We currently have two patches in the pipe that will address problems with the ranking and matchmaking systems.
First, we have scheduled a smaller patch on December 1st, which will improve upon the matchmaking and reduce the number of matches where there is a big difference in ratings between players in the match.
Second, we have a major patch currently planned for December 14th. It will address issues with the ranked queue, such as having difficulty finding good matches when playing with different teammates, difficult to understand rating changes, ability to climb in ratings and the lack of a rewarding feeling for attaining higher ranks. The overhaul of the ranking system contains major improvements to combat this, with Team Rankings, Leagues (including changes to MMR), and Seasons Based Rankings with rewards!
Team Rankings
Teaming up with an inexperienced friend or simply with someone you have not played with before has sometimes felt unrewarding as this could result in unbalanced matchmaking, especially if you just played with your regular teammate(s). With the new patch, you will have a different rating depending on which teammate you play with. For example, you and friend A have a specific rating from playing together. When you switch teammates and play with friend B, you will have an entirely different rating that is dependent on how you perform with friend B. Switching back to playing with friend A will match you depending on what rating you have together, as a team. Naturally, when you play alone your rating will be separate as well.
This will lead to a more accurate rating and matchmaking when you queue up with your teammate as it will only take your team’s skill level into account rather than trying to balance out your two separate rankings. You will also gain rating as a team, eliminating the discrepancy of having a teammate that gained/lost a different amount of MMR than you. Additionally, while playing Ranked, you will be able to queue for both 2v2 and 3v3 while solo queuing, but in a party you can only queue 2v2 in a party of two and 3v3 in a party of three.
Leagues and Divisions
With the new patch Grades will be replaced by Leagues and Divisions. The Leagues will range from the Placement League (where you start) to the Grand Champion League (the highest League attainable, name susceptible to change). Once you complete your matches in the Placement League you will be placed in an appropriate League. In addition, each League will consist of several Divisions.
As you gain rating, you will move between Divisions and if you continue to win you will eventually reach the highest Division in a given league, which is Division 1. We've also improved the rating calculations to more easily enable climbing the ladder where applicable. Progressing further will place you in the next League. The one League that does not have Divisions is the Grand Champion League; players who reach Grand Champion will simply have their rating displayed. Leagues are of course also based on your team; different teams you are in can and will be placed in different Leagues and Divisions.
Season Based Rankings
Along with this we will be introducing Seasons to the ranking system. What this means is that during a particular amount of time (two months for the first season), you will be able to to climb the rankings and try to attain as high a ranking as possible. After these two months you will earn rewards based on your highest attained ranking. If you have a team ranking that is higher than your solo queue ranking for example, you will gain rewards based on your team ranking. Examples of rewards (these have not yet been set) could be Avatars, Titles, Gold Chests, and, in the upper League, even a seasonal Mount. Then the season ends with the rankings having a soft reset and you will play through the Placement League again.
Summary
As of the patch currently scheduled for December 14th, there will be separate rankings per team in ranked play. A player will have a solo queue ranking along with rankings the player shares with the teammates they queue up with. Grades will be replaced with Leagues and Divisions. Players are placed into a League depending on their rating after playing in the Placement League. Each League contains several Divisions. Players can climb Divisions to get to the highest Division in a given League; Division 1. Further climbing will advance them to the next League. At the end of the season players will earn rewards based on the highest attained League they are in and rankings will have a soft reset every two months (time period may change in the future) .