Dynamic Queue: My Thoughts and Analysis

Dynamic Queue has been the main topic of discussion for months. Riot recently released a video that I'm sure most of you have seen, explaining that Solo Queue isn't coming back. This video also talked about why they made that decision. As expected, the Boards completely exploded. So here's a bit of a TLDR on the subject of Dynamic Queue, as well as my thoughts on the topic.

First, let's get something straight: personally, I don't really care one way or the other about Dynamic Queue. There are a few main reasons for this:

• I don't play ranked much.
• I don't care about playing with or against premades.
• I'm not high ELO, so I avoid the high queue times and skewed matchmaking.
• I'm fine with playing any role and willing to fill for most of my games

So to me, it's not a big deal either way. Most of the problems and most of the benefits are irrelevant to me. However, there are definite pros and cons to each system:

##Points in favor of Solo Queue:

• Faster Queue times
• More focused on individual skill
• Easier matchmaking

##Points in favor of Dynamic Queue:

• Select role before being matched with a team
• Easier to team with friends
• Queue times and matchmaking in lower ELO are no different from Solo Queue

##Points against Solo Queue:

• Toxic environment: pick order vs. call order and "role or feed" syndrome
• Role selection happens during champ select
• Can't play as a group of 3 or 4
• Don't always get the role you want

##Points Against Dynamic Queue:

• Focused more on team skill than individual skill
• Some people don't like dealing with premades
• Long queue times and skewed matchmaking in high ELO
• People can succeed in ranked without being skilled in all 5 roles
• Don't always get the role you want

So there are problems with Dynamic Queue, but Solo Queue had its issues too. Riot's position seems to be that Solo Queue's problems weren't fixable, but Dynamic Queue's are. Here's what they're doing:

• Limit premades in high ELO (Fixes: skewed matchmaking, focus on team skill over individual skill)
• Open the possibility of forcing people to fill when queue times are too long (Fixes: high queue times, skewed matchmaking, succeeding without skill in all roles. Exacerbates: Not getting the role you want)
• Adjusting the algorithm that controls whether you get your primary or secondary role (Should fix: Not getting the role you want)
• Adjusting the "premade handicap" (Should fix: People not wanting to deal with premades, focus on team skill instead of individual skill)
• Better communication (Fixes: People getting mad at Riot for not communicating. Exacerbates: People getting mad at Riot for what they're actually doing)

Overall, this plan looks like it should eventually fix most of the problems. Because of this, I'm fine with Dynamic Queue. Riot's plan for it seems reasonable to me, and I think with time, Dynamic Queue will be better than Solo Queue (for example, since Dynamic Queue's introduction, I doubt I've seen "mid or feed" more that once). The fixes Riot plans to implement look like they will mitigate the problems with Dynamic Queue without affecting its benefits. Dynamic Queue is here to stay, and frankly, I'm fine with that.

That's all I've got. Feel free to discuss and share your thoughts; I'll brace for the inevitable downvotes.