SKILL BASED MATCHMAKING + NEW RANKS
As things stand right now SBB matchmaking seems like its a mess, it almost feels random I can go from matching against opponents with 50 hours to Opponents with 5000 hours. I feel like it has been poorly implemented with no real direction or indication of what raises/lowers your MMR. The new ranks truly made it so ranks don't matter, being unable to depip is absolutely ridiculous. Now I do like the new setup and it really does have the potential to be so much better however changes DO need to happen. Solutions I can think of:
1) Just use old ranks - There is absolutely no point of the new ranks and if no changes are going to be made may as well just revert the ranks and put things back to the way they were.
2) Small Change - Keep new ranks and make it so people can depip but cant drop grade.
3) An Overhaul - Change it to a true ranking system, 10 placement games required which will place you in a grade suitable for your skill. Whatever grade you get, that's you for the month, to go up a grade you must perform well in 60% or higher in your games, to stay where you are you must perform well in 41-59% of your matches and to be downgraded you must perform poorly in 40% or less games. I also think a minimum amount of games should be played for rank adjustments to happen, lets say at least 10? People who don't play that month will remain in their current grade. Players can lose pips but will not be downgraded out of their grade as changes will be done on the 13th of each month. As for a reward system, players who finish at rank 1 in their grade can be given a set amount of Bloodpoints (personally I think Iri shards too) depending on which grade they were in. When playing SWF with people who are in different grades to keep things fair for both sides as I know the matchmaking gets a bit silly I think the best solution is to make it so if either side has an opponent 4 grades higher than them they cannot depip for under performing and the match will not count towards grading.
Just my thoughts and what I think can be done to improve things, personally I'd like to see option 3 happen as this would make ranks actually mean something and would be a clear indication of skill level. Either way the current system needs a change. Thoughts?