Marvel Rivals recently saw its first rank reset with the highly anticipated launch of Season 1 on January 10. Following a brief introductory Season 0, where all players started at the bronze tier, the new competitive mode offers players fresh rank starting points. However, this system for determining player ranks has led to significant disparities in skill levels across matches.
As many expected, without a well-structured system such as placement matches, the initial ranking experience of Season 1 has been marred by one-sided games. The introduction of Ranked mode has revealed a critical flaw in Marvel Rivals’ current matchmaking system, which urgently needs addressing ahead of the next ranked season.
How Players Were Sorted into New Ranks
Rank Determination for Season 1
Most PvP games experience a certain level of rank imbalance upon launching their competitive first season. Season 0’s shared starting point allowed veteran players of hero shooters to quickly ascend the ranks, exacerbating match imbalances. Although some degree of disruption was expected, Marvel Rivals could have mitigated these issues during the Season 1 launch. With a growing player base, the problem has been amplified due to the influx of diverse skill levels entering competitive play.
In many competitive games, a system exists to reassess player ranks after a season concludes. Marvel Rivals opted for a straightforward approach by lowering every player’s previous rank by seven tiers. For example, a player who finished Season 0 at Platinum Three is now ranked Bronze One, while those who ended at Gold Two or lower have been placed in Bronze Three, the entry-level rank for Season 1.
Volatility in Ranks: Bronze to Gold
Worrying Skill Disparities
The impact of the ranking system is further complicated by teammate queuing restrictions, which typically require players to be within three tiers of one another. In contrast, the Bronze to Gold tiers have no such limitations, allowing any player within these ranks to form teams. This means former Grandmaster players can find themselves in lobbies with players ranked as low as Bronze.
Consequently, Grandmaster Three players have been demoted to Gold One, enabling them to match with a broad range of competitors, primarily in the Bronze to Gold category. While these skilled players might ascend the ranks swiftly, the diverse skill levels present in matches create an environment where consistent competition becomes a challenge.
This issue is compounded for players who genuinely belong in the Bronze to Gold tiers. Although higher-skilled players may escape from Gold ranks, players whose levels align with their ranks will face difficulties in navigating what should be competitive matches. It’s unfeasible for a ranked match to pit a Bronze player against a former Grandmaster under current conditions, as players engage in ranked games to attain challenging and fair matches. Unfortunately, such equitable encounters have become rare.
This problem is multifaceted. The interaction between the ranking structure and the flexible queuing policy for lower-ranked players has orchestrated a scenario that necessitates resolution to ensure a balanced competitive atmosphere.
Necessity for a New System in Future Ranked Seasons
Towards a Resolution for Future Seasons
To enhance the experience for all players, a revamped ranking system is essential for Season 2. A fundamental principle of ranked play is ensuring that players can engage in competitive matches reflective of their skills. Currently, the disparity is excessively pronounced, impacting the overall experience.
A straightforward approach would be to reduce the rank demotion. Decreasing the seven-tier drop to a more moderate three or four would greatly improve the ranking dynamics. Additionally, imposing the same three-tier restriction for queuing teammates in the Bronze to Gold categories would help create a more balanced matchmaking environment.
Nevertheless, adjustments must be carefully considered. Ensuring players can still enjoy competitive gameplay alongside friends is crucial, and maintaining some flexibility in lower ranks is essential for newcomers to engage without barriers.
Eliminating features altogether would not address the core issue of extreme skill disparities across ranks. Even a revised demotion system could allow skilled players to infiltrate lower-tier lobbies at the onset of a season.
Implementing placement matches may serve as the solution Marvel Rivals desperately needs. This would expedite players’ progression to ranks that accurately reflect their abilities while significantly cutting down on matchmaking imbalances. By offering a quality matchmaking experience, the flexibility for varied skill levels within Bronze to Gold would still be effective in keeping recruitment friendly.
While initial season resets will inevitably create some unpredictability, it’s imperative that NetEase prioritizes implementing a system that can limit the chaos players endure at launch. Although ranks tend to stabilize over time, every new season should rekindle excitement. Anticipations for fresh characters, like Mr. Fantastic, and new maps are key elements that should elevate the experience. Yet, if Marvel Rivals fails to address these glaring issues in Season 2, players may find themselves frustrated and reluctant to dive back into ranked matches at the start of a new season.
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