I agree. It's a bit like the Battlegrounds and Duels rating resets - you're already weighted to get back to your previous rank. There's no competition to it so long as you keep playing. It's a system devised to give you things to do that feel meaningful, to keep you coming back. Frankly, it's drudgery.
As for what I'd like to see, though, I really miss non-MMR, rank-based matchmaking. I've said it before; if you're matched with someone better than you, you're given ideas and goals. If you match with someone worse than you, you can enjoy a quick power fantasy. But if you're matched with someone the same as you, every time... no matter how you improve, it will always feel the same. I wouldn't mind the climb back up the ladder if you were matched against opponents by rank - the variety would be fun. I'd like the whole ladder to be rank-based and Legend to be MMR-based, like it was before.
That said, I love the rank floors they've implemented. I love sitting at Diamond 5 and testing my janky decks against competitive decks. Sometimes others do the same against me, too, and that's a fun change of pace.
Hearthstone assigns you an MMR (match-making rating), which predicts your general skill level. They adjust it with every game, so it tracks your skill fairly accurately. It’s not perfect, of course, and a single game against an opponent of similar skill will depend a lot on luck and whose deck counters the other’s. But in general, the game can ensure that you’ll have about a 50% win rate over time if it matches you by MMR.
1. As long as you have a star multiplier of 2 or higher, the game matches you by MMR. Your opponent may be at a different spot on the ladder, but you should have a fair fight. Because you are getting at least 2 stars per win and losing 1 per loss, and because you’ll be winning about half your games, you’re guaranteed to eventually progress to a 1-star multiplier as long as you keep playing.
2. Once you get to 1 star, then you’re matched against people at the same spot on the ladder, regardless of your MMRs.
3. Then when you get to legend, you’re matched by MMR again, with the difference being that you now see the overall rank that your MMR gives you.
The real change from the old system is that first step: At the start of every month, you’ll grind through a bunch of games to get to the place you “should” start at. The old system just started you at an appropriate spot on the ladder, equivalent to step #2 above. Effectively, I’m being asked to start every month with 50 (?) games on casual mode before I actually start fighting for rank. That’s not interesting to me.
(The reason that Legend match-ups don’t feel like Casual is that your wins and losses matter. If you get that 55% win rate, you’ll see your ranking rise accordingly. There’s no equivalent to that with the multi-star progression. Whether I play above or below my expected level, I’ll make it to the same place in the end.)
I've hit level 60, with the only achievement I've accomplished being the one with Spice Bread Baker. I was hit with work for the past three days so I was unable to play, which hindered my progress a bit. I managed to climb three levels today though.
I'll try to complete the Tamsin achievement tomorrow. I just can't finish it with Handlock since games never get to the point where I need to complete the quest. I'll bite the bullet and play D6 Warlock, that way I can finally cross that achievement off my list (together with the Runed Mithril Rod one).
By next week, my goal is to reach level 70. I'm lagging in my progress again.
How does the new matchmaking system guarantee a 50% win rate? Besides which, if the system adjusts to your relative skill level, isn't this a good thing?
I know theres a section of people that thinks the star bonuses past diamond 10 is a downer because it somehow kills the supposed skill required to reach legend, but that's why there's always high legend. If progression is your motivation, just try and reach triple digits, a substantially harder challenge than merely reaching legend.
New ranked system I think has virtually no downsides in comparison to the old. Better rewards, communication, progression, matchmaking..
I’m a little surprised to hear that. I agree the rewards are better, but I miss the experience of the old ranked system. I want a skill-based climb where every game “matters”. Now, the first half of the month is spent in a mode where the matchmaker guarantees me a 50% win rate and ensures I’ll progress regardless of how I play. It’s not motivating at all.
I know that’s my opinion. Other people can have reasons to like it, and that’s fine. I’m just surprised that Dean believes everyone prefers it this way.
28th August update: Tax Paladin: The taxman always collects... but where are all of the Warlocks?!
In this video, we look at two Tax Paladin decks:
- Oakijack Even Tax Paladin (already featured in a previous video) Deck code: AAEBAaoIApS9Au/3Ag6HvALPvALRvAKz9wLPpQPbuAOq3gPg7AOv7gPj7gOU8APA9gPB9gPwhQQA
- Maxadona Tax Paladin (thanks to Slizzle466) Deck code: AAEBAZ8FAA+MAacFsQiIDvjSAsrBA4PeA/vjA/foA87rA6vsA9vuA5qfBMmgBNagBAA=
As interested as I am in this promised overhaul, I have to say I'm just a slight bit worried. I'm confident they'll be able to deliver on the core fantasy of the individual tribes. They've actually been nailing that pretty well since the introduction of Pirates. What they've not been nailing is the pace of the game. With every patch the game has been getting faster and faster as underperforming tribes and heroes have been brought up in power. Aside from the whole Elemental fiasco, there has never really been an overall tuning-down of the tribes. When Pirates were introduced, damage spiked to absurd levels. It was one of the most miserable patches in the game mode's history (at least until Djinni happened). When you look at Pirates now, they're an absolutely godawful tribe and yet they've only been buffed. It's just that everything introduced after them was even stronger. I doubt this overhaul will have an opposite effect to every other major introduction before it. The game is gonna get faster yet again, and half the lobby will be dead on turn 8 now instead of 10.
I'll do my best to update the leaderboard but I have recently made a big life change and have little time and motivation. I will try tomorrow to update it. It's good to see so many people playing.
If you don't have an idea, I already have a list of possible themes for the next challenges. I created it in case no one will hit 12 wins, but you can always take inspiration from it if you feel like!
"They don't try to create too many generically good legendary cards so that they won't be powerful in every meta - that get's boring."
Team 5 did this wth Zillax and it ended up in every control (and some aggro) decks while it was in rotation. It was very boring.
"Always wanted to create "Arena draft cards""
This was done in the past, and I found it very fun. I played a lot of arena while it was active, and I never play arena. I hope something similar happens in the future.
[Game] Card Treasure Hunt (Hearthstone Riddles)
Yes, that's the one. You're next!
[Game] Card Treasure Hunt (Hearthstone Riddles)
Mind Blast?
Dean Ayala's Hearthstone Community Q&A #27 - Next Year's Final Set Already in Development, Cross-Region Collections Not Likely, & More
100%
Dean Ayala's Hearthstone Community Q&A #27 - Next Year's Final Set Already in Development, Cross-Region Collections Not Likely, & More
I agree. It's a bit like the Battlegrounds and Duels rating resets - you're already weighted to get back to your previous rank. There's no competition to it so long as you keep playing. It's a system devised to give you things to do that feel meaningful, to keep you coming back. Frankly, it's drudgery.
As for what I'd like to see, though, I really miss non-MMR, rank-based matchmaking. I've said it before; if you're matched with someone better than you, you're given ideas and goals. If you match with someone worse than you, you can enjoy a quick power fantasy. But if you're matched with someone the same as you, every time... no matter how you improve, it will always feel the same. I wouldn't mind the climb back up the ladder if you were matched against opponents by rank - the variety would be fun. I'd like the whole ladder to be rank-based and Legend to be MMR-based, like it was before.
That said, I love the rank floors they've implemented. I love sitting at Diamond 5 and testing my janky decks against competitive decks. Sometimes others do the same against me, too, and that's a fun change of pace.
Dean Ayala's Hearthstone Community Q&A #27 - Next Year's Final Set Already in Development, Cross-Region Collections Not Likely, & More
Hearthstone assigns you an MMR (match-making rating), which predicts your general skill level. They adjust it with every game, so it tracks your skill fairly accurately. It’s not perfect, of course, and a single game against an opponent of similar skill will depend a lot on luck and whose deck counters the other’s. But in general, the game can ensure that you’ll have about a 50% win rate over time if it matches you by MMR.
1. As long as you have a star multiplier of 2 or higher, the game matches you by MMR. Your opponent may be at a different spot on the ladder, but you should have a fair fight. Because you are getting at least 2 stars per win and losing 1 per loss, and because you’ll be winning about half your games, you’re guaranteed to eventually progress to a 1-star multiplier as long as you keep playing.
2. Once you get to 1 star, then you’re matched against people at the same spot on the ladder, regardless of your MMRs.
3. Then when you get to legend, you’re matched by MMR again, with the difference being that you now see the overall rank that your MMR gives you.
The real change from the old system is that first step: At the start of every month, you’ll grind through a bunch of games to get to the place you “should” start at. The old system just started you at an appropriate spot on the ladder, equivalent to step #2 above. Effectively, I’m being asked to start every month with 50 (?) games on casual mode before I actually start fighting for rank. That’s not interesting to me.
(The reason that Legend match-ups don’t feel like Casual is that your wins and losses matter. If you get that 55% win rate, you’ll see your ranking rise accordingly. There’s no equivalent to that with the multi-star progression. Whether I play above or below my expected level, I’ll make it to the same place in the end.)
[Game] Card Treasure Hunt (Hearthstone Riddles)
Negative, it's not a Rogue card.
Rewards Track: Current progress 3.0
I've hit level 60, with the only achievement I've accomplished being the one with Spice Bread Baker. I was hit with work for the past three days so I was unable to play, which hindered my progress a bit. I managed to climb three levels today though.
I'll try to complete the Tamsin achievement tomorrow. I just can't finish it with Handlock since games never get to the point where I need to complete the quest. I'll bite the bullet and play D6 Warlock, that way I can finally cross that achievement off my list (together with the Runed Mithril Rod one).
By next week, my goal is to reach level 70. I'm lagging in my progress again.
[Game] Card Treasure Hunt (Hearthstone Riddles)
Headcrack??
Echo the good wishes, and the leaderboard can totally wait. We'll figure something out.
Dean Ayala's Hearthstone Community Q&A #27 - Next Year's Final Set Already in Development, Cross-Region Collections Not Likely, & More
How does the new matchmaking system guarantee a 50% win rate? Besides which, if the system adjusts to your relative skill level, isn't this a good thing?
I know theres a section of people that thinks the star bonuses past diamond 10 is a downer because it somehow kills the supposed skill required to reach legend, but that's why there's always high legend. If progression is your motivation, just try and reach triple digits, a substantially harder challenge than merely reaching legend.
[Game] Card Treasure Hunt (Hearthstone Riddles)
I hope everything works out the way you want it to. Don't worry about the leaderboard, we can work together to update it if necessary.
Dean Ayala's Hearthstone Community Q&A #27 - Next Year's Final Set Already in Development, Cross-Region Collections Not Likely, & More
I’m a little surprised to hear that. I agree the rewards are better, but I miss the experience of the old ranked system. I want a skill-based climb where every game “matters”. Now, the first half of the month is spent in a mode where the matchmaker guarantees me a 50% win rate and ensures I’ll progress regardless of how I play. It’s not motivating at all.
I know that’s my opinion. Other people can have reasons to like it, and that’s fine. I’m just surprised that Dean believes everyone prefers it this way.
Reminder: Out of Cards' Master Duelist Challenge 1 Ends Soon - Earn Site Rewards
I wondered if that 12 win requirement had been lifted when I read this article. Not that it matters since 2 people have gone all the way anyway.
Darkseeker's channel - 13th November update: KOtsosKOtsos' Reno Evolve Shudderwock Shaman - ft. Archivist Elysiana
28th August update: Tax Paladin: The taxman always collects... but where are all of the Warlocks?!
In this video, we look at two Tax Paladin decks:
- Oakijack Even Tax Paladin (already featured in a previous video)
Deck code: AAEBAaoIApS9Au/3Ag6HvALPvALRvAKz9wLPpQPbuAOq3gPg7AOv7gPj7gOU8APA9gPB9gPwhQQA
- Maxadona Tax Paladin (thanks to Slizzle466)
Deck code: AAEBAZ8FAA+MAacFsQiIDvjSAsrBA4PeA/vjA/foA87rA6vsA9vuA5qfBMmgBNagBAA=
Strangely, there were no Warlocks to be found!
More Oakijak decks: http://discord.gg/nU2bkEV (For Doomhammer Shaman Discord server).
Oakijak Twitter: https://twitter.com/Oakijak_HS
https://youtu.be/JxSeQwRwATI
Dean Ayala's Hearthstone Community Q&A #27 - Next Year's Final Set Already in Development, Cross-Region Collections Not Likely, & More
he specifically said "too many" not "none at all"
There's plenty of generic legendaries now, like Instructor Fireheart and Tamsin Roame
Blizzard Confirms Hearthstone Battlegrounds Rating Reset Next Week - Tribes Overhaul Update is Coming!
As interested as I am in this promised overhaul, I have to say I'm just a slight bit worried. I'm confident they'll be able to deliver on the core fantasy of the individual tribes. They've actually been nailing that pretty well since the introduction of Pirates. What they've not been nailing is the pace of the game. With every patch the game has been getting faster and faster as underperforming tribes and heroes have been brought up in power. Aside from the whole Elemental fiasco, there has never really been an overall tuning-down of the tribes. When Pirates were introduced, damage spiked to absurd levels. It was one of the most miserable patches in the game mode's history (at least until Djinni happened). When you look at Pirates now, they're an absolutely godawful tribe and yet they've only been buffed. It's just that everything introduced after them was even stronger. I doubt this overhaul will have an opposite effect to every other major introduction before it. The game is gonna get faster yet again, and half the lobby will be dead on turn 8 now instead of 10.
[Game] Card Treasure Hunt (Hearthstone Riddles)
Nope. It's a spell.
Looking Back at the Qualifiers for Masters Tour Silvermoon - Worthwhile Stories, Players, and Their Trusted Decks
Great overview as always Aesan! Although it's weird looking at those decklists from months ago trying to figure out how weird they actually were, lol
[Game] Card Treasure Hunt (Hearthstone Riddles)
Riddle sounds to be a play on the Spiderman cartoon song
https://youtu.be/4o29VoxtsFk
My guess is Fal'dorei Strider
[Game] Card Treasure Hunt (Hearthstone Riddles)
I'll do my best to update the leaderboard but I have recently made a big life change and have little time and motivation. I will try tomorrow to update it. It's good to see so many people playing.
In The Frame: Hearthstone Fan Art Spotlight - Tiny Heroes! by Ivo Campelo da Silva
Blizz, please, come to that site and add that heroes as skins, all of them are good!
Dean Ayala's Hearthstone Community Q&A #27 - Next Year's Final Set Already in Development, Cross-Region Collections Not Likely, & More
Don't do it! You'd spend millions to get Kripp to stream exclusively on your service and despite that your brand wouldn't even be called a joke.
Cloneball!
This brawl is a rare occasion where Harbinger Celestia and Millhouse Manastorm are actually good legendaries.
Dean Ayala's Hearthstone Community Q&A #27 - Next Year's Final Set Already in Development, Cross-Region Collections Not Likely, & More
must be a typo, he actually talked about random hero/coin skins feature
Reminder: Out of Cards' Master Duelist Challenge 1 Ends Soon - Earn Site Rewards
If you don't have an idea, I already have a list of possible themes for the next challenges. I created it in case no one will hit 12 wins, but you can always take inspiration from it if you feel like!
Unless someone won't top your score...
Dean Ayala's Hearthstone Community Q&A #27 - Next Year's Final Set Already in Development, Cross-Region Collections Not Likely, & More
"They don't try to create too many generically good legendary cards so that they won't be powerful in every meta - that get's boring."
Team 5 did this wth Zillax and it ended up in every control (and some aggro) decks while it was in rotation. It was very boring.
"Always wanted to create "Arena draft cards""
This was done in the past, and I found it very fun. I played a lot of arena while it was active, and I never play arena. I hope something similar happens in the future.