What is the Dark System in MLBB and is it real?

The Dark System is one of the well-known gaming urban legends in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB). It is a widely circulated belief rooted in player experiences and frustrations. 

The term Dark System was coined by players to describe patterns in MLBB’s matchmaking system that seem to lead to consecutive losses after a brief win streak. Everyone, whether they know of this urban legend or not, has experienced this phenomenon one way or another. While not officially recognized by MOONTON Games, this concept sparked widespread discussions within the community. 

So, what exactly is the Dark System in MLBB? Is it real, and if so, how do you avoid getting caught in it?

The Dark System refers to a belief among some players that MLBB's matchmaking algorithm occasionally places them in matches with less cooperative or lower-skilled teammates. This often happens after a win streak, leading to a series of defeats. This perception arises when players experience loss streaks despite showing a consistent performance.

Some fans speculate that this system might be a form of "Engagement Optimized Matchmaking" (EOMM), designed to balance wins and losses to keep players engaged over time. However, this remains speculative and is not confirmed by official sources.

Before we answer that question, let’s talk about how the matchmaking system in MLBB and most competitive games work behind the scenes.

The basic principle is this: the more you win, the tougher your matches become. Matchmaking systems are designed to balance skill levels, so if you’re on a win streak, the system assumes you’re performing above your current rank and starts matching you against higher-caliber opponents. 

This is especially noticeable if you’re playing in a 5-man party with teammates around your skill level. The moment your squad starts climbing, you’ll feel the heat ramp up fast. Every game becomes more punishing, and every mistake more costly.

Now, in solo queue, things get even messier.

You might have players on a win streak, not because they’re dominating, but because they’ve gotten lucky. They were matched repeatedly with strong teammates who carried the game. These players ride the wave of victory without actually improving. But the matchmaking system can’t always tell the difference between a smart playmaker and a lucky passenger. So what happens? They get promoted into matches with higher-skilled opponents who actually belong at that level, while they’re still fumbling to keep up. The result? Frustration, one-sided games, and the illusion that the game is punishing you on purpose.

This pattern of “win more, suffer more” feeds directly into the belief that a so-called Dark System is out to get you. But in reality, it’s just a series of unfortunate events and a consequence of how modern matchmaking works.

Even if the Dark System is just a gaming urban legend, here are the things you can do to try and avoid having bad matchups in MLBB:

MOONTON Games hate players who are too toxic or troll in matches. This can result in you losing Credit Score points. When you reach critical levels, you start losing privileges like the chat system, or you could be banned from playing ranked matches until you prove yourself worthy of such a feature.

Being nice to players also helps in the long run. If you’re friendly to them, they can also be friendly to you. If they are making bad plays, a simple encouragement from you could motivate them to do better. Needless to say, just be a decent person in every match to avoid inting.

Experiment with the time you want to play MLBB. Peak hours are likely to have the most balanced matches. However, there is also a risk of running into trolls or players who perform poorly.

On the other hand, you can play when there are fewer players online. Higher-skilled players are likely to play during these hours. However, if you are also good at the game, playing at these hours will reduce the chances of being matched with bad players. 

In short, know the best time to play MLBB on your server.

Sometimes, it’s not the matchmaking system that’s the problem, sometimes, it’s you. Emotional states can impact performance. Make sure to take breaks or avoid playing if you are tired or frustrated by your losses. Maintaining a positive mindset is just as important as being good at the game. This also applies to professional players.

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