Behind the colorful graphics and intense gameplay of every successful arena battler lies a complex, invisible mathematical engine.
Many players believe that matchmaking is intentionally rigged against them, constantly forcing them to fight ‘hard counters’ after a win streak.
The Elo System Adapted
Most modern strategy games utilize a modified version of the Elo rating system, originally designed for professional chess.
If the system matches you perfectly, you should mathematically have a 50% chance of winning every single game you play.
- Do not expect to win every game.
- Because there are fewer Grandmasters, the algorithm struggles to find perfect matches.
- Losing streaks are also self-correcting.
Level-Based Matchmaking
The standard Elo system works perfectly for chess because all pieces are equal, but tower rush games feature upgradeable cards.
The system will try its best to match you with someone who has the same trophies AND a similar tower level.
| Player Perception | The Truth |
|---|---|
| Rigged Matchmaking | The algorithm does not force losses; you are simply playing tilted against harder opponents because your MMR is inflated |
| Rigged Deck Matching | Developers have confirmed repeatedly that the algorithm does not read the contents of your deck when finding an opponent |
True Fairness
Because the ladder algorithm must balance queue times against fairness, it will never be perfectly balanced.
The algorithm is blind; it only respects victory.