[quote]In order not to be completely negative, let me say that there are a lot of positive changes to the Crucible and I enjoy Shadowkeep quite a bit. With that being said, I cannot fathom how matchmaking works in this game, particularly in the Survival playlist(s). I've been grinding the Freelance playlist this season to finally try for Legend and got up to 4200+. I'm not going to say that matchmaking has been great on the journey to this point, but it's been bearable. Today, I played 6 games in a row that ended in 4-0s. I was on the losing end of 5 of them. To be clear, these were not "each round could have gone either way 4-0s." These were massacres, both in the games my team lost and the one where we came out on top. In each of these games, there was the distinct impression that the match was a waste of time. The skill so heavily favored one side, that it was laughable. In three of these 6 games, one of my teammates left after the first 1-2 rounds. In two games in a row, I played an Unbroken player who literally could not miss. I finished the second match with 0 kills and 0 assists. I don't think that has ever happened to me. Before you just tell me I suck (which maybe I do, but bear with me here), the "leader" of my team had 2 Elims. Our third "teammate" quit after the first round. On the 7th game of the day, my team won a 4-3 match. It took seven games to get a competitive match where either team truly could win. [i]Seven[/i]. I'm not a developer and I don't know how to write algorithms. I don't know exactly how matchmaking can be fixed, but there is something seriously wrong if a streak like this can occur. Again, I want to reiterate that I've been on the winning end of these curb-stomps, too, and it's almost equally unsatisfying. A few questions immediately rose to my mind after today's experience, though: 1) After getting utterly demoralized in one game vs the Unbroken player who suspiciously couldn't miss (not making a direct accusation but he was...unusually good...), why was I placed into a lobby with him in the very next game? I thought I recalled reading something from Bungie stating that players' MMR/ELO changed by the minute and matchmaking was adjusted accordingly? 2) Why am I losing points as if it's a normal game when teammates leave mid-activity? I can't express how frustrating this is. It's true that you can still win Survival matches when you're out-numbered, but if the enemies stick together, it's extremely difficult. I understand that loss-forgiveness in team-match-made activities is difficult to implement because one member of a 3-person fireteam could leave a game and therefore reduce the amount of points his teammates lose as a sort of exploitative safeguard. However, in Freelance mode, why am I being punished and having my time wasted by playing out a game where my teammate(s) bailed only to be slapped with a huge point loss in the end? To reiterate, there are some great changes to PvP. Freelance playlist was a wonderful addition, reduced Heavy and weakened Supers are, too. I think that the final frontier for Bungie right now is to polish the matchmaking system(s) in PvP, and specifically, the Freelance playlist. I know that there is no perfect system and there's bound to be a slaughter or two here and there. However, experiences such as the one I endured today are borderline game-breaking and need to be addressed ASAP. Thanks for reading.[/quote] I noticed the same trend. Others are noticing it also. My guess is once a player hits 4000 something you get matched with lower kd players on your fireteam. This extends the amount of matches and time you have to play. Once you've had your guardian, ego, sanity, and night ripped to shreds for X amount of games match making will favor you or give you normal odds again and you'll start winning. Cheap way to keep you playing and make it "hard". Last night I must of had 10 games where I'm the only one going positive and our team lost and big.

I entered the playlist at 0 glory and was already going up against not forgottens and unbrokens. I dipped on the third match. Don’t need that type of stress in my life.

Regarding your points 1. There really arent as many people playing the game, especially come as you think. I keep playing the same people too. 2. Bungie doesnt have the resources to handle too many things and match making is really a low priority I mean there are almost no new weapons in the game...they dont have the development muscle anymore. And I'll add. They dont care. They got our money. Remember that next time they release pay to play content. Dont buy it.

There is something going on. Got up to 4900 and then got crappy teams. I was at the top of the leaderboard and I kept losing points. Have hit a wall around 4600 and I’m not the only one. I have seen several post on other forums and YouTube about people having the wheels fall off at 4500 with crappy match making.

I had this exact scenario in brave 1. Unbroken player and all. The matchmaking is worse.

In the past matchmaking is always bad for me in comp after I played a lot of IB. I'm sure I'll tank teams for about 9 out of 10 matches. 6v6 doesn't always translate well into 3v3.

I’ve had the exact same experience. While it has been easy to get up in ranks, Every single game starting from 0-4000 has been an unfun sweat fest. I don’t understand why it’s skill based, and not score based.