Is Clan Wars in Clash of Clans Skill-Based Matchmaking? The Truth Revealed!
No, Clan Wars in Clash of Clans does not primarily use skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), though the waters can sometimes seem murky. Regular Clan Wars matchmaking primarily considers your clan’s overall strength, calculated based on the attacking and defensive power of its members. This strength is derived from factors like troop levels, building levels, hero levels, and army camp capacity. On the other hand, Clan War Leagues (CWL) match Clans based on their current League tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc.). In CWL, factors like Town Hall levels or specific unit upgrades aren’t directly considered when searching for an opponent.
The perception of unfair or “unbalanced” matchups often arises due to the complexities of the war weight system and the broad range of Clan compositions within each League. Streaks can also influence the difficulty of opponents faced. While not strictly SBMM, there’s a strategic depth to Clan Wars that rewards skill in base design, attack planning, and Clan coordination.
Understanding Clan War Matchmaking
The matchmaking system aims to find opponents of roughly equal strength to ensure a fair fight. However, “strength” in Clash of Clans is a multifaceted concept. It isn’t simply about Town Hall levels, but a combination of offensive and defensive capabilities. This is why you might encounter Clans with lower Town Hall levels but significantly upgraded troops and defenses, or vice versa.
War weight plays a crucial role. It’s a hidden value assigned to each player based on their offensive and defensive structures. The Clan’s total war weight determines the type of Clans they are likely to face. This is why engineering – the practice of strategically upgrading only certain aspects of your base – can sometimes lead to perceived mismatches, as a Clan might have high offensive power but relatively low war weight.
Clan War Leagues (CWL) and Tier-Based Matching
CWL operates differently. Clans are placed into Leagues based on their performance in previous CWL seasons. During the CWL week, Clans are matched against other Clans within the same League. This means that Town Hall levels and specific unit upgrades aren’t direct factors in the matchmaking algorithm. Success in CWL hinges on having a well-rounded roster, strong attacking strategies, and effective communication within the Clan.
The Illusion of Skill-Based Matching
While not formally implemented, a form of dynamic difficulty adjustment can occur as your clan goes on winning streaks. Winning streaks could increase the chances of matching with stronger opponent clans. Losing streaks, while undesirable, can also result in matching with relatively easier opponents.
Many players consider CWL to have what is known as “bs matchmaking,” largely because the league system is not perfect and may not always reflect the true relative strength of Clans. It’s more accurately described as league-based matchmaking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Clan Wars and Matchmaking
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to delve deeper into the intricacies of Clan Wars and matchmaking:
1. How are Clan Wars decided?
The outcome of a Clan War is determined by the Clan that earns the most stars during the war. If the number of stars is tied, the Clan with the higher total destruction percentage wins. Only the strongest attack on a base counts towards the Clan’s final score.
2. Does percentage matter in Clan Wars?
Yes! If both Clans achieve the same number of stars, the total destruction percentage determines the winner. This percentage reflects the cumulative damage inflicted on enemy bases during the war.
3. How long does it normally take to find a Clan War?
The matchmaking process can take several minutes, but you don’t need to stay on the matchmaking screen. You will receive a notification once an opponent has been found.
4. What is the highest Clan War League?
The Clan War Leagues, in ascending order, are: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Crystal, Master, and Champion.
5. Can you do a normal war during Clan War League?
No. A Clan can only participate in one war type at a time.
6. Why am I not in Clan Wars?
You might be ineligible due to several reasons: you’re already participating in another Clan’s war, your Clan has a war cooldown, or you haven’t been selected to participate in the current war.
7. How are Clan War opponents chosen?
In regular Clan Wars, opponents are chosen based on the Clan’s Trophy count and overall strength based on defensive and offensive power. In CWL, opponents are chosen based on the League tier.
8. How to do better in Clan Wars?
To excel in Clan Wars, focus on:
- Protecting your Town Hall in base design.
- Centering your Clan Castle effectively.
- Creating well-designed funnels.
- Ensuring Mortars and Air Defenses provide good coverage.
- Protecting Mortars and Air Defenses with Wizard Towers.
9. How is war weight calculated in COC?
War weight is determined by your defensive strength and offensive strength. Every building that affects battle performance contributes to your war weight.
10. Does everyone participate in Clan War Leagues?
By default, all Clan members are in the CWL roster. The Clan Leader and Co-leaders then select a team of at least 15 (or 30) to participate in each war.
11. Can I be attacked in Clan Wars if I’m inactive?
Even if you’re inactive, your base can still be attacked by the enemy.
12. Can you do 5-person Clan War Leagues?
No. Clans must sign-up for CWL with at least 15 members.
13. Should I include everyone in Clan War League?
Including everyone in the CWL pool ensures they receive league medals based on the Clan’s performance.
14. What do you get if you win Clan War League?
Winning CWL battles rewards Elixir, Dark Elixir, Gold, and Clan XP. Each win also gives you a chance to receive war win bonus resources.
15. Do you get loot if you lose a Clan War?
Yes. Even when you lose a war, you receive 3/7ths of the full war loot bonus.
The Strategic Element: More Than Just Brute Force
While matchmaking isn’t purely skill-based, strategic planning and skillful execution are vital for success in Clan Wars. Optimizing base layouts, developing effective attack strategies, and coordinating with your Clan members are essential elements. The game rewards those who analyze their opponents, adapt their tactics, and work together.
A key element to understand when it comes to optimizing attack strategies is to analyze what makes games engaging and fun. Research in this field can offer invaluable insight. For instance, the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a great resource to expand your knowledge on what makes games motivating, which in turn, can improve your strategy.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Challenge
While the nuances of Clan Wars matchmaking can be frustrating at times, it’s important to remember that it’s just one aspect of the Clash of Clans experience. Embrace the challenge, focus on improving your skills, and work with your Clan to develop winning strategies. Understanding the underlying mechanics, even if they aren’t perfectly skill-based, gives you a significant edge in achieving victory. Ultimately, the most successful Clans are those that combine strategic thinking, skillful execution, and effective teamwork.