Halo 3 Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: In depth explanation of the Halo 3 skill ranking system.
  • Subject: In depth explanation of the Halo 3 skill ranking system.
Subject: In depth explanation of the Halo 3 skill ranking system.

I don't understand this as well as the OP, but my guess is the only reason more EXP would make it slower to rank up would be because with more EXP, you've clearly played more games, so the system is probably more sure of your rank. Your sigma or whatever is lower.

  • 02.21.2009 11:24 PM PDT

Walk in2 the Darkn3ss

I have to assume that this only applies to ranked playlists. It doesn't seem like Social should be included in these calculations, especially for the fact that you're matched up with a variety of different levels in Social gametypes.

Now, if that is how it really is, I should be able to play 400 Social games and it wouldn't affect the length that it takes me to level up. But, if I play 400 Team Slayer games, it absolutely will affect how quickly I level up( but only in that playlist, not having any influence on the other Ranked gametypes).I hope I have this right, because I thought about this for a while.

After that, I was just left wondering if the more EXP I have, will it take longer to go up in levels in general. I'm not worried about games played because I think I understand that part.

So far, it doesn't seem like it. When I only had 350 EXP, I went from 30 to 31 after winning 3 out of 4 games. Just last night I had 440 EXP( I played alot of Team Melee Double EXP) and I went from 31 to 33 after winning 5 out of 6 games. What it looks like to me is that all that really matters is to stay around a 60-65% winning percentage in the playlist. MVP doesn't matter, K/D doesn't matter.... just win.

I hope this helps anybody still trying to figure this out. If somebody thinks that something I wrote may be wrong, please feel free to share your opinion.

  • 02.22.2009 1:08 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

But then why do people rank up faster when playing with boosters that have negative EXP??

  • 02.22.2009 2:55 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Posted by: Last Face
If you're going to not buy their games based on online leaderboards that don't give anything but bragging rights, good riddance.

This may be the wrong thread for it, but skill doesn't matter that much. Certainly not enough to forego playing Halo or any Bungie game ever again.

Complaints? On my INTERNET? This is completely unheard of! No matter what system Bungie implements, regardless of how flawless it is, there will ALWAYS be someone finding something wrong with it. It's just how the world works.

If that ever became a reality, it's likely you wouldn't have the option.

wat. I fail to see how this is connected to the rest of your post at all.

1. My main objection here is that Bungie nor Microsoft has said a word about this problem despite that there are new threads about it every day. One would think that they would have acknowledged it by now.
As for leaderboards, I'm glad that we agree on something, that something being that the levels arent there for bragging rights. I couldnt agree more. The levels are there to match equally good players against eachother so what happens when the system decides to not level one party? Well it stays in a much lower level span than it should be in and keeps destroying every team it's going up against. It resulted in around 90 % steaks for my team, it would probably have been higher if the other team hadnt quit out as often due to the devistating numbers.

2.Complaint? I clearly defined a scenario in which the system isnt working properly, this happens to be the scenario I'm always playing in so yeah it affects me and I'm sure that I'm not the only one. The more or less linear Halo 2 system was flawless, not once did I see anyone complain about that. It didnt matter if you were in a party of eight or playing alone, it still worked as it should.

3. I'm pretty covered in that department.....but I'm sorry I offended you.

4. See 1. No one wins. We get to play much lower real levels than ourselves all the time which results in that the game becomes boring to play not to mention that it isnt fair to the opponents who are still struggling with improving.

  • 02.22.2009 3:30 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

If being MVP has nothing to do with it then why do I go up faster in objective when I'm MVP?

  • 02.22.2009 5:33 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: InfnIte Sorrow
I have to assume that this only applies to ranked playlists. It doesn't seem like Social should be included in these calculations, especially for the fact that you're matched up with a variety of different levels in Social gametypes.

Now, if that is how it really is, I should be able to play 400 Social games and it wouldn't affect the length that it takes me to level up. But, if I play 400 Team Slayer games, it absolutely will affect how quickly I level up( but only in that playlist, not having any influence on the other Ranked gametypes).I hope I have this right, because I thought about this for a while.

After that, I was just left wondering if the more EXP I have, will it take longer to go up in levels in general. I'm not worried about games played because I think I understand that part.

So far, it doesn't seem like it. When I only had 350 EXP, I went from 30 to 31 after winning 3 out of 4 games. Just last night I had 440 EXP( I played alot of Team Melee Double EXP) and I went from 31 to 33 after winning 5 out of 6 games. What it looks like to me is that all that really matters is to stay around a 60-65% winning percentage in the playlist. MVP doesn't matter, K/D doesn't matter.... just win.

I hope this helps anybody still trying to figure this out. If somebody thinks that something I wrote may be wrong, please feel free to share your opinion.


You have a hidden rank in social playlists that is calculated the exact same way. Obviously the matchmaking is a little different because people go into social with much more mixed parties and guests.

I will reitterate though, EXP has nothing to do with rank.

  • 02.23.2009 8:18 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Gopherlad II
If being MVP has nothing to do with it then why do I go up faster in objective when I'm MVP?


You don't.

  • 02.23.2009 8:18 AM PDT

team work is key folks

So after reading this entire thread, this is the basic outline on how to get 50 or whatever you are trying to achieve by playing.

1.) Spend less time trying to get better at the game of Halo 3 itself.

2.) Spend more time trying to get better at ranking up in Halo 3.

As team captain of my MLG team, teamwork itself should obviously be very important to me. After reading topic post itself I was very well aware of how the ranking system works and I honestly think that it is a very clever system in itself. The question I have can't really be answered by this explanation, but only by a bungie employee which has a very small chance of ever happening.

Why did Bungie choose this system over the system in Halo 2?

After being introduced to the wonderful world of MLG customs, I quit really caring about my trueskill and more about my team and our ability to better ourselves. Some things though, have the magical ability to sit in the back of your mind. My main account is a 47 in TS, 45 in DT, 45 in Snipes, 40 in swat, and 42 in MLG. So all together those level out pretty evenly. I'm fine with being a 47 or a 24 or whatever level I am but just to kinda sum this up here is the question certainly more people other than myself ask.

Why are there so many "bad" 50's?

I guess alot of it can boil down to people spending the money to purchase a 50 or also just so happening to get to that level and just letting is sit while the mingle off to another playlist. I mean I've played against people in the playlist that they are actually 50 in, and won on numberous occasions. Yet they are the ones sitting ontop of the glorious mountain of rankes while I'll await eagerly in line hoping to take one step in then diving back into a cool pool of wonderful customs. Math equations are pretty easy to understand, but a ranking system that doesn't seem to go along with it. Not so much.

Also anyone looking for customs, my account is Teh Vexedvirus and my team is always looking for more challenges.

  • 02.24.2009 1:24 AM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

"If something is easy, broken, cheap or can be abused, majority of the population will support it as a legit and or skilled concept/idea. Whatever people like and or love, they will thrive on it because no matter how broken it maybe, they do not like change."

T_T please let this thread die just like how the user who made this post died (well he didnt die but lolz) [Don't take this reply seriously]

[Edited on 02.24.2009 1:26 AM PST]

  • 02.24.2009 1:26 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

So basically halo is bull-blam!- and under no circumstance can any normal person grasp when and where they will rank up ... its completly pot luck.

This Trueskill level is complete and utter wank, call of duty has a much fairer system in place so you have something to work at.

This is why halo created the wonderfull TU2 which ment everyone was reset to zero ... how -blam!-ling clever ... i think in the bugie office they were saying ... -blam!- we havent released anything recently people keep complaining about the melee's ... lets put everyone back on 0.

WOW! you guys are -blam!- special, well done for creating a game that children love.

i hope ODST, (name changed to increse the drama...-blam!-) is better in the ranking system, and perhaps has other unlockables which dont include 10 helmets ... WOW!

Congrats on also making forge boring with set restrictions to everything ... seriously poor, no colour on objects ... -blam!- ME ITS A BROWN MAP I HAVENT SEEN BEFORE .. ASS

  • 02.25.2009 4:23 PM PDT

For those of you frustrated when creating new accounts and only playing with the same teammates. TS halts your progress when you and your friends create new accounts and you all only play with each other and never anyone else. It is a problem with the system that has been well documented in this thread.

This weekend a friend of mine and I decided to test this out. We created new alts and went in to Team Doubles. We only played with each other and despite winning the majority of our games, we leveled very slowly. After 42 games with 12 losses we were level 13's. Then he got on his main account while I stayed on my alt and we played 5 games, winning 4, losing 1 and I going to level 16. The I got on my main with him on his alt and played 7 games, winning 7 and him going to level 18. After that we partied back up on our alts and began leveling normally. We played another 10 games, winning them all and going up to 26 for him and 22 for me. We continued playing and would go up 1 or 2 skill levels for ever 1 or 2 wins.

So, this basically means you only have to play about 5 games with randoms or another established account to begin to level up normally. If you and your friends are going to make new accounts and only play together, you WILL HAVE to play at least 5 games while partied up with another established account or you will be stuck low forever.

  • 02.26.2009 12:12 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Jay120171
For those of you frustrated when creating new accounts and only playing with the same teammates. TS halts your progress when you and your friends create new accounts and you all only play with each other and never anyone else. It is a problem with the system that has been well documented in this thread.

This weekend a friend of mine and I decided to test this out. We created new alts and went in to Team Doubles. We only played with each other and despite winning the majority of our games, we leveled very slowly. After 42 games with 12 losses we were level 13's. Then he got on his main account while I stayed on my alt and we played 5 games, winning 4, losing 1 and I going to level 16. The I got on my main with him on his alt and played 7 games, winning 7 and him going to level 18. After that we partied back up on our alts and began leveling normally. We played another 10 games, winning them all and going up to 26 for him and 22 for me. We continued playing and would go up 1 or 2 skill levels for ever 1 or 2 wins.

So, this basically means you only have to play about 5 games with randoms or another established account to begin to level up normally. If you and your friends are going to make new accounts and only play together, you WILL HAVE to play at least 5 games while partied up with another established account or you will be stuck low forever.


I should have mentioned I have tested this as well a bunch over the last few months. The rule of thumb I came up with when I make a one month is to play by myself until I hit rank 10 in a playlist. Good to go with your team after that.

  • 02.26.2009 1:12 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Posted by: Baaaaaaaaaaaaah
Posted by: Jay120171
For those of you frustrated when creating new accounts and only playing with the same teammates. TS halts your progress when you and your friends create new accounts and you all only play with each other and never anyone else. It is a problem with the system that has been well documented in this thread.

This weekend a friend of mine and I decided to test this out. We created new alts and went in to Team Doubles. We only played with each other and despite winning the majority of our games, we leveled very slowly. After 42 games with 12 losses we were level 13's. Then he got on his main account while I stayed on my alt and we played 5 games, winning 4, losing 1 and I going to level 16. The I got on my main with him on his alt and played 7 games, winning 7 and him going to level 18. After that we partied back up on our alts and began leveling normally. We played another 10 games, winning them all and going up to 26 for him and 22 for me. We continued playing and would go up 1 or 2 skill levels for ever 1 or 2 wins.

So, this basically means you only have to play about 5 games with randoms or another established account to begin to level up normally. If you and your friends are going to make new accounts and only play together, you WILL HAVE to play at least 5 games while partied up with another established account or you will be stuck low forever.


I should have mentioned I have tested this as well a bunch over the last few months. The rule of thumb I came up with when I make a one month is to play by myself until I hit rank 10 in a playlist. Good to go with your team after that.

That's exactly what we tried a couple of weeks ago too and it works. One should never play in the party you intend to play most of your games with from the start so level 10 is a pretty accurate theshold.

  • 02.26.2009 2:29 PM PDT
  • gamertag: Fleeke
  • user homepage:

Why you go down in rank from a tie is beyond me. Playing doubles half the time you get 1 flag and id say 98% of the time it ends in a tie. If your opponent is lower skill you go down in rank. That is a serious flaw I'd say trueskill needs fixing or doubles does.

  • 02.26.2009 3:36 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Fleeke
Why you go down in rank from a tie is beyond me. Playing doubles half the time you get 1 flag and id say 98% of the time it ends in a tie. If your opponent is lower skill you go down in rank. That is a serious flaw I'd say trueskill needs fixing or doubles does.


IF you are correct, thats a flaw in Bungie's choice of gametypes, not True Skill. If they end in ties 98% of the time (which I am sure Shiska will disagree with), then the gametype would not be serving its purpose in a ranked playlist..

  • 02.26.2009 6:11 PM PDT

Posted by: Bat Z PG
Posted by: Baaaaaaaaaaaaah
Posted by: Jay120171
For those of you frustrated when creating new accounts and only playing with the same teammates. TS halts your progress when you and your friends create new accounts and you all only play with each other and never anyone else. It is a problem with the system that has been well documented in this thread.

This weekend a friend of mine and I decided to test this out. We created new alts and went in to Team Doubles. We only played with each other and despite winning the majority of our games, we leveled very slowly. After 42 games with 12 losses we were level 13's. Then he got on his main account while I stayed on my alt and we played 5 games, winning 4, losing 1 and I going to level 16. The I got on my main with him on his alt and played 7 games, winning 7 and him going to level 18. After that we partied back up on our alts and began leveling normally. We played another 10 games, winning them all and going up to 26 for him and 22 for me. We continued playing and would go up 1 or 2 skill levels for ever 1 or 2 wins.

So, this basically means you only have to play about 5 games with randoms or another established account to begin to level up normally. If you and your friends are going to make new accounts and only play together, you WILL HAVE to play at least 5 games while partied up with another established account or you will be stuck low forever.


I should have mentioned I have tested this as well a bunch over the last few months. The rule of thumb I came up with when I make a one month is to play by myself until I hit rank 10 in a playlist. Good to go with your team after that.

That's exactly what we tried a couple of weeks ago too and it works. One should never play in the party you intend to play most of your games with from the start so level 10 is a pretty accurate theshold.
Yea, starting out playing randoms may be the way to go but I wanted to test it out for folks who have already been playing in an exclusive party. Also I wanted to see if it only took a very small number of games to prevent the handicap. Hopefully, between you testing and mine, others will know what to do to get unstuck in this situation.

  • 02.27.2009 7:56 AM PDT

How many games of win, loss, win, loss do you think it will take before someone gets relatively rank locked (i.e. has to win 10 games in a row to go up one skill point). I have probably played about 50 games in TS and am currently a 19. I was a 22 but quickly lost it after getting matched with poor teams for a couple of games. Anyway, all I want is a 35 and I am just wondering how much longer I have to get back into the swing of things and rank up...

  • 03.01.2009 8:10 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

ummm I got to the ranks of Spartan Officer and didn't get the achievement and didn't unlock Rouge Helmet Please Help Some1?

  • 03.01.2009 8:29 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Red Legend Nine
How many games of win, loss, win, loss do you think it will take before someone gets relatively rank locked (i.e. has to win 10 games in a row to go up one skill point). I have probably played about 50 games in TS and am currently a 19. I was a 22 but quickly lost it after getting matched with poor teams for a couple of games. Anyway, all I want is a 35 and I am just wondering how much longer I have to get back into the swing of things and rank up...


You will never fully get ranked locked, but after about 30+ losses things slow down considerably. Really depends on what level your losses really start...so there is not set answer.

  • 03.01.2009 9:08 AM PDT

Ok good. I guess 50 games in a playlist isn't that much. I will get that 35! Baby steps.

  • 03.01.2009 9:10 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

yayyyyyyyyyyy

  • 03.02.2009 7:59 AM PDT

My YouTube Channel

My Home

Typical Halo nerd. Move along.

Your post means nothing now. You were deleted. It's like this shouldn't even be here.

  • 03.02.2009 8:00 AM PDT

Posted by: xxSpartan 99xx
Your post means nothing now. You were deleted. It's like this shouldn't even be here.
The OP is gone and hasn't participated in this thread in a very long time. That does not mean the info contained here is irrelevant or means nothing. There have been quite a few people who've monitored this thread and continue to help and explain things.

  • 03.02.2009 8:48 AM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

**chugs beer

  • 03.02.2009 9:06 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

ok me and my buddy just started playing swat on our accounts so we were at 1s, we won 50 out of 58 swat matches and we only got up to a 23, can anyone explain, cause it seems pretty ridiculous :(

  • 03.02.2009 9:22 AM PDT