Matchmaking updates now target random picks and reports

A few minor matchmaking updates have been implemented by Valve. Several changes to ranked and unranked play are aimed at random hero pickers. Report sensitivity has also increased as an attempt to decrease the negative and disruptive behaviors in matches.

Valve has implemented a few matchmaking updates that are aimed primarily at random hero pickers and reports.

The changes are relatively minor but address areas have been viewed as disruptive to game play and overall experience.

With the report sensitivity being increased, it is more likely that a player who receives a report will go to low priority matchmaking. The hope is that with players demonstrating disruptive or noxious behaviors will be quickly sent into the lower priority pool removing them from the normal game and curb those with these tendencies to be more cautious. In the past, however, the report system has been abused and even well known players such as WehSing “SingSing” Yuen have received reports during streams when there was no behaviors to support them.

The Random hero selection has been adjusted as a two-fold update.

The first is minor – to fix an issue of receiving the same hero after opting to re-select a random one.

The second update has more of an impact on the game and players in a team. Players can no longer random in the last 10 seconds/as the final hero selection for each team- a valiant attempt to stop a player from random picking a hero that will end up having no or negative impact in the lineup. Repicking also will give a new random hero instead of allowing a player to re-select to avoid players from trying to counter an enemy pick after the fact.

The updates are in response to overwhelming reddit and social media outcry about the state of the game and areas of concern. Although the updates are minor, the impact will be interesting and have yet to be proven effective.

Matchmaking updates

Random hero selection

There will no longer be the chance of receiving the same hero after re-selecting random.

Unranked play

• Players can no longer random in the last 10 seconds
• Repicking will now automatically give a new random hero instead of giving players the chance to select a new one

Ranked play

• Final hero selection for each team can no longer be random

Reports

• Report sensitivity has been increased