Help with Ladder Challenges
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FinnDoris [gb-eng] (finndoris)
I joined the ladder today but I'm sure I am missing something obvious. I have sent out four challenges in all, one was accepted but my opponent didn't show up, one was rescheduled until next Monday and two timed out without being accepted.
Like many people I come to the site to play a game or two when I am free and inclined. The problem is that I spent this afternoon randomly challenging people who may not be available; perhaps at work or asleep. I have wasted ages looking to see if an opponent has accepted my challenge while I am ready to play as the challenges had to be scheduled.
So, please tell me how can I see who is currently online and looking for an instant ladder game just as with the instant challenge arrangement? There must be others out there who want to play but prefer not to schedule as, like me, they are not sure if they will be available or inclined later.
Thanks
PS... the ladder is confusing, some players with a string of losses are in the top 15 places while others mostly with wins are down in the 80's. Why is this?
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Alfie Kirkpatrick [Developer]
Hi FinnDoris [gb-eng] (finndoris), sorry if you've had some issues getting ladder matches!
I can see you had a no-show which is unfortunate. I can also see you have a match arranged on Monday, so hopefully that will go ahead.
The ladder is geared for players who are happy to schedule their matches days in advance. There are only 100+ players on the ladder, so the chance of finding a ladder player online at any given moment is low. In fact the whole ladder concept was introduced when Hub was less popular (less players online) so there needed to be a way to schedule matches in advance. I'm surprised how popular the ladder has become. It seems to suit players who like to plan ahead, like their matches to be slightly less "anonymous" and who like the light-hearted ladder aspect.
If you challenge someone, the invitation expires automatically after 72 hours if there is no response. It's best not to keep challenging and cancelling. If you want an instant matchup, use the Play Now option. Note that if a challenge is accepted (or new time proposed) you will be notified by email. You don't need to keep checking the site.
To answer your last question, when a player loses, the challenger moves above them in the ladder and they drop one place. So even if you lose five matches in a row, you potentially only drop five places. The ladder is meant to be a bit of fun and reward players who play often, rather than strictly rank players by skill.
Hope that makes sense!
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FinnDoris [gb-eng] (finndoris)
Alfie Kirkpatrick [Developer]
Hi Alfie,
Thanks for this, so if I understand correctly, I could challenge someone for a game in say 15 mins, if they can't make it, the challenge will stay 'live' with them for 72 hrs during which time they could send a reschedule request to me for a time to suit even though the original deadline passed hours ago?
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Alfie Kirkpatrick [Developer]
FinnDoris [gb-eng] (finndoris) yes you could but it would be quite confusing for your opponent. Email can take more than 15 minutes to arrive, so then they might receive a challenge for a time in the past. Once over their confusion, they can indeed propose another time though.
I think generally players give at least a couple of hours notice.
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FinnDoris [gb-eng] (finndoris)
Alfie Kirkpatrick [Developer]
OK point taken thank you.