[b]Connection-based vs Skill-based matchmaking, which to prioritize?[/b] [spoiler]Note: I have left you a special link at the bottom of this post, which contains info pertinent to this topic that comes directly from the mouth of Bungie, and which has changed my opinion of how Bungie approaches PvP. Bravo, Bungie, bravo. That said, the actual execution of your goals, Bungie, doesn't appear to be working well. Just saying. Your [i]walk[/i] doesn't live up to your [i]talk[/i]. But keep trying, please! Also, I wrote this post before reading the information found within that link. I recommend you give it a read and encourage you to engage in the comments below. Thank you for your time and consideration, as well as your vote and comments below.[/spoiler] [u][b]My thoughts:[/b][/u] At one end of the spectrum you have PvP players who play PvP simply because they enjoy PvP. These players are usually above-average in skill level. At the other end you have those who play PvP just for the rewards. These players are usually below-average in skill level. I can't say at which end most people are nearest to but we all fall somewhere therein. For those who love PvP, connection is always the number 1 priority. Next up in terms of importance, I should think, is to have the choice between casual and competitive play (i.e., varying degrees of skill-based matchmaking). As for weapon and ability balancing, etc., that all comes later. Those just wanting the rewards may or may not care about the actual PvP experience, so the CBMM vs SBMM debate is likely irrelevant. As for everyone else who find themselves somewhere in the middle, I bet you would love to taste success at least some of the time, even 50%. Too many people fail to recognize [b]not[/b] that there is an enormous number of players in Destiny, each playing within a different range of the spectrum (in terms of skill), but that players would actually like to move along the spectrum as they see fit. One day you may prefer to sweat against higher skilled players. Another day you may want to play similarly skilled players. And perhaps the day after that you want to play against slightly less skilled players, or completely pub stomp. The biggest problem I see is gamers placing fellow gamers into boxes (i.e., saying you only prefer SBMM or CBMM for this or that reason), or even game developers forcing those gamers into certain boxes (i.e., being stuck at some range within the spectrum) or placing everyone into one big box (i.e., players on opposite sides of the spectrum and everywhere in between facing off). And so, this is where the introduction of different game modes come in, such as Trials, Comp, QuickPlay, etc., giving players a choice who they want to face. The more options, the better. Am I right? Quick note: building anything great and of real significance takes time, and we as fans of Destiny need to exercise patience not only toward Team Bungie but also toward our fellow gamers; furthermore, we need to remind each other of this, too. I know my passion gets the best of me at times, as evident in a recent post of mine on these very forums. My apologies to those who saw it. Moving on... Let's not forget the number one priority: connection. There is no such thing as skill-based matchmaking without a smooth connection.. And remember, the more you practice the better you (usually) get. Aside from the naturally gifted, it’s typically those who play PvP often and enjoy it the most that are the highest skilled. Practice makes perfect, right? But we all want a good gaming experience which means connection is a must. It's rarely because highly skilled players want to pub stomp that they prefer CBMM. Laggy games just suck. Period. I hope that puts an end to why you see [b]most[/b] high skill players asking for CBMM over SBMM. Understanding this would, I think, end all personal attacks against fellow gamers when they ask for one matchmaking system over the other. Having said that, I completely understand how awesome it can feel to totally pub stomp and how terrible it can feel to get brutally smashed. It’s why different modes need to exists and do exist. Again, varying degrees of SBMM. Not a one-all-be-all-end-all. I have many top-tier players on my friends list who only play trials, comp, and in private matches because it's incredibly boring playing against unskilled players. Who---having a sincere passion for competitive PvP---wants to play against someone unable to aim? It just isn't a challenge. It's not fun. It becomes boring AF immediately, and you just end up feeling sorry for your opponent. And, who in their right mind enjoys being bored and feeling sorry? Yeah, sure, winning is awesome, but at what cost? The reverse is also true: it's a miserable experience when the chance to succeed is virtually impossible because SBMM is non-existent. For crying out loud, have a heart. There was a time when you weren't so skilled. To argue that all or even most PvP players want CBMM over SBMM simply to pub stomp is, I think, to hold little faith in the decency of the human race. Of course, there are a few who enjoy making everyone else's gaming experience miserable if it means their experience is great….but will you really let a few bad apples spoil the entire orchard? I should hope not! Instead, just let them have their moment in the sun. For real, the world beats us down enough and sometimes people just want to soar in the clouds, which is exactly why some people turn to gaming to begin with. I'm not saying it's alright but that tolerance keeps you from hating the game; or worse, sinking to their level. I'll leave you with that to think about, and I hope I've made some good points as to why I personally choose CBMM over SBMM, at least when it’s an either-or decision. Ideally, I'd prefer having the choice to sprint, jog, briskly walk, or casually walk here and there but only if the road is paved. In other words, I want to choose the difficulty level I play at but only if the connection is smooth. If you really think about it, it all comes down to equality vs equity, which is a difficult thing to balance in terms of PvP gaming. What are your thoughts? Agree or disagree? Did I change your thinking at all? Please keep it friendly in the comments. Pretend, if you must, that you're sitting across the coffee table from your best friend, a friend who just so happens to be Chuck Norris. As for Bungie's thoughts on this, and I highly recommend you check it out, go here: https://www.bungie.net/en/News/Article/51618