Re: Will they ever fix season 18 SBMM issues?

Isn't it just like it always was? Most games you get teammates who run around like headless chickens or just underperform. Even had this guy go "bro, it's just Mixtape" and I went "yes, it's mega competitive and sweaty, if you wanna chill go play ranked and sit in a tree". Bro, when you get over 20 kills on TDM and still lose... teammates just not doing anything.

We’re all entitled to our views and opinions.

I don’t want consistently easy pub lobbies— that would be boring. But I also don’t want every public match to play out like a (previous season) Masters/Pred lobby. These lobbies are a level of stress that actually borders on obnoxious (because there isn’t anything on the line). 

There are benefits to having pubs play differently than ranked:

-It offers variety. It allows players to play players of all skill levels.

-Because you’re playing a wider range of skills, one’s improvement can be “felt”, as one deviates from the median skill level (in pubs).

-It gives players a choice between match experience as it pertains to difficulty. You mentioned playing a single player game if you want a “chill” experience— while I agree, I don’t think we have to make this a black and white thing. I don’t think it has to be one or the other (super sweaty or super chill). I think a balance can be reached through looser sbmm.

If two separate modes existed: One with tighter sbmm and one with looser sbmm, the onus is on the INDIVIDUAL PLAYER to select which mode they want. The current structure (pubs and ranked being the same difficulty) does not afford players a choice. 

It's so bad that even ranked is basically the same game no matter what rank you are.  They've completely boxed me into constantly fighting Pred level players every game no matter what.  The game went from fun and occasionally stressful, to full time stress and no fun.  Even wins are too stressful to be fun.

They need to revert these changes to pubs.  It makes no sense.

Sounds to me you are pred level with 25% win rate!! Even the pro streamers dont get this kind of numbers. Mande has KD of 1.5 or something. So the change really worked out for everyone. You are experiencing the same your opponents had against you in the previous seasons. 

"Really worked out for everyone" as if I "deserve to be knocked down a peg", for playing well.  Because others "experienced" losing to me.  Exactly the attitude I mentioned on other similar threads, good players are being punished for being good at the game.  Well then what's the point of getting good?  Just to feel the same as a mediocre player who is only playing against other mediocre players.  Everyone should have the same experience?  No matter the skill or dedication?  That's your angle? This fascinates me.  If you're not the absolute best, why play a competitive game then?  

Some of us play games to have fun. And relax. 
If you feel that you are being punished by having to play against people of your own skill level then I dont know what to tell you. 
For me its delightful change from playing against people of your skill. Probably playing against people with same ability to actually get better at the game. 

You are not being knocked down a peg. Thats your level. Be proud of it. You have achieved it with dedication & skill. 
You said it yourself. You are aiming for the best so now you play against the best.
I aim to have chill evening after kids have gone to sleep. 

If the only thing that keeps you going is being able to drop the 20 bomb against some 9-5 randoms I recommend you make plenty smurf accounts to get your fix.

"That's your level". As if somehow I should be separated from the rest of the population because of it.  Why?  To protect your feelings?  So you can relax in a BR?  How does that make any sense in a non ranked fps game mode?  Non ranked should be a random mix of the player base.  That would give you the most realistic "feeling" of your position against the population.

Ranked mode is where you play against those at your level and to reach your highest potential position amongst them.  If you want to sit down and relax in a BR, play ranked and stay down at Rookie/Bronze where that type of play style suits you.

Feelings police handing out participation trophies is what I'm hearing you advocate.

"Ranked mode is where you play against those at your level and to reach your highest potential position amongst them.  If you want to sit down and relax in a BR, play ranked and stay down at Rookie/Bronze where that type of play style suits you."

Couldnt have put it better myself. Again, seems the changes are working. Now you are indeed playing against those at your level and so am I. And yes I am currently few points shy of silver. Which to me is okay. I dont take my gaming so seriously so those toxic comments dont really hit the target. Youve probably never went out and played any sports? Something you can do just for the fun of it. Is it possible for you to go on a run without feeling failure for not beating the world record? 

There is also a problem with the ranked rules with certain ranks not allowed to play together. And playing with friends is the best thing. This could mean certain friends cant really play ranked together. So their only option would be to play pubs and to cater your needs the pubs would need to your stomping ground. 

Whats wrong with participation trophy if youve enjoyed playing for it? You flexing with your win percentage isnt a participation trophy? It isnt just a number on a screen?

You need to touch the grass bro.

I think you're missing my point.  Pubs are just like ranked is the problem I have.  But if what I said is accurate, and I could gather my assessment just based on your statements, how is it toxic?  Why are you taking offense?

The problem with ranked is that progression is no longer skill based, and instead time based.  Quite literally participation trophy.  This coupled with de-ranking every split, has led to all-skill level people in all the ranks.  Making the whole thing a mess.

What sports did you play for the fun of it?  Do you not have fun scoring goals, stopping opposition, or winning? Your whole mindset is quite interesting.  I look at participation trophies as useless and pitiful, I'd rather have nothing.

Not sure why you're getting personal, but yeah I have kids, played sports, and only play after the day is done.  25% isn't a flex, that's what it's dropped to when compared to the last 10+ seasons.  Just like you, I like to relax and play recklessly with friends after a day of work.  That's impossible when I'm boxed in with super competitive super skilled people every game no matter what.  All in the name of feelings or marketing, not actual fairness.

Let’s not let this thread devolve into insults (on both sides).

While I can see points on both sides, I just (still) can’t get over how grueling pubs are at the moment. I have always had a gripe with SBMM in non-ranked modes, but I never wanted it completely removed. But THIS level of aggressiveness is way way too much for public matches. 

I understand that lower-skilled players (not trying to be mean, just citing their skill level) are having much better experiences— and look people enjoying themselves should be celebrated. But it definitely feels like the current system is intentionally swapping enjoyment between the two groups (players below the median skill and players above the median skill).

I hate when people say “ha well now you guys know how we felt!” People forget that above average players started out as below average players. They know what it feels like to lose at below average rates. But what many current below average players don’t know, is what it feels like to intentionally improve only to have an algorithm curate lobbies to limit your performance; this feels crappy. 

Again, I don’t want any player group feeling miserable. But we have to draw the line somewhere because we can’t make everyone perfectly happy. So the best, or rather— the most fair structure is one where outcomes are tied to a player’s skill. Below average players should have below average outcomes (until they improve), average players have average outcomes, and above average players have above average outcomes.

The equalization of outcomes really doesn’t sit well with me. 

As I said I didnt take offense. Just stated that.

"progression is no longer skill based, and instead time based." Here is what people dont understand. There is game mode called TDM where the idea is to get as many kills as possible. Then there is battle royale which means last man standing. It takes skill and understanding to not push every fight and position yourself for the end game. What respawn did is they changed it towards the true meaning of battle royale. Perhaps they wanted to see more ALGS type endgames. And based on what I have watched pro streamers playing they have been quite happy about the clutch mentality needed in it. The game is no longer all about the kills. Its a common issue as when you load up you get to see your teammates banners and they could have like +1500 kills on their main with maybe 20 wins.

I didnt make the chance. Respawn did. And I am happy about it. You are not. I dont think we need to continue this dialogue any further right?

Hope you can still find some enjoyment on your matches in the future.

A true non competitive mode against bots would be great addition like they have in Fortnite.
Pubs, ranked and BR bots.

i dont get all the fuss about ranked MM. 
The Rank Distribution on https://apexlegendsstatus.com/game-stats/ranked-distribution looks pretty healthy in comparison to former seasons especially the last one.
This shows that the progression (not the Matchmaking!) is likely skillbased and not timebased in Ranked BR, otherwise we would see a lot more platinum and diamond players to this date !
People that dont play the meta (BR is a survival game, not a TDM shooter) wont climb that fast.
20 days into last season i was already masters and had no ambition to play the ranked mode any further, now this isnt the case anymore ...with 22 days left this split i still have reasons to grind as do most players from what i see out of the disstribution chart.
Season 18 Master Badge will be worth way more than the infamous S12 and S17 badges, maybe even worth more than other seasons too ... we will see at the end of the split what the distribution will look like. But for now, imho it looks how it should look.

@hayhorno it isnt, youll see in 22 days ... the distribution will be likely looking similar to now and wont have a huge peak in masters

@hayhordoesnt matter, it wont be an easy climb for most of the S17 "Masters" bcs of the MM and not playing the meta, there wont be 1Mio Masters after this season, i bet less than 100K.
As i said, we should see way more golds, plats and diamonds by now if it would be just timebased. but what i see when looking at my random mates is a lot of S17 Masters struggeling getting out of bronze/silver, which was done in a matter of some dozent hours last season.

you're telling me the 0,01 % in the rank distribution above diamond atm are 130K player ? doesn't look right.
maybe with all the cheaters that go banned last week and that already grinded back.

@hayhori personally dont trust tracker.gg since i had quite some false results in their Overwolf overlay. apexlegendstatus is way more accurate imho. not perfect but way better in comparison

@WTF_HuitzoNot above diamond. If you add all of the buckets of diamond players you get 130k. At this point there are around 5k+ masters and  preds. Both sites agree on the number of masters and preds btw.