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MW3 Ranked Play
Image via Activision
Category:
CoD

MW3 Ranked Play explained: Maps, modes, rewards, and more

It's time to start grinding Ranked Play again.
Image of Ryan Lemay
Ryan Lemay
|

Published: Jan 19, 2024 11:12 am

Modern Warfare 3 Ranked Play scratches the competitive itch for players looking for more than a normal public match. Ranked Play uses the Call of Duty League ruleset, which restricts certain guns, equipment, and killstreaks. Additionally, the mode uses the same 4v4 format, pool of maps, and game modes the pros play on.

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Players climb the ranks and earn new Skill Divisions by winning matches, aiming to earn a spot in the illustrious Top 250.

Without further ado, let’s jump right into everything you need to know in order to get started.

MW3 Ranked Play Ranks and Skill Divisions

Ranks and division MW3

All players start their Ranked Play journey at Rank 1. Winning matches earns stars toward ranking up, and a player’s Rank is permanent across every season.

Meanwhile, Skill Divisions change every season. Everyone starts in Bronze I at the start of a new season, and then has to fight through eight skill divisions and tiers by earning Skill Rating (SR) based on personal and team performance. Each skill division has three tiers. For example, players have to go through Bronze I, II, and III before reaching Silver.

Players get dropped back three Tiers at the start of a new season. If you were in Silver I after season one, you would begin season two in Bronze I.

Here is every skill division in MW3.

  • Bronze: Starting Division
  • Silver: 900 SR
  • Gold: 2,100 SR
  • Platinum: 3,600 SR
  • Diamond: 5,400 SR
  • Crimson: 7,500 SR
  • Iridescent: 10,000 SR
  • Top 250: 10,000 SR

It’s important to note that players can face SR penalties for being inactive, disconnecting from matches, or repeatedly killing teammates.

Winning three matches in a row earns a flaming rank, and more wins make the fire more pronounced. The flames expire after a loss or being inactive for longer than 72 hours. So get those settings tuned up right if you want to extend your streak and climb the ranks.

MW3 Ranked Play rules and restrictions

Here is every weapon banned from Ranked Play matches.

Weapon Restrictions

Assault Rifles

  • Holger 556
  • DG-58
  • FR 5.56
  • MTZ 556

Battle Rifles

  • All

Shotguns

  • All

Marksman Rifles

  • All

LMGs

  • All

Sniper Rifles

  • Longbow
  • KV Inhibitor

Launchers

  • All

Melee

  • Riot Shield

Pistols

  • WSP Stinger
  • COR-45
  • TYR

MW2 weapons

  • All

Ranked Play maps and game modes in MW3

Ranked Play operators MW3
Ranked Play is back and better than ever.

These are the game modes and maps that are currently available in Ranked Play:

Search and Destroy

  • Highrise
  • Invasion
  • Karachi
  • Skidrow
  • Terminal

Hardpoint

  • Invasion
  • Karachi
  • Skidrow
  • Sub Base
  • Terminal

Control

  • Highrise
  • Invasion
  • Karachi

Ranked Play rewards

Season one rewards

Here are the Ranked Play rewards that can be earned in season one.

  • Win five Ranked Play matches: “MWIII Season 1 Competitor” Weapon Sticker.
  • Win 10 Ranked Play matches: “Pro Issue Gutter Knife” Weapon Blueprint.
  • Win 20 Ranked Play matches: “Script Writer” Weapon Charm.
  • Win 30 Ranked Play matches: “Built Different” Large Decal.
  • Win 40 Ranked Play matches: “MWIII Ranked Play Season 1” Loading Screen.
  • Win 50 Ranked Play matches: “MWIII Season 1 Ranked Veteran” Weapon Camo.

Alongside seasonal rewards, players earn skill division rewards at the end of a season based on the highest skill division a player reached.

Rank Rewards

  • Rank 5: MWIII Ranked Competitor Skin for use with both 2024 CDL Male & Female Operators on both Factions.
  • Rank 10: MWIII Ranked Play Rank 10 Weapon Camo
  • Rank 15: ‘Iced Out’ Animated Emblem
  • Rank 20: ‘Bomb Squad’ Weapon Charm
  • Rank 25: ‘Lock it Down’ Weapon Sticker
  • Rank 30: ‘Full Stack’ Animated Emblem
  • Rank 35: ‘Never Chalked’ Large Weapon Decal
  • Rank 40: ‘Top Fragger’ Weapon Charm
  • Rank 45: MWIII Ranked Play Rank 45 Weapon Camo
  • Rank 50: MWIII Ranked Veteran Emblem & Operator Skin for use with both CDL Male & Female Operators on both Factions.

Skill Division rewards

  • Bronze & Silver: “Season 1” Emblem.
  • Gold through Crimson: Ranked Play–themed Operator Skins, Weapon Charms, and the Skill Division Animated Emblem reward.
  • Iridescent: “MWIII Season 1 Iridescent” animated Calling Card in addition to the Skill Division’s Operator Skins, Animated Emblem, and Weapon Charm rewards.
  • Top 250: Top 250 Operator Skins, Weapon Charm, unique animated Emblem and Calling Card for those who finish between
  • Top two through 250: Animated Emblem
  • Number one ranked player: Exclusive Calling Card
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Author
Image of Ryan Lemay
Ryan Lemay
Ryan graduated from Ithaca College in 2021 with a sports media degree and a journalism minor. He gained experience as a writer with the Morning Times newspaper and then Dexerto as a games writer. He mainly writes about first-person shooters, including Call of Duty and Battlefield, but he is also a big FIFA fan. You can contact him at ryanlemay@dotesports.com.