Apex Legends Season 31 & 32 Ranked Changes: New Ranks, Legend Bans, RP Overhaul & Rewards

Apex Legends Ranked is about to receive one of its biggest overhauls in years, with Season 31 and Season 32 introducing major changes to competitive gameplay, rank progression, matchmaking, and rewards.

Respawn Entertainment has officially revealed its plans for the next two seasons, including three new ranks, a Legend banning system, an entirely new competitive league, and significant changes to how Ranked Points (RP) are earned.

Season 31, arriving in November 2026, will introduce Legend bans in Diamond+ lobbies, adjustments to matchmaking-related entry costs, and improvements to the Ranked experience.

However, Season 32, expected in early 2027, is where things get particularly interesting. The introduction of Iron, Emerald, and Grandmaster ranks, alongside a new Pro-Am League, will fundamentally change how players climb the Ranked ladder.

Whether you're trying to reach Platinum, push through Diamond, achieve Master, or compete for Apex Predator, these changes could significantly impact your Ranked journey.

In this guide, we'll cover everything confirmed about the Apex Legends Season 31 and Season 32 Ranked changes, explain how the new systems work, and explore what they mean for players at every skill level.

Last updated: October 21, 2026. Information is based on Respawn Entertainment's official Ranked Roadmap. Some Season 32 details remain subject to change.

Apex Legends Season 31 & 32 Ranked Changes Overview

Respawn is introducing the Ranked overhaul across two seasons rather than implementing everything simultaneously.

Season 31 focuses on improving competitive integrity, balancing difficult matchmaking situations, and introducing Legend bans.

Season 32 will rebuild the Ranked progression system, introduce new ranks, and separate competitive players into two distinct leagues.

Here's a breakdown of the biggest confirmed changes:

These changes represent a significant shift in Respawn's approach to Ranked, particularly for players who have struggled with inconsistent matchmaking, difficult rank transitions, and limited competitive rewards.

Apex Legends Season 31 Ranked Changes Explained

Season 31 marks the first stage of the Ranked overhaul.

Although the biggest structural changes are being reserved for Season 32, several important improvements will arrive earlier.

1. Legend Banning Comes to Apex Legends Ranked

One of the most exciting additions to Apex Legends Season 31 is the introduction of Legend Banning.

For the first time, players in eligible high-ranked matches will be able to influence which Legends are unavailable during a game.

This feature is designed to prevent individual Legends from dominating the competitive meta and encourage greater variety in team compositions.

How Legend Banning Works

Before a Diamond+ match begins, players will enter a dedicated banning phase.

The process works as follows:

1. Every player selects one Legend they would like to see banned.

2. Once voting finishes, the game calculates each nominated Legend's probability of being banned.

3. Legends receiving more votes have a higher chance of being selected.

4. The system randomly determines the banned Legends using those weighted probabilities.

5. Players proceed to Legend selection without access to the banned characters.

Three Legends will be banned per eligible match.

Importantly, the system doesn't simply ban the three most-voted Legends every time.

Instead, Respawn is introducing weighted randomness to prevent players from consistently banning the same characters.

For example, a Legend receiving 15 votes would have a greater chance of being banned than one receiving only three votes, but the result would not be guaranteed.

This should encourage players to become comfortable with multiple Legends rather than relying exclusively on a single character.

Which Ranks Will Have Legend Bans?

In Season 31, Legend bans will be enabled in matches containing Diamond+ players that use Drop Zone deployment.

Lower-ranked players will generally continue using the traditional Legend selection system.

By Season 32, Legend bans will become a defining feature of the new Pro-Am League.

2. New Challenger and Goliath Matches

Another major Season 31 change addresses one of the biggest complaints about Apex Legends Ranked: facing opponents significantly above or below your own skill level.

Respawn is introducing two new match classifications:

• Challenger Matches: Players competing against a lobby substantially above their rank.

• Goliath Matches: Players competing against a lobby substantially below their rank.

These classifications will adjust Ranked entry costs to better reflect the difficulty of each match.

How Challenger Matches Work

If your squad is at least two rank tiers below the lobby's designated tier, you'll enter a Challenger Match.

Your entry cost will be reduced because you're competing against stronger opponents.

For example, imagine you're a Bronze player placed into a Gold-tier lobby.

Instead of paying the normal entry cost, you'll receive a reduction to compensate for the increased difficulty.

This means lower-ranked players won't be punished as heavily when matchmaking places them against significantly stronger competition.

How Goliath Matches Work

Goliath Matches work in the opposite direction.

If your squad is at least two rank tiers above the lobby's designated tier, your entry cost will increase.

For example, a Diamond squad placed into a Gold-tier lobby could receive a higher entry cost.

Respawn's reasoning is straightforward: stronger players should be expected to perform better against weaker opponents.

The system also aims to discourage players from gaining excessive RP by dominating significantly lower-ranked lobbies.

How Is the Lobby Tier Calculated?

Each Ranked match will receive a visible Lobby Tier designation based on the median rank of the participating squads.

Here's an example using a Gold-tier lobby:

Players will see their match classification and adjusted entry cost before gameplay begins.

This transparency should make it easier to understand how much RP is at risk and what performance is needed to finish with positive RP.

Exact entry-cost adjustments have not yet been fully detailed.

3. Ranked Unlock Requirements Are Changing

Season 31 will also make Ranked more accessible to newer players.

Respawn has confirmed that Road to Ranked Challenges are being removed.

Instead, players will only need to reach Account Level 20 to unlock Ranked mode.

Previously, Road to Ranked Challenges were intended to ensure newer accounts understood the fundamentals of Apex Legends before entering competitive matches.

However, Respawn acknowledged that the challenges weren't delivering the intended results and sometimes created unnecessary barriers.

Removing them should make Ranked progression more straightforward for new players.

Nevertheless, Respawn has indicated that it will continue evaluating the appropriate account-level requirement.

4. Demotion Protection Will Be Easier to Understand

Demotion Protection is also receiving improvements in Season 31.

Although this mechanic already exists, Respawn believes it hasn't been communicated clearly enough to players.

The updated interface will make it easier to identify when protection is active.

How Demotion Protection Works

Players at risk of dropping into a lower rank tier can receive three Demotion Shields.

When protection is active:

• You receive three shields.

• A shield is consumed when a match loss would otherwise demote you.

• You remain protected while shields are available.

• Once the shields are exhausted, another qualifying loss can result in demotion.

• Protection can end earlier if you gain enough RP to move out of immediate demotion danger.

This is particularly important with the introduction of Goliath Matches, where increased entry costs could put more RP at risk.

Apex Legends Season 32 Ranked Overhaul: Everything Changing

While Season 31 introduces meaningful improvements, Season 32 is expected to completely reshape the Apex Legends Ranked experience.

Respawn is introducing new rank tiers, changing how RP is calculated, and separating Ranked into two competitive environments.

The goal is to provide a better progression experience for both casual competitive players and those pursuing the highest ranks.

All Apex Legends Ranks in Season 32

Season 32 will introduce three new ranks: Iron, Emerald, and Grandmaster.

These additions will change the existing Ranked hierarchy and create additional progression milestones.

Here's the announced rank order for Season 32:

Unlike the current progression structure, players will have additional milestones between Platinum and the highest competitive ranks.

Let's explore each new addition.

Iron Rank: Replacing Rookie

The existing Rookie rank will be replaced by Iron.

Respawn explained that Rookie previously required several special rules that weren't necessary under the new system.

Iron will instead function like a standard Ranked tier.

This change creates a more consistent experience for players beginning their competitive journey.

For new players, Iron will represent the starting point of the revamped Ranked ladder.

Emerald Rank: A New Rank Between Platinum and Diamond

Perhaps the most interesting addition for average competitive players is Emerald Rank.

Emerald will sit directly between Platinum and Diamond and feature four divisions:

• Emerald IV

• Emerald III

• Emerald II

• Emerald I

This addition addresses a long-standing issue in Apex Legends Ranked: the enormous difficulty increase many players experience when progressing from Platinum into Diamond.

Currently, players can experience a noticeable jump in opponent skill, match difficulty, and progression requirements around this threshold.

Emerald is intended to create a smoother transition.

Why Emerald Rank Matters

Emerald won't simply add another badge to collect.

It will become the final rank of the new Open League, with Diamond serving as the entry point into Pro-Am competition.

This means Emerald players will be approaching one of the most important transitions in the entire Ranked system.

Players who previously finished in Platinum or Diamond may also find their Season 32 progression differs significantly from previous seasons.

Respawn has already warned that players should adjust their expectations as the new rank structure changes progression.

Grandmaster Rank: A New Challenge Above Master

Season 32 will introduce Grandmaster, a new rank positioned above Master.

Grandmaster is intended to represent the highest level of Ranked progression.

This creates an additional competitive objective for players who have already achieved Master and want to push further.

What Happens to Apex Predator?

Apex Predator isn't disappearing.

However, its position within the Ranked system is changing.

To earn an Apex Predator badge under the announced Season 32 structure, players must finish among the top 750 Grandmaster players at the end of the season.

This means Grandmaster will serve as the highest progression rank, while Predator remains the distinction awarded to the top competitors.

Respawn hasn't yet fully explained every leaderboard and platform-specific detail associated with the new system.

Open League vs Pro-Am League: Apex Legends' New Ranked System

One of the biggest Season 32 changes is the introduction of two distinct competitive leagues.

Instead of every rank following the same overall gameplay structure, Apex Legends will separate Ranked into:

Open League and Pro-Am League.

Each league will have different priorities, gameplay rules, and RP scoring incentives.

Open League Explained

Open League will include Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Emerald players.

Matches will begin using the traditional Dropship deployment system.

The scoring structure will place slightly greater emphasis on kills while still rewarding strong placement.

This encourages players to develop their combat abilities, win engagements, and improve their mechanical skills.

For example, a squad that consistently wins fights and secures reasonable placements should benefit from the Open League's scoring priorities.

However, survival and positioning will remain important.

Pro-Am League Explained

Pro-Am League will consist of Diamond, Master, and Grandmaster players.

This league is designed to deliver a more competitive experience, with mechanics that more closely resemble professional Apex Legends.

Pro-Am will feature:

• Drop Zone deployment.

• Legend banning.

• Greater emphasis on placement.

• More strategically focused matches.

• A competitive structure influenced by ALGS gameplay.

The biggest difference is how players will be encouraged to approach matches.

Rather than prioritising kills above everything else, Pro-Am players will benefit more from surviving into the later stages of a match.

This could encourage more teams to remain alive during the final rings, creating more intense endgames.

Reaching Diamond in Season 32 will therefore be more than a rank promotion. It will introduce players to a different competitive environment.

Apex Legends Season 32 RP Changes Explained

Season 32 will also introduce a major overhaul to how Ranked Points are earned.

Respawn wants RP calculations to become more consistent, predictable, and easier to understand.

The changes include fixed kill values, full team kill credit, revised entry costs, and different scoring priorities for each league.

1. Kills and Placement Will Have Fixed RP Values

Under the existing scoring system, the value of kills can increase based on final match placement.

This has sometimes encouraged players to secure early eliminations before playing passively to maximise their eventual RP gains.

Season 32 will remove this interaction.

Instead:

Each kill will have a fixed RP value, and each placement position will have its own fixed RP value.

The previous multiplier between kills and placement will be removed.

For example, a kill will no longer become more valuable simply because your squad survives into the final few teams.

This should make RP calculations easier to follow throughout a match.

It may also encourage more consistent decision-making rather than strategies focused on exploiting placement multipliers.

2. Every Player Receives Full Team Kill RP

Another major change is the removal of the existing assist and participation scoring distinctions.

In Season 32, every member of a squad will receive full kill RP for eliminations secured by their team, regardless of individual contribution.

This means a support player who keeps teammates alive can receive the same kill RP as the teammate securing the eliminations.

For example, imagine your squad secures eight kills:

All three players would receive credit for the squad's eight kills.

The exact RP value of those kills will depend on the new scoring system.

This is a particularly interesting change for players who prefer support-oriented Legends.

Instead of worrying about dealing enough damage to qualify for an assist, players can focus more heavily on their role within the team.

Respawn hopes this will reinforce the importance of teamwork.

3. Ranked Entry Costs Will Increase by Division

Currently, entry costs can increase substantially when players enter a new rank tier.

This can create a sudden difficulty spike, particularly when moving into Diamond.

Season 32 will introduce more gradual increases.

Rather than increasing entry costs primarily at each rank tier, costs will rise at individual divisions.

For example, the entry cost could progressively increase as players move through Emerald IV, Emerald III, Emerald II, and Emerald I.

This should create a smoother difficulty curve.

Players will still need to improve their performance to continue climbing, but the progression system should feel less abrupt.

Respawn has not yet published the complete Season 32 entry-cost table.

4. Open League and Pro-Am Will Reward Different Playstyles

Season 32's scoring system will also vary depending on the league.

Open League will place greater emphasis on kills.

This should reward players who consistently win fights and demonstrate strong combat ability.

Pro-Am League will place greater emphasis on placement.

This should reward teams that combine strong fighting skills with positioning, rotations, and late-game decision-making.

The Pro-Am scoring philosophy is intended to resemble the competitive priorities seen in the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS).

This distinction means players may need to adjust their strategies significantly after reaching Diamond.

Apex Legends Season 32 Ranked Rewards Overhaul

Ranked rewards are another major focus of the Season 32 update.

Respawn has acknowledged that players want more meaningful rewards for the time and effort they invest in competitive progression.

Several improvements have already been announced.

New Seasonal Auras

Season 32 will introduce new Seasonal Auras and additional ways to use them.

Auras are intended to help players display their Ranked achievements.

Emerald will also receive Aura representation alongside its new rank badge.

Ranked Dive Trails Could Return

Respawn has confirmed that it is revisiting Ranked Dive Trails.

Dive Trails were previously among the most recognisable ways for players to display their competitive accomplishments.

However, the exact form of their potential return has not yet been confirmed.

Players should therefore avoid assuming that the original Dive Trail reward system will return unchanged.

Epic and Legendary Apex Packs

Season 32's Ranked rewards overhaul will also include Epic and Legendary Apex Packs.

These additions could make progressing through Ranked more rewarding, especially for players who don't consistently reach the highest tiers.

The exact distribution requirements have not yet been revealed.

Rewards for Ranking Up

One of the most welcome changes is the introduction of rewards earned upon promotion.

Instead of waiting until the end of a season to receive every reward, players will have opportunities to earn rewards as they progress.

This creates additional incentives to climb through individual ranks.

For example, progressing from Gold into Platinum could become more immediately rewarding, although Respawn has not yet confirmed which specific promotions will grant which items.

Weekly Ranked Ladders Are Being Removed

Weekly Ranked Ladders will be removed in Season 32.

Respawn has indicated that it is working on a broader redesign of limited-time competitive experiences.

Further details about potential replacements are expected in 2027.

How Will These Ranked Changes Affect Apex Legends Players?

The impact of the Season 31 and Season 32 changes will depend heavily on your current rank and playstyle.

Bronze, Silver and Gold Players

Lower-ranked players should benefit from clearer progression and a more accessible Ranked experience.

Iron will replace Rookie, while Open League scoring will encourage combat development.

The removal of Road to Ranked Challenges should also make competitive play easier to access for eligible accounts.

Platinum Players

Platinum players may experience some of the most noticeable changes.

With Emerald being introduced between Platinum and Diamond, reaching Diamond will require progressing through an additional rank.

However, this also creates a new achievement for players who previously struggled to move beyond Platinum.

Emerald could become an important milestone for players aiming to reach higher-level competitive gameplay.

Diamond Players

Diamond players will face significant changes across both seasons.

Season 31 introduces Legend bans and revised entry costs for uneven lobbies.

Season 32 then moves Diamond into Pro-Am League, where placement becomes more valuable and matches follow a more competitive structure.

Players who rely on aggressive fighting alone may need to improve their rotations, positioning, and late-game strategy.

Master and Apex Predator Players

High-ranked players will have an entirely new progression target with Grandmaster.

Master will also feature four divisions, creating additional milestones before Grandmaster.

Meanwhile, Predator competition will revolve around finishing among the top 750 Grandmaster players.

For highly competitive players, this could create a longer and more demanding progression journey.

How to Prepare for Apex Legends Season 31 and Season 32

With such significant changes approaching, players should begin preparing before the new systems arrive.

Here are some of the most effective ways to adapt.

1. Learn Multiple Legends

Legend bans mean relying on a single character could become a disadvantage in Diamond+ matches.

Try developing a pool of at least three Legends that complement your preferred playstyle.

This gives you flexibility if your main Legend becomes unavailable.

2. Improve Your Team Coordination

Season 32's team kill scoring will reward coordinated squad performance.

Communicating enemy positions, supporting teammates, and combining abilities effectively could become even more important.

Players who consistently contribute to team success should benefit from the new approach.

3. Practise Rotations and Endgame Positioning

Players hoping to reach Diamond and beyond should spend time improving their understanding of rotations, ring positioning, and late-game fights.

Pro-Am League will reward placement more heavily, making survival and positioning essential skills.

4. Adapt Your Playstyle to Your League

Open League and Pro-Am will reward different approaches.

In Open League, developing combat consistency and winning engagements should remain priorities.

In Pro-Am, players will need to balance eliminations with survival and strategic positioning.

Understanding this distinction could make the transition into Diamond significantly easier.

5. Set Realistic Ranked Goals

With Emerald and Grandmaster entering the progression system, previous season ranks may no longer translate directly into the same achievement.

Instead of expecting to reach your previous rank immediately, focus on improving your performance and adapting to the new system.

Climb the New Apex Legends Ranked System With AM Boosting

With three new ranks, revised RP scoring, and an entirely new competitive league, the upcoming Apex Legends seasons will introduce fresh challenges for players at every skill level.

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Service availability for the new Season 32 ranks will depend on the final Ranked system and its release.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apex Legends Season 31 & 32 Ranked Changes

When Does Apex Legends Season 31 Start?

Apex Legends Season 31 is scheduled to begin in November 2026. Respawn has confirmed that the update will introduce Legend bans, wide-skill matchmaking scoring adjustments, and Ranked quality-of-life improvements.

When Does Apex Legends Season 32 Release?

Apex Legends Season 32 is expected in early 2027. The update will introduce Iron, Emerald, and Grandmaster ranks alongside the new Open and Pro-Am League structure.

Is Apex Legends Adding Emerald Rank?

Yes. Emerald Rank is officially confirmed for Season 32. It will sit between Platinum and Diamond and contain four divisions.

Is Grandmaster Replacing Apex Predator?

No. Grandmaster will become the highest progression rank, while Apex Predator will remain a special distinction for players finishing among the top 750 Grandmasters at the end of the season.

Is Rookie Rank Being Removed?

Yes. Rookie will be replaced by Iron in Season 32. Iron will function as a standard Ranked tier.

Will Apex Legends Have Legend Bans?

Yes. Legend banning will arrive in Season 31 for eligible Diamond+ matches. Three Legends will be banned using a vote-weighted random selection system.

Will Apex Legends Ranked Have Two Different Leagues?

Yes. Season 32 will introduce Open League for Iron through Emerald and Pro-Am League for Diamond through Grandmaster.

Will Kills Give More RP in Season 32?

Kills will receive fixed RP values rather than increasing in value based on final placement. Open League will place greater emphasis on kills, while Pro-Am League will prioritise placement more heavily. Exact RP values have not yet been announced.

Will Assists Still Matter in Apex Legends Ranked?

The separate assist and participation scoring categories will be removed in Season 32. Instead, every squad member will receive full RP credit for their team's kills.

Are Ranked Dive Trails Returning?

Respawn has confirmed that it is revisiting Ranked Dive Trails as part of the Season 32 rewards overhaul. However, the exact implementation has not been announced.

Will Apex Legends Ranked Be Harder in Season 32?

The difficulty will depend on your rank and playstyle. Emerald adds an additional progression milestone before Diamond, while Master divisions and Grandmaster introduce new challenges at the top of the ladder. Respawn also intends to make entry-cost increases more gradual.

Will Weekly Ranked Ladders Be Removed?

Yes. Weekly Ranked Ladders will be removed in Season 32, with Respawn planning to reveal more information about redesigned limited-time competitions in 2027.

Final Thoughts: Are Season 31 and 32 the Biggest Apex Legends Ranked Changes Yet?

Apex Legends Seasons 31 and 32 are shaping up to deliver one of the most significant Ranked overhauls in the game's history.

Season 31 will introduce meaningful improvements through Legend bans, Challenger and Goliath Matches, and better Ranked accessibility.

Season 32 will go considerably further, introducing Iron, Emerald, and Grandmaster ranks, separating players into Open and Pro-Am Leagues, rebuilding RP scoring, and improving competitive rewards.

The introduction of Emerald should provide a new milestone for players struggling between Platinum and Diamond, while Grandmaster will offer an additional challenge for the most dedicated competitors.

Meanwhile, the new team kill scoring system and league-specific RP priorities could fundamentally change how squads approach Ranked matches.

Although Respawn still has more details to reveal, the direction is clear: Apex Legends Ranked is becoming a more structured, competitive, and rewarding experience.

We'll continue updating this guide as Respawn reveals additional information about Season 31 and Season 32.

If you're preparing for the upcoming Ranked changes and want help reaching your competitive goals, explore AM Boosting's Apex Legends services and get ready for the next era of Apex Legends Ranked.