Strategies to Reduce Being Paired with New Players in Dota 2

As a fan of Dota 2, you might understand the frustration of often being matched with new players who can disrupt your gameplay experience. While complete avoidance is impossible, there are effective strategies that can reduce the likelihood of being paired with less experienced teammates.

1. Ranked Matches

One effective method is to play ranked matches instead of unranked ones. Ranked games feature a more structured matchmaking system designed to pair you with players closer to your skill level. This increases the chances of finding a balanced and enjoyable game. If you consistently maintain a high position in the ranks, you can expect better matches overall.

2. Party Queue

Another strategy is to queue with friends who have a higher matchmaking rating (MMR) than yours. By doing so, you can ensure that you're matched with more experienced players, improving the overall gameplay experience for your party. This method is particularly useful if you want to improve your own skills by playing with more knowledgeable teammates.

3. Avoid Low Priority

If you find yourself frequently matched with new players, consider avoiding the low priority status that comes from negative behaviors such as abandoning games or engaging in flame wars. Maintaining a good behavior score can help you avoid being paired with inexperienced players. Valve intentionally matches new players with high-behavior-score players to ensure a positive first impression, which can lead to worse matches.

4. Adjust Your Playstyle and Custom Games

If you're frequently matched with new players regardless of your behavior, consider adjusting your playstyle to fit the team better. Sometimes, a different hero or role can make a significant difference in carrying games even when facing less experienced players. Additionally, playing custom games or against bots can provide a relaxed environment for practice without the pressure of matchmaking.

While these strategies can improve your experience, it's important to note that the matchmaking system is designed to create balanced games. Some variance in player experience is inevitable, and you might still encounter new players, albeit less frequently.

Alternative Strategies if You Must Avoid New Players

If you're willing to take extreme steps, there are a few strategies that can effectively reduce the frequency of playing with new players:

5. Play Only Ranked Matches

The only true solution is to play ranked matches exclusively. New players are initially barred from entering ranked mode until they've played enough games, creating a physical barrier to their entry. However, if you have a fresh install, they will click the ranked button and eagerly join a game, often ruining the match for others. Trust me, if they're not blocked, they will join.

6. Lower Your Behavior Score Intentionally

You can actively lower your behavior score by abandoning games, flaming, or asking to be reported. Doing so will significantly impact your matchmaking experience, as Valve intentionally pairs less experienced players with high-behavior-score players to ensure a positive entry level. However, this comes with the drawback of possibly being matched with lower priority players, so weigh the benefits against the potential downsides.

7. Lower Your Win Rate Below 50%

Since new players have notoriously low win rates, you can intentionally lower your win rate to below 50%. This strategy is based on the matchking algorithm, which tries to pair new players with those who have higher win rates to even the chances. By lowering your win rate, you significantly increase your chances of being matched with experienced players. Keep in mind, however, that this might result in more frequent low-priority matches.

Conclusion

While Dota 2's matchmaking system is designed to create balanced games, there are several strategies you can use to reduce the frequency of being paired with new players. Whether you opt for ranked matches, adjust your playstyle, or take more drastic measures, the goal is to enhance your overall gaming experience.