Overwatch 2 ranking system & ranked rewards explained
If you are jumping into competitive play and you want to get to grips with how it works, here is what you need to know about the Overwatch 2 ranking system.
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The Overwatch 2 ranking system separates players based on their skills and performance in the game. Overwatch 2 players are a competitive bunch, meaning a reason to play at the highest level of the game is important.
The ranking system is the best way for players to learn just how good they are, and where they fall in the rank distribution. Here is everything you need to know about the Overwatch 2 ranking system.
All Overwatch 2 competitive ranked modes
Overwatch 2 has two ranked modes you can play, Role Queue and Open Queue. Role Queue has you select and lock into one of the three Hero roles; damage, tank, and support. Open Queue allows you to pick whatever type of hero you want with every match.
If you played the original Overwatch, you unlock these right away. However, new players will need to win 50 games to unlock these ranked modes.
All rank tiers
At the start of each season, you'll be placed into one of a variety of ranks - each with its rankings of five to one. The new top rank, Champion, has been added as of Season 9 on February 13th, 2024.
- Bronze (Divisions 5 to 1)
- Silver (Divisions 5 to 1)
- Gold (Divisions 5 to 1)
- Platinum (Divisions 5 to 1)
- Diamond (Divisions 5 to 1)
- Grandmaster (Divisions 5 to 1)
- Champion (new top rank)
Returning players will hold the same rank they had before, with some adjustments made for any matches played following their latest rank update. For new players, however, you'll need to earn a Skill Rating in what's called "Placement Matches". After you've earned 5 wins or 15 losses, whichever comes first, you'll be given a rank in one of the divisions mentioned above.
There is also the Top 500 leaderboard which is released two weeks into every season. Whilst there is no rank requirement to be in the top 500, it will contain highly ranked players.
Along with your Skill Rating, there is also a Match Making Rating (MMR) - a hidden value of your skill determined by the game based not just on your performance, but how often you play. If you don't play Overwatch 2 for a couple of weeks for example, your MMR will drop - as the game will think you might become rusty, which will increase again after you return and play more matches.
How to change your Overwatch 2 competitive rank
Your Skill Rating, which is given after completing the necessary Placement Matches, determines your rank based on wins, losses, and your performance in general. You'll also have multiple Skill Ratings for the different Hero roles; damage, tank, and support; in both ranked modes, Role Queue and Open Queue.
You'll need to do well in matches to see your rank go up - but unlike the old ranked system, it'll now be adjusted after every single match. This will make it easier for players to track their progress through the ranks.
How to check your competitive rank
To check your rank in Overwatch 2, all you need to do is head to your profile from the game's menu. Here's a step-by-step guide you can follow:
- Select the Career Profile option, which is in the top-right of the main menu.
- Navigate to the Overview section.
- The rank shown will be for All Modes by default, so select Competitive in the drop-down box.
You'll then be shown your Overwatch 2 competitive rank and stats!
All rank rewards
After you complete Overwatch 2's Competitive Rewards Qualification challenge, you'll be able to start earning Competitive Points (CP) through wins to buy rewards like golden hero weapons and exclusive titles. Although, the amount of CP you earn with each win is determined by your rank:
- Bronze rank win: 65CP
- Silver rank win: 125CP
- Gold rank win: 250CP
- Diamond rank win: 750CP + Diamond Challenger title
- Master rank win: 1200CP + Master Challenger title
- Grandmaster rank win: 1750CP + Grandmaster title
- Top 500: 1750CP + Top 500 Challenger title
Completing a certain number of competitive games will earn you additional exclusive titles too:
- 250 games: Adept Competitor title
- 750 games: Seasoned Competitor title
- 1750 games: Expert Competitor title
As of Season 9, you can now earn Jade weapon skins in the game too. We're still waiting for the season to come out so we don't have all the details, but you'll be able to play and earn these new weapons through ranked matches in a similar way to the gold skins.
About The Author
Ben Williams
Ben is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. Alongside his BA (Hons) in Business Management is a wealth of gaming and entertainment writing experience, having previously occupied roles as a Copywriter in e-commerce at Overclockers and Guides & SEO Writer at GameByte and FragHero. When not whipping up guides and reviews, Ben’ll be off playing the latest Pokemon games, Overwatch 2, Spider-Man, The Witcher, and Final Fantasy - all before reading manga and listening to Ice Nine Kills.
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