All Warzone 2 Ranked Play restrictions: Squad size, weapon bans, vehicles, more

Warzone 2 Ranked Play features many changes from the casual playlist to balance the competition. For those interested in the changes, here are all of the Warzone 2 Ranked Play restrictions.
Ranked Play officially arrived in Warzone 2 after the Season 3 Reloaded update, and it continues to offer battle royale players a more competitive experience in Season 5.
Players can grind Ranked matches to work their way through the Skill Divisions, gaining SR through getting as many kills and assists as they can, as well as placing high. Doing so will grant rewards, but the key to success may be knowing the ins and outs of the mode.
With that said, here are all of the restrictions for Warzone 2 Ranked Play, so you know exactly what you can and can’t use in the competitive mode.
- What is the squad size for Warzone 2 Ranked Play?
- Warzone 2 Ranked Play restricted weapons & vehicles
- Warzone 2 Ranked Play restricts Thermal Optics
- Warzone 2 Ranked Play restricted gameplay elements & Public Events
- Every restriction in Warzone 2 Ranked Play
What is the squad size for Warzone 2 Ranked Play?
The squad size for Warzone 2 Ranked Play has been restricted to Trios, meaning you can only play the competitive mode with up to two other players.
Unfortunately for those with a full four-man squad, someone is going to have to sit out. However, as this is just the Warzone 2 Ranked Play beta, there’s a chance that the devs could change this number or even add a second playlist for Quads, Duos, and maybe even Solos.
It’s also important to note that Squad Assimilation is also turned off for Warzone 2 Ranked Play.
Here’s an overview of Warzone 2 Ranked Play. pic.twitter.com/pCMROiSSlq
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 4, 2023
Warzone 2 Ranked Play restricted weapons & vehicles
A Season 5 change on August 21 brought bans for two launchers in Warzone 2 Ranked Play, as Treyarch decided to restrict the RPG-7 and Strela-P. Additionally, they announced that ground loot will be updated at a later date to align with these new restrictions.
#Warzone Ranked Play restrictions have been updated.
— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) August 21, 2023
❌ RPG-7
❌ Strela-P
These weapons will appear restricted in custom loadout menus and are restricted in-game once you're in a match.
Note: Ground Loot will be updated at a later date to align with these new restrictions.
This follows the major weapon restrictions that were added to Ranked Play following the X13 Auto and Basilisk Handguns with Season 4 Reloaded’s July 18 update, joined by the previously restricted KV Broadside, Dragon’s Breath ammunition, and the Explosive ammunition for Snipers, which effectively removed one-shot kill Snipers from Ranked Play.
Further, devs made it clear that players would not be able to use the Riot Shield.
A few killstreaks are not available in Ranked Play, as the Warzone 2 developers have confirmed that the Cluster Mine and Bomb Drone are among the restricted elements. The Revive Pistol replaces the Cluster Mine in Buy Stations.
As for Vehicles, the Heavy Chopper will not be available in Warzone 2 Ranked Play, and there will also be no turreted vehicles.
Warzone 2 Ranked Play restricts Thermal Optics
As of May 24, the devs decided to release a patch that restricts Thermal Optics that have the “unintended ability to identify Cold-Blooded players through smoke grenades.”
These Optics include:
- SZ Holotherm
- VX350 Thermal Optic
- Teplo-op3 Scope
- Thermo-Optic X9
- Teplo Clear Shot
- Drexsom Prime-90
📢 #Warzone2 Ranked Play (Beta): Restrictions now include Thermal Optics that have the unintended ability to identify Cold-Blooded players through smoke grenades:
— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) May 24, 2023
▪️ SZ Holotherm
▪️ VX350 Thermal Optic
▪️ Teplo-op3 Scope
▪️ Thermo-Optic X9
▪️ Teplo Clear Shot
▪️ Drexsom Prime-90
Warzone 2 Ranked Play restricted gameplay elements & Public Events
In Warzone 2 Ranked Play, there will be no multi-circles, and the devs have also decided to make some “changes to redeploy mechanics.”
The circle will shut in classic fashion, with players having to follow one zone rather than the multiple seen in casual matches.
Further, there will also be no Firesale Public Events, so don’t expect to be seeing cheap prices in the Buy Stations during a ranked Warzone 2 match.
Here's some info on Warzone 2 Ranked:
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 3, 2023
– Squad assimilation off
– No turreted vehicles & no heavy chopper
– Buy Stations will have consistent inventory & Unlimited items
– Traditional gas circle
– Certain gear & weapons will be restricted
– A.I is one shot in Ranked
-… pic.twitter.com/3TeBdFWSSp
Every restriction in Warzone 2 Ranked Play
There are many changes that the devs have made to Warzone 2’s battle royale matches for Ranked Play, so here’s a breakdown of them all:
- Trio squads only
- Only Al Mazrah
- No Riot Shields
- No X13 Auto
- No Strela-P and RPG-7 launchers
- No Basilisk
- No KV Broadside
- No Dragon’s Breath Ammo for Shotguns
- No Explosive Ammo for Snipers
- No Gulag Entry Kit
- No Redeploy Pack
- No Squad Assimilation
- No Cluster Mines
- No Gas Cans
- No Bomb Drones
- No Firesales
- No Turreted Land Vehicles
- No Turreted Water Vehicles
- No Heavy Choppers
- No multi-circles
- No flinging rocks at people in the Gulag
- No Jailbreak event
- No Restock event
- No Global Text Chat
- No Proximity Voice Chat
- Exclusion of Thermal Optics that wrongly counter Cold Blooded Perk
Well, there you have it, that’s all of the restrictions for Warzone 2 Ranked Play. For more, make sure you check out our abundance of guides on the battle royale below:
Best Warzone 2 controller settings | Best Warzone 2 PC settings | How to ping enemies in Warzone 2 | How to use Proximity Chat in Warzone 2 | How to get a nuke in Warzone 2 | Best Assault Rifles in Warzone 2 | Does Warzone 2 have crossplay?