I’ve been extremely disappointed and frustrated with this 5v5 Role Queue game in OW2.
I won’t get into what’s bad about it. We all know the frustrations. Instead, I’ll get into why I’ve found Open Queue to be so much better!
Open Queue
In 5v5, it’s easier to get a good team comp. No more 4 dps games like in OW1, I usually see two tanks, two supports and a damage.
If the team comp is not that good, you can switch to fill any role. Nothing is more frustrating in Role Queue than to get a teammate in a role that’s struggling. Then, you’re locked in and the whole game feels like a waste of time. In Open Queue, you can fill or half-fill that role to help out by using any hero in the game. It’s such a powerful thing to break free of the roles mid-game. It makes almost every game feel like it’s in YOUR hands.
Tanks are now more powerful, so there’s no shortage of those like in the old days. Again, I almost always get a good comp in Open Queue these days.
The Matchmaker. This is big for me. Role Queue feels extremely oppressive and borderline rigged when it comes to the matchmaker. If I win a game or two, it’s followed up by the worst teammates of all time for a few games for some reason. In Open Queue, I’m guessing that the system has less control, so the games feel a bit more random which is what makes it so good. You could win 5 in a row, and the 6th game STILL doesn’t feel like it’s trying so hard to cancel you out. It’s more natural feeling in the long term, which I like much much better.
Ranking up has been much easier. In Open Queue, I quickly ranked up to Plat 1. I could switch to Role Queue and get harder games at lower ranks. Now, you could say that most serious players are playing Role Queue, so Open Queue is easier. But I’m not so sure. I’m seeing some extremely good players here in Open Queue, and it’s been quite an honor and lots of fun to go head to head against people who are ranked Diamond even in Role Queue. Yet I can hang. I can actually defeat them, when given the chance by the matchmaker with a good team around us. I’m usually topping the scoreboard, and playing against very good players. In Role Queue, I never even get the chance. Hard games are just hard because we have a troll or thrower. It leads me to believe that the Role Queue matchmaker is simply holding us (duo) back. We never even get the chance to play with or against good players. It’s always a troll fest in Role Queue. Open Queue feels so much better, and the games are better, with better players. Not the other way around!
So, if you’re frustrated with Role Queue but feel you have to play that because it’s the “main mode” Well, they do have Open Queue sitting right next to it, equal to it, with it’s own set of stats and everything. Open Queue is right there for everyone to discover, and in my experience it’s been much more fun here in OW2 season 3 than ever before!
It’s to the point, for me, where I’m not even sure Role Queue is needed anymore. It was brought in OW1 because no one could make a good comp, 6v6 with weak tanks wasn’t working. But OW2 with these tanks and 5v5 seems to be the magic formula.
Give Open Queue a try! Just remember, YOU can swap to any hero you need. Once you gain that super power, it’s a ton of fun.