373 messages
Hello all !
Veterans are well aware that we have always wanted the ELO to be both a highly strategic and very open game mode. Our desire to have as many strategic options as possible has lead us to revise the ELO mode rules several times. First of all, we created the list of banned characters gathering those who appeared to be most abused. This list enabled us to solve the main balance issues.
Next, however, the metagame gradually crystallized around the two or three dominant clans at the time. In order to prevent the metagame from stagnating, we then introduced a ban on the clan having dominated the previous week. Unfortunately, this course of action did not work as well as we had hoped. Though it provided a certain variety among the clans used to play, it mostly led up to a very negative feature: the "cycling" phenomenon that we are currently experiencing between Roots and Sentinel (and also All Stars for good measure). In addition, the ban of an entire clan is too drastic an initiative.
Veterans are well aware that we have always wanted the ELO to be both a highly strategic and very open game mode. Our desire to have as many strategic options as possible has lead us to revise the ELO mode rules several times. First of all, we created the list of banned characters gathering those who appeared to be most abused. This list enabled us to solve the main balance issues.
Next, however, the metagame gradually crystallized around the two or three dominant clans at the time. In order to prevent the metagame from stagnating, we then introduced a ban on the clan having dominated the previous week. Unfortunately, this course of action did not work as well as we had hoped. Though it provided a certain variety among the clans used to play, it mostly led up to a very negative feature: the "cycling" phenomenon that we are currently experiencing between Roots and Sentinel (and also All Stars for good measure). In addition, the ban of an entire clan is too drastic an initiative.
2/373
What was to be done?
We looked at the problem from all angles and considered various solutions such as variable banning periods, the reinsertion or banning of certain characters, a slight modification of the computing mode for the dominant clan...
We came to the conclusion that a good solution should:
- allow to exclude the most unbalanced characters
- be able to adjust swiftly to the evolution of the metagame
- take account of the opinion of ELO players
Here follows the solution we went along with and which applies right away:
- the list of banished characters remains, although we are reinserting two who seem to have a place in the current metagame: Zatman, Marco.
- the clan banning system entirely disappears.
- we are setting up a voting system allowing ELO players to choose which characters will or will not be admitted to the following week's tournament.
We looked at the problem from all angles and considered various solutions such as variable banning periods, the reinsertion or banning of certain characters, a slight modification of the computing mode for the dominant clan...
We came to the conclusion that a good solution should:
- allow to exclude the most unbalanced characters
- be able to adjust swiftly to the evolution of the metagame
- take account of the opinion of ELO players
Here follows the solution we went along with and which applies right away:
- the list of banished characters remains, although we are reinserting two who seem to have a place in the current metagame: Zatman, Marco.
- the clan banning system entirely disappears.
- we are setting up a voting system allowing ELO players to choose which characters will or will not be admitted to the following week's tournament.
3/373
How does this work?
Depending on your final ranking at the ELO tournament the previous week, you receive a certain number of votes every week, which you can use in favor or against the banning of one or several characters for the following week's tournament. Naturally, the higher your final ELO score, the higher the number of votes to give out (see below for all details).
In order to vote, you may choose from a list of excludable candidates composed of the 4 most played characters in each one of the 9 most played clans in ELO mode during the previous week in addition to the banned characters of the previous week.
In order to be banned, a character must both obtain a majority of votes in favor of his exclusion and collect at least 5% of the votes cast (sum of the votes pro and contra)
Depending on your final ranking at the ELO tournament the previous week, you receive a certain number of votes every week, which you can use in favor or against the banning of one or several characters for the following week's tournament. Naturally, the higher your final ELO score, the higher the number of votes to give out (see below for all details).
In order to vote, you may choose from a list of excludable candidates composed of the 4 most played characters in each one of the 9 most played clans in ELO mode during the previous week in addition to the banned characters of the previous week.
In order to be banned, a character must both obtain a majority of votes in favor of his exclusion and collect at least 5% of the votes cast (sum of the votes pro and contra)
4/373
Throughout the voting period, you can see the number of votes cast upon a character and whether there is a majority for or against. On the other hand, you don't know the number of votes pro and contra which remains secret up to the end in order to avoid agreements or manipulating the voting system.
When voting, you may choose to opt for or go against the banning of a character. That way, if it seems to you that a character who has their place in the game is threatened of being excluded, you may choose to defend them.
As in the case of events or card comments, our wish with this rules modification is to allow you to get even more involved in the evolution of Urban Rivals. We hope that this change will satisfy everyone. Now it's your turn to play!
Votes are distributed according to the previous week's final ELO scores following the scale below:
1050 -1099 = 1 vote
1100 -1149 = 2 votes
1150- 1199 = 3 votes
1200- 1249 = 4 votes
1250- 1299 = 5 votes
1300- 1349 = 7 votes
1350- 1399 = 9 votes
1400- 1449 = 12 votes
1450 -1499 = 15 votes
1500+ = 20 votes
When voting, you may choose to opt for or go against the banning of a character. That way, if it seems to you that a character who has their place in the game is threatened of being excluded, you may choose to defend them.
As in the case of events or card comments, our wish with this rules modification is to allow you to get even more involved in the evolution of Urban Rivals. We hope that this change will satisfy everyone. Now it's your turn to play!
Votes are distributed according to the previous week's final ELO scores following the scale below:
1050 -1099 = 1 vote
1100 -1149 = 2 votes
1150- 1199 = 3 votes
1200- 1249 = 4 votes
1250- 1299 = 5 votes
1300- 1349 = 7 votes
1350- 1399 = 9 votes
1400- 1449 = 12 votes
1450 -1499 = 15 votes
1500+ = 20 votes
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7/373
8/373
It'll be interesting to see how this works out. I can't deny that I'm a little skeptical about the voting system and the security behind it, but I trust UR staff to have thought it out properly before implementing such a system.
Any idea when this new system will be implemented?
Any idea when this new system will be implemented?
9/373
10/373
Wooohooo another strategic change in ELO!
There is only one risk I would note - and that is that the banning system already favors those who win - giving them more possible ability (voting power) to actually manipulate for their own benefit in the coming week - this can create a viscious cycle that benefits those in the top tier. Of course only you will be able to see how much this could happen as the system is tried.
All in all a great addition - cant wait to seehow it works.
There is only one risk I would note - and that is that the banning system already favors those who win - giving them more possible ability (voting power) to actually manipulate for their own benefit in the coming week - this can create a viscious cycle that benefits those in the top tier. Of course only you will be able to see how much this could happen as the system is tried.
All in all a great addition - cant wait to seehow it works.
The Urban Rivals team is made by lovers of all kind of Collectibles Cards Games and Trading Cards Games like: Magic the Gathering, Dominion, Vampire, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, Wakfu TCG, Assassin Creed Recollection, Shadow Era, Kard Kombat and Might & Magic Duel of Champions.