Professional gamers know that competing at a high level is not easy. However, Riot Games has made it easier for its players by introducing “Ranked Shields” in the latest patch of Valorant (patch 10.1). This system allows players to avoid immediate demotion from their ranked tier.
Here’s how it works: when you reach the bottom tier and have no remaining rank rating (RR), a Ranked Shield is triggered, giving you three games to turn your situation around before demoting. If you lose any of these games, your shield will break, leaving you with two more chances. However, regaining 5 RR won’t reset your shield.
The Ranked Shields system offers players a safety net and motivates them to play harder to avoid demotion. This is especially important for players who experience setbacks, like losing multiple games in a row. With this update, Valorant’s ranked mode will be more similar to League of Legends’ system, which Riot Games is known for.
The Ranked Shields system is available in all ranks except Radiant (similar to Apex ranks). The patch also includes other changes and updates. If you’re interested in trying out the new Ranked Shields system, now’s a great time with the latest patch going live on January 21st.
Source: https://www.pcgamesn.com/valorant/patch-10-1-ranked-shields