League (StarCraft II)

Various leagues are available on battle.net for StarCraft II. It is part of the tool system making multiplayer StarCraft II available for all skill levels, along with the automated matchmaking system.

Qualifying and Ranks
A new player is expected to qualify before entering a league. They must take part in 5 qualifying matches before being put into a league and division.

After a hidden period of time, their skill level will be reevaluated.

Players gain points for defeating opponents, especially stronger opponents. Before a match starts, players can compare their ratings – usually, one player will be "favored" over the other. If a player defeats a favored opponent, they will gain more points than if they defeat a weaker opponent. Players also gain points from a bonus pool (sometimes called "rested points") for periods of time they have not been playing for. Players gain these points at a slow rate when they're not playing, up to a cap at the end of the season. When a player who has accumulated bonus points wins a match, they gain a share of bonus points equal to the number of points gained for winning the match.

When a player gains points, they increase their rank and may even shift leagues. A player that loses points will, in turn, lose rank and can fall to a lower league.

On occasion, a player will face opponents from a higher league, in order to test their skill.

Playing more games results in a more accurate skill level.

The internal rating is not wiped or reset when league ladders are wiped and is separate from ladder points.

Each team has a separate skill rating. Individual team mates have very little effect on the team rating, except to determine what placement matches they are put in.

League Types
Each league type represents 20% of players, so the top 20% of players are found in the diamond league.

Divisions
Each league will be split into divisions of about 100 players from the same area of very similar skill levels. Players will be ranked against each other, and there will be seasons of play. Tournaments held at the end of a season will determine division winners, who then compete for League championships. The top eight players in each division qualify for tournament play.

Divisions have names such as "Silver Tal'darim Bravo".

The pro league will not have divisions.

Ladders
Ladders will be compiled within the leagues.

Team Games
A structured party can participate in the leagues and ladders system. They will be placed into games by the automated matchmaking system.