The matchmaking algorithm is the unsung hero that determines exactly who you will face every time you press the ‘Battle’ button.
This article explores how developers design these algorithms to keep queue times short while maintaining a competitive environment.
How You Are Ranked
Your trophy count is a numerical representation of your skill; win a match, and you take trophies from the loser.
If the system matches you perfectly, you should mathematically have a 50% chance of winning every single game you play.
- The algorithm does not care what deck you are playing.
- With millions of players, you will occasionally draw a bad matchup.
- It helps them learn before facing real humans.
The Free-to-Play Dilemma
The standard Elo system works perfectly for chess because all pieces are equal, but tower rush games feature upgradeable cards.
However, if no such player is available, the algorithm will prioritize queue speed over level fairness, resulting in those frustrating, mismatched games.
| System Priority | Weight |
|---|---|
| Elo Rating | Absolute Highest Priority |
| Upgrade Status | The system tries to match levels, but will abandon this check if the queue takes longer than 10 seconds |
True Fairness
Because the ladder algorithm must balance queue times against fairness, it will never be perfectly balanced.
Trust the math, ignore the conspiracy theories, and focus on improving your own gameplay.
