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Do Ranks Reset Every Split? Understanding Ranked Resets in Competitive Games

Yes, the answer is nuanced and depends heavily on the game you’re playing. In many popular competitive games like League of Legends and Apex Legends, the answer used to be a firm yes, ranks would reset, or at least partially reset, every split. However, game developers are constantly tweaking their systems, so it’s essential to stay informed about the specific game you’re interested in. Generally, the intention is to keep the competitive scene fresh and give players regular opportunities to climb. Let’s delve into the details of ranked resets and why they’re implemented.

Why Ranked Resets Exist

The purpose of ranked resets is multifaceted. Game developers aim to achieve several goals through these resets, including:

Maintaining a Competitive Balance: Resets prevent players from stagnating at a particular rank for too long. If a player achieves a high rank and then stops playing regularly, their skill level may decline. A reset ensures that everyone is re-evaluated periodically.
Preventing Elo Inflation: Without resets, the overall skill distribution in a game can become skewed over time. This phenomenon, known as Elo inflation, happens when the average player’s rank slowly creeps upward, diminishing the value of higher ranks.
Keeping the Game Fresh: Ranked resets introduce a sense of progression and accomplishment, encouraging players to engage with the game repeatedly. The opportunity to climb the ladder anew each split or season keeps the game from feeling stale.
Protecting New Players: As mentioned in your supplied article, resets help protect newer players from getting completely decimated by veterans with high MMR. This ensures fairer matchmaking and encourages the growth of the player base.

Different Types of Ranked Resets

Not all ranked resets are created equal. There are generally two types:

Soft Reset: A soft reset is the more common type. It doesn’t completely wipe your rank back to the starting point. Instead, it slightly lowers your rank based on your previous performance. Higher ranks typically experience a more significant adjustment than lower ranks. Your Matchmaking Rating (MMR) is also adjusted during a soft reset, though usually not drastically.
Hard Reset: A hard reset is a complete wipe, setting everyone back to the initial rank (e.g., Bronze or Iron). This type of reset is less common, as it can be frustrating for experienced players to have to grind through lower ranks again. Hard resets were seen early in League of Legends history.

The frequency of these resets also varies. Some games feature splits within a season, with a soft reset occurring at the start of each split. Other games have longer seasons with a single reset.

League of Legends: A Case Study

League of Legends provides a good example of how ranked resets work. For many years, League had two splits per ranked season with soft resets occurring at the start of each split. Your article even mentions that, starting in 2024, Riot Games decided to increase the splits to three per year. This means more opportunities to earn split-specific rewards and climb the ladder.

The soft reset in League typically involves a slight adjustment to your rank, with higher ranks being affected more significantly. The reset aims to place you in a position where you have to prove your skill again to climb back to your previous rank.

Apex Legends: Evolving Systems

Apex Legends has also experimented with ranked resets. As your supplied article notes, there are changes being made. At one point, Apex Legends used ranked splits similar to League of Legends. However, the game has since moved away from the split system, implementing longer ranked seasons that last around 90 days. Even without splits, there are still season resets which have impact on rank and MMR.

Other Games and Their Approaches

Many other competitive games also utilize some form of ranked reset. Valorant, for example, uses “Acts” and “Episodes,” where resets occur between them. Hearthstone implements monthly rank resets, as mentioned in your provided article. The specific mechanics vary, but the underlying principle remains the same: to maintain a fair and engaging competitive environment.

The Importance of MMR

It’s crucial to understand the concept of Matchmaking Rating (MMR) in the context of ranked resets. MMR is a hidden value that represents your skill level. This hidden MMR is what the matchmaking system uses to pair you with similarly skilled players. While your visible rank might reset, your MMR is typically subject to a soft reset as well, meaning it doesn’t change drastically. This ensures that even after a reset, you’re still matched against players of comparable skill.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ranked Resets

Here are some common questions players have about ranked resets:

1. Does my rank completely disappear after a reset?

No, typically your rank doesn’t completely disappear. Most games implement a soft reset, which means your rank is adjusted downwards, but you retain some progress based on your previous performance and MMR.

2. Does my MMR reset along with my rank?

Yes, but typically as a soft reset. Your MMR is also adjusted, but it’s usually not a complete reset. It’s slightly recalibrated to account for the overall shift in the player base.

3. How often do ranked resets happen?

The frequency varies by game. Some games have resets every few months (with splits in a season), while others have them annually at the start of a new season. Check the specific game’s official website for accurate information.

4. Are ranked resets the same in every game?

No. Each game handles ranked resets differently. Some games have hard resets, completely wiping everyone’s rank, while others have soft resets, which only partially adjust ranks.

5. Why do developers reset ranks?

Ranked resets are designed to maintain competitive balance, prevent Elo inflation, keep the game fresh, and protect new players from being matched against significantly more skilled opponents.

6. What happens to my rewards from the previous season after a reset?

Rewards earned from the previous season, such as skins, borders, or titles, are usually retained even after a ranked reset. These rewards serve as a testament to your achievements in the previous season.

7. Does inactivity affect my rank before a reset?

Yes, in many games, inactivity can lead to rank decay. If you don’t play ranked for an extended period, you may automatically lose LP (League Points) or TP (Triumph Points) depending on the game’s system, causing your rank to drop.

8. Will I be placed against players of my previous rank immediately after a reset?

Not necessarily. After a reset, you’ll typically go through a series of placement matches. Your performance in these matches, combined with your adjusted MMR, will determine your initial rank. You could be placed higher or lower than your previous rank.

9. How many placement matches do I have to play after a reset?

The number of placement matches varies by game, but it’s usually around 5-10. These matches are crucial in determining your initial rank for the new season or split.

10. Do all game modes have ranked resets?

No, ranked resets usually only apply to ranked game modes. Unranked or casual modes typically have separate MMR systems that are not affected by ranked resets.

11. What if I don’t play ranked at all?

If you don’t participate in ranked play, your rank will remain unassigned. Your MMR in unranked modes will continue to fluctuate based on your performance in those modes.

12. Does my LP decay if I am at the lowest rank?

No, if you are already in the lowest possible tier, like Iron IV or Bronze V depending on the game, you will not be demoted due to inactivity.

13. How do resets affect casual players?

Casual players are less directly impacted by rank resets. Since they primarily play unranked modes, their MMR in those modes is unaffected.

14. Are split rewards retroactive if I missed a split in a season?

This is highly game-specific. Typically, split rewards are only earned during that specific split, so if you missed it, you won’t be able to retroactively earn them.

15. Are there any resources that I can refer to if I am having trouble understanding the game?

There are many available options that can help a player who is new or struggling to understand the game.

Game developers often provide detailed explanations of their ranked systems on their official websites.
Websites like the Games Learning Society provide resources that are focused on game-based learning. By visiting GamesLearningSociety.org you can learn more about the educational aspects of games and potentially improve your understanding of game mechanics.
Utilize in game tutorials.
Use the practice modes that are available.

Conclusion

Ranked resets are an integral part of competitive gaming. While they can be frustrating at times, they serve an essential purpose in maintaining a fair, engaging, and dynamic competitive landscape. By understanding how ranked resets work and why they’re implemented, you can approach them with a more informed and strategic mindset, turning them into an opportunity to climb the ladder and prove your skills anew. Keep checking the game’s official channels for any upcoming changes.

Do ranks reset every split?