If this system fails, the game becomes a frustrating, unplayable mess that bleeds players instantly.

Many players believe that matchmaking is intentionally rigged against them, constantly forcing them to fight 'hard counters' after a win streak.
How You Are Ranked
Your trophy count is a numerical representation of your skill; win a match, and you take trophies from the loser.

If the system matches you perfectly, you should mathematically have a 50% chance of winning every single game you play.
If you are hovering around 50%, you are in the correct arena for your skill level.Queue times increase at the top of the ladder.If you drop trophies, the algorithm matches you against easier opponents. The Free-to-Play Dilemma
The standard Elo system works perfectly for chess because all pieces are equal, but tower rush games feature upgradeable cards.

However, if no such player is available, the algorithm will prioritize queue speed over level fairness, resulting in those frustrating, mismatched games.
Player PerceptionHow it Actually WorksForced Loss StreaksThe algorithm does not force losses; you are simply playing tilted against harder opponents because your MMR is inflatedThe Deck Counter CodeDevelopers have confirmed repeatedly that the algorithm does not read the contents of your deck when finding an opponent The Esports Standard
This is why all true esports tournaments and competitive challenges utilize the 'Tournament Standard' ruleset.

When levels are equalized, the matchmaking system shines, ensuring that the better player almost always wins.