1000 Elo players are absolutely no noobs but very accomplished. Change my mind.

A bit of a rant but hear me out.

I am aware that the community here consists mostly of players that are way above average: https://www.reddit.com/r/aoe2/comments/nij4oc/what_is_your_current_1v1_rm_elo/ And at the same time most of you think you are barely doing fine if at all - too many „simple“ mistakes, etc.

I had a few conversations here where higher ranked people would say, „yeah, 1000 is the average, but in that bracket and the ones below, people are just chill and not trying hard.“ So the „real“ average is somewhere above 1200 or something.

As a below average Elo player, I must admit this is at least condescending, if not outright insulting.

I have many friends with hundreds of games, watched videos, and quite a bit of (theoretical) knowledge, and ambition, who just cannot crack the 1000.

OK, being below average, they are clearly less skilled and/or talented at the game. But surely no noobs. Or slackers.

1000 might look easy if you are a couple of hundred points above it. But believe me it is not.

Hell, look at Day9 (player account “antiturtle”) who after 65 games has stalled at 1000! With all his huge RTS knowledge, instincts, and pro-level APM he gets badly beaten by the “noobs” just above 1000.

So my points (tldr): 1. The game makes you fell worse at it than you objectively are. 2. Do not underestimate yourselves (at any level) 3. Do not underestimate the motivation and work put in by players weaker than you