FACEIT is preparing one of the biggest changes to its ranking system in recent years — Season 8, starting on April 22, will introduce 10 placement matches for every player alongside a global soft Elo reset. The update aims to recalibrate the entire competitive ladder and ensure that player ratings better reflect current skill rather than past performance.
How the new system works
At the start of the season, all players will enter under the same conditions:
- Elo will be temporarily hidden
- Every player must complete 10 placement matches
- A new rating will be revealed after placements are finished
This effectively introduces a seasonal recalibration designed to reset competitive balance.
Soft reset explained
Importantly, this is not a full reset, but a controlled adjustment:
- Top-tier Level 10 players → largest compression
- Regular Level 10 players → moderate reset
- Active Level 1–9 players → minimal changes
- Inactive players → significant Elo reduction
The goal is to reduce rating inflation and restore a healthier distribution across ranks.
Why FACEIT is adding placements
According to the platform, several long-term issues led to this change:
- Inactive players retaining high ranks
- Level 10 becoming inflated due to no upper cap
- Increasing imbalance in matchmaking
Placement matches are designed to “re-sort” the entire ladder at once.
What to expect in placement matches
The first 10 games will play a key role:
- They have a stronger impact than regular matches
- However, they are not extreme (not ±500 Elo per game)
- Players can still queue with friends (restrictions remain)
- Early matches may feel chaotic due to mass recalibration
After completing all 10 matches, your new starting rank for the season is revealed.
Can you place higher than before?
Yes — but with limitations:
- If you perform above your previous level, you can rank up
- However, high Elo Level 10 players are unlikely to gain rating due to system compression
Community reaction: hype vs skepticism
The update quickly sparked debate across X (Twitter) and Reddit. Positive reactions:
- “Ready for grind ”
- “Hiding ELO during placements is smart. Less toxicity.”
- “Maybe level 10 will actually mean something again”
Many players believe this will clean up inactive accounts and restore the value of high Elo.
Concerns and criticism:
- “2600 hours to be lvl 10 and get reset like this?”
- “If it’s based on current elo it’s gonna be bad”
- “Will this just make boosting easier?”
Players are particularly concerned about:
- The impact of placements on Elo
- Potential rating drops
- Match quality early in the season
Additional clarifications from FACEIT
Developers also addressed several key points:
- Active players will see smaller resets
- Inactive players will see larger adjustments
- Losing all 10 placements may result in a significant Elo drop
- Going ~5/10 will likely result in minimal changes
What this means for the scene
Season 8 introduces a new competitive cycle:
- Regular seasonal recalibration
- Ratings reflecting current form, not past performance
- Reduced inflation at high Elo
This brings FACEIT closer to CS2 Premier-style systems, but with its own structure.
Conclusion: a defining update for FACEIT
FACEIT is making a major shift toward competitive integrity, but the first weeks could be volatile. If the system works, Level 10 may regain its prestige. If not, players could face even more instability.
