Greetings, Time-Travelers!
Arena Season 5 is right around the corner. Recently, feedback regarding this season was gathered, and it’s time to present our plans for Season 5 and onwards. I’d like to thank everyone I managed to talk to in order get the insight necessary for PvP development.
Survey Results
The survey conducted was mainly about 3v3 Solo Queue as well as 1v1 and 5v5 brackets. Any other feedback was also welcome.
In total, 33 players took part in the survey. We do apologise to those we did not manage to talk to.
1v1 bracket
- 48.5% would like to keep the bracket
- 27.3% would like to remove it
- 24.2% felt indifferent
- Consensus is that most want to keep it, but with certain conditions.
3v3SoloQ
- 66.7% would like to keep the bracket
- 33.3% would like to remove the bracket
- The majority, even though wanting to keep the bracket, felt that the bracket is good but requires major rework.
5v5 bracket
- 54.5% would like to remove the bracket
- 30.3% would like to keep it
- 15.2% felt indifferent
- Majority feels like this is more of a meme-bracket.
Community Suggestions & Feedback
Players provided a lot of constructive feedback and suggestions on how to improve PvP experience on ChromieCraft.
Almost unanimous feedback was that the traditional 2v2 and 3v3 brackets should be the main focus.
Bracket Adjustments
1v1 bracket
- Players like the idea of 1v1 bracket as it acts as an easy way to duel and to test specs.
- While some voiced that 1v1 should only be available as unrated version, that part will not change. You will keep getting a small amount of arena points every flush should you complete 10 games during that week.
- Majority were concerned about the end-of-season rewards from this bracket due to ease of wintrading. Going forward, 1v1 bracket WILL NOT be eligible for end-of-season rewards such as titles and mounts.
2v2 / 3v3 brackets
- These two brackets should remain relevant throughout the season(s).
- Whereas 3v3SoloQ is very easy to queue into with low effort, these two brackets require more consistent teammates to queue with. To reward that, the points gained per flush will be increased. It is also possible to increase rating gained, but that will be only done should there not be enough players to gain rating naturally.
- Daily / weekly quests were suggested multiple times. These will be available to players from an NPC dedicated to them.
3v3SoloQ
- Almost everyone supporting this bracket felt that this bracket is a great addition to the server but did not work in its current form during Season 4.
- Better matchmaking: battlegroups should not be formed in order of queueing. This resulted in match fixing to certain extent.
- Allowing any 2 DPS + healer battlegroups instead of melee + ranged + healer. This was a major limitation in getting into games. A possible implementation on not allowing class stacking is also looked at.
- Improving queue logic to not be skipped by those who requeue quick enough. This has turned out to be much trickier to fix than anticipated. (Current main goal.)
- Arena gear will be available to be purchased with 3v3SoloQ rating. Note that rating requirement will stay as red, but is only a client side limitation.
- This bracket will be eligible for end-of-season rewards.
- NOTE THAT ALL IMPROVEMENTS MAY NOT BE READY ON SEASON START.
5v5 bracket
- Majority saw this bracket as “only for points” bracket, or to wintrade for end-of-season rewards, which we ended up not giving out due to extremely low participation.
- This bracket will be closed for Season 5 and thus will not be eligible for rewards. (This is also not so straightforward, so bear in mind should you create 5v5 team, it might be removed soon.)
- A possible solution for 5v5 achievements would be to allow 3v3SoloQ to grant them (this is not confirmed to be feasible).
Other Improvements
- MMR should be reset properly. This caused some issues during earlier seasons, and it was way easier for certain teams to achieve higher ratings as the MMR carried over from the previous season.
- Include Honour to Gold exchange NPC to Dalaran Sewers and increase the exchange rates.
- 3v3SoloQ, 1v1 as well as arena replay and arena spectator NPCs will be added to the Dalaran Sewers.
- Season 5 teams will start with 1500 rating.
- Monthly rewards for most active arena players, like battlegrounds: Top X players with most wins in combined 2v2, 3v3 and 3v3SoloQ brackets will be getting ChromiePoints and the #1 will get a brand new <Vanquisher> title. You can see the current standings over at Arena Stats page. You can also find some previously played games over there.
Thank you
We hope the Season 5 will bring new players into the arena.
Note that arena points and honour points will be reset during the morning of release day.
See you in the arena!
Apatia – PvP Staff Lead