Overwatch 2 ranks explained: Tiers and ranking system breakdown

Like all online games with competitive modes, Overwatch 2 has an established rank system with different divisions. The Overwatch 2 ranks are designed to put players together who have the same level of skills, allowing the best of the best to ascend through the Overwatch 2 rankings to make it to the top tiers. 

The Overwatch 2 ranking system changes with the adjustments and updates that the game receives in each season, but the general tier and rank system remains the same. If you want to know more about how Overwatch 2 competitive ranks work, then keep reading, as we’re going to dive deeper into the Overwatch 2 rank system as well as look at how to rank up quickly. 

The Overwatch 2 rank system is split into nine separate tiers, each of which has five divisions. The lowest rating within a division is one, and the highest is five. To progress through the tiers, players have to rank up from level one to level five within each division. Once this is done, they will move on to the next tier. 

For example, let’s say that a player has been put into the Bronze tier after their placement matches. Within that tier, they will start at level one. They can then rank up through the Bronze division by winning competitive games. Once they have maxed out the level five division within Bronze, they will rank up to the Silver tier and begin the process again.  

The tiers and divisions in Overwatch 2’s competitive mode are as follows:

Ranks in Overwatch 2 can only be unlocked in Competitive mode. This mode has to be unlocked and cannot be played by newcomers to the game straight away. Once a player has won 50 games in Quick Play, they can play competitively. Those who had purchased Overwatch 1 before it became Overwatch 2 are exempt from this rule, as they are able to play Competitive immediately. 

Separate ranks can be earned for the three different roles in the game: Tank, DPS and Support. These ranks are obtainable in Role Queue competitive mode, which allows players to pick the role they want to play. A rank can also be obtained for Open Rank, which is universal, as it allows players to pick from any hero in any role.

To be given a starting rank, players must complete a series of placement matches. Players get one rank for Open Queue and three separate ranks for each role in Role Queue (if they choose to play their placement matches for each role). 

A player’s rank depends on various factors in a game rather than just focusing on whether a placement match is won or lost. Rank promotion progress is affected by “modifiers”, which can be seen in the image above. Some of the modifiers that affect progress include winning and losing trends, and whether your team was favoured to win or not. 

The opponents you face and the teammates you are paired up with are determined by your Matchmaking Rating. This is a hidden value that no one else can see, and it is a significant factor that allows for as much balance as possible. 

As of season 18 (the most recent Overwatch 2 season at the time of writing), a new system called the Hero Skill Rating–or HSR–was implemented to track the player’s performance with individual heroes. This is separate from your overall ranking, but it does add a bit more detail and depth to each player’s personal stats with each hero. 

At the time of writing, September 2025, the most recent information regarding Competitive rank distribution in Overwatch 2 showed that most players are at Platinum tier in competitive mode. This information comes from an official blog post by Blizzard Entertainment back in July 2025. According to the stats, 34.9% of players are reaching Platinum tier, while 31.7% of players are in Gold tier. This means that around 66.6% of Competitive Overwatch 2 players can be found within Gold and Platinum. The data also shows the following for the other ranks:

This distribution is subject to change with each season, but as of right now, it would seem that most players are split between Gold and Platinum. 

To rank up faster in Overwatch 2, there are a few tips and tricks to consider. Firstly, find the hero that suits you best, preferably one within each role. It’s better to try to build your skills with a few heroes rather than trying to play as a broader range of characters. If you’re willing to try any hero, our Overwatch 2 tier list will provide insights on which characters are the best to play with in the game’s current meta. 

Learn the ins and outs of your chosen hero, from their ultimate abilities to the most effective positioning for them. Stay focused and try to build chemistry with your team. For example, if you are playing as a Support, be aware of the health bars and positions of your allies at all times. 

While we are on the topic of teammates, remember that communication is key. If you don’t have a microphone to talk to teammates, be sure to utilise the ping system to maintain communication. If you are able to, play with friends or with people you know are capable. If you are able to form a well-rounded team of DPS, Support and Tank heroes, then you are well on your way to rising through the ranks.

These are just a few tips to help you rank up quickly when playing Overwatch 2. Remember to focus on winning your games by communicating with teammates, improving your skills with your chosen heroes, and adapting to both the game meta and the needs of the team.

Overwatch 2 no longer has a rank decay system, as it was removed in April 2023. At the time of writing, September 2025, players will not experience drops in rank when they do not play the game. Instead, their rank will be maintained until the season resets or they return to the game. 

The rank system in Overwatch 2 has had a few changes since the game was first released in 2022. However, the general structure of tiers and divisions remains the same. If you want to start rising through the Overwatch 2 ranks, be sure to practice with your chosen heroes and implement effective communication, tactics and strategies when jumping into a Competitive game.