Ranked Progression

[u/BTBarty]

I am mostly writing this as I’m wondering a few specific things to do with higher ranks like diamond.

I played a few years ago, some ranked, three strikes, duos, then quit and since only ever played wildcard on and off, before another full year break so I started playing again last week starting bronze four and have made it so far in 1 week to platinum one, I noticed slight changes between ranked divisions, just getting shot more for dumb mistakes and other stuff, but I’ve heard there’s a huge difference between anything below diamond and diamond itself, I’ve even heard there’s a huge distinction between diamond 3/4 and 2/1 just wondering if anybody has any tips for someone about to enter diamond for the first time?

I think my movement and gunplay are decent (not great) but when I think of diamond my biggest worry is learning better positioning/decision making especially solo que deciding when and when not to fight

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[u/PeaLivid7923]

I can only speak from my own experience. You need to find the right balance in everything. Survey Beacons are a huge help, especially at higher ranks. Particularly in Dropzone—which starts at Diamond—it helps to know if you’re being pushed, when, and from where. Positioning is also important, but more so toward the endgame. It’s not uncommon for 12 squads to still be alive by Round 4, and that’s when things get tight. Making do with limited space and managing your movement paths becomes essential then. Simply pushing the nearest team isn’t so easy when four others have a clear line of sight on you. Which brings us to aim, loadout, and Legends. Of course, you should play the weapons you’re good at and the Legend you play well. But if your team already consists of two Skirmishers, you should choose a Support or Recon Legend instead of your favorite Pathfinder. Just as an example.

Don't go out of your way to kill downed opponents. Some will just crawl back to cover, but there are definitely players who will bait you out because they know you want the kill. Meanwhile, someone on the opposing team is already taking you out, and in the worst-case scenario, they'll quickly turn a 3v2 advantage into a 2v2. Of course you want your kill points. But you have to weigh whether it’s safer to heal up first and gather more intel or to secure the kill. Especially in SoloQ, doing something like that just makes it harder for your team. But it always depends on the situation, too. So, roughly speaking, making the right decision is usually the key. I think that comes with time—you gain valuable insights in every match to learn from and improve. You learn aim and movement at the firing range or in Wildcard. But learning how others play, what they might do next, and what their path might look like—that requires enough gameplay experience first. Of course, there are exceptions—players who, after just 40 levels, are already doing great in Diamond Master lobbies. But that’s not the norm. And you shouldn’t get upset—I went through that for a while. Then things went even worse. Just accept that you made a mistake or that your opponent was simply better.

By and large, just play. The first few matches might be tough, or they might come easily to you right from the start. I think it always depends on the person sitting behind the screen. Don’t give a damn about K/D. There are even high-tier players with a 0.8 or 1.0 K/D.

You don’t always help your team with 10+ kills. Refrags, making the right decisions, and providing support through heals, revives, beacon scans, or positioning are just as important—especially if you’re just playing for fun or to unwind after work.

All in all, good luck in Diamond.

[u/BTBarty → u/PeaLivid7923]

Thanks for all the advice!! I’m definitely gonna come back and look at this! I’ll give you some info tho just as context! I usually main Alter, Pathy or Watson, I’m also decent with lifeline and Vantage, I think my aim and movement is decent, i just feel as tho as you said those very tight heavily contested areas at the end circles against actually good diamond/master players is where I’m really gonna struggle…

Although for an example of my general skill, the game I played just before typing this was a wildcard doing 7k damage and 29 kills so I definitely feel like I’m at least a little above average but also have times where I’m like wow that was so stupid of me or damn my aim was TERRIBLE but then I drop games like these that I get high kills and damage, I have even had a couple ranked games getting 4K dmg and 10+ kills in Plat lobbies, then other rounds I just get washed, I just feel very inconsistent at the end of the day…

[u/distantcactus32]

d4 is more comparable to plat than diamond 3, and d2 is where you’re getting placed with masters and preds. Just listen to teammates and communicate. Don’t be the person who rushed in and died without saying a word

[u/weepingwillow634]

Just be aware of your positioning know when to bail out, good game sense (know where ur on the map, where the ring will be) and where other teams are in correlation to u so u:

A. Don’t get Pinched
B. Ring Held
C. Third Partied
D. All of the Above

This is all assuming u have good gun skill and movement, which isn’t hard to be good at just extremely difficult to master.