A reminder to how queue times work

General Discussion
1

Ideally, for each match we’d want 1 tank player, 2 dps players, 2 support players queued. Ignoring flex for the moment because flex players will be swapped into whatever role needs players.

If we had equal queue times for all three roles. We’d have <1 queues for all three roles.

Now, The way to figure out player role ratios is to multiply each role by their playercount, and then by their queue time.

For example, for 1 minute tank queues and then 15 minute dps queues and 13 minute support queues. We end up with 1 tank player per 30 dps players and 26 support players.

And flex queue players would be slotted into tank, so our ratio is actually <1:30:26. since most flex players will end up in the tank role.

There are things that will make this vary (for instance 3 stacks often having a tank player to avoid bad tanks). But there’s no variable that can account for a 1:30:26 ratio. Hell there’s nothing that can account for a 1:8:8 ratio, or a 1:4:4 ratio. Ideally we’d be aiming for a 1:2:2 ratio-ish. Maybe 1:3:3 ratio on a bad day. Instead we’re well over that. A 1:3:3 ratio would say that support and dps is 3 times more appealing to players than tank is, not counting flex queue players.

For the roles to be considered equally fun and appealing, we’d see a 1:1:1 ratio.

2

Are you seeing 1 minute tank queues with 15 minute dps and 13 minute support queues?

My tank is Diamond, DPS and support Plat. In peak hours most queues are about the same at 1-2 minutes. Meanwhile when it starts to get off peak, but not ‘everybody asleep’ time, tank is usually 4-8 minutes, while dps/support stay 2-4 minutes.

Obviously that tells me theres way less diamond players than plat. It’s hard for me to be compare my own queues unless I get my DPS/support to Diamond rank also. Which is tough for my pleb rear.

Urgh wait I always get this backward. Longer queue means lots of players… So there’s MORE tank players in Diamond than Support/DPS players in Plat in those hours for me.

3

I used them as an example. And yes I have seen them but I would be playing later in the night.

I have literally never seen tank queues higher than dps or support discounting the launch of OW2.

4

I think your math is a bit off here. If we have 1 tank player, 4 dps, and 4 support players then the queue time for support and DPS will be the length of a game. The tank would be in both games while the supports and DPS would swap out.

5

…That assumes we only have 1 game going. And games vary a lot in length.

I do see your point though. I have to leave now but will be back in a couple hours.

6

I edited my post incase you miss it.

Or perhaps the player count is equal across roles, but only having 1 tank means I have to wait twice as long.

7

Also my tank was masters, is currently diamond since I haven’t played games and the shortest ratio I saw was 1 minute tank, with 4 minute dps, 3 minute support. Not sure how you got it the other way since my other roles were the same as yours.

8

When I get 4-8 minute tank queues and 2-4 minute support/dps, that means it’s likely equal player numbers, but restricting 1 tank means they have to wait twice as long.

I got it wrong (my own comment) because my brain sees that and often think it means tank has less players.

This is at times around 10pm-12am. When there’s less players but right before everyone logs off and queue times jump even higher.

On peak though, queues are equal for me.

Next time I see it, I’ll try remember to take a screenshot.