Valorant’s competitive ranking system places players into tiers based on their skill. A key question revolves around the ability of players in significantly different ranks, such as Gold and Bronze, to participate in the same ranked matches. This restriction aims to maintain fair gameplay and prevent substantial skill disparities within a team that could lead to unbalanced and frustrating experiences for all participants. For example, a player in Gold, possessing a demonstrably higher skill level, might not be able to queue for a competitive match with a player in Bronze due to this system.
The benefit of restricting the rank disparity in competitive queues centers on preserving the integrity of the competitive experience. It ensures that matches are primarily populated by players of similar skill levels, thereby promoting balanced gameplay and a fair environment for improvement. Historically, allowing wide rank disparities has led to instances of boosting, where higher-ranked players assist lower-ranked friends in climbing the ladder, often negatively impacting the experiences of other players in those matches. This limitation also encourages players to improve their skills and climb the ranks independently to play with friends who are significantly higher-ranked.
