Guild Wars 2

I think that a lot of players, and probably even ANet, view the server rematching that happens at the end of each WvW cycle as a way for servers to “move up” through the ranks in the hopes of becoming top server. But after experiencing WvW for a few months now, I really think that’s the wrong way to look at it. Let me explain why…

I’m on Ferguson’s Crossing. In the early days, we would be matched with different servers every cycle, and it was honestly pretty horrible most of the time. We would either completely dominate, which was fairly boring, and would push us up in the ranks. Or we would be completely dominated, which was fairly boring, and would push us down in the ranks. Basically, in the early days, WvW was just a cycle of owning and being owned over and over…it definitely wasn’t what I was hoping for.

Currently though, we’ve been matched up with DR and Kaineng for a few weeks, and it’s been amazing. Great fights, good competition, no server has such a huge advantage that they dominate the netire map. And even better, we’ve been with DR and Kaineng long enough so that rivalries have formed between certain guilds which makes it even more fun. Honestly, if it stays like this, I would be more than happy to just fight DR and Kaineng forever.

So, back to the topic at hand, my opinion is that server rematching should not be viewed as a way to “move up the ladder,” instead it should be viewed as a way for servers to find matchups that result in awesome WvW. And once such a matchup is found, I don’t think it should be changed unless one server starts dominating. After all, when Ferg’s was “moving” around the server ladder in the rankings, WvW was terrible, but now that we are settled with our 2 other servers, it’s been great…why change it?

What do you all think? Should server rematching remain a way for servers to move up and down the ladder? Or should it be used mainly for servers to find a good matchup and stick with it?

ya but then you have to keep in mind of some servers that had a mass exodus such as Henge of Denravi and Eradon Terrace. What if a server doesn’t work well together anymore and need to move down the tiers to finally work together as a server. That’s the luxury the Top and Bottom Tiers are finding out is that they are actually working together as a server. I understand you guyz are enjoying where you are but some people get sick of the same old thing.

A challenge like moving up a tier is very helpful in bringing a server together. I know here at a Maguuma we welcome a challenge and I’m personally glad we got to fight some tougher servers for us like Darkhaven and Fort Aspenwood and even though we may not win our matchups at least our coverage and working together is getting better. Just something to keep in mind and as always keep up the good fights.

I’m not sure you’re understanding the rating system. It’s designed to do exactly what you’ve found to be enjoyable, not solely to move servers up or down. The balance of power does shift based on many factors, so the rating changes happen to take this into account, with the ultimate goal of matching three equal servers in terms of coverage, numbers and leadership, as often as possible. However, as you eluded to, sometimes servers that are on the border of two tiers, can flip flop between blowing out and getting blown out, but those circumstances should be the minority over time.

Creslin.1758:

So, back to the topic at hand, my opinion is that server rematching should not be viewed as a way to “move up the ladder,” instead it should be viewed as a way for servers to find matchups that result in awesome WvW. And once such a matchup is found, I don’t think it should be changed unless one server starts dominating. After all, when Ferg’s was “moving” around the server ladder in the rankings, WvW was terrible, but now that we are settled with our 2 other servers, it’s been great…why change it?

That is pretty much exactly how it actually works. Most of the time.

The one possible pitfall is for tier 1 and the bottom tier (so it is pretty good that you are finding that tier to be balanced), as regardless if a server dominates or is dominated, there simply isn’t any more up or down for a server to go.