Russ Bullock, on 22 September 2014 - 11:51 AM, said:
Getting on with it, isn't possible. Any change we make is viewed as a fatal error by some and the right move by others. We need more agreement on what the best trade offs are.
A few things to keep in mind:
1) Solo queue was very upset that any groups at all were in and wiping them.
2) Putting all 2-3 man groups in with the solo queue means removing groups of 9 and 10 from the group queue.
We can make this a lot more competitive but you guys need to let me know what is acceptable. Off the top of my head if we could put groups of 2 and 3 in solo queue and restrict group queue to group sizes of 4, 8 and 12. Then make game mode selection a vote instead of a hard stop. Then make groups of 4 made up of one of each weight class, groups of 8 made of of 2 of each weight class, finally 12 mans made up of the 3,3,3,3.
The match maker would have a grand time of putting matches together.
Allowing casual players into the solo queue wouldn't do much to alter the balance. The thing is, a single pair (let alone 3) top tier players would dominate in the solo queue. Sure you could try locking out high elo players, but that would just open the door to alt accounts so they could have a night of ROFL stomps for giggles.
The solo players wanted the solo queue solo from day one and now that they've got it, don't take it away. They seem to be a lot happier now, so I say leave them alone.
The group players on the other hand have demonstrated eagerness to exploit any flaws in the system to their own end at every opportunity. Allow groups to monopolize entire weight classes and they're going to do it, and they'll do it in whichever manner tilts the odds into their favor. Particularly the organized ones who've figured out how to do it.
Off the top of my head, the simplest and fairest (to everyone) solution, without restricting group sizes to even numbers or lance multiples of 4 would be to impose further restrictions on all group sizes outside of 12;
As you've mentioned as possible solutions;
1/1/1/1 for 4 mans,
2/2/2/2 for an 8 man,
and of course the preexisting 3/3/3/3 limitation for 12 mans.
I'll add for odd sized groups 1/1/1/1 each 4 mechs, locking out certain weight combinations to prevent min/maxing and ease burdens on the matchmaker by turning the choice of weight class of the odd mechs out into an either or kind of deal. Also a 1/1 or 1/1/1 restriction for 2 or 3 mans with certain weight combos locked out.
Now this last idea is a bit of a stretch, but expanding on the % of weight classes in use, dynamically locking out weight classes for the extra mechs outside standard lance sizes and preventing min/maxing weights would be the most ideal thing I could dream up.
All that said, it really doesn't matter what you do, some guys will just find a reason to complain about it. Just do what will improve things for the majority of players and let the dogs bark.
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