Fortnite Ranking System Explained

Fortnite has long thrived as a competitive platform without a traditional ranked mode, a feature that’s commonplace in many other top competitive games. Instead, Fortnite has sustained its competitive edge through its Arena mode and numerous open tournaments that welcome players of all skill levels. However, the landscape of competitive Fortnite is set to change dramatically.

Recently, Epic Games surprised the community with a blog post announcing a new ranked mode and a significant overhaul of the competitive loot system. The new ranked mode introduces formal ranks that span from Bronze to Unreal, aiming to provide a more structured competitive experience. Additionally, this update will standardize the loot pool and game settings across both unranked and ranked/competitive play, ensuring consistency and fairness. Notably, the update also includes the removal of the siphon mechanic from competitive modes, which is likely to significantly impact gameplay strategies.

In this blog, we’ll delve deeper into each of these changes, exploring how they will reshape the way players engage with Fortnite’s competitive scene.

All Fortnite Ranks in Order

Fortnite’s new ranked system introduces a traditional hierarchy of rankings, ranging from Bronze to the pinnacle rank of Unreal. This structure includes multiple tiers within each rank from Bronze through Diamond—each divided into three sublevels with III being the highest. Elite and Champion ranks are singular levels, while Unreal stands as the ultimate achievement, where players are secured from demotion for the remainder of the season. Achieving Unreal rank also qualifies players for global leaderboard contention, akin to attaining the Radiant rank in Valorant or Predator status in Apex Legends.

The ranked mode is available in both Battle Royale (Builds) and Zero Build formats, catering to different play styles, with each mode maintaining its own distinct ranking. Battle Royale mode encompasses Solos, Duos, and Squads, all of which contribute to a single Battle Royale rank. Conversely, Zero Build is currently offered only in Duos.

In this inaugural “Season Zero” of ranked Fortnite, players will discover their initial ranks after just one match, primarily based on a previously hidden matchmaking rating accrued from past gameplay. This seeding process placed most professional players within the Platinum 3 to Diamond 1 range, whereas I, as an amateur competitive player, found myself starting around Platinum 1. Details regarding how ranks will be adjusted in subsequent seasons remain unclear, but they are expected to relate closely to your performance in Season Zero.

Loot Pool and Gameplay

To engage in ranked play in Fortnite, players simply need to select the “Ranked” option from the game mode menu. With this update, Epic Games has standardized gameplay across both unranked and competitive modes to ensure a consistent playing experience. The newly implemented rules for ranked mode include:

• A material cap set at 500 for each type,
• An increased rate of gathering resources,
• Players drop 50 of each material type upon elimination,
• No health or shield regeneration (siphon) upon eliminating another player.

These changes hold significant implications for tournament play and the overall 
competitive meta. The standardized loot pool now allows for the introduction of more varied and potentially game-altering items in tournaments, a dynamic that has been absent in recent seasons. Additionally, the removal of siphon alters strategic considerations; early game exchanges now carry higher stakes as damage taken cannot be instantly recuperated through eliminations. This tweak also affects endgame strategies, where players might now think twice before engaging in combat within the storm due to the lack of siphon benefits, potentially changing the pace and tactics of the final circles.

Matchmaking and Ranking Up

Ranking up in Fortnite's newly implemented system raises some questions due to the lack of clear, detailed explanations from Epic Games. The progression of a player's rank is influenced primarily by two factors: placement in matches and the number of eliminations. Yet, the specifics of how these elements impact rank changes remain somewhat opaque.

Detailed Dynamics of Ranking Up:

• Progress Bar Dynamics: Your rank progression is displayed via a progress bar that updates based on your placement and total eliminations in a match.
• Value of Eliminations: Not all eliminations are valued equally. Eliminations later in the game, particularly during the 8th to 12th zones with fewer players remaining, have a higher impact on your rank progression. Additionally, the rank of the players you eliminate can also affect the value of each elimination.

Matchmaking Considerations:

• Party Matchmaking: The matchmaking system considers the highest rank within a party to determine match placement, treating the team as a single entity. This means all team members gain or lose the same amount of progress post-match, regardless of individual performance.
• Rank Change Variability: Players can experience a wide range of changes to their ranking after a match. Observations from streaming and personal gameplay indicate that you can gain anywhere from 0% to 80% for a highly successful game, or lose between 0% and 30% in adverse outcomes.

Impact of Match Outcomes:

• High Impact Scenarios: Achieving a victory with several late-game eliminations can significantly boost your progress, with potential gains ranging from 40% to 80%. The specific ranks of the eliminated players can enhance this effect.
• Lower Impact Scenarios: Securing a top 5 finish with few to no eliminations typically results in modest gains of about 5% to 15%.
• Loss Mitigation: The system is relatively forgiving in terms of losses. The most severe penalty usually seen is a 30% reduction following an early elimination, influenced by the rank of the opposing players. However, reaching the top 10, even without achieving eliminations, generally shields you from substantial rank deductions.

This ranking system, while complex, is designed to reward strategic play that emphasizes survival and impactful eliminations, especially in the later stages of the game.

Playstyle to Rank Up Quickly

Understanding the dynamics of the new ranking system in Fortnite can help you devise an effective strategy to climb the ranks quickly. Here’s a refined approach that focuses on maximizing your rank progression through strategic play:

1. Choose a Safe Landing Spot:

Since early eliminations contribute minimally to rank progression, opt for a landing at less contested locations. These spots often have fewer resources, so mastering the perfect timing to deploy your glider is crucial to secure the best loot spots quickly and deal with any unexpected competition efficiently.

2. Gather Resources and Pick Your Battles Wisely:

Achieving a top 5 finish alone doesn’t significantly boost your rank; therefore, it’s vital to equip yourself with strong gear and resources early on. Whether your win condition involves stocking up on high-tier weapons for Battle Royale or securing defensive items like Shield Bubbles in Zero Build, choose whether to acquire your gear through cautious looting or by engaging in selective early fights. Once you’re well-equipped, additional risks for more loot yield diminishing returns.

3. Strategically Position for the Endgame:

With your resources secured, the next step is to position yourself advantageously as the storm circles close. Aim to position on the 'deadside' of the storm—this is typically the area least congested with players, allowing for safer rotations. Early positioning within the new storm zones can also be crucial; it provides a tactical advantage, allowing you to focus on securing eliminations of players who are forced to move under pressure from the storm.

By following these strategies—prioritizing safe landings, equipping yourself adequately, and positioning intelligently—you can enhance your ability to not only survive but also secure critical late-game eliminations that significantly impact your rank progression. This approach minimizes risks and focuses on the key elements that contribute most to climbing the ranks efficiently.

Conclusion

Now that you're equipped with knowledge about the quickest ways to ascend the ranks and understand Fortnite's ranked system, the next step is to put this knowledge into practice. If you're new to Fortnite's Arena or Tournament scenes, adapting to the different pacing and playstyles in competitive lobbies may take some time. It's crucial to experiment with various strategies and critically assess your performance after each match to identify areas for improvement. By adhering to these strategic guidelines, you should see a consistent and steady improvement in your ranking. Best of luck on your journey up the ranks!