However, with every competitive season, players often wonder: When do ranks reset in Valorant? Understanding when and how rank resets occur is crucial for every player, whether you’re striving for the highest rank or simply aiming to improve your skills.
Valorant operates on a seasonal structure, where each competitive season typically lasts for about 2 months. During this period, players compete in ranked matches to earn points and climb through the various ranks. The ranks in Valorant range from Iron, Bronze, and Silver all the way up to the prestigious Radiant rank.
At the end of each season, rank resets occur, marking the end of one competitive cycle and the beginning of a new one. This reset is an opportunity for players to start fresh, re-evaluate their skills, and attempt to climb again from a new starting point. It’s important to note that the timing of rank resets is not always fixed to a specific date but follows a pattern based on the length of the competitive seasons.
Rank resets in Valorant happen at the end of every competitive act. Each act is a sub-division within a larger competitive episode. Typically, an episode lasts for about 6 months, with three acts occurring in that time frame. Each act lasts around 2 months, and after each act concludes, a rank reset happens.
Act 1 might run from January to March,
Act 2 from March to May,
Act 3 from May to July, and so on.
At the end of each act, the rank reset occurs, and players are placed into a new rank based on their performance throughout the act. This reset is designed to keep the competitive experience fresh, offering both challenges and opportunities for growth.
How does rank reset work?
When the reset occurs, players are dropped down by a certain amount of ranks. This is to prevent players from maintaining their previous position if they haven’t been active or improving. For instance, a player who finished in Diamond rank at the end of an act may be reset to Gold or Platinum depending on their performance.
However, it’s not a full reset where your past performance is entirely disregarded. Riot Games uses an ELO-based system, meaning your past performance is still considered when placing you in a new rank. Players who consistently perform well will typically start in a higher rank, while those who underperformed will begin lower.
Why do rank resets happen?
Over time, players can experience skill inflation, where players’ ranks increase based on consistency rather than skill. Resetting ranks at the end of each act helps prevent this by ensuring that the ladder remains competitive and that players have to prove their skill in every new season.
Additionally, rank resets give players a new goal to work towards each season. After a reset, there’s the excitement of working your way up from a lower rank, which brings a sense of progression. It keeps the competitive experience engaging and provides players with a sense of accomplishment every time they climb a rank.
How to prepare for rank resets
While rank resets are a natural part of the Valorant experience, players can take steps to prepare for the reset and ensure they are in the best possible position to start the next act:
Play Consistently: The more you play throughout the act, the better your chances of maintaining a higher rank after the reset.
Work on Skills: Rank resets give players a fresh start, so use the time before the reset to improve your individual and team skills.
Avoid Tilt: Competitive games can be stressful, but maintaining a calm mindset and focusing on improvement is key for long-term success.
Use the Last Weeks Wisely: As the act nears its end, try to push hard to secure a higher rank, as this will give you a better starting point for the new season.
Rank resets in Valorant occur at the end of each act within an episode, with each act lasting about 2 months. These resets are designed to keep the competitive environment fresh, prevent skill inflation, and give players a chance to prove themselves anew. Whether you’re aiming to hit Radiant or simply improve your rank, understanding the timing of rank resets can help you plan your competitive play and maximize your chances for success in the upcoming season.