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How does casual MMR work in R6?

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Decoding the Casual Chaos: How MMR Works in Rainbow Six Siege’s Quick Match

Rainbow Six Siege’s Casual MMR (Matchmaking Rating), now more accurately known as Quick Match MMR, is a hidden value that dictates the skill level of opponents you’ll face in the Quick Match playlist. Unlike Ranked MMR, it operates independently, providing a separate skill bracket for a more relaxed gameplay experience. This system aims to create balanced matches where players of similar skill levels are pitted against each other, even if their Ranked performance differs significantly. Casual MMR focuses solely on your performance within the Quick Match mode itself and aims to create fair and engaging matches without the high stakes of Ranked play.

The Mechanics of Quick Match MMR

### How Your Casual MMR is Determined

Your Quick Match MMR is calculated based on your wins and losses in the Quick Match playlist. When you win a match, your MMR increases, and when you lose, it decreases. The amount of MMR gained or lost depends on several factors, including:

  • The MMR of your team and the opposing team: If you defeat a team with a higher average MMR than yours, you’ll gain more MMR than if you defeat a team with a lower MMR. Conversely, losing to a team with a lower MMR will result in a larger MMR loss.

  • Your individual performance (minimal impact): While the core of MMR calculation is win/loss based, there’s speculation that individual performance metrics, like K/D ratio and objective score, may have a very minor influence on MMR changes. However, Ubisoft has largely emphasized that wins and losses are the primary drivers of MMR.

  • New player placement: The system provides new players with a baseline MMR intended to align them with beginner-level opponents. This prevents newcomers from being immediately thrown into matches against experienced players, creating a more welcoming introduction to the game.

    The Hidden Nature of Casual MMR

    Importantly, your Casual MMR is not visible. You won’t see a numerical value or rank associated with it. This deliberate design choice aims to minimize the pressure associated with Ranked play and encourage a more relaxed, fun-focused environment. The absence of a visible MMR allows players to experiment with new operators, strategies, and playstyles without the fear of negatively impacting their ranked standing.

    Resetting or Adjusting Casual MMR

    Unlike Ranked MMR, which undergoes soft resets at the beginning of each season, Casual MMR doesn’t have regular resets. This means that your Casual MMR will gradually adjust over time as you play more Quick Match games. However, significant changes to the game’s mechanics or a major influx of new players could potentially trigger an adjustment to the entire Casual MMR system.

Why a Separate Casual MMR Matters

The separation of Ranked and Casual MMR is crucial for several reasons:

  • Reduced pressure and toxicity: Players can enjoy a more relaxed experience in Quick Match without worrying about their Ranked standing.

  • Experimentation and learning: Casual mode becomes a safe space to try out new operators, tactics, and strategies without the fear of deranking.

  • Fairer matchmaking: Players are matched against opponents of similar skill levels within the Casual environment, leading to more balanced and engaging matches.

  • Improved onboarding for new players: The baseline MMR for new players helps them acclimate to the game and learn the ropes without being overwhelmed by experienced opponents.

    While the inner workings of the MMR system remain largely hidden to the player base, resources like the Games Learning Society can provide valuable insights into the broader implications of game design and player engagement, offering a different perspective on the system’s role within the game. You can explore more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Casual MMR in Rainbow Six Siege

### 1. Is there skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in Quick Match?

Yes, Quick Match uses skill-based matchmaking, but it is solely based on your hidden Casual MMR. This is separate from your Ranked MMR and your ping. The system aims to match you with players of similar skill levels within the Quick Match playlist.

### 2. Does my Ranked rank affect my Casual MMR?

No. Ranked and Casual MMR are completely separate. Your performance in Ranked has no impact on your Quick Match matchmaking.

### 3. How does the game determine my initial Casual MMR when I start playing?

The system provides new players with a baseline MMR. This starting point is designed to place them in matches with other new or relatively inexperienced players.

### 4. Does my K/D ratio affect my Casual MMR?

Ubisoft has stated that wins and losses are the primary factors affecting your MMR. While individual performance might play a small role, it is minimal compared to the impact of the match outcome.

### 5. How much MMR do I gain or lose per Quick Match game?

The amount of MMR gained or lost depends on the relative MMRs of your team and the opposing team. Defeating a higher-ranked team will result in a larger MMR gain, while losing to a lower-ranked team will result in a larger MMR loss.

### 6. Can I see my Casual MMR?

No, your Casual MMR is hidden. Ubisoft intentionally keeps this value invisible to reduce pressure and encourage a more relaxed gameplay experience in Quick Match.

### 7. Does playing with friends affect my Casual MMR?

Yes, playing with friends can influence your MMR indirectly. The average MMR of your team is used for matchmaking, so playing with friends who have significantly different MMRs than you can impact the difficulty of your matches.

### 8. Does leaving a Quick Match game affect my Casual MMR?

While leaving a Quick Match doesn’t incur the same penalties as leaving a Ranked match, it still counts as a loss. This will negatively impact your Casual MMR.

### 9. Is there a reset for Casual MMR at the start of each season?

No, unlike Ranked MMR, there is no regular reset for Casual MMR. Your Casual MMR will gradually adjust over time as you play more games.

### 10. If I play really well in Quick Match, will I eventually only play against Ranked players?

While highly skilled Quick Match players will likely face each other, the system doesn’t directly cross over into the Ranked player pool. The system will always try to find the fairest match possible within the Quick Match player base, irrespective of Ranked status.

### 11. Does playing Unranked affect my Quick Match MMR?

No. Just like Ranked, Unranked has its own MMR that is separate from Quick Match.

### 12. Does the map or game mode in Quick Match affect my MMR?

No, the map and game mode do not influence how your Casual MMR is calculated. It depends solely on whether you win or lose the match, and the MMR difference between the teams.

### 13. What happens if I stop playing Quick Match for a long time? Will my MMR decay?

There’s no official confirmation of MMR decay in Quick Match. However, it’s possible that the system might make small adjustments after a prolonged period of inactivity to account for potential changes in player skill.

### 14. How does the Casual MMR system handle smurfing?

Smurfing, creating new accounts to play against lower-skilled players, is a challenge for any matchmaking system. While Ubisoft actively combats smurfing, the initial MMR placement for new accounts and rapid MMR adjustments based on win streaks are designed to mitigate its impact on Quick Match.

### 15. Can I use Quick Match to practice for Ranked without affecting my Ranked MMR?

Absolutely! Quick Match provides a safe and effective environment to experiment with new operators, strategies, and maps without any risk to your Ranked standing. The separate MMR system allows you to freely explore different playstyles and hone your skills in a less competitive environment.

By understanding how Casual MMR functions, you can better appreciate the matchmaking process in Rainbow Six Siege’s Quick Match playlist. This knowledge can help you enjoy a more balanced and engaging gameplay experience, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer just starting out.

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