Dota 2 Rank System: MMR, Distribution, Strategies to Increase Dota 2 Rank

Dota 2 is a well-established and popular online multiplayer game thousands of users play worldwide. Besides hosting one of the most active professional competitive scenes, it also has a certain ruthlessness in its ranked system that pushes the players to sharpen their skills if they wish to climb the rank ladder. This ranking system is based on a single key parameter called Matchmaking Rating or MMR, which indicates a player’s skill level and contributes to the matchmaking process to create the most fair and competitive matches possible. This guide provides deep insight into the Dota 2 rank system and provides crucial information as well as advice in an attempt to push the player as high up in the Dota 2 rank as possible.

What are Dota 2 Ranks?

A ranking system is any online competitive game designed to accomplish the same goal: dividing the players into ranks that best reflect their skill level to improve matchmaking. The Dota 2 ranking system follows the same design as it properly assesses the player’s skill level and how they perform in their rank calibration games before assigning a Dota 2 rank medal to them. It is worth mentioning that the ranks in Dota 2 are divided into several tiers that are arranged in a hierarchy to represent the level of proficiency the player has.
Every rank in Dota 2, excluding Immortal, is subdivided into 5 brackets to give the player a better sense of progression while climbing ranks. Once you touch the Immortal rank, you are placed on a leaderboard where the focus shifts from rank progression to improving your position on the leaderboard.

How Does Dota 2 Ranking System Work?

If you want to climb the ranks in Dota 2, it is important to understand how the Dota 2 ranking system works. If you’ve been getting overwhelmed with words like MMR, Calibration, and Behavior Score, don’t worry; we’ll go into detail regarding how the rank system in Dota 2 works.

• 🔼 Eligibility: To counter the smurfing problem, where high-rank players make new accounts to play in lower ranks, Dota 2 implemented a policy where you have to play 100 hours of Dota 2 unranked games before you become eligible for rank. This system makes sense as Dota 2 is a pretty complex game, and playing 100 hours before jumping into rank will help you understand the gameplay mechanics.
• 🔼 Calibration Matches: You can jump into ranked matches after playing your first 100 hours. But first, you’ll need to play 20 matches, and the system will assess your skill level and place you in a rank that is best suited for you. In these calibration games, your performance and the match’s outcome greatly determine the rank you get placed in.
• 🔼 MMR: Matchmaking Rating, most commonly known as MMR, is a number that greatly contributes to the rank medal you earn. When you win a game of Dota 2, you gain 30 MMR and lose the same amount when you face defeat in a ranked game. As your accumulated MMR increases, your Rank sub-tiers and medel will subsequently increase.
• 🔼 Rank Confidence: As the name implies, Rank Confidence is how sure the Dota 2 rank system is that you are placed in the right MMR according to your skill level. The more games you place, the more your Rank Confidence will increase. However, if you take a break from Dota 2 and return, your Rank Confidence will decrease slightly. The reason why the Rank Confidence system was put in place was to make sure if there is a drastic difference in the skill of the player and the rank they are placed in, the rank system adjusts the amount of MMR you win or lose so that you get to the rank you are best suited to. If your rank confidence is low, don’t be surprised if you gain or lose more than 30 MMR after each game.
• 🔼 Rank Medal: As mentioned earlier, your accumulated Dota 2 MMR score determines which medal you get out of eight main tiers: Herald, Guardian, Crusader, Archon, Legend, Ancient, Divine, and Immortal. Except for Immortal, each rank is divided into five sub-tiers (e.g., Crusader I, Crusader II).
• 🔼 Behavior Score: While not directly related to the ranking system, behavior score is an important metric to keep track of as it determines what type of lobbies you get matched with. If your Behavior Score is low, you get placed in lobbies with toxic players.

Dota 2 Ranks

Dota 2 ranks are divided into eight main tiers: Herald, Guardian, Crusader, Archon, Legend, Ancient, Divine, and Immortal. Let’s discuss the skill level it takes to be placed in either one of these ranks.

Herald — 0-769 MMR

Herald is the lowest rank in Dota 2, and as you can expect, it is home to players who’ve just started their Dota 2 MMR rank journey. Players are still learning game mechanics, hero abilities, and basic strategies here. Here are all the sub-ranks in the Herald rank and their corresponding MMR:

• Herald 1 (0 MMR)
• Herald 2 (154 MMR)
• Herald 3 (308 MMR)
• Herald 4 (462 MMR)
• Herald 5 (616 MMR)

Guardian — 770-1539 MMR

When your accumulated Dota 2 MMR touches 770, you ascend to the Guardian rank. Players have a better grasp of game fundamentals and are beginning to understand the importance of roles and lane assignments. Here are all the sub-ranks in the Guardian rank:

• Guardian 1 (770 MMR)
• Guardian 2 (924 MMR)
• Guardian 3 (1078 MMR)
• Guardian 4 (1232 MMR)
• Guardian 5 (1386 MMR)

Crusader — 1540-2309 MMR

Once you climb out of Guardian, you get placed in the Crusader rank at the 1540 MMR. Here, players demonstrate a better understanding of game mechanics and understand what roles and heroes they like to play. They also start to understand more about drafting.
Crusader 1 (1540 MMR)

• Crusader 2 (1694 MMR)
• Crusader 3 (1848 MMR)
• Crusader 4 (2002 MMR)
• Crusader 5 (2156 MMR)

Archon — 2310-3079 MMR

After Crusader, you finally get to Archon, where you start to play against average skilled players. In this rank, players have good mechanical skills and understand advanced game mechanics. They understand the importance of map control, drafting, and objective prioritization. They also have a broader understanding of the heroes in the game and their counters.

• Archon 1 (2310 MMR)
• Archon 2 (2464 MMR)
• Archon 3 (2618 MMR)
• Archon 4 (2772 MMR)
• Archon 5 (2926 MMR)

Legend — 3080-3849 MMR

The next medal in the Dota 2 rank distribution is Legend. This is where you’ll find people who start to understand their strengths and weaknesses and encounter some very good players. Players exhibit advanced mechanical skills and game knowledge. They have a strong game sense and map awareness, anticipating enemy movements and strategies.

• Legend 1 (3080 MMR)
• Legend 2 (3234 MMR)
• Legend 3 (3388 MMR)
• Legend 4 (3542 MMR)
• Legend 5 (3696 MMR)

Ancient — 3850-4619 MMR

Ancient is where you get a flavor of the big leagues. They are among the top non-professional players, showcasing high mechanical skills and a deep understanding of the meta, optimal item builds, and hero synergy. They have excellent teamwork and coordination, and they know when to play plays, like doing smoke ganks or taking out Roshan.

• Ancient 1 (3850 MMR)
• Ancient 2 (4004 MMR)
• Ancient 3 (4158 MMR)
• Ancient 4 (4312 MMR)
• Ancient 5 (4466 MMR)

Divine — 4620-5420 MMR

Consider how much MMR you need to reach Divine; it is very easy to understand how difficult it is to reach this Dota 2 rank. They demonstrate a near-professional level of skill, with exceptional mechanical skills, and have mastery of the current meta. They have players who are all capable of making high-impact plays consistently and can carry games.

• Divine 1 (4620 MMR)
• Divine 2 (4820 MMR)
• Divine 3 (5020 MMR)
• Divine 4 (5220 MMR)
• Divine 5 (5420 MMR)

Immortal — 5620+ MMR

Congratulations, you’ve reached the top rank in Dota 2. Here, you’ll find the game’s top 1% skills players. In this rank, you compete for a rating on the leaderboard of your respective region. Players in this rank play at a professional or semi-professional level and you’ll commonly find pro-players practicing for their professional games.

How to Increase Rank in Dota 2?

The golden question in all competitive games is: How do you increase your rank? Except for the obvious “get good” you’ll commonly hear from your friends, here is what you can do to improve your skills in Dota 2 and start climbing the rank ladder faster.

• ☑ Play Consistently: If you want to get good at a game like Dota 2, you have no choice but to play more. If you play consistently, you’ll start to understand where you lack and where you need to focus. Also, if you play regularly, you’ll slowly but surely improve your understanding of the game and your fundamental mechanics, such as the last hitting or what items to make, depending on the game’s scenario.
• ☑ Watch Pro players: Pro players in any game represent the high skill level that can be achieved. Therefore, watching them play and copying their actions can help you understand and implement what you learned in your games. When you watch a professional or high-rank game, always notice what items pro players make and try to consider why they choose to opt for that item. Also, follow their farming patterns and rotations and notice when they make smoke ganks and opt for towers or Roshan.
• ☑ Spam a Hero: One of the best ways to increase your rank fast is to spam a hero. Doing this will help you understand and familiarize yourself with the hero’s mechanics, strengths, and weaknesses. Watch a couple of high-rank games of pro players playing with that hero and copy their build. This is one of the best, if not the best, methods of climbing rank.
• ☑ Map Awareness: In Dota 2, your mini-map is the best source of information regarding the enemy team’s positioning. That is why it is a common practice among pro players to glance at their mini-map every 10 seconds. If you want to climb rank, you should start building the habit of checking out your mini-map every 30 seconds at least.
• ☑ Stay updated on the Meta: Dota 2 is a game that regularly receives gameplay updates that shake up the meta. Ensure you are not playing heroes considered weak in the current meta, or you’ll be playing at a disadvantage.

What Is MMR in Dota 2?

Dota 2 MMR is a numerical value that determines your current skill level and is important in determining which rank medal you get. In the Dota 2 rank system, when you win a ranked game, you gain 30 MMR and lose the same amount when you face defeat. When new players start playing ranked matches, they undergo a series of calibration games to establish their initial MMR. These matches evaluate performance based on wins, losses, and individual contributions, setting the baseline for a player’s skill level. The Dota 2 matching-making system uses this MMR value, as you’ll only get assigned to lobbies where the other players share the same or similar MMR range.

How to Check Your MMR in Dota 2?

Considering how important MMR is in Dota 2, figuring out your MMR value can be a very confusing experience for many new players. Here is how you can check your Dota 2 MMR rank:

1. First, launch your Dota 2 game client and go to your profile by clicking on your in-game name on the top left-hand side.
2. On top of your profile, locate the “History” tab and click on it.
3. Upon opening your match history, you’ll find your Dota 2 MMR and Rank confidence.

Dota 2 Ranks Distribution

Achieving a high rank in a complex game in Dota 2 is no easy feat. For players who do climb up the rank, their Dota 2 rank medal is a testament to their skill and understanding of the game. This is because the Dota 2 rank distribution is a great way to understand how mechanically skilled any player is in the game and ensures you are matched against other players who share a similar skill level. Naturally, the rank distribution is like a pyramid, where most players in Dota 2 are in the Crusader and Archon ranks, and the Immortal ranks at the top 1% in the game.

Conclusion

Gaining a high rank in Dota 2 is not an easy task, but at the same time, it indicates the player’s talent, hard work, and comprehension of the game. Once you understand how the Dota 2 MMR ranking system works and the tips we have provided in this article, you are well on your way to climbing the ranks in this game.