Rebels — How Ratings Work

Dashboard Leaderboard Events How It Works

The Algorithm

We use the Glicko-2 rating system, developed by Professor Mark Glickman at Boston University. Glicko-2 improves on traditional Elo by tracking not just your rating, but also your rating deviation (how uncertain the system is about your skill) and volatility (how consistently you perform).

When results are processed, the system compares your finishing position against every other pilot in the event, treating each pair as a head-to-head matchup. That makes it well-suited for multi-pilot FPV races where final placement is what matters.

Rating Scale

Ratings use the standard Glicko-2 scale. New pilots start at 1500 with a high rating deviation, meaning the system is initially uncertain about your true skill level. As you compete in more events your deviation decreases and your rating becomes more stable.

2000+

Elite

1750

Advanced

1500

Starting

100

Floor

Rating Deviation & Volatility

Your rating deviation (RD) reflects how confident the system is in your rating. A new pilot has a high RD (~350), meaning their rating will move significantly after each event. As you race more, your RD shrinks and your rating stabilises.

Volatility tracks how erratic your results are. A pilot who consistently finishes near the same placement will have low volatility, while a pilot whose results swing wildly will have higher volatility. This affects how quickly ratings adjust.

How Events Are Scored

Every event where results are recorded contributes to your rating. The algorithm compares your placement against every other pilot in the event:

Beating a higher-rated pilot gives you a bigger rating boost
Losing to a lower-rated pilot costs more rating points
New pilots' ratings change more quickly due to higher rating deviation
All events are weighted equally — no tier multipliers
If you stop competing, your RD gradually increases, reflecting growing uncertainty

Classes & Championships

Ratings are tracked per class (Open, ProSpec, Micro, etc.). An Overall rating combines results across all classes using each pilot's placement from each event. The Championship filter on the dashboard and leaderboard lets you see ratings scoped to a specific championship — useful for "highest rating this season" and "most improved" type questions. With no championship selected you see the all-time ratings based on every FPV Rebels event.

Scope