Ranked play in Apex Legends is where players go to test their mettle against opponents of similar skill levels. Whereas normal Trios and Duos provide more freedom to try different weapons, legends, and strategies, ranked is where all of these skills are put to the test. Ranked leagues play exactly the same as Trios except with a point system and tiers tied to them. Lower tier matches, such as the ones found in the Rookie, Bronze, and Silver tiers require little to no Ranked Points (RP) to participate in, while higher ranks such as Diamond, Master, and the coveted Apex Predator require more RP to enter. Players offset the cost of entry by defeating opponents as a squad or placing higher in the match - with the most placement points being awarded to the winning squad.
Ranked leagues prior to the release of Saviors, Apex Legends' latest season, had elements that made ranking up relatively easy. Things like rank protection, which prevented players from dropping down to a lower tier, were implemented, keeping players safe should they lose too much RP. The revamped ranked system introduced with Saviors seeks to make players more active if they want to rise and keep their rankings, but it ultimately makes ranked more of a grind built especially for pro players.
New Isn't Always Better
Season 13, AKA Saviors, saw some big changes to Apex Legends' ranked leagues. The kill RP cap was removed, allowing bloodthirsty players to rack up more points by defeating other players (albeit with less RP being rewarded with more kills). The assist timer was increased from 10 to 15 seconds and an updated revive assist system was implemented - promoting teamplay and aptly rewarding players for defeating enemies as a squad. On the downside, players can now demote down tiers, with a new demotion penalty taking players halfway down the previous division if they fail to accumulate the required number of points within 3 matches. The entry cost for each tier and division has also been increased, as well as the number of points needed to rank up.
While things like the removal of the kill cap and increased assist window positively affect players, the much higher entry cost per match, longer RP thresholds, and chance of demotion greatly increase the chances for players to lose their hard-earned RP. The new ranked system forces players to choose their fights more carefully, as there is more on the line should they be defeated. This means ratting into the late game for placement points before getting into a fight - as placements are the only surefire way to get a ton of RP. Waiting until the final ring closes feels boring not because of the time it takes, but because players don't get to partake in much gameplay. Finding a place in the ring to hole up in and poking at opponents' shields from a distance to level up an Evo Shield doesn't seem fun, but it is the best way to ensure that the squad gets the highest number of RP possible.
Ranked Play Feels Like A Pro Scene
If any of the aforementioned gameplay styles seem familiar, it is because these are the same strategies professional Apex Legends players use in tournaments and high-ranked play. Unlike normal games where players run around looking for kills, high-ranked Apex Legends is full of premade squads who tend to avoid fighting as much as possible. Matches start with squads landing far away from each other so they can properly loot up. Once they have the gear and information they need (recon legends are essential to finding the next ring), they find an advantageous position in the ring and hold it until it closes.
There are variations to the cycle, but this is essentially what happens ad infinitum until the final ring closes in. Full-on firefights in high-ranked Apex Legends play only emerge when fighting for territory is essential or when squads have no other choice. It quickly burns through a squad's resources if they can't secure a kill and loot the death box, so the risk of a third party butting in and taking the spoils of battle is even greater.
Playing Like A Pro Doesn't Seem Like Fun
The new ranked system seems to funnel players into adopting a pro playstyle to rank up effectively. The increased entry cost per tier and division, combined with the longer RP thresholds and risk of tier demotion, require players to put in more effort if they want to retain the same rank they had before season 13. While this makes each rank feel earned, it seems like too much of a grind for casual and semi-serious players to even bother with Apex Legends' ranked leagues.
If ranking up in Apex Legends requires players to avoid the most enjoyable parts of the game (shooting players and using abilities), then there is something wrong with the ranked system. Players love getting into fights. What they don't like is sitting in a building, setting up Caustic traps, and waiting for the ring to close. It might have been more acceptable if the ranked rewards were better but as it stands, players still get the same holosprays, gun charms, and seasonal dive trails they have been getting in seasons past. Respawn Entertainment needs to give better rewards or update the ranked system to reflect a fun way to play the game for everyone - not just the pros. By making the ranked system more pro-focused, Respawn might end up alienating the rest of its fans.
Apex Legends is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.