Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel just started its second Ranked Season, and players have been demoted according to the ranks they managed to achieve at the end of the previous Season. However, a good number of players will notice that a portion of the Ranked Rewards are now inaccessible. Why is that?

First, a Retraction

In our article regarding the end of Season 1, we mentioned that each player would receive a certain amount of gems at the start of the new season. That is incorrect. Those gems were offered to players during the season, at the moment they reach the respective tier. We apologize to players who were looking forward to a big stash of Gems at the start of the new season.

How Ranked Demotions Work

Depending where you finished the season, you will be demoted to a lower rank, as such:

  • Platinum -> Gold 5
  • Gold -> Silver 5
  • Silver -> Bronze 1
  • Bronze -> Rookie 1
  • Rookie 1 -> Rookie 2

The new season also brings some changes to the way Ranked works, mainly Platinum Tier 1 players no longer get demoted during the season, and player no longer skip ranks when winning multiple Duels in a row.

The new season lasts until March 1st/February 28th, depending on your region.

Missing Out on Gems

The demotion comes with a pretty big caveat. Remember how we mentioned Ranked Rewards are earned during the season? Turns out, if you start this season on, say Gold 5, rewards below at that threshold and under are inaccessible! In other words, if you played to get that Platinum, you can't earn low-rank Gems.

After quick math, this means Gold 5 players won't be able to earn more than 1000 Gems from the Ranked Ladder. Silver 5 players would earn 1600 Gems if they made it to Platinum 1, but they'd end up with the same issue as Gold 5 players starting next season.

Overall, this is isn't a great look for the game, and is sure to upset a number of players.

How do you feel about the new season and gems? How high did you climb the ladder in Master Duels' first month of play? Let us know in the comments below!