Issues in Apex Legends Ranked Mode: Matchmaking, Rewards, and Progression

April 25, 2025

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Introduction

Apex Legends’s Ranked Mode promises competitive play but faces significant issues, including matchmaking inconsistencies, unbalanced rewards, and poor progression. These problems frustrate players and hinder the overall experience.

1. The Rise of Ranked Mode

Ranked Mode was introduced to offer competitive play, but its execution has faltered with matchmaking issues and lackluster rewards, affecting the player experience.

2. Matchmaking Problems

  • Apex Legends* often matches players of vastly different skill levels, frustrating both sides.

  • Smurfing exacerbates this problem, with high-level players intentionally dominating lower ranks.

3. Ranked Points (RP) and Progression

The grind for RP can be tiresome and demoralizing, as players face unbalanced matches, making progression feel like an endless cycle without reward.

4. Unbalanced Rewards

The rewards in Ranked Mode, including cosmetic items, don’t justify the time and effort spent climbing the ranks, leading to a sense of shallow progression.

5. Impact of Matchmaking on Player Experience

Players frequently face uncooperative teammates or difficult matches due to poor matchmaking, leading to frustration and burnout, especially in solo queue.

6. The Ranked Split System

Ranked Splits reset progress halfway through a season, leaving players with a sense of wasted effort and discouraging long-term progression.

7. Lack of Transparency in Changes

Ranked Mode changes are often introduced without clear communication, confusing players and contributing to frustration.

8. Suggestions for Improvement

  • Improve matchmaking to pair players of similar skill levels and reduce smurfing.

  • Revamp rewards to provide meaningful incentives for reaching higher ranks.

9. The Future of Ranked Mode

To maintain competitive integrity and player engagement, Apex Legends needs to overhaul its Ranked Mode, addressing the current issues and improving the overall experience.

Conclusion

Apex Legends’s Ranked Mode is plagued by matchmaking issues, unbalanced rewards, and a frustrating progression system. Revamping these elements is crucial for a better player experience.