Modern Warfare 3 Exceeds Skill Restrictions Issue Explained

Modern Warfare 3 players are running into an issue when trying to queue up with a party for ranked where they encounter “Exceeds Skill Restrictions” under a player’s gamer tag. The Exceeds Skill Restrictions issue is one of the easier ones to deal with in the game. Here is all you need to know about the issue and how to fix Exceeds Skill Restrictions in Modern Warfare 3.

Modern Warfare 3 Exceeds Skill Restrictions issue explained

Modern Warfare 3’s Ranked system features a total of eight Skill Divisions, meant to ensure that players with similar skill are matched, adding competitive balance. Ranked Play has restrictions on players with large division disparities queuing up together. Skill Rating points you earn during matches will let you climb these Divisions. When you first play Ranked you will start from the Bronze Division and you’ll have to grind through matches earning Skill Rating. Your wins and losses, along with your individual performance during the match will determine your Skill Rating gains or losses. Here are all the Skill Divisions currently in place in Modern Warfare 3:

• Bronze: Starting Division

• Silver: 900 SR

• Gold: 2,100 SR

• Platinum: 3,600 SR

• Diamond: 5,400 SR

• Crimson: 7,500 SR

• Iridescent: 10,000 SR

• Top 250: 10,000 SR

The player with the highest Skill Division in the party will decide which ranks you can queue up with. Here are all of the Skill Division restrictions in MW3 Ranked Play:

• Bronze - Platinum: Do not have Skill Restrictions.

• Diamond: Can party within two Skill Divisions. 

• Iridescent - Top 250: Can party within one Skill Division.

If you try to queue up with someone outside these parameters, you’ll encounter the Exceeds Skill Restrictions issue. 

Skill Division Rewards

Ranked players have the chance to earn Skill Division rewards. These are unlocked at the end of the season, based on your best Skill Division obtained in Season 2. These include new rewards including updated Season 2 emblems and all-new Division Camos.

• Highest Division — Bronze: “MWIII Season 2 Bronze” Emblem

• Highest Division — Silver: “MWIII Season 2 Silver” Emblem

• Highest Division — Gold: “MWIII Season 2 Gold” Animated Emblem and Weapon Camo

• Highest Division — Platinum: “MWIII Season 2 Platinum” Animated Emblem and Weapon Camo

• Highest Division — Diamond: “MWIII Season 2 Diamond” Animated Emblem and Weapon Camo

• Highest Division — Crimson: “MWIII Season 2 Crimson” Animated Emblem and Weapon Camo

• Highest Division — Iridescent: “MWIII Season 2 Iridescent” Animated Calling Card, Animated Emblem and Weapon Camo

• End Season 2 in Top 250: “MWIII Season 2 Top 250” Animated Calling Card, Emblem, and Weapon Camo

• End Season 2 #1 Overall: “MWIII Season #1 Overall” Animated Calling Card and Emblem

Also, expect the Season 1 Ranked Play rewards that you earned during Season 1 Reloaded to be accessible at the start of Season 2.

Modern Warfare 3 Ranked Play Rewards

Ranked Play in Multiplayer brings the following rewards you can earn in Season 2. Here are all the Seasonal Challenge Rewards:

• Win 5 Ranked Matches: “MWIII Season 2 Competitor” Sticker

• Win 10 Ranked Matches: “Pro Issue MCW” Weapon Blueprint

• Win 25 Ranked Matches: “Farmed Them” Charm

• Win 50 Ranked Matches: “Hard Day’s Work” Weapon Decal

• Win 75 Ranked Matches: “MWIII Season 2 Competitor” Loading Screen

• Win 100 Ranked Matches: “MWIII Season 2 Ranked Veteran” Weapon Camo