Matches

This article describes the match types available in The Banner Saga: Factions the online player-vs-player (PvP) counterpart of the single player game. In the Great Hall, the building figuring on the top of Strand, players can search for online matches. From there, they can select to play a Versus, Tournament or Friend Match.

Versus
Versus is the standard match mode for The Banner Saga: Factions, and is separated in Quick and Ranked matches. In this mode, players are matched up with other players online, based on player rating and team power. The Matchmaker tries to find an opponent as close as possible to your experience and team-power, to ensure that the battle is fair and both players have equal chances of winning. Quick matches have no effect on your rating, only Ranked matches do.

Note: Players may choose to use either the default 45-second timer or use the 30-second timer, gaining a +2 Renown bonus per battle (win or lose). The timer choice is independent for the two players.

Tournament
Each week a new tournament is heralded across Strand, and lasts for 5 days. The tournament is open to all players but you must spend a one-time fee of 20 Renown to register. You can only battle using a team of the announced power level, marked on the tourney banner. The timer is fixed at 30 seconds and the match counts as a typical Ranked match in terms of Renown earned. The maximum number of Tournament matches you can play is 25, with 5 news ones becoming available at 18:00 GMT from Wednesday through Sunday. The winners of the first three places in Tournament boards win 200, 100 and 50 Renown and have their name recorded in the Hall of Valor.

Note: Tournament matches also affect your overall rating.

Friendly
In this mode, players can play games directly with their Steam friends who also have The Banner Saga: Factions installed. The players can choose the turn-timer and the map, with option being common between them. Turn-timers include: 60-second, 30-second, and Unlimited. Renown is gained only for a daily log-in streak and for the special Achievement of fighting for the first time against a new Steam friend.

Note: To invite a Steam friend for a fight, both player's Steam profile privacy settings need to be set to Public.