The Problem
I exclusively play Random Faction , and while I genuinely enjoy the variety, I think the current reward system needs reconsidering.
The whole purpose of selecting Random Faction is to help matchmaking. Rather than choosing a preferred faction, you’re effectively telling the game:
“Put me wherever you need me.”
That’s beneficial for everyone. It helps fill matches, reduces matchmaking constraints and potentially improves queue times.
However, there’s a downside that I don’t think the current rewards adequately recognise.
When you select a preferred faction, you can concentrate on developing your squads, learning the maps, understanding the equipment and refining your tactics.
When you play Random Faction, you’re accepting whatever the matchmaking system gives you.
Sometimes that’s a reasonably balanced match. Other times, you find yourself filling a gap in a team that appears to consist of three actual players, twelve bots and someone who’s apparently gone to make a sandwich.
And you’re expected to win that match to progress towards certain rewards!
Why I Think This Needs Changing
My concern isn’t that Random Faction players should automatically win more rewards than everyone else.
It’s that the incentive for helping matchmaking shouldn’t depend so heavily on the outcome of matchmaking itself .
If Random Faction is intended to encourage players to fill whichever faction needs additional participants, then those players are accepting a degree of uncertainty that someone selecting their preferred faction isn’t.
That includes:
- Being assigned to factions they may not normally choose.
- Switching between different equipment, squads and playstyles.
- Having less opportunity to specialise in one faction.
- Potentially joining teams with weaker coordination or fewer experienced players.
- Having less control over their overall matchmaking experience.
I appreciate that Random Faction doesn’t necessarily mean you’re always placed on the weaker team. However, it certainly feels that way in some matches, and the player has little control over the assignment.
My Suggestion: Reward Participation, Not Just Victories
I’d like to see the Random Faction reward system adjusted so that players receive meaningful progress simply for completing matches while using Random Faction , regardless of whether their team wins.
For example:
1. Guaranteed Random Faction progression
Every completed match played using Random Faction contributes towards a dedicated reward track.
2. Additional rewards for winning
Winning should still matter. A victory could provide bonus progress, but losing shouldn’t mean you’ve effectively wasted your time.
3. Reward genuine participation
To prevent abuse, rewards should require reasonable activity and match completion. Players shouldn’t be rewarded for sitting idle or repeatedly leaving matches.
The principle is simple:
If the matchmaking system benefits from players accepting Random Faction, those players should receive a consistent benefit in return.
Why This Would Benefit Everyone
A better Random Faction incentive could encourage more players to select it.
That potentially means more flexibility for matchmaking, shorter queues, better distribution of players across factions and, ultimately, more enjoyable matches.
It would also make Random Faction more attractive to players who currently avoid it because they prefer the predictability of their established faction.
Final Thoughts
I’m not asking for free wins or special treatment.
I’m asking for the reward system to recognise that Random Faction players are helping the game function for everyone else.
Personally, I’ll probably keep playing Random Faction regardless. I enjoy the variety, even when matchmaking occasionally makes me question my life choices.
But if the game wants more players to volunteer as matchmaking’s emergency reinforcements, perhaps it shouldn’t make their rewards so dependent on whether the team they’ve been assigned to can actually win.
What do others think? Would guaranteed progression for completing Random Faction matches encourage you to use it more often?