Return of Reckoning

Caduceus wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 6:24 am Even though I've seen people say it wasn't a problem, I think stream sniping, queue stacking, queue dodging etc. was a serious issue.

Matchmaking has to be as random as possible to function properly, but in the last season it was very easy to gather outside information on one's next matches.

This basically created a system where weaker players were preyed on and relentlessly farmed. Names of these players were readily shared as soon as they logged on.

The Ranked discord server is a large part of what made this possible, and even though that server did good things for Ranked as well, I am not convinced it amounted to a net positive.

It is also the lack of seperation ("bracketing") between players of different skill levels which made it possible to fish for matches against easy opponents. This is why I've argued from the beginning that some sort of beginner bracket is needed to resolve at least the worst of the skill imbalances. 0-999 was simply too large of a bracket given the size of the population, and mixed players that could easily have reached 1k MMR (given more games played) with players who would never have a hope of even getting positive MMR.

Bloodmasked wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:19 am
Solo ranked is basically a huge joke where noobs parade their mmr as if it means anything when half the matches are thrown by players who don't even assist or press the guard button.

Solo ranked players are just dodging group ranked.

Caduceus wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:06 am

Bloodmasked wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:19 am
Solo ranked is basically a huge joke where noobs parade their mmr as if it means anything when half the matches are thrown by players who don't even assist or press the guard button.

Solo ranked players are just dodging group ranked.

Everyone can have their opinion on Solo and Group Ranked, but I'd like to make two points in light of your comment:


1. Success in Solo Ranked requires a high level of skill, especially to get to the very top. If one player on the team does not have a sufficient grasp of their role, chances are this player alone will lose you the match. Ranked, whether it be Solo or Group, puts a much larger demand on individual player skill than other modes of play, and offers little excuses.

It is easy for high-level players to get accustomed to this level of dedication, knowledge and skill and consider everyone else a noob, but it is not indicative of the average RoR player at all.


2. I have a full-time job and run a guild for new players. I don't have the time nor the connections to get a 6-man together that consists of the types of player that could achieve success in Group Ranked. I wish I did. I imagine many are in a similar position and are unable to dedicate their every waking hour to playing Ranked.

Again, if you take a step back and take a look at the whole picture of RoR, you will find that this typification of Solo Ranked players as lazy or unskilled just doesn't hold up.


The reason I wrote a serious reply to your comment (which I assume is a bit exaggerated on purpose) is because I believe this disconnect with the wider playerbase of RoR is exactly what caused Ranked to be designed in a way that alienates the majority of players and kept it from being successful.

Bloodmasked wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:22 am if you suck at the game, then don't play a competitive mode. literally makes zero sense to try and argue that a mode called "RANKED" should be targeted toward a casual audience. go play regular scenarios.

theoddone wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 5:47 pm What does ranked need the most atm? People.

What do people need to be motivated to play? Rewards.

What happens when people can not get the rewards? They don't play.

So what do the pugs need atm in ranked? The hope of getting rewards. Without any hope of getting rewards, pugs won't play.

Fenris78 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:45 am

Bloodmasked wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:22 am if you suck at the game, then don't play a competitive mode. literally makes zero sense to try and argue that a mode called "RANKED" should be targeted toward a casual audience. go play regular scenarios.

Fact is, there are not enough "hardcore" players to make ranked alive, saving maybe a very small group on each side to trade wins in team mode.

If you cut off 95% of your playerbase, nobody will play, and nobody get opponents to fight against.

Ranked need casuals to be involved on a regular basis, like it or not it's the thruth.


If you want to reserve the hardcore mode to the tryhard players only, the "elite" you seem to praise, I'm ok with that.
Just play it without rewards, and dont restrict gear to 5% of playerbase.