Matchmaking For Arena | Minimum levels and "hidden" elo

I am not in favor of having it bound to the reputation levels. Being a legend, being a level 50 sea dog ... doesn't mean you are good, just that you spent time in the game. You can hit a high rank, as a sea dog by just losing matches or become a legend without ever fighting another pirate.

This is a competitive mode and in my opinion will need a ranking system that is run, in the background even if they don't want to make it public, which matches players within crews and those ship with similar rankings. These are based on win ratios and other data they collect.

@cotu42 yes I agree with the idea of the ranking system in the background, it should account for losses as well as wins, not just time spent in the game.

EDIT: Changed to hidden elo instead of sea dog level

@xultanis-dragon I'm not concerned at being destroyed in pvp, althoguh I am not an expert, I do consider myself pretty good. Also, the elo works is that it would be able to find someone at a close level, although it doesn't have to be the same.

But the main reason why I created this thread, is because I am getting teamed with people constantly who camp and fish the whole game, avoiding pvp, and wind up getting 4v1 against other players. Versing the same crews I do not thing would be a major issue though, as it would be similar to most other video games where they place you with players with similar rank. Unless the sea of thieves playerbase is miniscule, there should be many players at each level. For instance, I am not 100% on this, but I think there are over 2000 pirate legends? if they have that many people at similar elos, I don't believe finding unique players would be an issue

Mabye a solution to this would be to require a minium amount of trading levels or a commendation of amount players killed or perhaps timed played in the main game that new players are required to play in adventure mode at least ONCE before being able to join arena.

This wouldn't really be seperating the playerbase though, I feel as if it would just make the games more competive, because elo would allow for players to verse each other. Even if they did get to it though, its no different then having trading company levels, although I do see your reasoning on loading time.

Getting paired with players on the same ship not of equal playing level has been a major set back for me in arena.

@xultanis-dragon said in Matchmaking For Arena | Minimum levels and "hidden" elo:

@expertphoenix37

The are multiple issues that arise when adding a ranking system.

First comes the problems in the higher level queues. Not only do they take longer, you end up facing against the same people over and over.

Eventually once you get to the tippy top, unless people from that rank are actually playing, you never get a match. Trust me higher level queues suck because you are literally waiting for the same group of people to get online because the game won't match you up against lower ranks. It will undoubtedly split the player base because it ALWAYS does.

Next is the elitism it creates. I know you said to put it in the background but players are crafty and jerks. They will find a way to access those stats. Id rather it not have any real standing in the community.

I see a lot of people asking for this because they argue "Why should I have to fight against a good crew? Why can't I fight against someone my own skill level!" - In retrospect everyone really only fights against people their own skill level. The chances of you running into a group or team that will hands down just destroy you in game are low.

If it happens take it as a learning experience. You really do not learn quicker by playing against people "your own skill level". Unless you actively want to get better you really don't learn anything unless you play against someone better than you.

There is also talk of separating pre-made groups and random groups. Which does not lead to good things either. I've seen such type of match making actually murder queue times and accessibility of players.

I get and understand that you feel that things are "unfair" with players who as you stated won 50games in a row because they some how faced against 16 brand new players?? Which I don't think is really possible but if they did then I guess luck is on their side??

But separating the player base is never the way to go with this. Sometimes trying to make sure everything is "fair" only causes more chaos later on and just really doesn't help anything. They way things are now does not hurt anyone nor does it hinder their progress in any way.

The main issue with the "fairness" is that a lot of PvE players avoid PvP in the game so they don't really know how to fight properly. I would rather they are forced to finally learn how to properly play the game or at least defend themselves. Splitting up the community to make it easier for them is not going to help them in the long run.

The map issue that you are talking about I guess is from a lower level group of players? Players I play with assess with island would work, which one has more points and such. The object is to win. You can spread out all you want but eventually someone is in the lead and you have to figure out how to over take them or stop them.

So again, everything is fine the way it is at the moment. The things you talked about aren't really that big of an issue to warrant a dramatic change to the arena match making system.

Even though it looks small it is a BIG change.

Sorry if this seemed rushed, I'm making food at the same time and going back and forth. I really should have waited but I chose to the do the idiot thing and do both lol

Perhaps if there were ranks "beginner - intermedite - advanced" and the gaps between not very small, it would keep the amount of different players high