How Many Hearthstone Games to Concede to Lower Your MMR?
There's no magic number of Hearthstone games you need to concede to reliably lower your MMR (Matchmaking Rating). The system isn't designed to be manipulated this way, and the number of concessions needed will vary based on several factors. Trying to artificially lower your MMR is also generally frowned upon within the Hearthstone community, as it can disrupt fair matchmaking for other players.
Instead of focusing on conceding, let's explore more effective and ethical ways to adjust your rank.
Why Conceding Doesn't Guarantee MMR Drop
The Hearthstone MMR system is complex and not fully transparent. While conceding will certainly impact your MMR, the algorithm considers more than just wins and losses. Factors influencing MMR adjustments include:
- Your opponent's MMR: Conceding against a high-MMR player will likely result in a smaller MMR drop than conceding against a low-MMR player.
- Your recent performance: A string of losses, even without conceding, will already lower your MMR. Conceding after many losses might not have a significant additional effect.
- The hidden MMR component: Blizzard doesn't publicly disclose the exact workings of the MMR system. There's likely a hidden component that takes into account other factors beyond simply wins and losses.
Conceding repeatedly might even trigger the system to adjust your MMR more slowly, or even less than expected, as it could detect an attempt at manipulation.
What Happens When You Concede?
Conceding in Hearthstone essentially means you're forfeiting the match before its completion. The game registers it as a loss for you, which should result in a decrease in your MMR. However, the magnitude of that decrease isn't fixed.
More Effective Ways to Lower Your MMR
Instead of focusing on conceding, which is an inefficient and potentially counterproductive strategy, consider these alternatives:
- Play different decks: If you've been consistently winning with an optimized deck, try experimenting with less competitive or less refined decks. This will naturally increase the likelihood of losses and lower your MMR.
- Play casually: Focus less on winning and more on experimenting with different strategies or cards. A relaxed approach often leads to more losses, naturally adjusting your MMR downward.
- Take a break: If you're frustrated with your rank, stepping away from the game for a while can help. When you return, your MMR might be slightly adjusted based on inactivity, although this effect is difficult to predict.
Is it Ethical to Artificially Lower MMR?
While there isn't a rule explicitly forbidding it, manipulating your MMR to play against weaker opponents is generally considered unethical within the Hearthstone community. It undermines fair play and can create a frustrating experience for others. It's much more rewarding to improve your gameplay and climb the ladder organically.
In short, there's no guaranteed number of concessions to lower your Hearthstone MMR. Instead, concentrate on improving your gameplay and using other approaches to adjust your rank naturally. Remember, the focus should always be on enjoying the game and playing fairly.
