Comp/ranked issues

Playing ranked (or competitive) Overwatch 2 is a uniquely difficult experience. Blizzard changed the ranking system when the sequel debuted, removing the numerical skill rating (or SR, a number that ranged from 1 to 5,000), leaving only players’ tier-based ranks (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Grandmaster). In the original game, losses meant your number went down, wins meant your number went up, so there was an easy way to keep track of your progress. Removing that number in Overwatch 2 proved frustrating for players who couldn’t fully understand why they were ranked where they were, and Blizzard had to rework how many wins and losses would affect your rank after players complained.

But rank decay and matchmaking ranking (or MMR) made playing competitive even more aggravating this year, as the first dropped players’ ranks each season (and was eventually removed) and the second made it so that your hidden MMR was affected by any match you played—even casual ones, which skewed how you find matches in ranked modes. It’s all very confusing, but Blizzard recently promised that major comp rework is coming sometime next year, so hopefully I can finally claw my way back to Diamond where I belong. — AM