The matchmaking algorithm is the unsung hero that determines exactly who you will face every time you press the ‘Battle’ button.
Many players believe that matchmaking is intentionally rigged against them, constantly forcing them to fight ‘hard counters’ after a win streak.
How You Are Ranked
Your trophy count is a numerical representation of your skill; win a match, and you take trophies from the loser.
This is why winning streaks inevitably end in a ‘wall’ of difficult matches; the system is functioning exactly as intended.
- Do not expect to win every game.
- Queue times increase at the top of the ladder.
- Losing streaks are also self-correcting.
Level-Based Matchmaking
The standard Elo system works perfectly for chess because all pieces are equal, but tower rush games feature upgradeable cards.
To combat this, developers have implemented secondary checks that look at the player’s King Tower level.
| Player Perception | The Mathematical Reality |
|---|---|
| Rigged Matchmaking | The algorithm does not force losses; you are simply playing tilted against harder opponents because your MMR is inflated |
| Anti-Strategy Code | Developers have confirmed repeatedly that the algorithm does not read the contents of your deck when finding an opponent |
True Fairness
Because the ladder algorithm must balance queue times against fairness, it will never be perfectly balanced.
The algorithm is blind; it only respects victory.