^^^ This ^^^ (Destiny)

by CruelLEGACEY , Toronto, Monday, September 07, 2015, 16:38 (3461 days ago) @ red robber

Why do you think it's a good idea to intentionally pit first-timers against seasoned vets?

It is true; the card-based matchmaking idea is still "skill based" to a degree - but so what if you start off facing teams of similar skill level? Why is that a bad thing?

Because that's not how competition works. Teams in the NBA, NHL, NFL, etc, don't go up against evenly matched opponents. If you're in the league, you're all in the same pool together. Some weeks will be easier than others, but they all face the same challenges over time. That's how Trials works, too. Some nights will be tougher than others, but if you play on a regular basis you (and everyone else competing) will face teams that cover the whole spectrum. Even over the course of 1 or 2 tickets, you'll face a decent representation of the skill range currently competing. If you're getting steamrolled 12 games in a row, then that's most likely just how your team stacks up against the other teams competing at that time. I know it can be discouraging... I've been there myself. But again, that's competition.

As soon as you add any form of skill-based matchmaking into the pool, you diminish the experience and the value of the rewards. Some of the most valuable games I've played we're the times my team was completely outclassed; those games can be fantastic learning experiences.

Because that defeats the entire purpose of trials- It's a test of competitive skill where only the best of the best receive the ultimate prize. Not the best of a specific pool of equally skilled players- The best of the best.

Precisely. Take that away, and Trials looses what makes it special.

In a sense, this both true and untrue. Teams in a professional league are all exposed to the same competition, so the really good teams will face the really bad teams. The Browns will usually lose most games most years. However it is also true that the teams are in groups of Leagues with very similar skill levels. College teams wouldn't stand a chance against NFL teams. High School teams wouldn't beat college teams. However there are champions in each level of play. Trials is open to all from PeeWee to AllPro levels of difficulty though.

It seems that there could be some compromise in a tiered system where you'd have 3-5 tiers of play. Maybe Bronze, Silver, Gold. I don't know how you'd be chosen for tiers, but maybe its an automatic trueskill/combat rating. This would allow for good tough competition at all levels while still allowing lower tier player access and some enjoyment. To add a little more difficulty you could add in the earlier idea of playing teams that have similar wins streaks going. Rewards could also be better for the higher tiered players. I also think they should remove the three boons and bump the win streak to a full 10 wins. :)

I do agree that Trials should be tough and the best rewards should go to the best players. If it was just a cake walk, it wouldn't be so sweet to make it to the lighthouse.

To me, the junior or college leagues already exist in Destiny: regular crucible. If you assemble a team and jump into Trials, you're "drafting" yourselves into the majors :)