Besides aiming, playing Deadlock ranked matches involves understanding the rank system. Deadlock Medals is a matchmaking mechanism that shows a player's skill level. We will discuss what medals are, how they work, climbing techniques, and other important details about ranked mode.
What Is Deadlock Ranked Mode
- Players with comparable skill levels are grouped by rank. This is to ensure matchmaking balancing and fair play.
- Players achieve higher ranks by winning ranked matches.
- Your Deadlock medal (rank) shows how good you are in the game.
- There will be ranked rewards, such as Free in-game customizations or seasonal prizes.
What You Need to Play Ranked Games
- Complete at least 50 standard (unranked) matches to unlock Deadlock's ranked mode.
- No active behavior sanctions, such as chat bans.
- Queue for ranked to complete 7 placement matches to earn your first weekly medal.
Deadlock Rank Structure
What’s after initial placements? The climb. Deadlock uses a granular ranking system comprising 11 distinct medals (ranks), designed to accurately reflect a player's Matchmaking Rating (MMR). Understanding where you stand on this ladder is crucial for tracking your improvement.
Here is the complete list of Deadlock ranks in order from lowest to highest:
- Initiate
- Seeker
- Alchemist
- Arcanist
- Ritualist
- Emissary
- Archon
- Oracle
- Phantom
- Ascendant
- Eternus (Highest competitive tier)
Provisional Rank (Obscurus)
Before you are assigned an official medal, or if you fail to play enough matches to maintain your rank, you will be labeled as Obscurus. This is a provisional "unranked" state where the game is still calculating your skill level.
Divisions and Sub-Ranks
Each of the main ranks (from Initiate to Ascendant) is further divided into six sub-tiers, numbered I to VI, where I is the lowest and VI is the highest within that rank.
- Example: To move from Archon to Oracle, you must progress through Archon I, Archon II, all the way to Archon VI.
- Eternus Exception: The highest rank, Eternus, functions similarly but culminates in a special "Star" tier for the absolute top-rated players in the region.
How to Climb (Promotion and Demotion)
Movement between ranks is fluid and based on your hidden MMR (Matchmaking Rating).
- Promotion: consistently winning matches increases your MMR. Once your MMR crosses a specific threshold, you will immediately promote to the next sub-tier (e.g., Arcanist III to Arcanist IV).
- Demotion: Losing matches lowers your MMR. If you drop below the threshold for your current tier, you will be demoted to the previous sub-tier.
- Visual Updates: Unlike previous versions of the system, which only updated weekly, rank badges now update more frequently to reflect your current standing immediately as your skill rating changes.
MMR
The hidden value that also affects your rank determines how far you can advance.
How Deadlock Ranks Are Calculated
Winning raises your rating while losing has the opposite effect. Your individual performance also affects your total impact. It
- Wins and Losses: Winning raises your rating, while losing has the exact opposite effect.
- Individual performance: Your total impact, including kills, assists, and deaths, is counted.
- Matchmaking Rating (MMR): A secret score that changes with each game.
Understanding how the game assesses you helps you become more aware of how to enhance your gameplay.
Strategies for Climbing in Deadlock Ranked Mode
It takes more than just endurance to advance through the ranks. You also need to apply strategies and adjust to the game.
a. Knowing the Meta
All game has their own meta. These metas help you get an edge compared to your opponents, which will help you progress through the ranks even faster.
b. Master Core Mechanics
Focusing on your aim, recoil control, map control, and the game's mechanics, you can improve your overall gameplay.
c. Consistent Practice
Practicing your aim consistently will make you a better shooter and help you improve your game sense much faster.
d. Team Coordination
Deadlock is a cooperative game that calls for cooperation. Your chances of victory will increase if you communicate and work together with your team.
e. Patience and Mentality
Ranked play can be pretty biased, and the skill levels of both teammates and opponents can easily influence the match outcome. You will need to focus on yourself and make every effort to succeed.
Ranked Matches Challenges
Most players hit a big wall while playing ranked that stops them from progressing. These are some common reasons:
- Rank stagnation: Hitting a wall can be frustrating, but all you have to do is watch and learn from your mistakes so that you don't repeat them.
- Trolls and uncooperative teammates: Focus on what you can control, and don't mind trolls and toxic teammates.
- Overemphasis on kills: Don't over-focus on your own kills; you should also focus on team objectives.
- Season resets: Games reset after each season, giving you more time to try our different tactics.
Tools and Resources for Deadlock Rank Improvement
- <b>Guides and tutorials:</b> There are many guides to help you gain more skills and strategies.
- <b>Analytics software:</b> helps track your in-game stats.
- <b>Practice modes:</b> Aim trainer and practice in-game mechanics.
- <b>Coaching platforms</b>: Talk and discuss with expert Deadlock players to know new strategies and meta.
Pro Play in Deadlock
Professional players typically see ranked medals as a gauge of skill rather than just numbers. You can participate in tournaments, scrims, and the selection of pro teams depending on your rank. Serious gamers can better plan their future career path in the pro gaming scene by understanding the ranks and utilizing professional Deadlock coaching.
Tips for Sustaining High Ranks in Deadlock
The game is due to be released and is currently in a restricted, invite-only closed beta (playtest) on Steam, but knowing the fastest way to rank up gives you a massive edge over other players.
- Focus on consistency: Be consistent in your games.
- Adapt to patches and updates: Keep up with the game's new updates and patches.
- Learn from losses: Every defeat is a lesson that you need to learn to avoid those things from happening again.
- Prioritize communication: Coordinating with your team helps you win more games.
