Why Do High-Ranked Players Keep Appearing in My Valorant Matches?

There are several reasons why you may encounter high-ranked players in Valorant matches. In this article, we will explore these reasons.

1. MMR Balance in Ranked Matches

• Valorant ranked matches use the MMR (Matchmaking Rating) system. Besides your rank, your hidden MMR also affects matchmaking. If your MMR is high, the system may match you with better players.
• Even if your rank is low, if you perform well, the system will match you with players who have a higher MMR.

2. Party Games

• If you queue with a high-ranked friend, the system will match you with players closer to their rank. This can result in facing tougher opponents despite your lower rank.

3. Player Count and Matchmaking Pool

• At certain times, especially when fewer players are active, the system may not find enough players at your rank and could include higher-ranked players. This is more common in less populated regions or during late-night hours.

4. Smurf and Boosting Issues

• Some players create "smurf" accounts to play in lower ranks, or they join matches with their high-ranked accounts to boost their friends. This can disrupt matchmaking balance.

5. Riot's System Updates

• Occasionally, Riot Games makes changes to the matchmaking system. During these changes, temporary imbalances in matchmaking may occur.

Solutions

• Play Solo: If you constantly face high-ranked players, try playing solo. Queuing with a party can lead to unbalanced matchmaking.
• Choose Prime Hours: To ensure a more balanced player pool, try playing during peak hours.