About Rank mode update in S31・32
I heard that major changes are coming to the Ranked System in Seasons 31 and 32. Please let me know if I have misunderstood anything in my thoughts below.
Since the proportion of players in Platinum and Diamond has been increasing recently, I view the addition of the new Emerald rank positively.
Many players have also pointed out the tendency to view "reaching Master" as the clearing the game. Therefore, I also see the subdivision of the Master rank as a positive move
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However, if I were to summarize my opinion in one sentence, it would be: "Do the developers want to promote smurfing?" My reasons are as follows:
It is likely difficult for the devs to completely resolve the current issue where different ranks and party compositions (trios, duos, and solos) end up in the same match. I view it positively that they shifted their approach toward minimizing damage based on the current reality, rather than forcing an unattainable fix. I also somewhat understand their decision to adjust entry costs as a means to achieve this.
However, because the entry fee adjustments are based on "displayed rank" rather than "hidden MMR," I do not believe this attempt will succeed. Wouldn't this allow not only smurfs, but also players on their main accounts who intentionally delay their rank progression, to gain an unfair advantage?
Furthermore, no measures have been taken against the unfairness caused by differences in party composition (trios, duos, solos). Past test data revealed an abnormal situation where win rates followed the order of "Duos > Trios > Solos." Despite many players pointing out that Duo teams are easily exploited by boosting services, why is nothing being done about this?
I previously recommended removing the RP cap on kills so that smurfs could not remain stuck in lower ranks, but I view the updates for Seasons 31 and 32 negatively. This is because I have also consistently voiced my opposition to turning the Ranked mode into a "Wildcard" or kill-focused mode.
Modes like Wildcard or Team Deathmatch put an extreme emphasis on kills. However, the true appeal of a Battle Royale lies in the fact that neither combat nor placement should be compromised. The value of the mode comes precisely from the difficulty in balancing those decisions. This core concept must not be altered, across any rank tier.
The following points are not directly related to the smurfing issue, but I would like to share them as my personal opinion:
Regarding the Legend Ban feature, making the final outcome random feels halfway done—even if the probability shifts based on vote results. Even if a system similar to the ALGS were introduced, it would only add extra steps before a match begins, increasing the load on both players and the system while offering unclear benefits. Proper game balancing is an essential task that developers must fulfill, regardless of whether a Legend Ban system exists.
