How Do Placement Games Work?
Placement games are a critical component of many competitive online multiplayer games. They serve as the initial evaluation of a player’s skill level, placing them into an appropriate rank or tier within the game’s ranking system. Instead of starting every player at the bottom or having them jump straight into the thick of ranked play with no prior assessment, placement games provide a structured way to gauge their abilities. Essentially, they are a set of matches that you play before being fully ranked. This allows the game’s algorithm to estimate your skill and pit you against opponents of a similar level when you enter the ranked ladder. The goal is to ensure fairer and more balanced matches, resulting in a more enjoyable and competitive experience.
Unlike regular ranked matches, placement games often have a greater impact on your MMR (Matchmaking Rating), which is a hidden value used by the game to match players. A strong performance in placement games can significantly boost your initial ranking, while poor performance can lead to a lower starting point. This system aims to get players to the correct starting rank as efficiently as possible. The mechanics of these games vary across different titles, but their purpose remains the same: to determine your initial competitive standing.
Understanding the Core Mechanics of Placement Games
The Purpose of Placement Matches
Placement matches are designed to assess your skill and assign you a preliminary rank. These matches are far more impactful on your matchmaking rating than your usual games in ranked queues. The system tries to place you in a rank where you have a 50% chance of winning. This will allow you to learn and improve as you grind through the competitive ladder. It also allows experienced players to quickly move to their deserved ranks. Essentially, placement games are your gateway into the ranked world.
How Placement Games Differ from Normal Ranked Games
The main difference lies in the impact they have on your MMR. Wins and losses in placement matches cause significant MMR fluctuations compared to regular ranked games. After the placement series is complete, changes to MMR become less volatile, generally by a factor of 2-5. This allows for more stable ranking. Placement matches also sometimes have a pre-defined number you need to complete before gaining an official rank, while ranked games can be played endlessly (during an active season).
The Role of Matchmaking Rating (MMR)
MMR is the hidden value that the system uses to determine your skill level. It’s the driving force behind matchmaking, and it’s significantly affected by placement games. A higher MMR means you’ll face tougher opponents, and vice versa. When you complete placement games, your final ranking depends not only on your win/loss record but also on how your performance affected your MMR. The system compares your MMR with others in the queue to provide balanced matchups.
Factors Influencing Placement Ranking
Several factors can influence your placement ranking, including:
- Win/Loss Record: This is the most obvious factor. Winning more games will usually result in a higher starting rank.
- Individual Performance: Depending on the game, your personal performance metrics (e.g., kills, assists, objective play) may influence your MMR change in addition to your wins and losses.
- Previous Rank (If Applicable): If you’ve played ranked in the past, the system often uses your previous ranking as a starting point for your placement games. Going 10-0 from bronze is going to be different than an unranked account going 10-0, for example.
- Opponent Skill: Beating higher-ranked opponents can give your MMR a greater boost than defeating lower-ranked opponents.
- MMR Changes: Changes in MMR happen much faster in placements than regular ranked games. Winning or losing placement matches can significantly change your MMR.
Specifics Across Different Games
League of Legends (LoL)
In League of Legends, placement matches determine your starting position on the ranked ladder for the current season or split. If you are an unranked player, 10-0 will place you in plat v/gold 1 on an unranked account. If you played before, your previous rank plays a big part in your placement. Your MMR will be affected significantly in your placement games and you will move up or down very quickly.
Rocket League
Rocket League utilizes placement games to determine your ranks for each game mode. After playing 10 matches in a particular game mode, you’ll be placed in your rank, which you can continue to climb. Diamond 1 or above is the top 10% of the ranked player base. Competitive Ranks start at Bronze and go up to Silver, Gold, and beyond.
Overwatch 2
In Overwatch 2, you play a minimum of seven matches to be placed. Unlike previous iterations of Overwatch, you are no longer given a rank after each placement. Instead, your rank is adjusted every 5 wins or 15 losses. If you win more than you lose, your rank should increase after every seventh win.
Valorant
Valorant has an Iron to Radiant system with three tiers in each rank except Radiant. When starting ranked, your initial placement will determine where you begin your climb, with wins increasing your RR (Rank Rating) and losses decreasing it. You can dodge placement games, but it does affect your MMR. If you dodge too many ranked games, you will lose RR points and potentially incur a time ban.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many placement games do I need to play?
The number of placement games varies by game. League of Legends requires 10, Rocket League also uses 10 in each game mode, Overwatch 2 requires at least 7 wins (or up to 26 games) and Valorant requires 5 wins.
2. What happens if I win all my placement matches?
Winning all placement matches is great! Depending on your previous rank (or lack thereof), your initial ranking will be higher. In LoL, going 10-0 on an unranked account can place you in Platinum or Gold.
3. Can I lose MMR in placement games?
Yes, you can lose MMR in placement games. Placement games are more volatile. So wins and losses affect your MMR far more significantly than in normal ranked games.
4. Does dodging placement matches count as a loss?
Generally, no. Dodging a placement match does not count as a loss in most games. However, it can negatively affect your MMR and you may face queue bans in some games for dodging too often.
5. Why did I get placed so low after my placements?
Placement is based on your MMR. It is possible that your MMR is lower than you thought. If you are an experienced player, your MMR from previous seasons will affect your placement.
6. Do placement games affect MMR more than regular ranked games?
Yes, placement games tend to cause greater fluctuations in MMR than regular ranked games. This means that each win or loss in placement will have a bigger impact on your overall rank.
7. Can I play with friends during placement matches?
Yes, you can usually play with friends during placement matches. However, keep in mind that you may end up with different ranks after placement depending on the combined MMR of your pre-made.
8. What happens after I complete my placement games?
After your placement games, you are assigned your initial rank. From there, you play normal ranked matches to try and climb the ladder and improve your ranking.
9. Can I climb to a higher rank after placements if I play well?
Absolutely. Your placement is just the beginning. By consistently playing well and winning matches, you can climb to higher ranks.
10. What’s the highest rank you can achieve after placement games?
The highest rank achievable after placement games depends on the specific game. Generally, it is not possible to place in the very top rank after placements, although a high skill player on a new account will often land a couple of ranks below the very top.
11. Is individual performance considered in placements, or just wins and losses?
While wins and losses are the main consideration, individual performance can also affect your MMR in some games. This means that performing well can lead to a better placement.
12. What if I perform poorly in placement matches?
If you perform poorly in your placement matches, you may be placed in a lower rank. But, this is not a permanent mark. You can still climb the ranks by improving your gameplay.
13. Can I redo my placement matches if I’m not happy with my rank?
No, you cannot generally redo your placement matches. You will have to climb the ranks with your current ranking until the next reset for the new season or split.
14. What is the difference between placement games and promotional games?
Placement games determine your initial rank for the season/split. Promotional games are the set of matches you play to be promoted to a higher tier. They are completely separate from each other.
15. How often do placements take place?
Placements usually occur at the start of a new season or a split. After the placements, the ranking system will then focus on player movement within their rank.
By understanding the mechanics of placement games, you can approach the start of your competitive journey with a clearer understanding of what to expect. Remember, they’re your opportunity to make a strong first impression, but also the first step in a long road of ranked play. Good luck!