[b][u]This post was made in support of ingame LFG and why it's a better idea that optional matchmaking for endgame. [/u][/b] Many post I've seen have called for optional matchmaking due to the fact that people are incapable of finding a group quickly. (which is mostly by their own merit but we'll get to that at the end) Let me point out one big problem with endgame matchmaking. Communication. Go run strikes, PvP, weeklies or 28 PoE and you'll find no one uses their mic. Well this isn't a problem for a strike, weekly, or 28 PoE because the mechanics don't elude too far from "kill everything in sight". Now you run into problems when you try to argue that you can do the Vault of Glass with no one using their mics. How would you tell your matchmade teammate that an oracle is behind him? That your running relic? That your swamped in Vex and need help? That a Minotaur is behind your teammate? What planet you got teleported to? That you don't know how to run relic? And then he can't walk you through what to do because he's not using his mic. How do I tell them a gorgon is coming? Or that now is a good time to jump or that it's not? You see, without mics, the Vault would be nearly impossible and you'd spend more time wiping than you would have spent making a group. Another problem I see happening is being matchmade with AFKer's, underlevels or someone who isn't using the proper weapons for the activity. Obviously I don't want to play with them so I have two options: Leave or tough it out. Toughing it out will result in wipes because of him. Leaving would defeat the purpose of matchmaking wouldn't it? To save time. And let's say there's a way to kick him, now you have to wait for someone to be matchmade in which will take who knows how long. When if you had just took the time to choose or make your team off of LFG, you wouldn't have played with said player. Checkpoints...how would checkpoints work? Would I be matchmade into the first available group? What if I wanted to do the whole raid? I'd have to back out and start over and hope I get matchmade at the start of the raid. But then I've already defeated the purpose of matchmaking: saving time. Will everyone who uses matchmaking be subjected to the start? Well then if I get disconnected, I have to restart the raid, then I really have wasted more time than I would have been using doing LFG. Would there be a filter for a checkpoint? Well then, we're one step closer to an in-game LFG. No doubt someone will say [i]"Well just don't use it, problem solved."[/i] This is inherently and purposefully ignoring the problems with matchmaking. [u]If you read nothing, read this:[/u] [b][i][u]Now what Bungie should do is make an in-game LFG. This will benefit the whole much more than matchmaking. Or even a lobby where you can provide a description of yourself and weapons to have someone invite you to a party or the fireteam. [/u][/i][/b] In conclusion, wether you see it or not, optional matchmaking for higher level content will result in much more difficulties than LFG. If your priority is simply getting a team faster with no regards to how good they are or their credentials, then be my guest, support matchmaking. But if you want a way to find a team full of capable players that meet any prerequisites that you might have, I think it's best that we as a community think of something more elaborate than matchmaking. [spoiler] Also a guide to getting a team quickly using Destinylfg.com. (Note: This is for PS4, the mechanics might be a little different on other systems) •Go to destinylfg.com and fill out the boxes accordingly. •Make sure you provide any helpful information in the description box but keep it short. (Example: Can run sword. Have max Gally. Done this activity before. Experienced. Etc. Also, make sure your the right level, this will directly affect how fast you get a group.) •Make sure you click the "save my information text box", this will make listing you so much faster. •List yourself and wait for invites. Normally (for me) invites take about 30 to 120 seconds. •If you haven't gotten any invites, list yourself again. •If you decide to make a group, don't send messages or friend request. Send make a chat and send invites. This is superbly more effective. •Never use #recruitment, their full of idiots. If you make a group, it will take you approx. 4 or 5 minutes. If you join a group it should take half a minute to about 2 or 3. Hope this helped.[/spoiler] Disclaimer: Optional matchmaking could work for the following: •Nightfalls •32 PoE •Dailies •34 PoE What it wouldn't work for: •Vault of Glass •Crota •Trials of Osiris •35 PoE Edit: LFG or Ingame LFG, (not #recruitment) Pros: •Communication is much more likely. •Filters are available so that you can find a player with a specific skill set. (i.e. Swordbearer, Relic holder etc.) •Allows me to find a certain type of player. (I.e. Someone already with the Eye of Osiris. •Allows me to find a certain class of player. (i.e. If I want a Hunter, Warlock and Titan for Skolas, I can get them or if I want all warlocks for the Trials of Osiris.) •Group is more likely to be successful if it's premade. Cons: •Some elitism. •Takes a bit longer for some because not everyone knows how to use it effectively. •Must use a third party website (This con is eliminated if it's ingame.) Optional Matchmaking Pros: •Gets you a group faster. Cons: •Communication is less likely if any at all. •No filters of any kind. •Possibility to be matchmade with underlevels. •No kick option (And if there was a kick option, it would promote the same elitism you see in LFG) •Possibility to be matchmade with someone who isn't experienced in the activity. (Problem is compounded if they don't have a mic) •Bad matchmade groups (i.e. A group full of all Titans for the Trials or all hunters for Skolas.) •Complicated checkpoint solution. List will be edited as suggestions come in. Edit: Keeping a diary of how long it took me to get an invitation for my all non-matchmade activities starting on June 14, 2015 to prove to some of you, your simply using LFG wrong. [b]But I still support an [u]ingame[/u] LFG.[/b] 6/14/15: Trials of Osiris-49 seconds 34 Prison of elders- 13.3 seconds 34 Prison of elders- 2 minutes and 52 seconds 34 Prison of elders- 1 minute and 6 seconds 6/15/15 Trials of Osiris- 1 minute and 3 seconds Trials of Osiris- 1 minute and 10 seconds Trials of Osiris- 53 seconds