If you didn’t know, Call of Duty games feature a ranked mode where they strictly follow a set of rules such as playing in 4-person teams, using limited weapons, and focusing on game modes like Hardpoint, SnD, and Control. However, alongside these competitive rules, they also implement an ELO system that allows players to move up or down in ranks based on their performance. It’s a straightforward concept, much like many other games.

Call of Duty’s ranked mode has typically been plagued with bugs and frequently delayed. The franchise primarily caters to casual gamers, so it’s understandable that this mode isn’t a top priority. However, it’s often overlooked to a disrespectful extent. Fortunately, things are changing as the franchise appears to be placing more emphasis on it with each passing year. The arrival of the ranked mode for Modern Warfare 2 is expected sooner than anticipated. Here is everything we currently know about it.

Modern Warfare 2 Ranked Play: Release Date

With the arrival of Season 2 on February 15, Modern Warfare 2 will introduce its Ranked playlist. This playlist will feature exclusive competitive settings, separate map pools for each game mode, and a fundamental ELO system accompanied by ranks.

How Is Call of Duty’s Ranked Mode Different From Normal Modes?

In Call of Duty’s ranked mode, players are required to adhere to competitive settings. These settings reduce team sizes to 4 and eliminate all the excessive elements that can make the game unbearable. As we have the competitive settings for 2023 now, we can confirm that certain aspects have been prohibited.

• In order to participate in Ranked Play, players need to achieve a minimum level of 16.
• In Ranked Play, players are given full access to all weapons and attachments.
• The usage of LMGs, Battle Rifles, Marksman Rifles, Shotguns, and Riot Shields is strictly prohibited.
• Additionally, the M4, Kastov-74u, Kastov 762, STB 556, ISO Hemlock, and Fennec 45 have been prohibited.
• All launchers are banned
• The use of P890, .50 GS, Basilisk, and X13 Auto handguns is prohibited.
• The use of silencers, lasers, thermal and night vision optics, and ammunition attachments is strictly prohibited.
• Only the Cruise Missile, Precision Airstrike, and S.A.E are permitted as killstreaks.
• With the exception of Stuns, Frag Grenades, Semtex, Dead Silence, and Trophy Systems, the majority of Lethals, Tacticals, and Field Upgrades have been prohibited.
• Only Battle Hardened, Double Time, and Bomb Squad Base perks are allowed; all others are banned.
• The use of any Ultimate perks is prohibited.
• Weapon tuning is banned

While it may seem overly limiting, eliminating one-shot weapons and any game elements that provide free information or easy kills enhances the competitive nature of Call of Duty. Additionally, there are a few minor adjustments to the game modes, such as extending the defuse time to 7.5 seconds in SnD, while keeping the modes largely unchanged from their usual state.

If you’ve been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to play ranked MW2, you can now purchase Modern Warfare 2 using this link.

What Maps Will Be Played In MW2’s Ranked Mode?

In ranked play for Call of Duty, the competitive ruleset must be adhered to. This means that the three core modes – Hardpoint, Control, and SnD – are only played on their designated map pools. Typically, we have a selection of four to six maps for Hardpoint and SnD, and three maps for Control. However, when Vanguard was launched, we only had two maps for Control. Please be considerate and avoid asking about Gavutu Control if you encounter a player who was playing ranked during that year, as it may bring up unpleasant memories.

The map pool for the 2023 Season is as follows:

• Hardpoint locations include Embassy, Fortress, Hotel, Mercado, and Hydroelectric.
• El Asilo, Fortress, Hotel, Embassy, Mercado: The Hunt and Annihilation
• Control: The Asylum, Citadel, Inn

If you’re a beginner in competitive CoD, you likely recognize the significant advantages of playing ranked matches. Bid farewell to Taraq and Border Crossing, which is undeniably the worst CoD map ever created.

Modern Warfare 2: Ranked Play Skill Divisions & Ranks

After successfully finishing matches in Ranked Play, you will receive Skill Rating (SR). Based on your SR, you will be assigned to one of the eight Skill Divisions.

To participate in Skill Divisions, a skill rating is required.

Your skill rating is primarily determined by the outcome of your matches. Each win increases your SR, while each loss decreases it. The amount of SR gained or lost is influenced by both your personal performance and that of your team. As you progress to higher skill divisions, the team’s performance becomes more significant in determining SR adjustments.

To qualify for the highest skill division, you must rank within the top 250 players possessing a skill rating exceeding 10,000. Additionally, your skill rating and division dictate the individuals you are eligible to play alongside.

• Players ranked from Bronze to Platinum are free to form parties without any limitations.
• Parties and matches for Diamond and Crimson players are limited to two Skill Divisions.
• Players in the Iridescent and Top 250 categories are only allowed to form groups and compete against players who are in the same Skill Division as them.

Aside from the skill categories, players can also climb through the ranks by achieving victories.

Your progress in Ranked Play is represented by ranks. Stars are earned through victories, allowing you to progress through the ranks until you reach rank 50. Upon reaching every fifth rank, you will be awarded a new rank symbol, which corresponds to the color of your skill division.

How Is Competitive Call of Duty Played?

Explaining the strategy and meta of competitive CoD in just one paragraph is challenging, but here’s a concise summary for those new to the game. Competitive CoD is played with four individuals forming a team, and each member holds a unique role:

• Revised: The entry sub role is typically filled by the fastest and often the youngest player on the team. It requires exceptional reaction times to excel in this position. The primary responsibility of the entry sub is to be the first player to engage the enemy, hence the name “first man through the door”. They typically use an SMG and are tasked with immediately getting involved in the action, often focusing on completing objectives such as capturing the hardpoint or planting the bomb. It is common for entry subs to have a lower kill-to-death ratio (K/D), but this is acceptable as they are focused on the challenging tasks known as the “dirty work”. To see a notable example of an entry sub, consider observing LRR’s Nastie.
• The Slayer Sub in the game will primarily utilize an SMG, with the exception of certain situations where they may need to use a third AR. However, the Slayer Sub’s role does not involve doing the grunt work. They are usually granted the freedom to take longer routes, flank the opponents, and their main objective is to secure kills. Currently, Surge’s Pred is widely regarded as the top-performing Slayer Sub globally, and we have already witnessed his remarkable skills in MW2.
• In most maps, the flex player opts for an assault rifle (AR), although they may switch to a submachine gun (SMG) if the map necessitates it. However, this may not always be the case as the flex player often takes on the role of filling gaps and assisting the team wherever required. In certain teams, the flex player may have a more active role in supporting the entry sub, either by providing backup or focusing on the objective. Currently, Cellium, a flex player, is widely regarded as the best Call of Duty (CoD) player in the world.
• The Main AR position demands a slow and patient playstyle, but it is also crucial for the players in this role to possess exceptional accuracy. Equipped with an AR, their primary responsibility is to hold the back line and guard specific lanes on the map. Typically, the In-Game Leader (IGL) assumes this role as they are able to stay alive and effectively guide the team’s strategies from the rear. An excellent exemplar of a Main AR player is Dashy, who exhibits godlike skills in this position.

The roles have been assigned, with SMGs utilizing the Vaznev-9K and ARs opting for the TAQ-56 as their weapons. Elaborating on the gameplay mechanics of each mode would be time-consuming. However, if you’re interested in ranked play and keen to explore the world of high-level Call of Duty, we strongly recommend watching some competitive matches.

Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our concise explanation of the ranked mode in Call of Duty, highlighting its distinctions from regular gameplay and its anticipated release. We trust that you found this information beneficial or captivating.

Are you planning to play ranked when it becomes available or are you dedicated to playing in public matches until you reach a certain goal?