Dota 2 will be getting an optional matchmaking rating (MMR) reset for the new ranked season as well as a new community-based behavior and toxicity regulation system similar to the Overwatch system from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO).

Valve detailed the new additions for the new ranked season in their latest blog post, which also included updates to Dota Plus and the Guild system introduced in The International 2020 (TI10) Battle Pass.

Valve has previously expressed their reluctance with repeated MMR resets for every new ranked season, citing “negative aspects” to forcing all players to undergo the reset at the same time.

However, after community feedback relayed how valuable the MMR reset functionality was to many players, Valve has instead settled on a different approach with the optional MMR reset.

In order to reset your MMR, go to the game’s Settings menu and look for the new MMR Recalibration section under the Account tab. MMR reset start-times will be spaced out evenly between October 22 and November 22 in order to prevent players from recalibrating at once. The reset can only be activated once, but is available anytime until the ranked season is over.

“We are making the MMR reset optional, and for those who want to participate, we instead spread it out so it doesn’t create too much volatility at the same time (on top of the volatility that already exists when you enter calibration). We hope this will remove most of the downsides of MMR resets, and let the people that really want to do it be able to do so in a little bit more of a stable environment,” said Valve.



In order to combat continuing issues with toxic and game-ruining players, Valve also revealed that they will be borrowing from the Overwatch system they employed to help regulate player behavior in CS:GO.

For those unfamiliar, CS:GO’s Overwatch system lets the game’s community regulate itself by allowing qualified members of the community to review reports of disruptive behavior, determine whether such reports are valid, and apply appropriate punishments and bans.

With that said, Valve admitted that the system is still a work in progress, with more information about to be released as soon as it’s available.

Valve also added that they have made improvements to Dota 2’s smurf and booster account detection system. Smurf accounts are now much more likely to play with other smurfs only and inherit any negative behavior scores from their alternate accounts.

Meanwhile, the improved booster account detection has allowed Valve to ramp up their efforts to eliminate boosters, leading to over 14,000 booster accounts being banned in the past 30 days.

These changes should significantly improve the playing experience for players, regardless of which side of the MMR spectrum they are on. The new ranked season for Dota 2 will last for six months.

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