The Ladder system in HEX is now live and we sat down with one of the developers to give you the full scoop on the new ranked modes. Here's all you need to know about the update:
Ranked Mode
There are two separate Ladders, one for Limited format tournaments - that is Draft, Sealed and Evolution Sealed - and one for games in the Constructed format.
The Limited format has its name because you have to build your deck from a limited number of cards. Here's how:
In a Draft, you and your opponents bring 3 booster packs to the table and open them together, passing the packs around, drafting one card each until the packs are empty.
The Sealed format works slightly different. In the classic Sealed format, you enter with 6 booster packs and open them all to construct your deck from those cards. In Evolution Sealed, you bring 2 booster packs yourself and the game provides you with 3 more packs of Common and Uncommon cards to build your deck. You can earn more packs as you win games, with one win granting you 1 additional pack to round out your deck and your third win granting you one more for the final touches.
Players will have two separate ranks for those two modes.
Above is an example of how it will look in-game. The player here has achieved a Gold ranking in the Limited format and the highest ranking - Cosmic - in the Constructed format.
Playing any Limited format tournament will affect your rank in that ladder, playing in a ranked Constructed match will affect your rank there. Both formats are exclusive and do not count towards the other's rank. The ranks go from Bronze all the way to Platinum and the elite division of Cosmic, with five tiers to each of the five divisions:
You advance through the ranks by playing matches. Win a match and earn a star, lose a match and you lose a star. Go on a winning streak and you will earn an additional star for winning!
The system will always attempt to match you with players of the same or similar skill level and widen its search to avoid wait times. Here's a special bit: once you graduate from the beginner's division, Bronze, you cannot go back down for the remainder of that Season.
Seasons last 2 months and are played back to back with no offseason.
With that said...
Rewards
What's in it for you? Well, besides the obvious bragging rights, there is epic loot waiting to be had as you climb the ladder. You only earn the reward for the first time you achieve a new rank.
Sleeves
During any ongoing Season, you will be able to show your current rank with a Sleeve for your decks. After a Season has concluded, you will be granted a Sleeve reflecting your highest achieved rank in that Season. Here's how they look for Season 1:
Plinth
To furhter impress your opponents and show off your aptitude, your cards will rest on a special plinth during your matches. These plinths reflect your current rank, just like the regular Season Sleeves. Check them out:
Alternate Art Cards
HEX wouldn't be HEX without a few new Alternate Art (AA) cards. Advancing through the ranks in both Limited and Constructed play will reward you with these cool new interpretations of classic cards:
Gold and Booster Packs
As if all that's not already loot a-plenty, you will also earn Gold - our in-game currency - and booster packs as you move up the ladder.
That's it everyone, the full scoop on the ladder! Do you have what it takes to reach Cosmic? Show us!
Get your competitive juices flowing and hit the ladder in HEX: Shards of Fate.
Your HEX Team.
Read the full patch notes here.
Got any questions? Want to chat to other players? Then pay a visit to our Forum. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and you’ll also find us on Twitch.