Wondering what ranks can play together in Valorant? The answer depends on which mode you choose and where your group sits on the rank ladder. Valorant enforces strict party restrictions in Competitive mode to keep matches fair, while Unrated removes those barriers entirely. This guide breaks down every rule — the allowed rank gaps, the duo-only zone at the top, and practical ways to keep playing with friends even when your ranks don't line up.
The Valorant Rank Ladder
Before getting into party rules, it helps to know the full rank order. Valorant has nine rank tiers, each split into three sub-ranks (1, 2, 3) except for Radiant, which has no sub-divisions:
- Iron (I1 – I3)
- Bronze (B1 – B3)
- Silver (S1 – S3)
- Gold (G1 – G3)
- Platinum (P1 – P3)
- Diamond (D1 – D3)
- Ascendant (A1 – A3)
- Immortal (Im1 – Im3)
- Radiant (Top 500 players per region)
Your rank is determined by your Rank Rating (RR), which rises and falls based on wins, losses, and individual performance. Once you reach 100 RR at sub-rank 3, you promote to the next tier.
Who Can Queue Together in Competitive?
Valorant groups its competitive party restrictions into three separate rank windows. If your whole party fits inside the same window, you can queue freely. Once you stray outside it, the game blocks you from entering a competitive match together.
- Iron through Gold: Any combination of players within this range can form a full five-stack. An Iron 1 and a Gold 3 can queue together with no issues.
- Platinum through Diamond: Similarly open — any five players within this range can party. A Platinum 1 and a Diamond 3 are still eligible to queue together.
- Ascendant and Immortal: The window tightens here. The maximum allowed gap is one full tier. An Ascendant 3 can party with an Immortal 1, but an Ascendant 1 cannot party with an Immortal 2 or higher.
- Immortal and Radiant: The highest tier is restricted to duo queue only. A maximum of two players may party together. Radiant players cannot queue with anyone outside the Immortal/Radiant pool, and the duo restriction applies across those two tiers.
Understanding the Rank Gap Limit
The "rank gap" rule is most relevant for players hovering around the Ascendant–Immortal boundary. Think of each full tier (for example, all three Immortal sub-ranks together) as one step. The rule allows at most one step between the highest- and lowest-ranked players in your party. Jumping two full tiers — say, from Ascendant 1 all the way to Immortal 3 — will trigger a queue block.
It is worth noting that the party rank displayed in your lobby is determined by the highest-ranked player in the party, not an average. Riot uses this value when matchmaking your lobby against other teams.
Unrated vs Competitive: Different Rules Apply
If Competitive's restrictions are blocking your group, switching to Unrated is the simplest fix. Unrated has no rank gap limit whatsoever — an Iron player and a Radiant player can queue in the same party with no error. Unrated does not affect your rank rating, making it ideal for casual sessions or for warming up with friends who are at very different skill levels.
The trade-off is that Unrated lobbies do not grant rank progress, so if your goal is to climb together, you will need to stay within the Competitive restrictions. Spike Rush and other casual modes also carry no rank-gap restriction.
Tips for Queuing with Friends Across Ranks
Even with the restrictions in place, there are several ways to keep playing together regularly. The tips below apply regardless of whether you are climbing from Silver or competing at the Immortal level.
- Fall back to Unrated when the gap is too large. It keeps the team together and the games are still genuinely competitive.
- Close the gap through solo placements. A run of strong placement games can push a lower-ranked player up one or two tiers fairly quickly.
- Be aware of the 5-stack modifier. A full five-player party in Competitive is matched against tougher lobbies. Your in-game RR gains may also be slightly lower to compensate.
- At Immortal and Radiant: plan your duo schedule. Since only two players can queue, coordinate so your strongest duo pair is online at the same time.
Troubleshooting Party Errors
The game says my party is ineligible for Competitive
Check the highest and lowest ranks in your lobby. If they span more than the allowed window for their tier group — or if someone at Immortal or Radiant is in a group of three or more — the queue will be blocked. Remove the player who is outside the window, or switch to Unrated.
One friend just placed — can we queue Competitive together?
Yes, as long as their placement rank falls within your tier window. If their rank is provisional, the game will estimate their rank for the purpose of the party restriction check.
We are all Platinum but one person is Diamond 3 — can we still queue?
Yes. The Platinum through Diamond window covers all sub-ranks of both tiers, so a Platinum 1 and a Diamond 3 are both within the same allowed group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Iron and Gold play Competitive together in Valorant?
Yes. Iron through Gold is one open window, so any player ranked Iron 1 to Gold 3 can party with any other player in that range for Competitive mode, with up to five players per party.
What is the highest rank gap allowed in Valorant Competitive?
Within the Ascendant–Immortal range, the maximum gap is one full tier. For the Iron–Gold and Platinum–Diamond windows, the entire range is open with no sub-rank gap limit.
Can a Radiant player queue with friends in Valorant?
A Radiant player can only queue with one other player (duo queue only). Both players must be within the Immortal–Radiant range. No five-stack is possible at this level.
Do rank restrictions apply in Unrated?
No. Unrated mode in Valorant has no party rank restrictions. Any combination of ranks can queue together freely.
Does party size affect matchmaking in Valorant?
Yes. A full five-player party receives a matchmaking adjustment and is placed into harder lobbies on average. Solo and duo queues tend to have more variable teammate ranks but avoid the five-stack penalty.
Wrapping Up
Knowing what ranks can play together in Valorant saves you the frustration of hitting a queue error right before a session. The short version: Iron through Gold can five-stack freely, Platinum through Diamond can too, the Ascendant–Immortal border enforces a one-tier gap, and Immortal/Radiant players are limited to duo queue only. When the gap is just too wide, Unrated is always there — no restrictions, no rank at stake, and still a real game. For the latest official information, visit the Valorant official site.
