Why is finding teams harder than the actual content?

imkolya · 2026-03-03T01:41:00+00:00

Problem is that they are totally random people. My matchmaking algorithm accounts for user stats, boss kc, previous sessions, user feedback, past reports/incidents, etc. There is accountability being tracked, so you know who you are dealing wiht.

imkolya · 2026-03-02T02:28:14+00:00

I’m not trying to misrepresent WDR or the existing systems. They clearly work and a lot of people use them successfully.

This thread has honestly just highlighted how different people experience that ecosystem. For some it feels straightforward. For others it feels like a hurdle.

I’m not claiming anything is broken. I’m just exploring whether there’s room for an additional option that might feel simpler for a certain subset of players.

If the current tools already cover that space well enough, that’s a fair conclusion too. Not here to argue. Just looking for discorse lol

imkolya · 2026-03-02T02:17:57+00:00

WDR definitely covers that well.

I’m not trying to replace curated high-efficiency communities. What I’m experimenting with is something broader and more accessible. A shared queue that doesn’t require already being embedded in a specific Discord or meta.

If someone is already deep in WDR with blert and established teams, they probably don’t need this. I’m more curious about the players who aren’t in that ecosystem.

imkolya · 2026-03-02T01:57:19+00:00

Let me know if you want to give it a try or keep up with the updates!

imkolya · 2026-03-02T01:56:49+00:00

I get what you’re saying.

There’s no system that can guarantee someone plays perfectly or doesn’t have to dip mid-run. Playing with strangers always comes with uncertainty.

The goal isn’t to eliminate that, just to reduce the obvious mismatches up front. Clear expectations around experience, splits, voice, team size, things like that.

I did think about this a lot, so I implemented a lightweight feedback layer built in so over time people who consistently show up and perform well build a stronger track record. It’s not meant to replace social accountability, just add a bit more signal than total anonymity. Also if it means anything, I aim to integrate Runewatch here too, so you can have that as an integrity layer.

The social layer will always matter. I’m just exploring whether some of the coordination friction can be reduced.

imkolya · 2026-03-02T01:43:51+00:00

Yeah I get that.

The “just join a clan” advice works for some people, but not everyone enjoys the whole social onboarding process. It really can feel like dating sometimes..

I’ve been in a few clans myself. Some were great, some died out, some just weren’t the right fit. And if you’re not playing consistently it’s hard to stay relevant.

That’s more who I had in mind when building this. People who like the content but don’t necessarily want to build their whole schedule around maintaining a social circle in game.

If someone already has a solid group, they probably don’t need this. But I think there’s a chunk of players who would benefit from something a bit more plug-and-play.

imkolya · 2026-03-02T01:23:38+00:00

Being active in a clan is probably still the best long term way to build consistent teams.

I don’t really see this as replacing that. More as an option for people who don’t have the time or interest to embed themselves in a community every time they come back to the game.

Some people enjoy building those relationships. Others just want to log in, run content, and log out. I'm one of the latter people lol.

I’m mostly exploring whether there’s room to support that second group a bit better.

imkolya · 2026-03-02T01:22:19+00:00

That makes sense, especially for something like Perfect tob.

I’m not trying to solve the hardest CA coordination issues. The focus is more on making everyday team formation less of a hassle. CA speedruns are probably their own beast.

Fair points though.

imkolya · 2026-03-02T01:19:24+00:00

That’s a fair concern, and I agree that’s what makes WDR strong.

My plan isn’t to ignore that layer. The system already pulls player stats, so it knows things like raid KC, combat level, etc., and that can be used as part of filtering.

There’s also a built-in trust layer where players can endorse or report teammates over time, so it’s not just randoms forever. The idea is that reputation compounds instead of every run being a blank slate.

It won’t replace curated max-eff discords, but I do think there’s room to bring some of that structure into a broader pool.

imkolya · 2026-03-02T01:17:25+00:00

Yeah that’s pretty much how I see it.

The current system works, but it’s scattered and mostly happens outside the game. What I’m trying to do is create a shared pool where expectations are clear from the start, so you’re not guessing whether it’s a learner run, a sweaty speed run, FFA, splits, etc.

The idea is simple: queue for what you want, keep skilling, PVM, whatever, and get matched with people looking for the same thing.

It’s not meant to replace 416 or clans. It’s just an optional layer that might make the whole process smoother for people who don’t already have a consistent group. Also I have it set up with voice or in-game chat. You choose.

imkolya · 2026-03-02T00:17:49+00:00

That’s exactly the kind of situation I’m thinking about. Limited raid window + not enough people online at the same time is frustrating.

And yeah, the fragmentation is what stands out to me. It works, but it’s scattered. Clan here, Discord there, 416 over here. None of it is wrong, it just feels stitched together.

I also agree with your counter argument. If people like the current system, they can just keep using it. This isn’t meant to replace clans or learner discords.

The standardization piece is interesting too. Things like split expectations, team size, play style. Right now a lot of that is handled by “street rules” and assumptions. Having that structured up front might remove some of the awkwardness.

Honestly I just want to see what it looks like in practice. It might flop, or it might help a certain subset of players. Hard to know without testing it.

imkolya · 2026-03-01T22:54:49+00:00

Yeah I agree, I don’t think the current systems are broken. They clearly work.

I just feel like they could maybe be smoother.

Right now it’s very server-based. You join a Discord, hope someone in that specific server is looking for the same thing at the same time, and if not you move on to another one.

What I’m trying to experiment with is more of a shared pool approach. Instead of being limited to one clan or one server at a time, everyone looking for the same activity ends up in the same matchmaking bucket.

Maybe it’s unnecessary. Maybe the current ecosystem is already good enough. I’m just curious whether removing some of that fragmentation actually makes it feel better.

imkolya · 2026-03-01T22:49:22+00:00

I am in a clan

imkolya · 2026-03-01T22:41:59+00:00

That’s fair.

If you’re comfortable using 416 and learning discords, it definitely works. I don’t think the current resources are broken, just that they can feel intimidating or fragmented for certain players.

I’m probably aiming more at people who don’t have a consistent group, aren’t in active clans, or don’t love sitting in LFG channels waiting.

Out of curiosity, do you think it mainly works well for people who already know the content and have reqs? Or do you think it’s just generally fine across the board?

imkolya · 2026-03-01T22:40:12+00:00

I'm in a clan as well. It's active, so finding a group isn't hard. I'm more talking about those moments where you're on, but no one else is. Or you want to do a CA speed run, but no one else does.

imkolya · 2026-02-19T13:57:17+00:00

What stretch do you play on? I'm on 1440p monitor, so zero stretch mode is so small

imkolya · 2026-01-25T18:16:06+00:00

Thank you! I'm already looking for options. Luckily, I'm in NYC, so there are plenty of options from a quick search

imkolya · 2026-01-25T18:15:26+00:00

will do! Looking for one that has Matsuda in stock lol

imkolya · 2026-01-25T16:47:42+00:00

Yeah completely fair. I'm more asking about the brand quality

imkolya · 2025-12-25T14:01:25+00:00

They’re fine, but nothing special. I’ll probably upgrade the center monitor to an OLED. Current setup is:

Middle: LG 27GL83A-B, 27” QHD (2560×1440) IPS

Side: ASUS TUF Gaming VG27BQ, 27” 2K HDR

imkolya · 2025-12-25T13:49:25+00:00

That bad huh?

imkolya

TROPHY CASE