I usually log every day or so for a few matches. I didn't realize there was a challenge on until I'd lost 8 matches in a row. Couldn't understand why my team was so consistently ignorant about how to cooperate until it occurred to me:
The serious players, those who play more than me, aren't playing their favorite mechs every day. I got a decent 2:1 kill/death ratio, but I only play 2 or 3 mechs (all IS) perhaps 5-10 matches every 2 days. My guess is that the "serious players" would get bored only playing their best mechs, and so play a variety - some of which are not the most advantageous - thus pushing their elo down.
But then during the challenges, I'm supposing that these expert players are pulling out their best mechs and getting teamed with moderate players at worst (which are far better than those I've been getting teamed with tonight) and wracking up the kills and wins.
This is just speculation, perhaps I'm just hitting a patch of bad luck. But the community will be able to let me know/put me in my place. What do ya'all think?
PS: given the post, my title might be a misnomer (dunno if one can call what i'm describing as "manipulation"...
Edited by Heisenbug, 03 October 2014 - 10:37 PM.