0
How about we rate players (by Mech) in the traditional skill ratings :
- Green
- Regular
- Veteran
- Elite
New players stay as Cadets for their first few matches. Beyond that they are rated as Green. As they play and their ELO rises, they should advance to Regular rating. If they do very well and become hight ELO then they may rise to Veteran. Elite status should be very difficult to achieve, and will perhaps require some extraordinary performance.
The Matchmaker can then group a match so that both teams are predominantly a particular skill bracket. There can be some from above or below, but no more than three per team.
For example, a match may have nine Regular players, and maybe two Veterans and one Green pilot. The other team would be similar.
How is this different from what we have now?
Firstly, your skill rating in that Mech will be visible to you (and to the opposing team in Debrief). Players can see what level of game they are playing in, and who they should expect to be competent. Bullying of Greens should be minimal because ALL pilots are Green in a Mech if they just bought it.
The main difference is that the Matchmaker will not be allowed to balance a few high ELO players with a load of noobs. In this system, Vets and Rookies will rarely ever meet each other.
Arguably, the system is not granular enough? Many pilots will settle at Regular level, and will vary in skill. "Veteran" does not really cover the range of skill to be found at the higher levels, perhaps? To solve this we could split the ratings into three or four ranges? You would then know if you were "High Regular" or "Low Veteran", etc.
D313
