Cyber Gomoku's online ranked mode lets you compete against other players. Your points rise or fall after each match, and your total determines a rank from C through S. This page documents the system currently implemented in the game.
1. Ranks and required points
The game calculates your rank automatically from your current points. Every new ranked player starts at rank C.
| Rank | Required points | Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| S rank | 5,000 pt or more | Top-tier players who can use hidden information and board-changing abilities consistently. |
| A rank | 2,500–4,999 pt | Advanced players who combine strong Gomoku fundamentals with bluffing and prediction. |
| B rank | 1,000–2,499 pt | Intermediate players who can use each cyber ability reliably. |
| C rank | 0–999 pt | The starting tier. Build your fundamentals here before aiming for rank B. |
2. Point changes after a match
When a ranked match produces a winner, each player's points change according to their current tier. Higher ranks award more points for a win but also deduct more after a loss.
| Current rank | Win | Loss |
|---|---|---|
| C rank | +40pt | -10pt |
| B rank | +50pt | -25pt |
| A rank | +60pt | -40pt |
| S rank | +80pt | -100pt |
- Draws: No points are gained or lost.
- Minimum: Your total cannot fall below 0 points.
- Demotion: Rank always follows your current point total. If a loss takes you below a tier's requirement, your rank drops. At rank S, a loss costs 100 points, making the highest tier difficult to maintain.
Reason for this design
A rank-C loss costs only 10 points, so new players can learn without immediately erasing their progress. Losses become more expensive in the upper tiers, making consistent results necessary to stay there. The asymmetric values are designed to keep early progression encouraging while making higher ranks meaningful.
3. Separate ratings for each mode
Cyber Gomoku has a Normal mode without abilities and a Cyber mode with abilities. Points, rank, wins, and losses are tracked separately for the two modes.
Standard Gomoku fundamentals and the ability to read hidden items are different skills. A player might therefore reach rank A in Normal mode but rank B in Cyber mode. When signed in with a Google account, progress in both modes carries across devices.
4. Behind the scenes of the matching system
Online matchmaking uses Firebase Realtime Database and Firestore. When you choose Online Battle, the system first looks for waiting players near your rank. If it cannot find one, it gradually widens the acceptable range. This balances queue time against the risk of a large skill mismatch.
CPU matches offer EASY, NORMAL, and HARD opponents, while local exhibition mode lets two people play on one screen. Use the CPU together with the strategy guide to practice before returning to ranked play.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to sign in to save rank points?
Yes. Sign in with a Google account to save ranked-match results. Guests can still play unranked modes.
Will rank points increase in CPU battles?
No. Points change only in online ranked matches, so you can practice against the CPU without risking your rank.
Which should I start with, normal or cyber?
If Gomoku is new to you, start in Normal mode to learn the fundamentals. Move to Cyber mode when you are ready to add hidden information and abilities.
Everyone starts at rank C. Your first win is the first step upward.