A bug in MTG Arena exposed backend details about how matchmaking works in the Casual Brawl format. Wizards of the Coast addressed the issue in its June 3 announcements for Magic: the Gathering Arena.
Magic Arena Matchmaking REVEALED – How to Beat the Algorithm Using Data
MTG Arena matchmaking details within formats like Brawl went viral last week via an Amy the Amazonian video, in which a bug secretly revealed data about how opponents were being chosen from the digital queue. WotC responded to the bug in its June 3 MTG Arena announcements, detailing how matchmaking works within the digital casual format queues and changes that are being implemented going forward.
"Looking ahead, you can expect a few things," WotC said. "First, we're going to fix the issue that was giving players too much information. This will happen soon. Alongside that change, or shortly thereafter, we'll be making changes to our power ratings based on play patterns over the past few weeks."
Exploits revealed by the MTG Arena bug do not affect ranked queues, Premier events, or events with a win/loss objective, according to WotC. The behind-the-scenes matchmaking revelations were only for best-of-one casual queues and formats like Brawl or Midweek Magic. The Brawl format uses your commander’s power level to determine who you’re matched with. Player skill is also taken into account. And with the addition of Modern Horizons 3 to MTG Arena, commander power levels are expected to increase.
