If this system fails, the game becomes a frustrating, unplayable mess that bleeds players instantly.
Many players believe that matchmaking is intentionally rigged against them, constantly forcing them to fight ‘hard counters’ after a win streak.
Trophy and Rating Systems
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.
- Do not expect to win every game.
- Queue times increase at the top of the ladder.
- Losing streaks are also self-correcting.
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.
| Conspiracy Theory | The Truth |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Maintaining Competitive Integrity
This is why all true esports tournaments and competitive challenges utilize the ‘Tournament Standard’ ruleset.
When levels are equalized, the matchmaking system shines, ensuring that the better player almost always wins.