Defense of the Ancients 2 popularly known as Dota 2 is a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game where a team of 5 players play against another team of 5 players.
Matchmaking Rating (MMR) used in Dota 2 is a numerical value that determines the skill level of a player.
MMR increases as a player win a ranked match and decrease as they lose one. A player can gain or lose up to 30 MMR while playing solo queue and 20 MMR while playing with a party.
Based on the MMR, a ranked medal is provided to a player. There is a total of 8 medals. Players in certain medal groups are matched together. For new players, Dota 2 MMR and Ranking System may sound difficult, but once understood it is fairly easy.
Ranked Matchmaking in Dota 2
There are 2 types of matchmaking in DOTA 2 i.e. Normal and Ranked.
For new players, normal matchmaking is available from the start. Normal matchmaking isn’t competitive but helps players to learn new heroes and mechanics of the game.
Ranked matchmaking isn’t available from start. Ranked matchmaking helps a player to gain MMR and climb up the ranks.
To unlock ranked matchmaking players need to follow the following process:
Play Dota 2 for 100 Hours
Players need to play a total of 100 hours to be able to unlock ranked matchmaking.
The Player should keep in mind that these are actual play hours where a player spends time playing matches not the time shown in the steam client.
Average DOTA 2 matches take up to 40-50 minutes to complete. So a player needs to play 120-150 matches before unlocking Ranked Matchmaking.
Usually, it is recommended to play normal matches as it gives players time to learn game mechanics.
Link Your Phone Number to Your Steam Account
This process is fairly easy as you just need to link your phone number. This is mostly done to prevent a player to have multiple accounts.
Play 10 Calibration Matches
Once a player finishes the above processes, they need to play 10 calibration matches. Based on wins and losses, a player will be provided with MMR and a ranked medal.
It doesn’t matter how well or poorly a player performs, the game will place a player in a certain rank based on wins or losses.
Once a player unlocks ranked matchmaking, they are eligible to play ranked matches and climb the ranked ladder.
Dota 2 Ranks
With the introduction of ranks in Dota 2, it has been more fun to play. Climbing ranks has always made the game competitive.
With monthly active users of 7.6 million, ranks have helped to place players of the same skill level together.
Although players climb the ranks with wins, the skill of a player is crucial to rank up. With a hero pool of 122 heroes, the skill level of a player determines how many heroes a player can play properly or how well can a player play a hero.
If anyone is willing to climb up the ranks it is recommended to increase the hero pool that they can play, understand the roles, and map.
There is a total of 8 ranks in DOTA 2. Ranks change upon MMR points.
Here’s the list of all DOTA 2 ranks:
Herald (0-616 MMR)
Herald is the lowest rank possible in DOTA 2. Starting with 0 MMR, a player can get into Herald rank. New players are mostly placed in Herald.
To climb out of Herald, a player needs to cross MMR of 750. Herald’s journey starts from Herald I-V before advancing to the next rank.
The MMR requirement for each Herald rank are:
- Herald I – 0 MMR
- Herald II – 154 MMR
- Herald III – 308 MMR
- Herald IV – 462 MMR
- Herald V – 616 MMR
It is not compulsory that a player will be placed in Herald I at first or Herald at all. A player might be placed in higher ranks depending upon those 10 calibration matches wins.
If a player wants to climb up Herald rank it is recommended to understand the fundamentals of the game. Learn to play at least 2 heroes properly.
If someone is new to the game I would recommend learning Sniper, Drow Ranger, Crystal Median, Lion, Axe, and Dragon Knight at first. These heroes are fairly easy to play and will help a player learn about roles.
Guardian (770-1386 MMR)
Guardian is the second-lowest rank in DOTA 2. Climbing to Guardian from Herald is always enjoyable and encourages new players to push their rank.
Once a player starts climbing ranks then they start to play competitively. Climbing ranks always encourage players to play more.
Just like Herald, Guardian rank too has 5 stages with different MMR requirements which are as follows:
- Guardian I – 770 MMR
- Guardian II – 924 MMR
- Guardian III – 1078 MMR
- Guardian IV – 1232 MMR
- Guardian V – 1386 MMR
Unlike Herald, the Guardian bracket is difficult to rank up. Players need to be patient and understanding in Guardian rank.
To rank climb from Guardian rank, it is recommended to understand the roles in the game. Players need to sharpen their mechanical skills like last hitting, positioning.
Crusader (1540-2156 MMR)
After climbing from Guardian, the player reaches Crusader. Crusader will seem more difficult and a player starts to encounter other players who are more focused on the game.
MMR requirements for each Crusader rank are:
- Crusader I – 1540 MMR
- Crusader II – 1694 MMR
- Crusader III – 1848 MMR
- Crusader IV – 2002 MMR
- Crusader V – 2156 MMR
In Crusader rank, it is recommended to master the fundamentals of the game. Increasing the hero pool always helps a player.
Players need to master their mechanical skills. At this point, a player will be familiar to counter picks or items that counter certain heroes and need to play accordingly.
Archon (2310-2926 MMR)
Archon is the bracket with most players. Climbing from Archon will be difficult for players and will provide a challenge.
As with previous ranks, Archon too has 5 different stages and requires a certain MMR to unlock.
- Archon I – 2310 MMR
- Archon II – 2464 MMR
- Archon III – 2618 MMR
- Archon IV – 2772 MMR
- Archon V – 2926 MMR
To climb Archon a player needs to master mechanical skills. Also, it is recommended to play mostly in a certain position and increase hero pools in it.
A player should have game awareness. Although killing enemies is fun, a player needs to understand that killing doesn’t win you matches but destroying the enemy’s base does.
Legend (3080-3696 MMR)
Legend bracket is full of players who know about 70% of the game. The hero pool in this bracket is fairly high. MMR requirements for each Legend rank are:
- Legend I – 3080 MMR
- Legend II – 3234 MMR
- Legend III – 3388 MMR
- Legend IV – 3542 MMR
- Legend V – 3696 MMR
It is recommended to learn the basics about micromanagement, map rotations, map awareness, counter picks, and itemization in this bracket to climb. Players need to be aware of meta picks in this bracket.
Ancient (3850-4466 MMR)
A player reaches the Ancient bracket when they master all the abilities and skills they learned until now. The hero pool of a player increases significantly in this bracket.
Players need to master micromanagement. MMR requirements for each Ancient rank are:
- Ancient I – 3850 MMR
- Ancient II – 4004 MMR
- Ancient III – 4158 MMR
- Ancient IV – 4312 MMR
- Ancient V – 4466 MMR
In this rank, players are of the same skill level who has mastered all the things until now. So now the main thing is finding the perfect timing.
Understanding DOTA is a team game and playing with or around your team helps players to climb Ancient rank. Communicating with the team either through mic or chat is crucial.
Divine (4620-5420 MMR)
Divine is the last blockage before reaching Immortal and being a top player. This bracket is full of players who have mastered everything in the game.
MMR requirements for Divine ranks are as follows:
- Divine I – 4620 MMR
- Divine II – 4820 MMR
- Divine III – 5020 MMR
- Divine IV – 5220 MMR
- Divine V – 5420 MMR
Climbing Divine rank is all based on how well a player plays with their team. Players’ map awareness, map rotation also play a crucial role. Understanding the meta and using meta picks also helps.
Immortal (5420+ MMR)
It is a dream of a DOTA player to reach Immortal rank. Immortal ranked players are considered as best at everything in the game. To reach Immortal from Divine, a player should just keep sharpening the skills that they have learned.
Unlike other ranks, Immortal does not have 5 different stages.
There is no cap for MMR in the game so even after reaching Immortal, players can keep gaining MMR.
Once a player enters the Immortal rank, they are selected for the regional leaderboard. With higher MMR players are placed in regional ranks from 1 to 1000.
Not all Immortal players are on the leaderboard. Players need to win matches and get a certain MMR to reach the leaderboard which changes with the region.
Rank Reset in Dota 2
Like other games with ranks, Dota 2 ranks also resets. Previously ranks used to reset every 6-7 months.
Once ranks are reset, all players lose their current rank and will have to play 10 games to calibrate their rank. It helps players to gain ranks if they improved their skills. Also, some players might lose their rank.
As of now instead of resetting at every certain period, players can reset the rank themselves. Valve has removed the seasonal reset thing and gave players the option to reset if they wish to.
Tips to Increase Rank in Dota 2
Here are a few tips which will help new players as well as a veteran to increase their ranks.
- Understand and master the fundamentals of the game.
- Constantly keep increasing your hero pool.
- Be patient and try to understand your mistakes in-game.
- Watch your replays to see how you performed and analyze how to be better.
- Play with your team.
- Understand roles properly and use them.
- Learn about meta picking and counter picking.
- Master mechanical skills.
- Communicate with your team.
- Watch how pro players play and learn from them.
