ELO & MMR — PvP Rating Explained
VvW arena uses ELO with K-factor adjustments. Visible Rating tracks your competitive standing; hidden MMR (Match Making Rating) determines who you face. New accounts use placement matches (10) to set initial MMR. Rating and MMR diverge after extended win/loss streaks.
ELO basics
Win against higher-rated opponent: bigger gain. Win against lower-rated: smaller gain. Loss to lower-rated: bigger loss. K-factor 32 below 1500 rating; K-factor 16 above. Your skill 'true rating' is statistically what you converge to over 100+ matches.
Visible vs hidden MMR
Visible Rating: shown in arena UI. Hidden MMR: matchmaker's belief about your true skill. After a win streak, MMR rises faster than rating, queueing you against tougher opponents. Win rate stabilizes at ~50% once aligned.
Climbing tactics
Don't queue tilted (loss streaks compound). Queue at off-peak (regulars > new players). Replay every loss. Don't switch builds during a streak.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many matches to escape placements?
10 with at least 6 wins to start above 1000.
Can I see my MMR?
Indirectly — if you're consistently fighting opponents 50-100 above your rating, MMR is +50-100.
Does MMR decay if I stop playing?
Yes — slowly. Returning after 30+ days drops MMR ~50.