Guide to Fortnite Ranks and Ranked System

by  Ievgen Dubravin Last update: July 24, 2024

No modern competitive game today can do without ranking and matchmaking systems, especially if it is an incredibly popular title with one of the largest user bases and regular eSports competitions. Fortnite not only offers different game modes but also a ranked system for those players who have a thirst for competition. I am exactly one of such players and have been playing this vibrant, intense, and exciting game for many years. So, let’s take a look at how the Fortnite ranks work.

What Is the Fortnite Ranked System Exactly?

Fortnite Ranked is a player matchmaking system that determines which lobby you are placed in and which players you will face. The Fortnite ranked mode is divided into numerous ranks, and each rank has its own levels. You will start from the very bottom, and as you achieve high results, you will rise through the ranked levels. Once you reach the highest rank, Unreal, all Fortnite tournaments will be available to you.

These are all Fortnite ranks in order:

• Bronze (I, II, III)
• Silver (I, II, III)
• Gold (I, II, III)
• Platinum (I, II, III)
• Diamond (I, II, III)
• Elite
• Champion
• Unreal

How Do the Fortnite Ranked Levels Work?

The Fortnite ranked system compares your rank and that of other players so that the players in the lobby are of approximately the same level, and the matches are interesting and fair for everyone. A rank is assigned after several matches, and from that moment on, each game counts. During the matches, players compete for higher Fortnite ranks, which determine their skill level and the other players they compete against. In ranked mode, the amount of rank points you get after a match is decided by kills, placement, and the ranks of players involved in the match.

Placement

The better you place (finish) in a match, the more points you’ll get. Finishing in 1st place gets you the most points, while finishing 65th or lower gets you no points at all. The exact number of points changes each season, but generally, a Victory Royale (winning the match) is worth the most, followed by finishing in the Top 10 and so on. Try to avoid getting into too many fights early on and instead focus on staying alive until the end of the game.

Eliminations (Kills)

Each time you eliminate (kill) another player in a match, you also get points, though you get much fewer points for a kill than for a good placement. The fewer players are left in the game when you get a kill, the more points that kill is worth. Dropping into a hot area and going for many kills can be risky if you die early, so find the right balance between playing aggressively and passively if your goal is to rank up.

Match Type

The type of match also determines how many points you’re going to get. Big tournaments like the FNCS Invitational and the World Cup offer the highest point values. Cash Cups and Hype Nights are in the middle, and regular ranked matches are worth the least. Doing well in higher point matches is key to ranking up quickly.

By maximizing your points in all three areas – placement, eliminations, and match type – you’ll climb the ranks in no time. Keep practicing, watch how other top players strategize, and don’t get discouraged if you hit a plateau (get stuck). With time and hard work, you’ll reach Unreal Rank and beyond!

Supported Game Modes

The Fortnite ranked point system is available in two game modes: Battle Royale and Zero Build. Queues available for Battle Royale are Solo, Duo, and Squad. For Zero Build, only the Duo queue is available.

NOTE:

Keep in mind that Battle Royale and Zero Build ranks are separate.

Battle Royale Ranked Mode

The Fortnite ranked Battle Royale mode offers almost the same as the unranked mode. The PvP mode is suitable for players who love the competitive spirit of intense battles with advanced players, improving their skills and growing in the rankings table.

Zero Build Ranked Mode

This Fortnite ranked mode is a test of pure combat skills and teamwork, as it is a non-building mode and is a classic battle royale. Here, you will have to think on your feet, strategize, and rely on your partner to climb up the ranking ladder.

Fortnite Ranks Breakdown

The game uses a tiered ranking system where you progress from Bronze to Unreal. Ranks from Bronze to Diamond are divided into three levels, with Elite, Champion, and Unreal being the highest Fortnite ranks.

The Unreal rank is the ultimate goal, and once you reach it, you will not drop to lower ranks for the rest of the season, and your further successes will be entered into the global leaderboard. At the start of each season, your initial rank after one match is displayed in the Fortnite ranking system. This starting rank is based on players’ previous hidden performance results in the game. Seasoned and experienced players can easily start from Gold to Diamond, while for new and inexperienced players, the starting rank will most likely be Bronze or Silver.

Bronze

This is the very starting level of the Fortnite ranked point system for both beginners and inexperienced players – everyone starts here. Some matches may also have bots.

Silver

There are still beginners at this rank, but these are players who have already gotten used to the ranked matches and understand the basics of the game.

Gold

This rank includes experienced players, and competition increases sharply here since Gold is a transitional stage to high Fortnite ranks. Gold players have good skills and quick reactions; they focus on advanced construction methods.

Platinum

At this level of the Fortnite ranking system, there are players with a large number of victories. They understand the game well at this level and demonstrate strong team play and advanced tactics.

Diamond

The Diamond rank is assigned to advanced players with excellent knowledge of the map, tactics, and a deep understanding of the game and end-game strategies.

Elite

These are first-class players who have reached the top tier and will now compete with the best of the best. There will be strong, intense battles with high competition where there is no room for mistakes.

Champion

For this Fortnite rank, everything is true as for the previous one. There are the same intense battles with the best players who not only know everything about the game thoroughly but also apply it quickly and successfully.

Unreal

Top ranking and ultimate goal for all. These players have honed their skills to perfection, fought through countless battles, and won enough to be considered simply the best. Players who reach the Unreal level will see their names on the leaderboard.

What To Expect From Fortnite Ranking System

Fortnite ranked games are a place where players of their playing level fight for results in order to climb higher in the ranking ladder and get into the list of the best players. Below I will talk about some of the features you can expect from ranked games.

Ranked Matchmaking

When matchmaking players in Fortnite ranked games, some special features apply. For solo players, Fortnite gamers of the same rank as them or close to them are picked. For players who play in Duos or Squads, team rank is taken into account when matchmaking. This means that only the highest rank of the player on the team is analyzed during the matchmaking process.

Gameplay Differences

So, how will ranked games differ from unranked games in Fortnite? The gameplay here will be the same as in non-ranked matches. The only real difference is that players drop a minimum amount of materials when killed, and the farming speed is slightly increased in ranked games. You will also encounter players whose gaming skill level is approximately similar to yours. Therefore, for effective games, you will need to improve in order to surpass your level of play and move to the next Fortnite rank.

Fortnite Ranked Mode Rewards

One of the features of the Fortnite ranked mode is rewards – free cosmetics that you will receive for completing quests in the ranked mode. These tasks are similar to match quests but are exclusive to ranked games. You can also earn themed rewards that will match your placement in each rank when the new season begins.

How To Activate Ranked Mode In Fortnite

Existing Fortnite accounts can access Rank Mode immediately. New Epic accounts, however, must first complete a specific challenge in normal mode: outlasting 500 opponents. Only after achieving this goal will they unlock access to Rank Mode.

How To Rank Up Quickly?

I’ve been playing Fortnite since its release, and based on my experience, I would like to give some advice to those who want to achieve quick results in Fortnite ranks.

• In Fortnite, the reaction and speed of your reflexes are extremely important; you need to be able to not only shoot accurately but also build quickly.
• In addition to reaction, it is also worth paying attention to tactics and strategy – study the map in detail, know the key landing zones and resource locations, and study the terrain to use it to your advantage.
• Correct positioning is the key to success. Always position yourself above your opponent to gain an advantage. It is also important to be able to understand when to act aggressively and when, on the contrary, to be secretive or avoid combat.
• You may have excellent reactions and knowledge of the map and the game, but all this will not work if you do not have well-coordinated teamplay and constant communication with your teammates. Finding skilled and engaged teammates is key in this case, and GameTree is an excellent place for this.
• One more piece of advice, though it’s pretty cliché: you simply should have more practice. The more you play, the better your skills become. It would also be a good idea to watch streams of professional players and try to repeat some of their tricks and tactics.

NOTE:

Your rank can go down as well. You lose points for finishing low or getting knocked out early. If you lose too many points, you might drop to a lower rank.

Looking For Fortnite Squad? Try GameTree

To achieve results in Ranked Fortnite and quickly move up the ranks, you need to assemble an effective team that will also be focused on victories and skills development. I recommend using GameTree, our application for matchmaking players. In the app or web version of GameTree, you can find other players who want to play Fortnite, have the same Fortnite ranked level, and are ready to work hard to move up the ranks. Our unique AI algorithm selects players that match your playstyle, rank, and other characteristics. You can also discuss strategies, set the day and time of the match, send invitations to other team members, and much more right in the GameTree app. Install it today and start your ranked Fortnite gaming journey!

Final Thoughts

Fortnite is a unique project! This is one of my favorite games in the genre, and it has everything for everyone. Whether you’re a casual gamer, a competitive gaming enthusiast, or even an eSports player, there’s something for everyone here. Fortnite, like all modern eSports disciplines, has a ranking system, which not only spurs the thirst for competition among players but also provides bonuses in the form of various cosmetic gifts. I hope I have clearly described all the features of ranks in Fortnite and you are ready to climb the ranking ladder and achieve new victories!