There are huge issues getting 3x4 and 1 group per team, we all know this is a major development issue, and keeps being pushed back farther and farther. I personally like the 3x4 idea, but hate the 1 group per team idea. I feel that many also hate the 1 group per side restriction, and the gameplay that would come with it. Many of us would like to see larger group sizes allowed, and to be matched equally with grouped players of roughly equal skill. There is also a large divide between players of skill, and those without, ie: meta players and the idealists.
There are several complaints of meta groups farming up the solo newbs or non meta groups, and this is a big cause of dissatisfaction for all on both sides of the fence. The idealists want the tabletop version of the game, where everybody brings well rounded loadouts and brawls it out. While the meta players want to use what works the best and deploy tactics to overcome the enemy at all costs, and the two do not mix well. Meta players hate having that charlie lance that cant keep up with the "ring around the rosie" movements, and commonly pug matches with high ELO players end up being "who can chew through the puggers faster" matches, and less about skill. It boils down to who has the slower pug mechs really. While obviously idealist players hate this, as they stand no real chance in front of a horde of jump sniping meta players coming at them.
Regardless of what side of the fence you are on, we all realize things are not optimal for either side when pug queueing. Were all mixed in the same pot, and neither side wants that. I will say that for the high ELO players, we do enjoy mixing teams up and getting paired with people from other teams, and facing off against people from our own as well as players from other teams. It is truly a lot of fun, and so arguing that there are private lobbies for us to carry those kinds of matches out is null and void, as those lobbies are used typically for inter-team, or team vs team scrimmages and matches. The pug queue is a place for us to test new builds, practice techniques and play against people we wouldn't normally play against, AKA FUN! Its unfortunate that people playing the idealistic battletech game for fun get in our way.
For that reason, I personally feel that separating the queues by hardcore and casual would be MORE ideal than what we currently have. No doubt some trashy meta players could still queue in casual, but maybe this could be a moderation issue to be explored, but potentially still a problem. More often than not those players would logically queue in the hardcore lines, and meet players utilizing the mechs/builds/skills that offer them a challenge. While the idealist players can queue in the casual mode and be matched by ELO against people of equal skills with who knows what for builds, that offer the variety of gameplay they desire, with the tabletop feel they desire.
Edited by Eric Pryde, 05 June 2014 - 11:16 AM.