I'd be keen for it if it was possible to make the defending team lose like say 10-20 points for declining a challenge, and the challenging team gets 10-20 points for a forfeit win. Compared to say 40 points for a win and losing 20-30 points for a loss. (Numbers just used to make an example)

That's what turbo mode does. Except there's no penalty for declining matches- you end up with good teams not getting any games due to teams dodging their challenges.

SpotTheOzzie made a thread trying to get it fixed a while ago, but still no response.

i dont know if you could do that in a fast ladder, not every team can make every night, i dont think they should be punished for that in an open ladder.

the only way you could punish them for declining is if your offer length exceeds 24hrs imo.

one way it could work -

challenger can offer 1 or more times for as early as they like, these CAN be declined without penalty
challenger can offer 1 or more times with 24/48 hrs notice, these CANNOT be declined without penalty

dont know if cg has that ability though.

If this was the case, does those times/dates gets "locked out" once a team is challenged by another (the same way CG works now)? Might be a dumb question, but if one team was challenged by multiple teams on the same times/dates would be unfair to punish them?

AW works well where you can offer another day/time once the match is confirmed, which is good... but i doubt CG can change their system similar to that

I guess there are arguments to both sides

i am kinda changing my mind now because
a. if there is punishment for declining a challenge then I probably won't compete in the ladder (8v8 takes preference)
b. if there is no punishment for declining a challenge then I will decline every challenge where I have an 8v8 scrim or match booked

hmmmmmmmm

Dislike the way Alienware ladder is run. Please do not bring that to CG

Looking really good so far. Will challenge a few teams and keep you updated. Its good that it allows you to do 3 challenges at once which speeds it up a bit with still lots of notice

So what happens if you decline now? Is there penalties for doing so?

The level of activity on the Alienware ladder is excellent. The flaws are massive. If people so wished, they could all decline a team and prevent them from playing anyone but random idiots. If SteeL is correct in the ELO rating system, said team would then be stuck outside the top 8 and unable to gain points.

It's communism; theoretically it's good but when put into practice it fails because people are ****s.

Something like 3/4 challenges we make on AW are declined =\

90% of challenges we make are declined....I'm all for playing tons of squad rush matches, but just keep the ladder how it is and leave the rest to friendlies.