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

Warzone 2 Ranked Play features many tweaks and changes from the casual playlist to increase the competition and stakes. For those interested in the changes, here are all of the Warzone 2 Ranked Play restrictions.
Ranked Play has officially arrived in Warzone 2 after the Season 3 Reloaded update went live, offering battle royale players a more competitive experience that aims to test their skills.
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 as well as bragging rights, 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
So far, there will not be any major restrictions on weapons apart from the fact that players will not be able to use the Riot Shield. This is currently the only restriction to the weapons we currently know of. We’ll be sure to update this section if any other weapons or gear are restricted for Warzone 2 Ranked Play.
However, a few killstreaks will not be 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.
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📢 #Warzone2 Ranked Play (Beta): Restrictions have been updated to include the Cluster Mine and Bomb Drone.Both killstreaks will no longer drop from loot containers, and the Revive Pistol will replace the Cluster Mine in Buy Stations.
— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) May 17, 2023
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:▪️ SZ Holotherm▪️ VX350 Thermal Optic▪️ Teplo-op3 Scope▪️ Thermo-Optic X9▪️ Teplo Clear Shot▪️ Drexsom Prime-90
— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) May 24, 2023
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.” We are yet to understand the full extent of these redeploy changes but will update this section when we know more.
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: – 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
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 3, 2023
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 Cluster Mines
- No Bomb Drones
- No Firesales
- No Heavy Choppers
- No multi-circles
- No flinging rocks at people in the Gulag
- 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?