Ranked Games in Modern Warfare 2, Divisions, Ranks and SBMM

Ranked play will finally allow Modern Warfare 2 players to climb the ranks and move up the skill divisions by earning SR.

All ranked playable divisions of Modern Warfare 2

Modern Warfare 2: Ranked Playable Divisions
Modern Warfare 2 players will begin their journey through ranked play in the bronze skill division.

Modern Warfare 2 ranked play has the following eight skill categories:

  • Bronze  –  0-899 SR  – (Bronze)
  • Silver  –  900–2 099 SR  – (Silver)
  • Gold  –  2,100–3,599 SR  – (gold)
  • Platinum  –  3,600–5,399 SR  – (green)
  • Diamond  –  5 400–7 499 SR  – (blue)
  • Raspberry  –  SR 7,500–9,999  – (red)
  • Rainbow  –  Minimum 10,000 SR  – (Purple)
  • Top 250  –  10,000+ SR  – (Gold Skull)

In Modern Warfare 2 ranked play, players are placed into one of eight skill divisions. These skill divisions will separate players into  skill groups based on performance  .

This means that in Modern Warfare 2 you will compete against players with similar skills. As you improve in ranked matches, you will have the opportunity to move up in skill divisions. 

Each player will be promoted to the Bronze Division at the start of their journey in ranked play, eliminating the need for qualifiers matches. Each division below the Rainbow has three levels that will indicate your progress within the level. Once you complete all three levels, you will be promoted.

Players will aim to get all the way to the Rainbow Skill Division. If you’re looking for a real challenge, you can aim for the Top 250 division. This is the most exclusive division in Modern Warfare 2 ranked play as it features some very strong players.

Modern Warfare 2 players  will gain or lose a skill rating based on their performance in ranked matches  . Ranked Play SR is a number assigned to each player that will change after each match.

Your SR is directly related to your skill division. While the skill division is a visual representation of your quality, your SR is the number you want to see after a match. If you increase your SR, you will find that you have been promoted to a new skill division.

In ranked play,  winning  will increase your skill rating, while  losing  will lower your assigned SR number. The amount of SR received after the match will depend on the outcome of the match, as well as  individual and team results  .

Modern Warfare 2 Rated Game Ranks
Modern Warfare 2 Ranked Game Icons feature several ferocious beasts.

Unlike the skill rating you accumulate,  ranks do not reset at the start of a new season  .

There are 50 ranks in total  , and each player starts at rank 1. As players progress through a Modern Warfare 2 ranked game and win matches, they move up in rank.

Players can rank up by earning stars. For each win in Modern Warfare 2 ranked play,  players receive one star  .

Every 5 ranks, players will receive a new rank badge. Players from Bronze to Iridescent can reach the highest rank since SR does not affect your rank. A dragon icon that awaits players at rank 50.

In addition to the rank badges, players will earn exclusive Ranked Play rewards as they move up the ranks. Two skins await players at ranks 5 and 50, respectively.

Skill-based matchmaking in ranked play is a slightly different concept than SBMM found in Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer.

The idea behind the ranked game mode is to play against players of the same skill level. The MW2 ranked play system will naturally pit you against players of the same SR or skill division.

The only thing you need to know about SBMM in ranked play is how it affects who you can team up with. Group play restrictions in Ranked play are based on skill divisions, and here is a summary of the rules:

  • Players from Bronze to Platinum status can team up without restrictions.
  • Diamond and Crimson players can only form groups and play against other players in two skill divisions.
  • Rainbow and the top 250 players can only form groups and play against other players within the same skill division.

Interestingly, there have been several reports of players being frustrated by being in a lobby with players outside of their skill division.

However, as per the above rules, Platinum Players may team up with Bronze Players. This means that  Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum players can all be in the same lobby  .