This is just an idea I am thinking about. Under the new system an tier 4 server might be matched with a tier 1 server. Once the tier 1 server execute its number and coverage advantage, and fortifies and sieges up absolutely every single tower on all 4 maps, the WvW is pretty much over for the week. Back to PvE people go.
With the new AC buff, fortified towers defended by a bigger zerg is totally impenetrable by a smaller zerg.
So would it be a good idea to deny any tower upgrades and camp upgrades for the #1 seed server of that match up? That way, at least the towers and keep will stay paper for the whole week, giving the smaller server a chance to do something.
I doubt the #1 seed in that match up will complain much.
I believe part of the reason why they have implemented the system they are is, if you look at the rating figures, various servers are going to be locked into a specific tier for a long period of time. This can be seen in various tiers, but take a look even at Tier 1. SOR, BG and JQ under the current rating system are going to be there almost indefinitely without any major change. There are a few up and coming servers that are not ever going to be able to be matched with them and given the chance to improve their rating because of the way the rating system works. By adding this random dice they are allowing this to happen. But if we then add handicaps the ratings figures are not going to be accurate.
I dunno. The rating already serves as a handicap for the higher tiered server – they have to totally dominate if they don’t want their score to go backwards and visa-versa, the weaker team can lose yet still gain points. If you start handicapping in the game as well as via the ratings it would get messy!
Edit: nirvana, our posts crossed. Was replying to CHIP.
Personally, other than a modest “outmanned” buff, that you could kinda justify in the real world down to adrenaline, I don’t like faking the battles to make it easier for a weaker team.
What I might prefer though is to move to more like golf handicap system – adjust the in-game scoring for weaker/ stronger teams. Weaker servers, get more points for a cap. Ratings could still be calculated on the basis of an un-handicapped score (as now). But the displayed score in-game could reflect the handicap. That way we would no longer have the situation where a team wins the matchup, but loses points. And a lower tiered team that fought hard would actually stand a chance of winning instead of losing badly but having the dubious “honour” of still gaining rating points!
Personally I also prefer this to adjusting scoring on current active population (as suggested in another thread). A server that puts out a full team on the night deserves reward, not punishment, for that.
. Was replying to CHIP.