> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.apexcobblemon.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.apexcobblemon.com/features/battling/ranked.md).

# Ranked

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Ranked allows you to compete against other players in skill-based Pokémon battles. Each ladder has its own battle format, team requirements, rating, rank tiers, leaderboard, statistics, and match history.

Use `/ranked` to open the Ranked menu, review the available ladders, and join a matchmaking queue.
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<figure><img src="/files/ofyIRyxM0MzJA76iWyfZ" alt=""><figcaption><p><em><code>/ranked</code> menu</em></p></figcaption></figure>
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## Commands

<table data-search="false"><thead><tr><th align="center">Command</th><th align="center">Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked</code></td><td align="center">Opens the Ranked menu</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked queue &#x3C;ladder></code></td><td align="center">Joins the specified ladder's matchmaking queue</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked queue leave</code></td><td align="center">Leaves your current matchmaking queue</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked stats [player] [ladder]</code></td><td align="center">Displays a player's Ranked statistics</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked leaderboard [ladder]</code></td><td align="center">Opens the leaderboard for the specified ladder</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked history [player] [ladder]</code></td><td align="center">Displays a player's recent match history</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked announcements</code></td><td align="center">Toggles queue join announcements</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Ladders

Ladders are separate competitive queues with their own battle formats and rules. Your statistics and progression are tracked separately for each ladder, so performing well in one does not affect your standing in another.

Your party is automatically validated before you can enter a queue. If your team does not meet the ladder's requirements, you will receive a message explaining which Pokémon or requirement must be corrected.

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<h4 align="center"><strong>Ranked Ladders</strong></h4>

<p align="center"><a href="https://www.smogon.com/dex/sv/formats/national-dex/" class="button primary medium">Singles</a><a href="https://www.smogon.com/dex/sv/formats/vgc24-regulation-f/" class="button primary medium">VGC</a></p>
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<h4 align="center"><strong>Casual Ladders</strong></h4>

<p align="center"><a href="https://www.smogon.com/dex/sm/formats/random-battle/" class="button primary medium">Random Battle</a><a href="https://www.smogon.com/dex/sm/formats/random-doubles/" class="button primary medium">Random Doubles</a><a href="https://www.smogon.com/dex/sv/formats/national-dex-monotype/" class="button primary medium">Monotype</a><a href="https://www.smogon.com/dex/sm/formats/ag/" class="button primary medium">Anything Goes</a></p>
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Random Battle ladders do not require you to prepare a team. Both players are temporarily given randomly generated competitive teams when the match begins. These teams are only used for that battle and do not replace or modify the Pokémon in your party.

## Match Flow

### Matchmaking

After you join a ladder's queue, the matchmaking system searches for another queued player with a similar rating. The acceptable rating range gradually expands as you wait, allowing matches to be found even when fewer players are available.

You may leave the queue at any time before an opponent is found using `/ranked queue leave`.

Once an opponent is found:

1. An available battle arena is assigned.
2. Both teams are validated.
3. Team Preview begins, if enabled for the format.
4. Both players are teleported to the arena.
5. The Cobblemon battle begins.
6. Both players are returned to spawn after the match ends.

### Team Preview

Team Preview allows both players to review the matchup and prepare their team before the battle begins.

Depending on the format, you may be able to:

* Choose your lead Pokémon
* Reorder the rest of your team
* Select only part of your party to bring into battle
* Review your Pokémon's moves, Ability, Nature, IVs, and EVs
* View limited information about your opponent's team

In formats such as VGC, the order in which you select your Pokémon determines both which Pokémon enter the battle and their battle order.

Team Preview has a limited selection period. If you do not confirm your choices before it expires, your current party order or selection may be submitted automatically.

### Turn Timer

Ranked battles use a turn timer to prevent excessive stalling. Your timer only counts down while you are choosing an action.

Selecting actions quickly may restore part of your remaining time, while consistently taking longer decisions will reduce the amount of time available. If your timer reaches zero, an action may be selected automatically.

Use `/ranked surrender` to forfeit an active match.

## Rating and Rank Tiers

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Winning Ranked matches increases your Elo rating, while losing matches decreases it. The amount gained or lost depends on the established ratings of both players.

New players may experience larger rating changes while the system determines their appropriate skill level. Rating changes generally become more stable after additional matches have been played.

Repeated matches against the same opponent may award reduced rating changes to prevent rating manipulation.

Use `/ranked stats` to view your statistics or `/ranked leaderboard` to compare your rating with other players.
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<table><thead><tr><th width="110" align="center">Rank</th><th width="110" align="center">ELO Required</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center">Poke Ball</td><td align="center">0</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Premier Ball</td><td align="center">1,200</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Great Ball</td><td align="center">1,400</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Ultra Ball</td><td align="center">1,600</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Master Ball</td><td align="center">1,800</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Beast Ball</td><td align="center">2,000</td></tr></tbody></table>
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## Seasons and Rewards

Ranked is divided into competitive seasons. Each season may feature different ladders, formats, rewards, and rating reset rules. Rewards are available separately for each Ranked ladder.

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<h4 align="center">Milestone Rewards</h4>

Milestone Rewards are granted once when you reach a qualifying rank or earn a required number of wins during the season.
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<h4 align="center">Season Rewards</h4>

Season Rewards are distributed after the season ends based on your final rank.

Rewards earned while you are offline are delivered the next time you join the server.
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## Challenges

Challenges allow you to battle a specific player without entering the matchmaking queue. You may use one of the standard ladder formats or configure a custom format through the Ranked menus.

Both players must have valid teams before the challenge can begin. Once the challenge is accepted, the match starts as soon as an arena becomes available.

{% hint style="info" %}
Battles started through the Challenge system do not affect either player's Elo rating.
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<table data-search="false"><thead><tr><th align="center">Command</th><th align="center">Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked challenge &#x3C;player> &#x3C;ladder></code></td><td align="center">Challenges a player using the specified ladder</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked challenge &#x3C;player></code></td><td align="center">Opens a menu to configure a custom challenge</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked accept</code></td><td align="center">Accepts your pending challenge</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked deny</code></td><td align="center">Declines your pending challenge</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked togglechallenges</code></td><td align="center">Enables or disables incoming challenges</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked challenges</code></td><td align="center">Displays all incoming challenge requests</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked myformats</code></td><td align="center">Opens the custom battle format menu</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Spectating

You can spectate an active Ranked match using one of its participants. Spectators can watch Pokémon, moves, switches, damage, weather, terrain, and other battle events in real time. Spectators cannot interact with or influence the match.

|           Command           |                         Description                        |
| :-------------------------: | :--------------------------------------------------------: |
| `/ranked spectate <player>` |         Spectates the player's active Ranked match         |
|      `/ranked spectate`     | Stops spectating and returns you to your previous location |

## Replays

Ranked and challenge matches may be recorded for later viewing. Replay information may include the participants, ladder, teams, result, match duration, and rating changes.

<table data-search="false"><thead><tr><th align="center">Command</th><th align="center">Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked replay list</code></td><td align="center">Lists recent available replays</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked replay list &#x3C;player></code></td><td align="center">Lists replays involving the specified player</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked replay info &#x3C;id></code></td><td align="center">Displays information about a replay</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked replay watch &#x3C;id></code></td><td align="center">Watches the specified replay</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked replay watch &#x3C;player></code></td><td align="center">Opens replays involving the specified player</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked replay watch &#x3C;player1> &#x3C;player2></code></td><td align="center">Opens replays between two players</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><code>/ranked replay stop</code></td><td align="center">Stops replay playback</td></tr></tbody></table>


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