CoD MW3 Ranked Play Explained

by  John Uke Last update: December 15, 2024

Just like any other competitive shooter, Call of Duty boasts its own professional league, rules, star players, and dedicated audience. Its ranked mode isn’t just for esports athletes or those aiming to go pro – it’s a popular mode for players who take the game seriously and want to compete against top players, showcase their skills, and emerge victorious. In this article, I’ll delve into all the details of CoD MW3 Ranked Play, covering skill divisions and seasonal rewards. I hope this guide will help you gain a better understanding of the ranked play in this game and improve your win rate.

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What Is The CoD MW3 Ranked Play And How Does It Work?

Ranked Play is a competitive multiplayer mode in CoD MW3. It is a 4v4 competition that follows all the rules, map rotations, and restrictions of the professional Call of Duty League. 

By the way, Call of Duty is not popular in the esports arena in Europe, and preference is traditionally given to Counter-Strike. Surprisingly, everything is exactly the opposite in North America. Players all over the world like to pit these two shooters against each other and argue which one is better: CoD or CS. However, this is not surprising because both of them have a huge influence and a huge fan base around the world.

So, to gain access to the ranked game in CoD MW3, players must be level 55. The developers believe that this will help combat scammers who create new accounts. In Ranked Play, players are divided into divisions based on the results of matches corresponding to their skill level. Ranked Play places a premium on team communication, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of game mechanics.

What Changed With The Latest Updates

Season 5 brought many changes to the game, some of which concern the MW3 ranked mode — for example, new unlockable content and balance adjustments to many weapons. Ranked rewards remained the same, and the rewards for the skill division were updated.

What Is SR In MW3 Ranked Play?

Skill Rating (SR) is the points a player earns based on their performance in Ranked Play matches. The points are used to determine the gamer’s place in one of the eight Skill Division tiers. At the end of each game, each player is awarded SR to help them move up the MW3 ranks. The amount of SR is based on the match results, K/D ratio, and individual contributions to the victory.  Similarly, if your performance is not up to par, you’ll lose SR points based on your contribution to the loss and the team’s overall performance.

MW3 Ranks And Skill Divisions

So, in Modern Warfare 3 Ranked Play, players earn points in matches and are placed into one of eight Skill Divisions based on their Skill Rating. Each division except Iridescent has three tiers, and the Skill Divisions themselves start from Bronze and end with the Top 250.

How Do Skill Divisions Work From Season To Season?

Skill Divisions are reset at the end of each season, and the highest tier at which you can start a ranked season is Diamond 1. Bronze will start at Bronze Tier I. Silver through Crimson players start one Skill Division lower with Demotion Protection enabled for their first three matches. Iridescent and Top 250 players start at Diamond Tier I with Demotion Protection enabled for their first three matches.

How To Earn Skill Rating (SR) To Climb The Skill Divisions?

It’s simple and complicated at the same time in Call of Duty MW3 ranked play. There is no tricky way to get SR, as the tier progression comes down to a simple fact – players earn SR for winning matches and lose SR for losing. I would also like to add that a large number of kills for a winning match also positively affects the final amount of SR. 

Each skill division has a certain SR threshold, and upon reaching this threshold, access to the next division opens. Thanks to this system, as conceived by the developers, players compete with opponents with the same skill level. However, the SBMM system in MW3 has caused much controversy in the Reddit community. Many players claim that the system is not entirely fair, and gamers with a low MW3 ranked class end up in a lobby with players who are much higher in skill. The former have virtually no chance of winning, as a result of which they lose interest and completely leave the game after constantly losing matches.

Game Modes With Ranked Play

MW3 ranked play has three game modes that focus on team play. I will describe them below in more detail.

CoD MW3 Ranked Play Rewards And How To Win Them

Season 5 will award players with two sets of rewards, one for winning throughout the season, and one for the division a player finishes the season in. So, the best ranked classes in MW3 get the best rewards, obviously.

Competitor Rewards

Skill Division Rewards

Looking For MW3 Teammates? Try GameTree

To climb the ranks in CoD MW3 ranked play, it’s important to do more than just practice and improve your play style. You also need teammates to train with regularly. Having quick reactions and getting many kills is important, but good teamwork and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics are essential at higher ranks. If you are aiming to climb the MW3 ranks and take the game seriously, gather your CoD team with GameTree. 

Our AI-based matchmaking algorithm will find players for you in minutes who match your level and playstyle and have the same goals as you. You can meet players from all over the world or narrow your search to a specific region using filters. Chat, agree on a game match, and move towards victories together!

Final Thoughts

Ranked Play in MW3 requires more than just good play. Since this mode follows the rules and requirements of the professional Call of Duty League, you will need all your skill and perseverance. In this article, I have revealed the main details regarding Ranked Play, including how Skill Rating (SR) is calculated, the MW3 ranks available, and the rewards that you can earn. All you need to do is put together a team, keep practicing and improving, and win in CoD MW3 ranked play. I hope you have a great time in the game!