Rainbow Six Siege features eight distinct ranks spread across 36 levels. While there’s no rank decay, every season introduces a rank reset. The pinnacle rank, Champion, represents only 0.3% of the player base. When a new season begins, all players drop back to Bronze V – the lowest rank in the game.
In December 2022, Ubisoft revamped the competitive scene with Ranked 2.0, switching matchmaking from a hidden MMR system to one based on a blend of Rank and Skill. Curious about how ranks work in Rainbow Six Siege? You’re in the right place. This tactical FPS has dominated esports for nearly a decade, known for its precise gunfights, destructible environments, and a roster full of diverse Operators.
Our comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know: from rank divisions and their calculations, to differences between the old MMR system and the current Skill and Rank system, plus tips on how to improve your gameplay.
Rainbow Six Siege Ranks & Divisions Explained
The Rainbow Six Siege ranking system spans from Copper all the way to Champion, passing through Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Emerald, and Diamond ranks along the way. Unlike many competitive shooters, Siege ranks count down from V to I in each division – meaning Bronze V is lower than Bronze I.
Previously, ranks were calculated using a hidden MMR to pair players in matchmaking, but Ranked 2.0 introduced the Emerald rank and switched to using RP (Ranked Points) for matchmaking. Here’s the full breakdown of ranks with their approximate MMR ranges:
| Rank | Divisions | MMR Range |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | V, IV, III, II, I | 0 – 1,599 |
| Bronze | V, IV, III, II, I | 1,600 – 2,099 |
| Silver | V, IV, III, II, I | 2,100 – 2,599 |
| Gold | V, IV, III, II, I | 2,600 – 3,100 |
| Platinum | V, IV, III, II, I | 3,200 – 4,099 |
| Emerald | V, IV, III, II, I | Introduced in Ranked 2.0 |
| Diamond | V, IV, III, II, I | 4,100 – 4,999 |
| Champion | No divisions | 5,000+ |
How the Ranking System Works Post Ranked 2.0
With Ranked 2.0, Ubisoft phased out the old hidden MMR and replaced it with two key metrics: Skill and Rank. Skill represents your true ability, reflecting your win rate, teamwork, and operator effectiveness, while Rank is a visible marker of your progression.
Skill is somewhat probabilistic, meaning it updates based on your match results, and consistent performance fine-tunes your rating. This shift aimed to create a more transparent system, though it introduced some quirks – such as occasional matchups between drastically different ranks, like Copper V facing Champions.
While some players embraced the changes, others felt the matchmaking became less reliable and the climb felt longer with the new Emerald rank added. Despite imperfections, the system continues evolving to better reflect player skill.
Rank Distribution in Rainbow Six Siege
Rank distribution in Siege mirrors the classic pyramid shape seen in other competitive games like Dota 2 and Valorant. According to Rainbow Six Siege Tracker, the player base in 2025 exceeds 1.5 million active competitors.
Average rank: Bronze V, with roughly 6.3% of players (~99,681 users)
Next largest groups: Bronze IV at 6% (~94,898 players)
Ranks from Silver to Gold: Drop steadily from about 4% down to 2%
Platinum ranks: Hover between 2.1% and 1.3%
Emerald ranks: Newest tier, split across five levels, cover 1.4% to 0.8%
Diamond ranks: Shrink further to between 0.6% and 0.3%
Champion: The elite rank with no tiers, holding only 0.3% (~5,929 players)
How to Climb Ranks in Rainbow Six Siege
Climbing the ranks in Rainbow Six Siege isn’t about quick wins or flashy kills – it’s a slow and steady journey of mastering fundamentals. Siege emphasizes tactical movement, precise gunplay, and smart decision-making over brute force.
Since you must reach Level 50 before playing Ranked, you’ll already know how to breach, handle weapons, and utilize Operators’ unique abilities. Now, the focus shifts to consistency, tactical thinking, and communication rather than just raw aim.
Pro tip: Experiment with your aim sensitivity and mouse DPI settings to find what suits each weapon best. Precision weapons may benefit from lower sensitivity, while others like the Reaper Mk 2 or SMG-11 might work better with faster movement. Also, get familiar with top Operators such as Blackbeard, Maverick, Ash, Thermite, and Brava.
Understanding your role – whether attacker or defender – is crucial. Ranked play rewards teamwork, objective control, and survival rather than just kill counts. Your Skill rating depends mainly on match wins, not kills, so focus on smart plays, communicating, and playing the objective.
Because there are no rank-based matchmaking restrictions, playing with or against players far above or below your rank is possible, making teamwork and adaptability even more important.
Finally, learn the ranked map pool inside and out. Out of 36 maps, only 10 are used in ranked matches, including Bank, Border, Chalet, Clubhouse, Lair, Nighthaven Labs, and Emerald Plains. Spend time in Practice Mode exploring these maps and watch detailed guides before jumping into ranked.
Rank Decay and Seasonal Resets
Rainbow Six Siege does not have rank decay, so your rank won’t drop if you take breaks. However, ranks reset every season – usually every three months – sending all players back to Copper V to climb again. These resets make ranks seasonal markers rather than permanent badges.
With the introduction of Ranked 2.0, ranks have become more of a visible emblem of progression, while Skill is the true reflection of ability behind the scenes.
Conclusion
The Rainbow Six Siege ranking system might seem complex at first, but understanding the eight divisions and their 36 levels gives you a solid foundation. Remember, your visible rank shows your journey, while the Skill rating determines your matchmaking.
Climbing the ranks remains rewarding despite some controversies around Ranked 2.0, and with consistent play, strategic thinking, and map knowledge, you can rise through the competitive ladder in 2025.
For deeper insights, explore our Rainbow Six Siege esports coverage featuring top teams, tournaments, standout players, and the evolving meta.
FAQs
What is the lowest rank in Rainbow Six Siege?
Bronze V – all players start here after each season reset.
What is the highest rank in Rainbow Six Siege?
Champion – held by just 0.3% of the player base.
How many games does it take to rank up?
No fixed number, but earning about 100 Ranked Points, usually around three wins, typically promotes you to the next level.
What is the average Siege rank?
Bronze V, representing roughly 6.3% of players, close to 100,000 users.
