Dota 2 update brings more changes to ranked matchmaking

Steven Rondina Published 19/12/2019

Valve continues juggling different interests when it comes to improving the ranked matchmaking experience in Dota 2.

In a relatively low key Dota 2 update, strict solo matchmaking returned to the game as an option for players in fast queues. This came alongside another change to ranked matchmaking that changed the parameters surrounding how parties can be matched with one another for a single game.

Strict solo matchmaking guarantees that players will be matched in a game where all 10 players involved are queued solo. This can be used to avoid potentially problematic situations involving teammates that are partied, which can result in wider MMR spreads in games or increased toxicity within games.

The option is actually hidden away to some degree. In order to implement strict solo matchmaking, players must go into the settings menu, then go to options, then bring up the advanced options menu. Strict solo matchmaking can be found as the last option in the miscellaneous section.

This is the latest installment in what has been an almost constant state of tinkering with the parameters of ranked matchmaking. While Valve’s scales have long tipped back and forth between prioritizing short queue times and guaranteeing players of comparable skills are matched together, the Dota 2 publisher has been digging in of late to improve the experience.

Whether this will make players happy or just result in more complaints as the player pool is divided once again remains to be seen.

Other changes to matchmaking in latest Dota 2 update

In addition to the reintroduction of strict solo matchmaking was the expansion of which party combinations are allowed in games. While the last matchmaking update implemented in Dota 2 was fairly restrictive in this regard, this one patch rolls back some of those changes.

The patch notes state this update “increased the variety of party combinations that are valid, to help improve matchmaking quality and queue times in some cases, in part as a result of the strict solo queue addition.”

Specifically, “this means that makeups like 2-2-1 will valid.”

Finally, the update changed how MMRs are calculated for players with wide disparities between their support and core rankings. While the numbers previously moved independently of one another, once the two scores reach a certain distance from one another, MMR losses and increases in either category will drag the other score along.

Steven Rondina

About Steven Rondina

Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.

View full profile

Read Also

Dota 2

Oddin.gg’s head of risk helps explain how alleged match fixing during Dota 2 at EWC was flagged Michael Hassall The Dota 2 competition at The Esports World Cup 2026 was shaken to its core during the Survival Stage earlier in the week when Southeast Asian-backed, South American team PTime (better known as PlayTime) were removed from the event citing “integrity concerns.” While the case is still ongoing, and none of the accused confirmed to be guilty, one of the biggest questions behind the incident was just how these concerns ...

Dota 2

PTime removed from Dota 2 at EWC 26 as ESIC investigates coach and captain Michael Hassall Filipino organization PlayTime Esports has been removed from the Esports World Cup 2026 Dota 2 competition following an intervention by the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) and a ruling by the Esports Foundation and EWC. Following a postponement of the PTime vs. Vici Gaming Survival Stage matchup on July 14, ESIC announced that it was actively investigating two members of the South American-based PTime organization, Team Captain Gonzalo "DarkMago" Herrera and ...

Esports Betting

Here’s the complete Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 schedule Hannan Mundia The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 has finally arrived, and here’s the complete schedule for the event to ensure you don’t miss anything. While it isn’t exactly the newest name in the esports scene, the EWC has quickly become a leading event for esports fans worldwide. It brings together professional players and fans from various games, combining them into one long event that everyone can enjoy. 2026’s Esports World Cup ...

Dota 2

Dota 2 at the EWC 2026 preview, details, predictions, and more Michael Hassall A titanic 24 teams are set to compete in Dota 2 at the Esports World Cup 2025 in one of the largest events of the competitive season. These two dozen organizations are set to take over the Paris Convention Center, filling it with top-tier competitive Dota 2 action. With a $2,000,000 USD prize pool, the largest on the Dota 2 calendar, there’s everything to play for in the final major ...

Dota 2

Top Dota 2 combos to boost your MMR fast Wasif Ahmed Dota 2 is a complex and interesting game that requires skill, strategy and teamwork to be successful. Having said that, one of the best ways to improve your MMR is by learning certain Dota 2 combos that have proven themselves over time. It’s worth knowing that there are not that many Dota 2 combos that have survived the test of time because every new patch changes the game’s meta. Nevertheless, ...

Dota 2

Dota 2 temporarily deletes popular hero before launching huge Dark Carnival update Michael Hassall If you were an Axe player in Dota 2 earlier this week, you’d have found yourself out of luck when you tried to pick the stalwart Oglodi warrior, as the hero was straight up removed from the game on June 23. The hero was completely missing from All-Pick and his hero model was replaced with a missing poster. Axe couldn’t even be demoed or picked in a custom game for ...

Dota 2

Team Yandex stop the magic, defeating LGD in BLAST Slam VII finals Michael Hassall Team Yandex have defeated LGD Gaming in the grand finals of BLAST Slam VII in a dramatic 3-1 series that saw both teams pushed to the limit, but ultimately Yandex come out on top. Concluding the last major tournament before teams head to the Esports World Cup and The International 2026 next month and in August, Yandex were able to counter the momentum of LGD that had brought them into ...