PUBG update 7.2: Ranked, bots, balance changes and more

It seems like PUBG players were waiting for this forever, but Ranked mode is finally on the way.

With the latest 7.2 update, which you can now try on test servers, you will finally be able to measure and test your skills properly against other players to find out your position on the competitive ladder.

Here's what's on offer in the new update. 

Ranked mode

The new Ranked system will replace Survival Title, which has been discontinued.

• Unlike with Survival Title, only matches played in the new and separate Ranked mode will count towards your rank.
• A player’s Rank will increase or decrease after each match based on their performance.
• Legacy Survival Title season data will still be available to view in the Season navigation tab.

Matchmaking

• A new ‘Ranked’ sub-navigation option has been added to the ‘Play’ section of the primary navigation menu.
• Options for Ranked play include TPP or FPP Squad modes.
  • 1/2/3 man squad options are also available.
• Matches will feature a maximum of 64 players.
  • Ranked matches will not have Bots.
• There are additional requirements for starting a match in the Ranked queue. All squad members must meet these requirements in order to begin matchmaking.
  • A squad cannot enter the queue if two players (who have completed placements) are too far apart in rank from each other (10 divisions maximum).
  • Players need to reach a minimal Survival Mastery level of 20 before they qualify for ranked.
  • Depending on their platform and region, players may need to verify their account using SMS before they qualify for Ranked mode.If an SMS verified account is banned, the device connected to it will also be permanently blocked.
  • Players who have received ranked matchmaking penalties for actions such as repeatedly ‘dodging’ games after loading onto the island will need to wait out a matchmaking penalty timer before they can play ranked again.
• Players may cancel Ranked matchmaking at any time with no penalty.
  • Players who find a match and load into the pregame lobby will face Ranked penalties if they then choose to abandon the match.

Are you ready for Ranked? (Picture: PUBG Crop)

Ranked mode ruleset

• Ranked mode games will be randomly played on Erangel, Miramar, or Sanhok.
• Ranked mode will operate under its own game settings.
• Unique Season 7 Ranked settings include:
  • An overall increase in item loot spawns
  • No Crossbow spawns
  • The red zone has been removed
  • The motor glider has been removed
  • The timing and speed of the Blue Zone has been adjusted to increase the pace of play
• Exact settings are subject to adjustment throughout the season and especially at the start of new seasons.
  • Changes in the ranked mode ruleset will be posted via announcements
• The metrics that determine performance are
  • Kills
  • Assists
  • Personal placement
• When a player exits a Ranked match, they will be presented with a new pop-up modal celebration that shows the player their performance metrics as well as the change to their RP.
• Players who are at Diamond rank or above will begin to face RP ‘decay’ if they do not play any Ranked games for a week or more in a row
• The Leaderboards have returned and have been updated to work with Ranked mode

1. Leaderboards now list the Top 500 players per server, sorted by RP
2. The Leaderboard you see is for the region you’ve played the most Ranked matches in.
3. Once a player enters the leaderboard, their region will be fixed for the rest of the season.
4. Players who end the season on the Top 500 Leaderboards for any queue will receive a small additional reward to recognize the achievement

Ranked Tiers and Divisions (Picture: PUBG Crop)

Bot Opponents

Bots are also coming to the game, a somewhat controversial topic amongst PUBG players. Developer promise that they did a lot of improvements for them, and point out that they will never come to Ranked mode. 

Bots will only appear in normal games and are designed to appear less as your skill increases. Developers say they are aware of their current state and are looking at your feedback. Their plan is to adjust the balance, intelligence, and functionality of bots as time goes on.

• The Ratio of bots in each match is dynamic.
  • The ratio of bots in each match will change according to player skill and the matchmaking pool in each server.
• Bots can only join Normal matchmaking games
  • Players will not be placed on a team with bots and bots will not fill in the empty slots in your party.
• Normal match with bots will start fresh with new MMR
• Bots actions are limited.
  • Bots can perform basic actions such as walk/run/crouch/prone/shoot and are also capable of doing basic low height parkour, swimming, parachuting and looting.
  • Leaning, jumping, ledge grab, and the use of throwables will be added at a later date.
• Achievements, trophies, missions, and Mastery can still be earned and completed.
  • Actions against bots are counted towards missions, Survival & Weapon Mastery, as well as platform achievements and trophies.
• Bot spectate and Death Cam.
  • Death Cams from the perspective of bots will be available, but they may look a little odd until we make our planned improvements.
  • When a player is killed during a match, the spectator is prioritized to remaining human players. However, if all players are eliminated, players can spectate bots.

Ranked Mode is currently on the test servers (Picture: PUBG Crop)

Balance changes

• Increased reload times for M416, M16A4 and SCAR-L
  • Adjusted the reload time of some of these mid-range weapons to make them less of a go-to for their effectiveness in all situations. This change should especially affect close-quarters engagements, as you’ll have a longer window to rush opponents reloading an AR.
• M416

1. Decreased base damage by 1 (41 → 40)
2. Decreased muzzle velocity from 880 m/s to 780 m/s
3. Changed damage curve distances from 60m – 450m to 50m – 350m

Weapon damage per round per pick up

• M16A4, MK47 Mutant
  • Decreased recoil when firing in quick succession in semi-auto and bursts mode.
  • Added tracers (shooter only).
• Beryl M762
  • Based on the analysis result on the weapon damage per round per pick up, it seemed Beryl M762 had somewhat less performance than expected compared to other assault rifles.
  • Increased muzzle velocity from 680 m/s to 740 m/s.
  • Decreased recoil.

You will keep your inventory space after vest destruction. (Picture: PUBG Crop)

Shotguns:

• As the gun metas in the game have stabilized, shotguns were quickly left in the dust as they had little use in most late-game situations. With this update, we have adjusted the shotgun group so that they can be used more reliably throughout a match. 
• Body damage multiplier changes
  • Increased limb multiplier from 0.9 to 1.05.
  • Increased head multiplier from 1.25 to 1.5.
• Increased hip-fire accuracy.
• Decreased accuracy penalty during movement.
• Decreased damage drop over distance for all shotguns.
• Saiga S12K
  • Extended and Ext. Quickdraw magazines now hold 10 rounds.
  • Suppressor adds slight pellet spread reduction (2/3 of choke bonus).
• S1897
  • Increased pump-action speed
• Sawed-off
  • Increased reload speed.

Armour:

• Destroyed vests will no longer disappear, and neither will your inventory space.
• In addition, vests will continue to provide 20% protection and slight aim punch reduction once destroyed. The base protection level of the destroyed vest is the same no matter the type of vest you’re wearing. This should mean more competitive engagements, even if the situation doesn’t allow for the looting of a new vest.

Gas Can Improvements

New can, new fan! (Picture: PUBG Crop)

• You can equip the Gas Can in a melee weapon slot.
• Press “attack” to pour gas on the ground. It takes around 7 seconds to empty the can.
• Spilled fuel can be set on fire with gunshots, Molotovs, and grenade explosions. Fire deals the same damage as a Molotov, but burns longer (~20 seconds).
• Spilled fuel evaporates in about 3.5 minutes.
• You can also throw the Gas Can the same way as melee weapons (aim, then press attack), which causes it to release some fuel upon landing, making it easier to ignite and explode.
• Gas Cans cannot be picked up or reused after being thrown, but can still explode.

For more details, explanations and insight, check PUBG update 7.2 blog post.