Explaining the New Overwatch Ranking System: How Does It Work

Overwatch, the popular team-based first-person shooter game developed by Blizzard Entertainment, has recently implemented a new ranking system to provide players with a more accurate representation of their skill level. This new system aims to address some of the concerns players had with the previous ranking system and create a more rewarding and enjoyable competitive experience. Let's dive in and understand how this new Overwatch ranking system works.

What were the issues with the old ranking system?

The old ranking system in Overwatch had a few drawbacks. First, it relied heavily on individual performance rather than teamwork, which led to players prioritizing personal stats rather than playing as a cohesive team. This often resulted in unfair matchmaking and frustration. Additionally, the system used a linear ranking structure that didn't accurately represent the skill disparity between players, leading to imbalanced matches.

How does the new ranking system address these issues?

The new ranking system in Overwatch shifts the focus towards teamwork and cooperation. It assigns a rating based on the player's performance in matches, while also considering their contribution to the team's objectives and overall match result. This places a higher value on coordinated team play rather than individual achievements. To overcome the skill disparity problem, the new system groups players into various tiers and divisions within each tier. This allows players to feel a sense of progression and compete against opponents of similar skill levels. Each tier represents a specific range of skill ratings, and players can climb or descend within these tiers depending on their performance.

How are players now ranked in the new system?

The new Overwatch ranking system uses Competitive Points to calculate a player's rank. Every player starts with a certain number of Competitive Points, and by participating in competitive matches, they earn or lose points based on their performance and the match outcome. The number of Competitive Points earned or lost varies depending on factors such as individual skill performance, win streaks, and the skill rating difference between teams. These Competitive Points are used to place players in one of the seven tiers - Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master, and Grandmaster. Each tier has different divisions, which further differentiates players within the same tier. For example, a player in the Gold tier can be in Gold I, II, or III based on their skill rating.

How does the system prevent skill rating decay?

Skill rating decay was a problem in the old system where players who stopped playing competitive matches would see their skill rating decrease over time. The new system mitigates this by implementing a mandatory activity requirement. Players need to regularly complete matches to ensure their skill rating doesn't decay. Moreover, the new system also includes the Top 500 leaderboard, which showcases the top-ranked players in each region. To maintain their position, players must continue to perform well and remain among the best in their respective skill rating range. In conclusion, the new Overwatch ranking system aims to address the shortcomings of the old system. By emphasizing teamwork and player contributions to objectives, Blizzard has created a more balanced competitive environment. With the introduction of skill tiers, divisions, and mandatory activity requirements, players now have a fairer assessment of their skills and a clear sense of progression. So, gather your team, strategize, and let the competitive matches begin!