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Matchmaking is a complex system in most team-based shooters that can either make or break a game. Since the release ofOverwatch 2, players have reported having a hard time ranking up or being matched fairly in Competitive matches.
Blizzard has been trying to come up with solutions to matchmaking in order to create healthier matches for everyone. Due to a recent update, groups are now categorized as Wide Groups or Narrow Groups. It is important to understand the difference between these two categories and how it can affect your rank in Overwatch 2.
What Is A Wide Match?
A Wide Match means that theranks of the players in a Competitive lobby are far apart. This only occurs when you aregrouped up with a friend who is two or more higher ranksthan you in Competitive mode.
This means that both your team and the enemy team’s ranks are anywhere from Bronze to Platinum, for example. Because you are choosing to play with a friend who has a higher rank than you, the game has to adjust the matchmaking to make up for this difference.
When in a Wide Group, you will only beplaced against other Wide Groups, creating a Wide Match.
Can You Still Rank Up In A Wide Match?
Yes, you’re able to still rank up in a Wide Match, it will just be more challenging. You will level up slower because your true capacity cannot be shown when you aren’t playing against equal opponents.
Your games will be hard to win because you could have a team of mostly Silver while the other team has more Platinum players. A wide range deduces chances of being able to play at your level. If you can’t play at your level in an even match, then thegame cannot account for your growth properly.
The highest-ranked player in your group will be the one negatively affecting your rank progression. The more that the difference in rank increases, the more your rank progression will decrease.
The higher your buddy’s rank is, the less likely you will be able to rank up. The higher ranked player in the group will remain fine upon winning and losing, whilethose in the group who are lower rank will suffer.
Can You Opt Out Of Wide Match?
Yes, you can opt out of a Wide Match. To avoid Wide Matches is toonly group up with people in the same rank as youor with one level difference. You may also simply not group with other players at all so that the game can place you where you should be.
The opposite of a Wide Match or Wide Group is a Narrow Match.Narrow Matches are what you want to aim for. This is when everyone in your group, on your team, and/or on the opposing team are of the same rank or close.
Organizing teams into Wide Groups and Narrow Groups allows players to better understand why their rank may be progressing fast or slow. It alsoprevents players from being carried by a friendinto climbing ranks that they do not deserve.
Wide Matches reduce your chancesof ranking up and progressing in Competitive.Narrow Matches increase your chancesof ranking up and progressing.
