New Arena matchmaking system FAQ
by Zach Yonzon 
Feb 6th 2009 at 9:00PM
In a nutshell, the system is continuously trying to place players and teams in the bracket. This means a 50% win ratio, where teams are fighting other teams of equal skill (and thus have an even chance to win or lose). If players get winning records but still drop in ratings, it means that they are beating far inferior teams and the system will adjust their Matchmaking Ratings or MMR to the appropriate level. It is by far the best post about the subject, answering important concerns clearly and without any smoke and mirrors. The way Aratil explains it shows how the new system is superior to the old one. If you're going to read just one post about the new system (and there's a lot), this should be it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matchu Feb 6th 2009 9:33PM
Looks like they're going to be adjusting the arena gear rewards.
Palatel Feb 6th 2009 10:03PM
"The way Aratil explains it shows how the new system is superior to the old one"
......................................................................................................
lolwut
Zeplar Feb 6th 2009 10:03PM
What I don't understand is why the hidden rating is hidden. It would make a lot more sense if I could just see it, and then I would know how far I need to go before my rating stabilizes and starts going up more than down.
Palatel Feb 6th 2009 10:06PM
No, the problem is that a team, ANY team, regardless of skill, will initially plummet. And since the internal ratings are account based, there is no redemption.
Ahoni Feb 6th 2009 10:28PM
No redemtion?
Don't suck. Looks to me like the new rating are working exactly as intended. You suck, your rating goes down, even if you make a new team.
The Claw Feb 6th 2009 11:24PM
Redemption is - start winning!
Your rating will stabilise at a point where you are going 50/50 wins and losses. If you consistently win more than you lose, your rating will rise.
Chad Feb 7th 2009 1:19AM
While technically true, for the first good amount of time, your rating will probably plummet. I went 7-4 with a friend on a new and ended at 1449. That is just dumb.
Ashuntrah Feb 7th 2009 1:47AM
If by "better" you mean "needlessly complicated and counterproductive."
Agent StanSmith Feb 7th 2009 2:24AM
They should have fixed the rewards requirements to account for the skewed distribution to the lower rankings BEFORE they put this system in place.
There's no incentive to play because you can't excel if you don't have the gear and you can't get the gear if you don't excel.
Doki-Chan Feb 7th 2009 2:49AM
I think similar rules apply in Chess or Seeded tournaments: if you beat someone that has a low rating, it does not count as much as if you take down Uberlolcow the no3 seed..... and vice versa if you lose to someone who has only just started to try PvP arena (eg I haven't been yet, not enough time as I'm still levelling with my S.O.)
... and ofc, all the self-styled "1337 'ard-kore" nabs will be running around with their coats over their heads 'cos their gankfest world is ending.
Karilyn Feb 7th 2009 7:36AM
You pretty much hit the nail on the head.
This is pretty much the way any extremely large ongoing tournament system works.
People who keep comparing it to sports teams are ignoring a simple difference... *clears throat* *examines wikipedia*
NFL = 32 teams
MLB = 30 teams
NBA = 30 teams
Major League Soccer = 15 teams
In small devisions like sports, it's easy to go by a win:loss ratio, because you can pit all the teams against all the other teams in a single season.
However, because Arena is literally thousands and thousands of teams and games being played, you have to have a more elaborate system to accurately represent people's rankings, as win:loss ratio is worthless as a tool.
Xirifus Feb 7th 2009 6:12AM
Yay! you were first!
Here, take a cookie.
Marveen Feb 7th 2009 9:44AM
Hmm, I liked reading the FAQ thread, especially posts 49 and 50 by Kalgan - s/he gives a very good explanation of how ratings visible and hidden change as you do more battles. Considering this I may actually have a try at an Arena sometime soon.. never done one, other than skirmishes!
Dominace Feb 7th 2009 9:11AM
No, not here too....
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo