Fortnite Ranks and the Ranked System Explained

Fortnite is one of the most popular FPS games today, attracting players all over the world. Like any other competitive tile, it features a complex ranking system that measures your skill. Despite seeming simple on the surface, climbing the ranks requires a thorough understanding of the current meta and immense dedication, with only a handful of players achieving the Unreal rank. 

Instead of the previous Hype system, Fortnite now utilizes a more meticulous MMR system, similar to those used in other competitive games. Whether you’re a new player or someone who hasn’t played a lot of competitive games, you should at least understand the basics of the Fortnite ranked system. This is especially true if you want to advance in the ranks and reap the rewards that come with it. 

In this article, we’ll break down every tier, explain the required skill level, and share strategies that will help you climb the ranks. After going through all these tips, you’ll have a much easier time dominating the leaderboard.

How Does the Fortnite Ranked System Work?

Fortnite’s ranked mode is a sophisticated system designed to match you against players of a similar skill level. The system is built to measure your ability to outlast, outplay, and out-think the opposition. These games are much more strategic, with players noticeably putting in a lot more effort to win. 

Here’s what you need to do before playing ranked games:

• The Initial Phase: Before you’re assigned a rank, you’ll play a series of placement matches. Winning most of these games can give you a significant head start up the ranked ladder. The system analyzes your performance (your eliminations, your final placement, and the caliber of opponents you defeat) to determine your rank.

• Earning Your Stripes: Once placed, you will start receiving or losing points after each match. Ranked games can feel like a seesaw, with many players remaining in the same tier for a prolonged period. 

• Eliminations: Eliminating opponents in games provides a significant boost to your progress, and eliminating a higher-ranked player grants even more points.

• Placement: The longer you survive, the better. Making it to the late game consistently is a cornerstone of how to rank up in Fortnite, and winning a Victory Royale gives the most points. 

• The Quality of the Lobby: The system recognizes the difficulty of each match. Performing well in a lobby filled with players at or above your skill level will progress your bar faster than dominating in a lobby of lower-ranked players.

A string of early exits can cause you to lose progress, and it’s possible to drop to a lower rank. You shouldn’t necessarily consider this a penalty. Instead, it’s that the system is recalibrating your skill level to ensure you’re in matches where you can be competitive.

All Fortnite Ranks in Order

The Fortnite ranks are divided into eight distinct leagues, with the first five containing three internal tiers each. This creates a total of 18 ranks you’ll need to ascend to reach the top. Each league feels like a different game, with new levels of strategy and mechanical skill required.

Here are the eight Fortnite ranks from the ground floor to the penthouse:

• Bronze (I, II, III): This is where everyone hones their fundamentals. The lobbies are unpredictable and a perfect training ground for learning basic building, aiming, and game sense.

• Silver (I, II, III): Players here are more consistent. They understand rotations and can hold their own in a fight, and escaping Silver means you’ve mastered the basics.

• Gold (I, II, III): Gold is Fortnite’s mid-tier. Gold players are proficient, making fewer unforced errors. The gap between Gold I and Gold III is noticeable as players begin to refine their strategies.

• Platinum (I, II, III): In Platinum, mechanical skill becomes a major factor. Players have faster edits, sharper aim, and a deeper understanding of endgame tactics. Progressing from Platinum to higher tiers is noticeably harder. 

• Diamond (I, II, III): Diamond is filled with strong opponents. These players rarely miss shots, build and edit with speed, and make smart, aggressive plays. Surviving here requires confidence and consistency.

• Elite: Unlike previous tiers, there are no subtiers in Elite. Making it to this level means you are one of the best players in your region. The game becomes fast, and every decision matters.

• Champion: This is the final step before legendary status. Champion players are often semi-pros, streamers, or dedicated grinders who have mastered every facet of the game.

• Unreal: As the highest game rank, it is reserved for the best in the world. In other words, this is the tier for professionals. 

Your Path Up the Ranked Ladder

To visualize your journey, here’s how the ranks stack up.

What Is the Unreal Rank?

To reach Unreal is to achieve something special. Unlike the other ranks, Unreal is the final destination for the season. Once you arrive, you cannot be demoted for the rest of the season, no matter your performance.

But your journey isn’t over. Upon reaching Unreal, you are placed on a global leaderboard, where your name and standing are visible to everyone. Your goal shifts from climbing ranks to climbing that leaderboard, competing against the other Unreal players for the coveted number one spot. Unreal is the highest rank, and this leaderboard is the ultimate testament to skill in competitive Fortnite.

Battle Royale and Zero Build: Separate Paths to Glory

Fortnite smartly recognizes that the skills for a master builder are different from those of a Zero Build tactician. That’s why your ranks are separate for Battle Royale and Zero Build. 

You could be a Diamond-tier strategist in Zero Build while simultaneously working your way through Platinum in the classic Battle Royale ranked mode. This allows you to specialize and master the mode you love most without one affecting the other. Whether your gift is in constructing fortresses in seconds or using natural cover with lethal precision, there’s a ranked ladder for you to climb.

How to Rank Up Faster in Fortnite

Climbing the highest Fortnite ranks primarily revolves around strategy and quick decision-making. If you want to accelerate your progress, integrate these principles into your gameplay.

1. Balance Aggression with Survival: Early game eliminations on unsuspecting opponents are valuable, but they mean nothing if you don’t make it to the final circles. Prioritize clever positioning and only take on fights where you have a clear advantage. Remember, placement points are your foundation.

2. Master Your Endgame: The final few circles are where matches are won. Practice tunneling, height control (in Battle Royale), and using the storm as a weapon (in Zero Build). A player who is calm and decisive in the endgame will consistently climb the ranks faster.

3. Play with a Consistent Squad: While solo play is a pure test of individual skill, playing with a regular team allows for a level of communication and coordination that can give you a massive edge. Coordinated pushes, shared resources, and instant revives can significantly impact the game.

4. Analyze, Don’t Just Play: Use the replay feature to watch your defeats from your opponent’s perspective. Where did you go wrong? What could you have done differently? An hour spent analyzing your gameplay is often more valuable than three hours of mindlessly grinding.

Ready to put these strategies into action and speed up your journey to Unreal? A premium Fortnite account from igitems can give you the perfect platform to jumpstart your progression, while our boosting services can help you break through any plateau.

The Rewards of a High Rank

There are several reasons for grinding ranked games. First, there are the tangible cosmetic rewards. Each season, Epic offers exclusive items, like sprays, back blings, and gliders, that you unlock by completing Ranked Urgent Quests. These items add another layer to your gaming experience. 

Second, and perhaps more importantly, is the status. A high rank unlocks access to Fortnite tournaments with real prize pools, connecting you to the professional scene.

Lastly is the flex. There’s no denying the respect that comes with a Diamond, Elite, or Champion badge next to your name. When you enter a lobby, people notice. It’s a statement of your prowess, earned through skill and dedication.

Reaching the highest ranks in Fortnite is one of the most rewarding experiences in modern gaming. As one of the most popular games in the world, it features enormous global competition. So, if you reach the top ranks, it will show that you’re a serious gamer worth admiration.