Guild Wars 2

I’m listening. My left hand is injured and isn’t terribly dexterous. I use a razer naga epic and all keys except f5 are bound to it.

My left mostly trades with the right for movement.

Sorry, I have no idea what you mean. Care to elaborate?

Sorry, fixed, I think. I’ve never uploaded a video to the net before.

As requested, here’s the video link. I show my build after the match. This is the first match I played once I had the computer set up to record, for better or for worse.

I did in fact make a recording of my first match, as soon as I had my recorder running. Now I just have to figure out where to send it. Some moments I’m not proud of, but it’s a good sample of how I play.

-Edit- Chaith, I would be interested and grateful to hear your feedback.

I have never made a gameplay video. However, a player who’s skill I respect has graciously agreed to review a video. So, I will make one, it may take some time to work out the kinks to do that.

If Chaith sincerely offered me constructive feedback, I would gratefully accept it. Based on our interaction so far, I seriously doubt that’s going to happen.

As to “stuborness to improve” (sic) I’ve been breaking my kitten over a period of years trying to get better at Mesmer. You’re simply wrong there.

Constructive feedback would be welcome. The vast majority of the feedback I’ve gotten has been one variation or another of “you suck, l2p.” A pro player recently posted that I was in “the bottom 2%” of players. He has never seen me in a match, to the best of my knowledge.

I’ve never claimed to be a high level player. My point is and has been; For a competitive game, I need to be matched with people of similar skill level. The current season deliberately matches me against teams of people considered more skillful. In other words, it stacks the deck against my team. Then to top it off, punishes me for having lost a game I was intended to lose.

That is not logical, fair or competitive.

OK, that may be the case. Either way, the effect is the same. As a bonus, the practice will help reduce the population, thus further increasing queue times.

Actually they were typically mid. Given the way the community acts, there is no way I am going to offer a video of my gameplay. That would just be asking to be mocked, regardless of how well I played.

That same alt has gained 20 ap so far this session, from wins.

Good morning Chaith.

Season 1 was rekt by players smurfing. This season is being trashed by alts. It’s basically the same thing, high level players using a loophole to farm easy wins and loot.

I just met yet another alt farmer. 400 ap and plays like an ESL player. Running an Asura scrapper. Great skill and map rotation, excellent team support and impossible for me to beat 1v1.
He took 5 pips from me before I friended him so I could queue dodge.

I just met yet another alt farmer. 400 ap and plays like an ESL player. Running an Asura scrapper. Great skill and map rotation, excellent team support and impossible for me to beat 1v1.

He took 5 pips from me before I friended him so I could queue dodge.

I know already that if something doesn’t change radically I have no hope of winning the wings. Quite a few people are likely in that spot. If it became widely known that a number of people are already disqualified, there’d be no motivation for many people to play. Population is already low.

I predict that anet will say nothing until the end of S4.

I play a chronophantasma condition Mesmer. sc/sh and staff. In my most recent match I never died and dealt just over 1/2 million damage. That’s right up there with what is alleged to be “good” play. See below stats on my most recent match.

If not everyone is meant to make it to legendary, why did ANET claim that everyone could win the wings?

The system is expressly designed to punish you for losing games you are supposed to lose. Conversely it rewards winning games when your team is pre set to win.

I think the concept was that this would quickly separate players into skill ranges. If that worked, fair matches would evolve naturally. Only players of a given skill level would be left within a pip range for the system to choose from.

There are a couple of glaring issues that kitten that idea.

First, there isn’t a big enough population pool to draw from. So, the matchmaker has to expand the pip range it chooses from. So, the skill separation is kittened. This destroys the whole concept of fair matches evolving. It means that matches will continue to be unfair.

Second there are alts playing through the lower ranks again for easy loot. I personally have been matched multiple times against paid ESL team players in Sapphire division. They were farming on alts.

Third,teams distort player skill levels.

It is working exactly as it’s intended to. I don’t find it logical, fair or competitive… but it is exactly as intended.

I’m trying to make a couple of points, one practical and a bit more philosophical.

It may be that I “belong” in Sapphire. If I entertain that for a moment; I’m currently stuck at the season 3 requirements for the wings. Yes of course I’m playing for the shiny. I’m certainly not playing for fun being crushed repeatedly. If the system holds me in Sapphire, then I have no motivation to play. It’s not fun to be run over and I have no chance at getting the shiny. When enough people realize this, there won’t be population to support your “competitive” game.

By definition, competitive games require that there be a relatively even chance for both or all sides at the start. Stacking the deck for one side eliminates “competition.”

@UmbraNoctis

Not true. If it were true then I would never have been matched against players a minimum of 3 tiers above me. Actually, 4 tiers since I have 0 pips in T3. So I’m liable to keep getting thrashed by the same players. That’s a 15-20 pip range, minimum.

In fact I’ve several times lost to 1 or more of the same players 3+ times in a row.

Good Morning, Chaith.

Once again, my point is this: I was at 6 losses, one win. The matchmaker responded by placing me in a low MMR Sapphire PuG against a team consisting of 3 Ruby and two Sapphire players.

The matchmaker created a match that was clearly set up to make my team lose. Then it punishes me for losing by taking another slice off my MMR. So I’ll be that much more set up to lose the next match. This is called a “vicious cycle.” in forum venacular, “MMR HELL.”

Now it works the same for those who began the season with a nice MMR, easy matches, set up and expected that player would win. Then, they get rewarded for winning by being set up to win even more. Sure, those who started the season with a nice MMR think things are lovely.

The second part of my point is that if I, (T3 Sapphire,) am being matched against Ruby players, then it’s clear that population is low. I contend that’s a direct result of the matchmaking.

@Dahkeus.8243

I’ve gone losing streaks over 30, playing 10+ hour days and I’m still Sapphire T3. Look at the matchup. I was set up and expected to lose. Having lost, I now will be expected and set up to lose even more, if I haven’t bottomed on MMR already.

My point is the following; Having lost 6 games and won one this morning, the matchmaker placed me against 3 Ruby players and 2 Sapphires. This with our team being all low MMR Sapphires.

The deck was heavily stacked going in. The matchmaker set me to lose, then punished me for losing. That’s not competitive or fair.

You don’t match a little league team against an MLB team, then punish the little leaguers for losing. Nor do you reward the MLB team with special titles and trophies for trouncing them.

Here’s a picture of MMR Hell. I’ve won 1 of 8 games this a.m. In my most recent match, ( 335-501,) I was placed on a 5 Sapphire PuG. Our opponents were 3 Ruby and 2 Sapphire.
I get placed on a team that is very much pre set to lose, then I get punished for losing.

This is also an interesting bit of evidence that population is low. The matchmaker is matching me, ( T3 Sapphire,) against Ruby players. I’d argue it’s a direct result of the matchmaking.

The League vendor in HoTM states that the various components will only be usuable for that specific year.

Ergo, unless one fully finishes the project within the year, all the work is lost.

@Lord Otto.

I played twice against at least one and probably two members of PZ in Sapphire within the past couple of days. They were on alts. I took screen shots and posted part of them on another thread.

With respect to the wings; If I can’t get them, then what is the purpose of playing in ranked? Be careful how you answer. Consider this: If everyone who is not Legendary stopped playing because there was not an adequate reward, you would likely need to wait hours for a match. The reality is that many are playing for the wings, otherwise why put up with this matchmaking?

The legendary Vendor in HoTM explains that all of the items are usable only this year.

As to some of the other posters. If I accept that the wings aren’t meant for everyone.. that I’m not worthy; Then why should I play? Why should anyone play ranked unless they are elite? So that you will have opponents to beat? To keep population inflated so queue time doesn’t fly through the roof? What’s in it for me?

Answer: “nothing.”

I have played an MM Reaper off Metabattle. Necromancer isn’t a class I especially like, so it’s just been an achievement to get.

Yes, my habit is to check ready immediately, then hit b and check the team comps. Then I’ll usually comment that I’m going mid or suggest going sides. If I happen to know a player is good or an easy target I’ll mention that as well. Less often, I’ll suggest starting with a specific class targeted, depending on the enemy comp.

As to the rest.. what can I say? I’m jealous.

You missed the point. The achievements reset. This means that I’ve busted my kitten for nothing if I can’t complete the wings this year.

It also means that I’ve been chasing an impossible task. In fact, I’m told that it “should” be impossible.

On the one hand, anet doesn’t want divisions to be grindable. On the other, they require division crossing to get the wings.

If it is anet’s atitude that players should be stuck in “deserved” divisions, then they must intend that getting the wings will be impossible for a majority of players. This is true because of the division cross requirement. That being the case, there’s no real motivation for the vast majority to play. The system is self evidently created to prevent most from ever getting there.

Emerald. I have 7 division crossings left in total. I’ve put in full time work hours and more to struggle to Sapphire. There is simply no way I can cross 7 divisions in the time remaining. Not the way matchmaking is. So, there is no point in playing and I’ve wasted a lot of effort and stress.

Well, I’ve completed 14 achievements on Season III. That includes 4 profession achievements. Three of those; Necromancer, Ranger and Elementalist I pretty much had to learn while playing as I don’t normally play those classes.

I’ve fought through 30+ loss streaks, seen my win percentage fall from 50% to something like 10% at one point. Full time work hours have gone into struggling to achieve over a period of weeks.

Now, I’m expected to cross 3 divisions and buy wings. I don’t have the tickets for wings and there is no way I’m going to cross 7 divisions in the two remaining seasons. It’s taken me from day 1 to today to get to Sapphire T3.

I’m not good enough? I’m in the division I should be in? Then why should I play and give the elites cannon fodder to pound on?

It’s very clear that I will never win the wings.

So all that work is for pretty much nothing. THE ACHIEVES DON’T CARRY TO NEXT YEAR, SO THIS IS A COMPLETE WASTE. I feel like I got led into trying an impossible task just to be another body in pvp for the elites to beat on.

Right now I feel I ought to give up on this game.

I agree. The devs seem convinced that players don’t “earn” wins if the matchmaker is set up for 50/50 win ratio. That may not be true, but it’s the impression I get.

If it is true, I don’t understand the reasoning. At any rate, the previous system worked and the current system does not.

No I’m running 18 slot boxes. What is in the “starter backpack” is seen by the system. Otherwise not. Also the deposit all collectables function behaves the same way.

Back for more after some sleep. Here’s my most recent match. I wonder if this is what is meant by “competitive” and “fun?” Needless to say, I was on the Red side.

For my account, all toons, the merchant and TP recognize only what is in the start backpack and not the additional bags. What is in the other inventory bags seems to be “invisible” to them.

To answer the questions; I know it was a pro team because they displayed there team.

As to why I keep coming back, I love a challenge and I love to compete. Yes, I’m also going ranked because I want the backpack. What I need is something resembling a fair chance though.

To compete is fun, to re-enannact Massada multiple times a night gets old fast.

Actually I met a member of Team PZ in Sapphire twice last night/this morning. They were duo queue’d so perhaps it was two members.

Yes they climbed out the way fast, but now they are doing it again. That defeats the stated purpose of the current matchmaking.

I suppose I would be honored if I were invited to play against PZ with a team that had practiced together and knew what they were getting into. Being roflstomped with two (or more, they may have been queue syncing and not partied ) ESL players against a full PuG wasn’t the least bit fun.

If the season isn’t designed to be fun, I see serious problems. The vast majority of us aren’t paid to play. So the motivation has to be to have fun.

I take issue with "matches people with teammates of their (sic) (yes I know it should be spelled “there” ) own skill." Losses strongly reinforce losing and winning strongly reinforces winning.

It’s no measure of skill to put me in a match against a stacked deck that I’m intended to lose. Then, I get punished for losing by having the deck stacked even more against me. I’m told that if only I get good , everything will be OK and I too will get good teams.

-edit- Yes of course I’m going to keep queue’ing. The achievements are so steep that I need every match to have any hope of winning the wings. I understand that it’s this year only.. so if I want the reward I have to keep taking it on the chin for hours on end.

I’m still struggling in t3 Sapphire where I’ve been for a couple of weeks now, trying to get my profession achieves.

I’n this 14 hour + session I’ve been matched twice ( in Sapphire ) with players displaying Team PZ guild. This most recent match was 500-36. The first was 501-110.

The matchmaking is making this miserable as it is.. I’m taking losses of 300+ points regularly. May I politely request that the Legendary and Diamonds stay out of the lower ranks?

In the first picture the PZ member is the Emerald Engie partied up to get into Sapphire. 8 or 9 hours later, in the second pic they’ve breezed through to Sapphire, on my back.

Note the time and the score in the second picture. This is “fun” and “Competitive?”

This matchmaking is openly cruel. It’s neither fun nor competitive to play matches with a deliberately stacked deck. I’ve spent the past 6-8 hours of game time losing repeatedly.

My day continues. I admit, I learned to play Druid better and finally eked out my seven wins. Druid is interesting and I enjoyed the healer role. Now I’m working on a auramancer Tempest. Still, it’s hard being cannon fodder time and again

I agree, removing the division locks would be cataclysmic. Still, a number of players on this thread have asked for just that.

As to the system evening out with an average of 200 games in the population, I think that’s a very optimistic number.

Nicely done. Thanks for the effort. Now if anet listens…

I feel that match switching like that is cheating. Though I will admit I’ve power levelled toons by end-switching dungeons. Here’s my recent game history, using a metabattle build.

I make no claim to be a master player. I’m just here trying to have fun at PvP. Sadly, I have to be cannon fodder in ranked to try to get the backpack. As hard as the system is making things, I need to play constantly and get as far as possible in each season to have any hope of winning my wings.

That means that my teammates get to suffer with me trying to learn a new profession while playing in ranked. The grind requires that I play multi classes in ranked. The elephant in the room secondary issue is the kittened matchmaking.

The claim has been made that the season would even out and games would become better as “good” players move up. That theory has failed as has this season’s matchmaking. I can’t wait to see anet remove the division locks. Watch the qq as players fall in the course of a weekend from Diamond to Amber.

This system isn’t working anet, admit it and move on please, for the sake of the game.

Here’s my recent game history. Those are losses by an average of roughly 214 points. with a maximum margin of 481 points and a minimum of 76.

These matches are not “fun” or “competitive.” They don’t make me admire Diamond or Legendary players. Quite the contrary, it makes me despise them. I don’t think this is the sort of “prestige” anet hoped to generate.

I’d like to have the pvp badge be optional. If you don’t make diamond or Legendary then it’s almost as if you’re being mocked between seasons. Certainly other PvP players will call you bad.

Make that 5 games. this one was 513/32. I’m getting flamed and told I suck. Having a great time in this competitive and prestigious season.

Make that 4 games. No, I’ve worked my kitten off over a period of years to get better at Mesmer. I don’t have time in the season to try to improve on a profession I’m not familiar with. So, I and whoever is unlucky enough to be teamed with me, gets to 4v5.

I’m getting hammered flat and my teams with me. The last requirement for the Season III list is 7 wins on two additional professions.

I’ve lost the last three games by well over 300 points and become a favorite target for another player I keep being matched against.

I have no choice but to screw my teammates by playing a class I don’t know and hoping to rng the wins.

Sorry teammates, you’re essentially 4v5 but there isn’t much I can do about it.

Remove the divsion/tier locks and you simply move the bottleneck to Amber. That would intensify many of the problems we see now.

You would see sapphire level players trolling back through the ranks on alts. There simply wouldn’t be enough players above Amber to support matches.

In addition, long losing streaks and roflstomps would frustrate new players almost immediately. That would kitten the usefulness of the backpack and other rewards to draw people to come try PvP.

S1 was far better. Hardcore competition simply isn’t going to work. creating an elite doesn’t give that elite “prestige,” just the opposite.

I just lost to exactly the same team comp twice in a row. Both matches were walkovers. One player on the other team made the comment, “I have to admit, I hate winning this way.”

Three of the other team are partied but the system grouped them with the same two players again.

Perhaps the code has been changed to prevent a full PuG from encountering a full premade. Does it fix syncing? Is there any safeguard to prevent repeating matches?

There is nothing fair, fun or competitive about going into a match knowing that you will be ground into the pavement.