A change from year 1: There was a change in the structure of trials between year one and year two, this is a fact. On paper the change to card position based MM vs CBMM/SBMM would produce two intended, positive outcomes: 1. Progressive challenge: as a player moves up in card position, he or she faces tougher opponents. 2. accessibility for lower skilled players: along with the change to matchmaking, bounties were added so that players would have a better shot at both getting rewarded, as well as playing teams of similar skill(being in a lower position on the card). Unforeseen consequences: in reality, and not on paper After the change, there was a greater number of advertisements for paid carries, on top of increased instances of DOS attacks. The recruitment forum for trials is littered with paid carry ads, this was not the case in year one. I believe that these things are directly related. Sadly, I dug into this phenomenon, as I became disillusioned with constant failed attempts to get to the lighthouse. I began following streamers, playing sweats, and became acquainted with several people involved with paid Carry services. However, I was never carried myself. Instead, I used my time, playing with elite players to pick up tips and tricks I would later use to better my game. Tales from the seedy side of Trials A few things to note are, even when a streamer is advertising a raffle for a free Carry, it is almost always a paid affair... As at any point someone can donate for a VIP Carry. Not at one point, during The many hours that I watched and followed streamers, did I see even one raffle go through, every time someone donated Hard money. If two people donated, a bidding war would start, and sometimes the charges got up to around $70 dollars. One of the guys I met who is involved with paid Carries, was a really nice guy, and we started hanging out just playing casual crucible together. He admitted to me that the company that he worked for, was started after the change made in year two, to the structure of trials, due to it being easier to manipulate. He also admitted that his company alone, employed over 1000 players, and within their world it was competitive. If players were failing to complete carries, opportunities would go elsewhere, so it was common among his circle that people would utilize DOS attacks... He was recently banned from Trials for this very reason. Currently, he is leveling a new character and has absolutely no reservations about doing the same thing again. All in all, I don't judge him(outside the DOS attacks), he's got the time and is able to make supplemental income doing something he enjoys. Unfortunately, based on what I have seen and learned, the current system of trials is corrupt and toxic. One of the saddest things I saw following streamers, was that most of the people who were getting carried, were good enough to go to the lighthouse on their own... They simply did not want to spend hours jumping from group to group, looking for a good team, when they could simply pay for one. Great players being carried, was way more of a common occurrence than the whole "trials Sherpa" scenario(which is an attempt to put a friendly face on a serious issue). A little about me and Trials: and crux of the argument If it makes you feel superior to remind me of my inferiority, be my guest, but it doesn't change the facts. To say that everyone who is critical of the state of Trials is a salty loser, is a veiled assertion of superiority. I have no horse in this race, as I gave up trials months ago, after witnessing the seedy side of its workings. For me going flawless was a momentous occasion in year one, and I made it a point to go flawless on all my characters to obtain most of the cool gear. Beyond the rewards, I enjoyed the competition, as well as the challenge of countering all the creative strategies that players used. Trials was what kept me going during house of wolves. I loved it. Based on how it is structured, Trials is currently just a game mode dominated by elite players, paid professionals, and cheaters. None of which who care anything, about a good match, going to the Light House, or obtaining cool gear. The community surrounding trials currently, is either using their position for pub stomping to pad ELO or worse, controlling who goes to the Light House for supplemental income. Problem/solution If you think this is cool, or a decent representation of the game, then we simply have a disagreement. However, commonsense will tell you that any bubble based on corruption, or toxic assets will eventually bust. It's only a matter of time. The only way to open the door for more players to witness the joy of trials, as opposed to being consistently destroyed by professionals and ELO farmers is to: 1. Reinstate CBMM/SBMM and get rid of card position based MM. It was a noble endeavor that fell on its ass, it just doesn't work. 2. Place players who go flawless on each character(not one account) into a flawless bracket with increased drop rates on weapons, armor, and cosmetic items. Going flawless in the flawless bracket would yield more loot as well as a series of exclusive emblems and shaders for bragging rights. If these two changes were implemented, I can promise you we would see: 1. A massive reduction in paid carries 2. Less cheating and DOS attacks. 3. Less lag due a larger player counts. 4. Competitive, exciting streams, with consistent good matches in the flawless bracket instead of pub stomps, YES I SAID IT. 5. Better, closer matches. 6. An actual end game PVP accessible to the Majority player base.