Like with most multiplayer titles, Pokémon UNITE gives players options to explore matchmaking, with Quick, Standard, and Ranked modes all available as they continue leveling up. There are also the occasional limited-time modes added into the mix too.
Ranked is going to be the preferred mode of choice for players looking for the most competitive UNITE experience, likely featuring groups teaming up and joining voice calls to better communicate during games.
UNITE divides its ranked mode using seasons, with players working to climb the ranks and earn rewards before the ranked season ends and things are reset. Starting with Ranked Season 5 in July 21, seasons have been shortened to last just one-and-a-half months, meaning players will have less time to casually grind the ranked ladder than before.
Whenever a player finishes a ranked game, they will be awarded Performance Points based on how well they did individually, with various multipliers. These points will be given out regardless of if a team wins or loses a match. You will also instantly earn a Victory Point for winning a match, which are the notches that track how close you are to reaching the next class or rank.
Performance Points are a boon to players grinding ranked, as they can help prevent you from being demoted, losing Victory Points, or push you to the next rank if you have enough of them.
Related: How to get and use Boost Emblems in Pokémon UNITE: unlock guide, stats, and more
UNITE has six distinct ranks that players can reach, with five of them also having multiple classes within the rank to differentiate skill levels during the climb.
Starting with Ranked Season 5, the developers flipped the order of each rank’s classes, so now players will start at Beginner: Class 5 instead of Class 1. At the start of each Ranked Season, players are also placed into a lower rank based on their performance in the previous season as points reset.
Players will work to grind Performance Points and Victory Points, which will help them reach the next rank. So if you want to climb the ladder, here are all of the ranks you will need to achieve on your way to becoming a master.
Ranks and classes
- Beginner (Nine Victory Points to rank up)
- Class 3
- Class 2
- Class 1
- Great (12 Victory Points to rank up)
- Class 4
- Class 3
- Class 2
- Class 1
- Expert (15 Victory Points to rank up)
- Class 5
- Class 4
- Class 3
- Class 2
- Class 1
- Veteran (15 Victory Points to rank up)
- Class 5
- Class 4
- Class 3
- Class 2
- Class 1
- Ultra (15 Victory Points to rank up)
- Class 5
- Class 4
- Class 3
- Class 2
- Class 1
- Master
Once you reach Master Rank there are no more classes, just your ranking. The better you perform once in Master, the better players you will be matched against.
If you continue winning matches, you will slowly grind your way closer to the top, while losing consistently will drop you down into other ranks again—though this is extremely hard to do.