TL;DR
- Ascendant+ players can only queue with Platinum or higher ranks starting patch 7.06
- Riot implemented these restrictions to combat widespread boosting using bots and smurf accounts
- Previous RR penalties proved insufficient to prevent high-rank players from carrying low ELO friends
- Players below Diamond still face RR penalties but maintain queue flexibility
- These changes aim to restore competitive integrity in high ELO matches
Riot Games has implemented significant competitive restrictions targeting player boosting behaviors that undermine ranked integrity.
Rank distribution accuracy remains crucial for Valorant’s competitive ecosystem. Many players achieve prestigious ranks like Radiant only to create alternate accounts, artificially inflating their friends’ standings. Account preservation often motivates established players to maintain their primary profiles while still assisting lower-ranked companions through coordinated stacking strategies.
Previous updates eliminated rank barriers for five-player squads, introducing RR limitations that ultimately proved inadequate against determined boosters. Widespread exploitation created matchmaking imbalances, placing inadequately skilled participants in elevated competitive tiers. Riot’s latest intervention aims to recalibrate this disrupted equilibrium.
Ascendants can no longer queue with Golds in Valorant
Beginning with update 7.06, Ascendant-tier competitors and above face new invitation constraints preventing lobby access for lower-ranked teammates. The revised system mandates Platinum ranking as the minimum threshold for joining Ascendant+ friends’ matches.
This structural change establishes clear division between elite and intermediate competitive brackets. Players must now achieve Platinum or Diamond status before accessing matches with Ascendant, Immortal, or Radiant-ranked companions, creating natural skill progression gates.
Earlier ranking adjustments incorporated RR deductions for mixed-skill queues, but players largely disregarded these penalties. Minimal point reductions provided insufficient deterrence when repeatedly matching with top-tier Radiant players throughout gaming sessions.
Riot has now implemented hard barriers at critical rank thresholds where competitive stakes intensify significantly. The development team acknowledged widespread rank manipulation through both automated systems and human collaborators in their official communications.
“Competitive integrity violations through boosting behaviors have escalated recently. To counter this exploitation, we’re introducing queue restrictions,” Riot stated in their development blog update addressing matchmaking abuses.
Competitors below Diamond ranking maintain queue flexibility without rank limitations, though RR penalties persist for skill-disparate teams. These sustained point adjustments help maintain balanced matchmaking while allowing social play.
The updated regulations should substantially reduce carried players in high-level Valorant matches, restoring authentic competition. Players should anticipate approximately 2-3 weeks of adjustment period as the community adapts to these structural changes.
For those affected by the new restrictions, focus on individual skill development through dedicated practice routines. Consider studying our Class Guide for strategic insights that can accelerate your rank progression naturally.
Action Checklist
- Verify your current rank and identify which friends fall within acceptable queue ranges
- Review our Complete Guide for fundamental improvement strategies
- Create realistic rank progression goals based on the new queue limitations
- Practice individual mechanics in Deathmatch and custom games to reduce reliance on carries
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » High ranked players can no longer carry Golds in Valorant Valorant's new rank restrictions prevent Ascendant+ players from queuing with Golds to combat boosting abuse