Apex Legends introduced ranked Arenas just before season 10 to revitalize the competitive meta.

Arenas immediately became a popular alternative to traditional battle royale matches. The 3v3 mode’s new ranked system incentivizes players to get better through rewards like Badges, Weapon Charms, and Holospray. Only the best players will reach Apex Predator rank. Learn how ranked Arenas work, then pick up some tips for how to become an Apex Predator.

Ranked Arenas in Apex Legends

Every Rank

Win enough games to climb all seven ranks:

• Bronze: 0 Arena Points
• Silver: 2,000 AP
• Gold: 2,400 AP
• Platinum: 2,800 AP
• Diamond: 3,200 AP
• Master: 3,600 AP
• Apex Predator: Top 500 players based on AP per platform

There’s no cross progression in Ranked Arenas. That means every platform has unique Apex Predators.

Arena Points (AP) and how to rank up

Players must finish ten matches to earn Arena Points (AP) and receive an initial rank. The amount you gain or lose depends on your hidden matchmaking ranking (MMR). MMR is a number the matchmaking system uses to place you in games. If you get a lot of kills, then your hidden MMR will increase. Expect stronger opponents at higher MMRs.

Beat teams with larger average MMRs to gain additional AP. Conversely, losing to lower-ranked teams subtracts more AP. Players typically get stuck at higher ranks because they face better opponents. Unlike in BR, there is no point cost to enter a match.

Tips for reaching Apex Predator in Apex Legends ranked Arenas

Since ranked Arenas is new, the Arena Points and hidden MMR systems don’t always work well. You may find yourself in matches with god-awful Bronze players or untouchable Masters regardless of your rank. These five tips will help you counteract those instances, teammates who don’t talk, and opponents who won’t die.

Practice in unranked

If you struggle in ranked Arenas, play the unranked version to get better. There are no penalties for underperforming. You can try out new weapons, select an unfamiliar Legend, and get the hang of the maps before diving back into ranked.

Map knowledge

Ranked Arenas maps rotate every hour compared to every 15 minutes in unranked. Take advantage of that shorter rotation to improve your playstyle on every map. Experimentation is often the difference between rage and ranking up.

There's is no shame in skipping maps you have yet to figure out. Practice in the unranked playlist to wait until the next map cycles. Jump in and dominate if it is one you enjoy. That’s much better than forcing yourself into a stressful situation, but try to learn every map to make the game more enjoyable.

Different Legends excel in Ranked Arenas

The best Apex Legends characters for Battle Royale aren’t always the right choice in ranked Arenas. Top tier legends like Bloodhound and Gibraltar still wreak havoc, but this is more directed toward underused characters.

You might not see a lot of Fuse or Rampart in BR. However, in Arenas their selfish offensive skills become much more viable against only three opponents. Consider how every ability works differently across both modes, test different Legends, and then pick one that best suits your playstyle.

Abilities are more effective on smaller maps

Each Legend starts with their Tactical ability in ranked Arenas. Some even start with multiple uses, while others only have one. Regardless, more can be bought. You can also purchase Ultimate abilities.

Every ability has a cooldown just like in Battle Royale, but smaller maps mean fewer enemies and routes. A Recon Legend can spot all three enemies for an opening-round assault or a mobility-based Legend can easily get behind them for a flank. There is no chance for a third party here, so your utility will almost certainly make a difference.

Always buy last when there’s no communication

Buy last if you play solo and there is no communication with your teammates. Always buy last.

Stare at the buy menu before the round begins. At the top, you'll see what weapons your teammates bought. Either complement theirs or fill a necessary role like an SMG for close-range firefights, or a sniper for long-range encounters.

Put all of these tips to use in Apex Legends ranked Arenas and you’ll be well on your way to Apex Predator.