4v4 & 8v8 Highlight Major Balance Issues — 3-Team BGs Worked Better

detkivkletke
detkivkletke
Soul Shriven
Hello,

I would like to raise an important concern regarding the current state of Battlegrounds, particularly the 4v4 and 8v8 modes.

In practice, these modes are often unplayable due to a significant imbalance between teams. When one side has a higher concentration of experienced and skilled players, the match effectively loses its purpose: the opposing team gets pushed back to their spawn and is unable to participate meaningfully. Instead of engaging PvP gameplay, players are left standing idle, simply waiting for the match to end.

Under such conditions, all motivation disappears. Players gain neither enjoyment nor a sense of progress—only a frustrating waste of time.

The 4v4 mode can still be justified when played in pre-made groups with relatively balanced skill levels. However, in random matchmaking, the same imbalance issues persist.

As for the 8v8 mode, the problem becomes even more pronounced. When there is a noticeable skill gap, one team completely dominates while the other is effectively trapped at their base, unable to influence the outcome of the match. This is especially discouraging for newer players, who often lose any desire to continue playing after such experiences.

The design of the 8v8 maps also raises concerns. Compared to older Battleground maps, they feel less refined in terms of balance. Previously, players could compensate for differences in skill through map knowledge, use of terrain, positioning, and kiting. Even at a disadvantage, it was possible to survive and contribute.

In contrast, the newer maps tend to feature large open spaces where such tactical options are limited. As a result, survivability decreases and the impact of imbalance becomes even more severe.

Additionally, the matchmaking system itself presents issues. Queue times for 8v8 are often quite long, and even after waiting, players frequently end up in clearly unbalanced matches. A quick look at the player list is often enough to see the disparity: one team filled mostly with newcomers, the other with more experienced players. Naturally, this raises the question—what is the point of playing such a match?

Previously, the three-team format addressed this issue far more effectively. Stronger players were distributed across multiple teams, while less experienced players were present on each side, creating a more natural balance. Even solo players could feel engaged and had a fair chance to survive and contribute.

For this reason, I would like to make a suggestion.

I am not asking to remove the 4v4 or 8v8 modes. However, I strongly encourage reconsidering the return of the three-team format, along with the older maps and the previous Battleground system. That format was significantly more dynamic, balanced, and engaging. Players were able to complete their objectives faster, participate more actively, and overall enjoy the experience much more.

This opinion is based not only on my personal experience, but also on feedback from many other players—both veterans and newcomers alike. And the overwhelming majority share the same view: the three-team Battlegrounds were far superior to the current implementation.

Thank you for your attention.
  • Moonspawn
    Moonspawn
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    I'm glad players are beginning to see the truth about 2-sided Battlegrounds.

    Edited by Moonspawn on April 27, 2026 1:00AM
    Can you help solve any of the FOUR critical flaws of two-sided BGs ?

    Looking for feedback on How to fix the 3-sided objective modes
  • Freez6661
    Freez6661
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    Totally agree.. now the only thing I do in this game is I work on my builds and wait for 3 sided BGs back, it's impossible to force myself to play 2 sided ones

    I wish brxindxad devs could communicate with their own players once in a blue moon and reply if they're planning leave 3 sided BGs permanently and when

    Neither me or my friends are gonna stay in the game with 2 sided BGs we don't like it and we don't play it

    We actually left the game a year ago and now we came back after the announcement of a week with 3 sided BGs

    Haven't seen any game devs so blind and about things that their active players base ask from them for such a long time

    been whining about 3 sided BGs here for such a long time as well as other players and haven't seen a single reply of ZOS
  • bachpain
    bachpain
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    Yeah, spawning into a BG as a solo to find you are playing against an organised ball group is a lot of fun. I can't believe they though this would be a good idea.
  • Avran_Sylt
    Avran_Sylt
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    I'd very much like to know how you knew how the prior matchmaking system worked.

    Though I certainly do agree with the complaint about the map design for the current BGs.
  • xylena
    xylena
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    No BGs format will work until they develop matchmaking that works.
    PC/NA || Cyro/BGs || solo/smallscale || retired until Dagon brings a new dawn of PvP
  • Avran_Sylt
    Avran_Sylt
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    xylena wrote: »
    No BGs format will work until they develop matchmaking that works.

    Which it really won't, since there's a ton of possible build variety. You have player skill, and then the skill-floor increase due to sets.
  • Firstmep
    Firstmep
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    Avran_Sylt wrote: »
    xylena wrote: »
    No BGs format will work until they develop matchmaking that works.

    Which it really won't, since there's a ton of possible build variety. You have player skill, and then the skill-floor increase due to sets.

    Matchmaking ideally works through persistent performance and not thru skill or sets, since ideally long term performance encapsulates both.
    I will say this, 8v8 lends itself way more towards spawn camping, and I would be suprised if it didn't push away new players once they begin to experience it.
  • xylena
    xylena
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    Avran_Sylt wrote: »
    Which it really won't, since there's a ton of possible build variety. You have player skill, and then the skill-floor increase due to sets.
    Fix the MMR, then fix the busted sets, then maybe more than the same few dozen guys will actually want to play this game regularly, then we could have both 2s and 3s! Or leave the game a mess to cater to the same few dozen guys who want to watch their gear stomp pugs for them?
    PC/NA || Cyro/BGs || solo/smallscale || retired until Dagon brings a new dawn of PvP
  • L_Nici
    L_Nici
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    Not really a surprise that 3 sided BGs are a much better experience, they also have more than 2 maps, and their maps are way better designed. A third team could always tip the scale in combat, that one week of three sided BGs, was the best PvP in ages.
    PC|EU
  • Luneca
    Luneca
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    The reason I don't go to BGs is simple: I can't fire siege.

    Fix that and we can talk.
  • Freez6661
    Freez6661
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    spent 2 days trying to play BGs with my friend after we both came back to the game and it wasn't prime time so in 2 days we were "lucky" to find 8x8 BG only one time, meanwhile we found like 10 4x4 BGs, awful experience pve afk players who sit on top doing nothing

    so we barely had any fights

    nice group que zos.. very good experience.. very good job, keep going

    jesus I'm sick of asking for 3 sided BGs back

    your forums are full of people asking to bring em back

    why can't you do just one thing right in your game for once
  • moo_2021
    moo_2021
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    Luneca wrote: »
    The reason I don't go to BGs is simple: I can't fire siege.

    Fix that and we can talk.

    What siege??
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