Overwatch 2 is boosting competitive ranks after players "ranked too low"

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Competitive players should see a more generous ranking system

Overwatch 2 heroes battling
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

Overwatch 2 players will get a competitive mode boost after they were "ranked too low," according to the latest Overwatch 2 patch notes. 

The patch notes promise that the boost will help players feel less stuck in their rank and stresses that they "should be able to climb the ranks in their first rank update assuming they’re supposed to be higher based on their performance."

Ahead of the sequel's launch, Blizzard was clear as to how Overwatch 2 competitive mode and its new ranking system would work. The company revamped the entire process, removing the numeric Skill Rating (SR) in favor of Skill Tier Divisions.  A lengthy blog post even warned that "most players will find their rank is slightly lower when they start out" after completing Overwatch 2 placement matches.

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Clearly, this new ranking system is a bit too harsh when it comes to placement, because Blizzard is reworking it yet again. Hopefully, existing players will no longer feel stalled at lower placements and can climb ranks at a more reasonable pace. According to the patch notes, if you haven't yet done your placement matches, you won't experience the harsher ranking system, but will likely be placed in a rank that feels right for you. 

As someone who was a Platinum-ranked healer in the original game and won all seven placement games in a row just to be placed in Bronze 3 (about as low as you can go), it's nice to see Blizzard making adjustments to the competitive mode. 

It took days for Overwatch 2 to work, and I'm not sure it was worth it.

Alyssa Mercante
Alyssa Mercante
Former Features Writer

Alyssa Mercante used to be a features writer at GamesRadar+ and is now a freelance writer and editor. Prior to entering the industry, she got her Masters's degree in Modern and Contemporary Literature at Newcastle University with a dissertation focusing on contemporary indie games. She spends most of her time playing competitive shooters and in-depth RPGs and was recently on a PAX Panel about the best bars in video games. In her spare time Alyssa rescues cats, practices her Italian, and plays soccer.