New Matchmaking System in Dota 2: Changes and Issues

Recently we reviewed current meta changes. Among those changes is the matchmaking system update. However, not everything is flawless.

This article delves into the recently overhauled matchmaking system in Dota 2 based on the latest updates and community discussions. The primary sources of information include official Dota 2 update posts, developer patch notes, and ongoing player feedback on forums like Reddit.

Feature	Description	Impact on Gameplay	Issues Reported
MMR Calculation Overhaul	Uses a new formula to evaluate skill and assign MMR based on performance and win/loss.	Higher fluctuation in ranks after each match, making it easier to gain or lose multiple ranks quickly.	High rank volatility; players feel ranks do not reflect their skill level accurately.
Role-Based MMR Adjustments	Adjusts MMR separately for each role (Core/Support) to reflect a player's strengths.	Ensures players are matched based on their expertise in specific roles, promoting balanced team compositions.	Longer queue times; perceived loss of synergy in some compositions.
Behavior Score Integration	More emphasis on integrating behavior scores into matchmaking.	Players with poor behavior scores are less likely to appear in higher-skill matches.	Minor reports can disproportionately impact matchmaking quality.
Hero-Based Adjustments	Takes into account a player’s success with specific heroes when forming matches.	Reduces instances of smurfs dominating games with certain high-win-rate heroes.	Some players feel restricted by this if they prefer niche picks.
Queue Time Balancing	Prioritizes higher-quality matches, even at the cost of extended queue times.	Matches generally have better balance, but at the cost of waiting longer, especially for high-MMR players.	Excessive queue times (up to 20 minutes or more) for top-tier players.
New Match Quality Metrics	Introduces additional factors like team synergy and player experience.	Aims to create more cohesive and competitive matches.	Match quality is still inconsistent, leading to mismatched games.

New matchmaking keypoints

The new system, introduced in the 7.35d patch, aims to enhance the quality of matches, particularly in the higher skill brackets. Valve has implemented several fundamental changes, such as:

1. Revamped Ranking Calculations: The new formula focuses on accurately matching players based on their skill levels, which has led to increased rank volatility. Many players have reported drastic shifts in their MMR (Matchmaking Rating) after just a few games, a stark departure from the steadier climbs or declines of the past.
2. Role-Based Adjustments: Position-specific MMR adjustments have been introduced to mitigate issues like players queuing for roles they're less proficient in. This ensures that a support player's MMR is assessed differently than a core player's. While this seems promising on paper, players are divided on its effectiveness, with some noting that it leads to longer queue times and less synergy in team compositions​.
3. Behavior Score Integration: A more sophisticated integration of behavior scores into matchmaking has been applied, making it harder for players with poor behavior to disrupt games in higher ranks. However, some players have reported issues with this feature, stating that even a few reports can dramatically impact matchmaking quality​.
4. Hero-Based Adjustments: Valve has also changed hero-based MMR and matchmaking restrictions. For instance, players with a higher success rate on specific heroes now get matched with opponents of comparable skill on those heroes, preventing Smurfs from abusing high-win-rate strategies in lower brackets​.

Current Issues and Community Response

While the changes were intended to refine the matchmaking process, they've sparked mixed reactions:

• Extended Queue Times: Players' most prominent concern is the increase in queue times, especially for ranked games in the upper skill brackets. Some high-MMR players have reported waiting 15-20 minutes for a single game.
• Match Quality Concerns: Players are still experiencing unbalanced matches despite the longer queues. Numerous complaints have been received about being placed in games where team compositions or individual player skill levels feel mismatched, leading to one-sided matches.
• Volatility and Player Satisfaction: The significant MMR swings have left players feeling that their skill is not accurately represented, causing frustration and decreasing overall satisfaction with ranked play.

Valve has acknowledged these issues and promised ongoing tweaks to refine the system further, but it's clear that this new matchmaking system is still a work in progress.