Arena matchmaking needs improvement

[JoysJoy]

...but when the penalty for a loss vs rankings far below you require 2 wins just to get back where you were...

Only 2 wins to get back? Must be nice. Currently playing Fruit Picking arena and a single loss can take me 8 matches to recover.
With the randomness of the board and card draws, though, I have to be prepared to lose to anyone, regardless of ability. Keeps me on my toes, I guess.

Um... If you were in actually *that* much better than any other player, you would always win and not have to worry. The fact that you have played 30+ games does not necessarily make you better than the player who has played 5 games. There are very few spaces at the top and they need to be shared by many.

If you lost to that person, you do need to fight your way back up. Law of Nature. Ego wants to always win and just stay on top but no one else can get there without defeating those on the top. Letting the top play the top is elitist and keeps those below down artifically.

[ChuckG68]

If we've achieved Elite then we should have an option when loading into the Arena que of only matching with other Elite level players,

This is already there. Click on the cogwheel next to the game icon in the Arena lobby. -> Extended options.

Ah had no idea, found it!!! Thank you

[ChuckG68]

but when the penalty for a loss vs rankings far below you require 2 wins just to get back where you were.......rather nonsensical.

Why? What is your win rate against "far below" players? Do you win 2 out of every 3 games? Then it makes sense that you need 2 wins to compensate for 1 loss. Do you win 9 out of 10? Then you need 9 wins to compensate 1 loss. The score is supposed to be kind of stabilized at your actual ability, it's not an ever-increasing number.

My win % was great in RT games, but then started Arena and began noticing the weighted dice and matching that didn't hold with matching similar ELO/Arena level. That's where that part of my post came from, then someone who responded before you has shown me where I can change who I'm matched with (I think, haven't tried it as I just read their reply)

[ExaltedAngel]

someone who responded before you has shown me where I can change who I'm matched with (I think, haven't tried it as I just read their reply)

You can, but it's limited to leagues and not Elo rating. You can play with Elite league players only, but an Elite player with 1200 Elo is just as bad a Bronze, so it doesn't actually makes much of a difference

[eugaet]

The fact that you have played 30+ games does not necessarily make you better than the player who has played 5 games.

Agreed and I never stated otherwise. I make it a point to never look at the ranking of anyone I'm playing. I assume any opponent may have hundreds of over-the-table games under their belt, even if it says next to their name, "This is my first game."
I don't disagree with losing massive arena points to someone ranked much lower. That's how it works. Sure, a loss stings, but it shows you areas of your strategy you could potentially improve. I send a "gg" to the victor and am happy for them to be able to climb the ranks.

[DrakeStorm]

Yes, they need to change the match making once you reach Elite. You shouldn't have to CONSTANTLY play Elite players who have Arena ELO in the 1400s (and real ELO 120 or less... how did they even get to Elite!) when you are at 2000 Arena ELO and 700 regular ELO.

The match making should wait a little longer to do a better match. You shouldn't always be matched similarly so the lower elite players have a chance at playing the better players, but the ratio should be something like 20-30% not the current 90-95%. Obviously the higher ranking you get the less chance another high ranked player is online wanting to play, but I know they are out there. Even if it is 3-400 points lower than me, it is better than 600!

[estroncio]

Old issue, really really really needs fixing.

Funny thing is that standard players get better opponents than premium players.
Being premium correlates with being better player, and standard players are only paired against premium players. Not a good incentive there