Alright, here we go the most infamous discussion currently to be part of these threads: SBMM. Yay or Nay? In this discussion, I will be addressing both the positives and negatives on this debate, and will try to see from both viewpoints. Just a footnote though, I am in the top 1% and have a 2.05KD with 3000+ hours into Crucible alone and been playing since Dark Below, so I know what I'm talking about when it comes to SBMM and the Crucible in general. [b]Let's start with the Pros of SBMM:[/b] - [b]Allows[/b] unskilled players to have balanced matches with other unskilled players, allowing them to slowly be introduced into the Crucible. - [b]Makes[/b] games more equal for both sides, seeing that there would be no major skill gaps. - [b]Makes[/b] it less likely for unskilled players to be pubstomped. [b]Unfortunately, those are really the only Pros of SBMM. Now, let's look at the Cons:[/b] - [b]Since[/b] skill is prioritized over connection consistently, and connection is hardly considered at all, (Don't argue with that one: 95% of the Destiny Community agrees with that), games are lagging all the time. Red Bars are always in the lobbies, and it makes matches unplayable. People are matched up with other people across the world sometimes, which is just unacceptable in any game, even with dedicated servers. - [b]Matchmaking[/b] times take minutes on end to find one match, no matter the playlist. - [b]Matches[/b] for people above 1.5KD's are always a constant sweaty match, which makes the Crucible more a chore and less a casual experience. I can't use any "fun" loadouts anymore (Red Death with Saladin's Vigil and Defender anyone?) because each match is a competetive mess just to get above at least 10 kills. I don't mind playing a sweat every now and then, but every single match? That's just frustrating, infuriating, and most of all, dissapointing. - [b]It limits[/b] the diversity of weapons, armor, and subclasses in the Crucible: Shotguns are rampant and snipers are nearly unusable. Auto Rifles are garbage, while High ROF pulses and Palindrome handcannons are dominating the meta. Anyone who doesn't use these types of gear is already at a [i]major[/i] dis-advantage, and has to use those weapons just to play, much less win and enjoy the actual game. - [b]It discourages[/b] playing with people in fireteams who have great stats, especially if your fireteam members are new to the game, because it takes the player with the highest stats and pairs the fireteam with people of that skill, which makes it impossible for the other members to play. Some people (typically ones below 1.0KD's) are concerned that if SBMM is removed, then low skilled players will be destroyed over and over again, but that isn't true. Keep this in mind: 1/100 Destiny players is in the top 1%, so the chances that you will run into one of them is very, very slim. Most games will be only a skill gap of about 0.1-0.2, which isn't that much of a difference. Also, there is concern that games will be more difficult, but that is a positive thing. Playing people of the same skill level when said skill level is so low doesn't help either player get better: mistakes are forgiven and getting better is very, very slow. I started off as most people do: a noob. I had good matches where I did well, and I also had matches where I got my a** handed to me on a plate, but I [i]learned[/i] from these experiences. I got better quickly, and now I am in the top 1%: not through playing people of my skill every time, but losing to people who are better than me. [b]There are many more cons to list, but those are the major ones. Now, what is the solution to this?[/b] Simple: bring back Year 1 matchmaking. Year 1 matchmaking was a blend of CBMM [i]and[/i] SBMM. CBMM was favored more heavily, creating much better connections, then a dash of SBMM was also there to make sure that top tier players weren't thrown in with the absolute bottom tier players. This created very smooth games with decent equalization on both teams, making the experience enjoyable for all. On top of this, here's another way to keep bottom tier players from getting destroyed (even though it is highly unlikely). Add SBMM for new players that lasts until they have 5 hours into the Crucible (an average game is 10 minutes, so you can get 30 games done in 5 hours), and once that time is reached they will be put into the Year 1 matchmaking process. This allows new players to be introduced by playing people of their skill, and once they are comfortable enough they will be introduced into normal Crucible. [b] So, to recap what needs to be done:[/b] - Year 1 Matchmaking needs to be brought back to normal Crucible, even Iron Banner and Trials of Osiris, although increase the SBMM just a hair in that algorithem for the latter two. - Add SBMM protection for players under 5 hours of Crucible time, allowing them to get adjusted slowly. Again, these are just my thoughts, but I think this could potentially work very well. And Bungie, remember that if you try this out and it doesn't work, you can always change it back: nothing is set in stone. Before I go I want to leave with this: [i]No one asked for SBMM in Year 1, and ever since you implemented it without telling us at first, everyone's been having a worse Crucible experience.[/i] Diversity is at an all time low, fun loadouts are nearly non-existent, lag is everywhere, matchmaking takes forever, and having fun in generally is hard to come by. People would rather play people of different skills that have great connection rather than people of their skill but terrible connection. Things need to change, and Year 1 matchmaking was the best. Please, consider this proposal and at least try it: I'm sure it will work. Your Crucible slave, -xBriarlightx