieve in the current season will determine which rank you'll start out in for the next season.

Bronze to Crimson ranks will start at one Skill Division back, with the exception of Bronze which will start at lowest rank of Bronze Tier 1 and a demotion protection enabled for their first 3 matches.

Iridiscent and Top 250 players will begin at the Diamond Tier 1 Skill Division, also with demotion protection enabled for their first several matches.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) Related Guides

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