The question of how many Hearthstone games you need to concede to significantly lower your MMR (Matchmaking Rating) doesn't have a simple numerical answer. There's no fixed number of concessions that guarantees a specific MMR drop. The system is far more complex than that. However, we can explore the factors that influence MMR changes and offer some strategic advice.
How Does Hearthstone MMR Work?
Hearthstone's MMR system is designed to match you with players of similar skill. It's a hidden rating, constantly adjusting based on your wins and losses. Conceding a game contributes negatively to your MMR, but the impact isn't linear. Several factors influence how much your MMR changes with each concession:
- Your current MMR: If you're already at a very high MMR, a single concession might have a smaller impact than the same concession at a lower MMR. The system tends to make larger adjustments at the extremes.
- Your opponent's MMR: Playing against a much higher-ranked opponent and conceding will likely result in a smaller MMR drop than conceding against a similarly ranked player.
- Consecutive concessions: Repeated concessions in quick succession might trigger a more significant MMR drop than isolated ones. The system seems to detect intentional MMR manipulation.
- Game length: Conceding early in a game might result in a smaller MMR adjustment than conceding after a longer, more contested match.
Why Would You Want to Lower Your MMR?
Players often want to lower their MMR for several reasons:
- Facing less challenging opponents: Sometimes, players want a less stressful experience, enjoying more casual games against opponents of a lower skill level.
- Testing new decks: Lower MMR allows players to experiment with new decks or strategies without facing the intense pressure of high-stakes matches.
- Improving deck performance: Before attempting a climb to a higher rank, players might want to practice and refine their decks against less formidable competition.
How to Strategically Lower Your MMR (Beyond Conceding)
While conceding games can work, it's often perceived as less sporting and can be detected and penalized by the system. A better approach might involve a combination of strategies:
- Playing intentionally suboptimal decks: Utilizing decks known for their weaker performance against the meta will gradually lower your MMR.
- Intentionally making mistakes: While not recommended for long-term gameplay, intentionally misplaying can contribute to losses and, consequently, a lower MMR.
- Taking breaks: Simply taking a break from playing can also cause a slight dip in your MMR, as the system recalibrates your rating based on inactivity.
What if I'm Concerned About MMR Manipulation Detection?
Blizzard actively tries to detect and address MMR manipulation. While occasional concessions might be overlooked, consistent and obvious attempts to artificially lower your MMR can lead to penalties, such as temporary bans or restrictions on gameplay.
In Summary
There's no magic number of games to concede to drop your MMR. The process is dynamic and affected by many variables. Instead of focusing on sheer concession numbers, consider a more nuanced strategy that incorporates deck choice, gameplay, and breaks to achieve your desired MMR range without risking penalties. Remember, healthy competition and sportsmanship should always be prioritized.
