Matchmaker for Low-Tier Battles | World of Tanks - top online free team-based massively multiplayer war game dedicated to armoured warfare | Guide

Helping Novices Hone Their Skills

Novices in low-tier Random Battles (Tier I–V) will find themselves matched against fellow novices to ensure they play in more comfortable battles.

A player is considered to be a novice if they have not played a single battle in a researchable Tier VII or higher vehicle in any game mode. If they show good performance in battles with novices, they will be assigned the status of a regular player.

If they purchase a Tier VII–VIII Premium vehicle, but continue to fight in low-tier (Tier I–V) battles, they will still be considered a novice.

If a novice enters a battle using low-tier (Tier I–V) vehicles, the matchmaker will try to assemble the battle in a separate queue involving only novices on both teams. But if there are not enough novices to create two full teams, the matchmaker will try to add regular players to these specific novice battles. If they enter a battle using a Tier VI vehicle as a novice player, they will instantly be placed in a standard Random Battles queue with regular players.

Change applicable with Update 1.14.

In battles against new or ordinary players, as well as against AI-controlled vehicles, the list of maps for battles in Tier I–III vehicles has been changed. Himmelsdorf and Abbey have been removed from the list. In their place, three new maps have been added: Ensk, Lakeville, and Mannerheim Line. The resulting list includes a total of 6 maps: Mines, Lakeville, Mannerheim Line, Ruinberg, Steppes, and Ensk.

Please note that all other maps will be available depending on the type of players the matchmaker sends into battle: If a battle is fought only with new players and bots, the remaining maps will be available from Tier V*, if there are ordinary players—from Tier IV*.

AI Players at Lower Tiers

Our priority is to make sure that novices play against fellow novices so they can adapt to the game more easily.

But, depending on the server, time of day, and the current state of the queue, the matchmaker may not have enough players to form equal and competitive teams in Tier I–V matches. Adding AI-controlled tankers helps us quickly get players into battle and allows the matchmaker to assemble battles faster. On highly populated servers, players will be less likely to encounter AI players, but it may still happen from time to time.

We want the presence of AI-controlled vehicles in battle to be completely transparent. Therefore, AI players are distinguishable from regular players by an AI vehicle icon (see right), as well as by colons surrounding their nicknames, eg. :AI_player:. Here are other points to note about battles with AI players:

Dealing damage to, and destroying AI enemies will award players with the same amount of XP as they would receive for damaging and destroying regular opponents.
Just like in regular battles, players can earn achievements and rewards, and make progress in Personal Missions.

AI players will only be present in those rare novice battles involving Tier I–V vehicles when the matchmaker lacks sufficient novice and/or regular players to form full, equal, and competitive teams. Such matches involving AI players should be relatively infrequent, depending on the region, time of day, and the number of players online. It is not possible to view AI players’ statistics after the battle.

FAQ

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General

What is the matchmaker for novices?

The matchmaker is an in-game feature designed to improve the experience of novices in low-tier Random Battles (Tiers I–V) and not pit them against more experienced players.

Will experienced players play with this matchmaker?

The matchmaker will aim to create battles with only novices. The only exceptions are if there aren't enough novice players, in which case the matchmaker will select some seasoned players.

Where will the new AI players be available?

AI players will be added to a separate queue created by matchmakers for novices. AI players will not be present outside of this queue.

Who is considered to be a novice?

A player is considered to be a novice if they have not played a single battle in a researchable Tier VII or higher vehicle in any game mode. If they show good performance in battles with novices, they will be assigned the status of a regular player.

What if a player buys a Tier VIII Premium vehicle, but is classed as a novice?

If a player purchases a Tier VII–VIII or higher Premium vehicle, but continues to fight in low-tier (Tier I–V) battles, they will still be considered a novice. However, if they enter a Tier VIII battle with a Premium vehicle, they will join the regular queue with other regular players.

Can someone become a novice if they play poorly?

Players who were deemed more experienced by the system and have left the novice queue will not be part of it again, regardless of their future play. This does not exclude the occasional inclusion if the matchmaker requires regular players.

AI Players

Why is World of Tanks adding AI players to the game?

Depending on the time of the day and the queue state, the matchmaker may not have enough novice players to form two full teams. In this scenario, the matchmaker will add several AI-controlled vehicles in order to help assemble teams quickly and get players into battle.

How can AI players be distinguished from other players?

The AI players can be identified by the "..." symbol at the start of their username.

Will AI players be available at any time of the day?

AI players will only be used during low population when the matchmaker cannot find enough novice players in the queue.

Will AI players be available in lower tiers in the regular queue?

No, only in the queue for novices.

What tier vehicles will AI players use?

AI players will be present in matches involving vehicles between Tiers I–V.

How will AI players be distributed in a match between teams and players?

AI players cannot occupy more than 7 spots on a team or 14 spots in a match.

Can I check the profile of an AI player?

You will not be able to view the statistics of AI players after the battle.

Gameplay

What skill level do AI players have relative to novices?

You can expect AI players to play at a similar level of skill to players who have progressed to the same point in the game in which they are available (i.e. Tiers I–V). They will respond to the situation at hand, but will also occasionally make mistakes, much like a player of a similar experience level.

Which vehicles will AI players command?

AI players will only control light, medium and heavy tanks within the tiers they are active. They cannot operate tank destroyers or SPGs.

Do AI players have the same information as players to process, or are they aware of enemy positions?

AI players have no more information than a player would in the same position.

Will AI players react to chat commands?

No.

Other

How are a player's statistics impacted by damaging or destroying AI players?

All stats, medals, and match results will be unaffected and will operate as normal. Destroying AI enemies will award you with the same amount of XP as you would receive for destroying regular opponents. Just like in regular battles, you will be able to earn achievements and rewards and make progress in Personal Missions.

Does the matchmaker only work with newly created accounts?

The matchmaker works with both new and existing accounts that have no battles played on any researchable Tier VII vehicle or higher.

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Improving the Battle Experience

These matchmaker changes are a win-win for both novices and regular players. They will help us maintain the fair and competitive spirit of the game and:

reduce the difficulty curve to make it easier for novices to grasp the basics of World of Tanks and motivate them to play and win.
match more experienced commanders with skilled opponents, so they can continue to challenge and improve their abilities.
decrease the queue time for all players, especially on low-population servers.