Optimisation of Matchmaking Rules

Matchmaking (MM) is a very important game mechanic which has to be clearly understandable to any player. Most players no doubt know about the limit on the +/- 1.0 BR variance of vehicles’ Battle Ratings when assembling teams. This means that when you prepare for the next battle, assemble a squad or return to a comfortable battle rank for you, you’re sure to pay attention to the BR of the vehicles in your selection.

 But far fewer players know about the existence of another matchmaking rule – rank limitations. 

This rule works like this: regardless of the resulting Battle Rating of an individual vehicle or a player’s lineup of vehicles, matchmaking is calculated for opponents whose top vehicle’s rank differs from the player’s highest vehicle’s rank by no more than one (either higher or lower).
 
Complicated? On paper, sure. In reality, this rule activates very rarely, since even without it, the Battle Ratings of vehicles in most cases fall within the acceptable limitations of ranks. But there are individual examples of vehicles whose Battle Rating does not prevent an encounter between, for example, a vehicle at the lower end of rank three with a vehicle at the top end of rank one. At the same time, in spite of the seemingly large variance and the resulting concern that a vehicle at the top end of rank one won’t be able to take on a vehicle at the bottom end of rank three, in practice it all turns out differently and the vehicles would have comfortably fought with each other – if not for the limitation rule on ranks.

We strive not only to support optimal balance among all vehicles represented in War Thunder, but also to make the balancing mechanic simple and easy to understand for any player. 

This means that the next logical step in improving our matchmaking mechanism is additional development of a simple and understandable Battle Rating system by making an exception to the limitation rule on ranks.

We’ll use some examples to explain this. In the majority of battles, no changes will be apparent – matchmaking will, as ever, be determined based on the Battle Rating of vehicles. However, in rare cases, the game will be a little easier for individual vehicles – both for their owners and for players who encounter them in battle.
 
Let’s take a look at Germany’s aviation tech tree. At the time of writing, the attacker aircraft Hs.129B-3 has a rating of 3.0 in Arcade Battles. According to MM rules, it can fight against vehicles between BR 2.0 and 4.0. Now look at the Battle Rating of the He.112B-0 – it is 2.3 BR. I.e., by matchmaking rules, a meeting between these aircraft is more than possible, and in a duel, the Heinkel fighter would most likely surpass the Henschel bomber – if it weren’t for the rule that previously forbade an encounter between a rank three attacker aircraft and a rank one fighter.

Greater variety of vehicles in battles while maintaining a comfortable balance of power, and in some cases a somewhat faster start to the battle! This will work in all cases – after all, before this rule is rescinded, a very effective vehicle would never encounter an opponent more than one rank higher regardless of how high we take its Battle Rating, this means it would still undeservedly end up among the top selected for battle. Similarly, a less effective vehicle had no chance in encountering other less effective vehicles at lower ranks forcing them instead to meet more powerful machines.

Whatever vehicles you choose, in any game mode with any  rank - Good luck and have fun!