Fariha Bhatti 
The heat is on in Deadlock, as Valve has officially confirmed that players can now queue for ranked mode as long as they follow some very strange rules.
Valve’s first-person MOBA is already pretty competitive even in currently-unranked matchmaking. While standard mode has long been the default way to play compared to sandbox, custom matches, and bot mode, that hierarchy could shift dramatically in just a couple weeks. The latest Deadlock patch notes confirm Valve is launching ranked mode on Tuesday, October 15.
While the ranked mode is open for all, new or seasonal Deadlock fans will find themselves locked out. It’s strictly for those who have ample playtime on the MOBA.
How many Deadlock games do you need to play ranked?
Players must have at least 50 games played to played in Deadlock’s ranked mode.
Valve has added a new option for ranked mode under the play menu which says the queue is still closed and players must wait until Tuesday to play their first game. If players are eligible and have 50 standard games on record, the icon will turn green on Tuesday, allowing them to queue only against players within their skill bracket.
It’s important to note that, while standard mode is now permanent, ranked mode operates on a set schedule. Players can jump into ranked matches daily from 1 pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm in their respective time zones. To participate, they’ll need to set a schedule in advance by clicking on the Select Schedule button under the ranked mode card to choose the time slot that best fits their routine. Keep in mind that players can only change this selection once per week.
Once their time is set, they’ll be automatically assigned to a server in their region with the best ping for all players in the match. After setting a schedule, click save and wait until the queue goes live on Tuesday.
