Deranking in VALORANT isn't a pleasant experience and Riot Games introduced Rank Shields to easen the pain with Patch 10.01. Rank shields, also known as derank protection, give players a second chance to remain in their current rank.

Whenever I drop zero RR, the stress of dropping to a lower rank starts getting to me. This happens to many players, which can also negatively impact one's performance. The rank shield provides great value, especially for those who may be struggling after recently ranking up.

What do Rank Shields mean in VALORANT?

Rank Shields prevent players from demotion after losing a game at zero RR in VALORANT. This isn't forever, though, since you'll have limited rank shields, meaning you can eventually drop to a lower rank if you continue losing.

VALORANT's in-game interface lets you keep track of your Rank Shield, and if you're out of derank protections, you can expect to drop a tier if you lose one more match.

How do Rank Shields work in VALORANT?

All players get two Rank Shields when they reach Tier One of any rank, like Silver One, Gold One, Platinum One, etc. Rank Shields are exclusive to Tier One ranks, with Radiant being the exception.

• If you lose a match at zero RR, you'll consume one Rank Shield.
• Your second shield will be used when you lose a second match with zero RR.
• Losing the third match at zero RR means demotion.
• If you win at zero RR and then drop back to zero RR, your rank shields won't refresh.

One of the better parts of this feature is that you don't necessarily have to be promoted to Tier One to get Rank Shields. If you get demoted Silver One from Gold Five, you'll also receive demotion protection.

Overall, this is a nice feature that has been on the wishlist of many players. The way Riot implemented it could increase the level of motivation in Tier One matches. Having Rank Shields could be seen as a safety net, but I wouldn't want to rely on them too much. Getting yourself a safe distance away from zero RR will remain the best way to keep those demotion vibes away from your gameplay experience and give you peace of mind while using a FLEX to celebrate a clutch round.