function calculatePickRate() {
var totalInput = document.getElementById('totalMatches').value;
var pickedInput = document.getElementById('timesPicked').value;
var resultBox = document.getElementById('prResult');
var errorBox = document.getElementById('prError');
// Reset display
resultBox.style.display = 'none';
errorBox.style.display = 'none';
// Validation
if (totalInput === "" || pickedInput === "") {
errorBox.innerText = "Please enter values for both fields.";
errorBox.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
var total = parseFloat(totalInput);
var picked = parseFloat(pickedInput);
if (isNaN(total) || isNaN(picked)) {
errorBox.innerText = "Please enter valid numbers.";
errorBox.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
if (total <= 0) {
errorBox.innerText = "Total matches must be greater than zero.";
errorBox.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
if (picked total) {
errorBox.innerText = "Times picked cannot be greater than total matches.";
errorBox.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
// Calculations
var pickRate = (picked / total) * 100;
var nonPickRate = 100 – pickRate;
var frequency = 0;
if (picked > 0) {
frequency = total / picked;
}
// Update UI
document.getElementById('resPickRate').innerText = pickRate.toFixed(2) + "%";
document.getElementById('resNonPickRate').innerText = nonPickRate.toFixed(2) + "%";
if (picked === 0) {
document.getElementById('resFrequency').innerText = "Never picked";
} else {
document.getElementById('resFrequency').innerText = "1 in every " + frequency.toFixed(1) + " games";
}
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
}
How is Pick Rate Calculated?
In the world of competitive gaming, MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games, and statistical analysis, the term "Pick Rate" is a fundamental metric. It measures the popularity of a specific character, item, weapon, or strategy within a set number of opportunities (usually matches or games). Understanding how pick rate is calculated allows players and developers to gauge the "meta" health and identify trends.
The Pick Rate Formula
The calculation for pick rate is straightforward. It represents the percentage of games in which a specific selection was made relative to the total number of games played.
Pick Rate (%) = (Number of Times Picked / Total Matches Played) × 100
Variable Definitions:
Number of Times Picked: The count of matches where the specific hero, champion, or item appeared.
Total Matches Played: The total sample size of games analyzed.
Detailed Example
Let's look at a practical example from a hero-based shooter game. Suppose we want to calculate the pick rate for a character named "Stealth Assassin".
Total Matches Analyzed: 5,000 games
Games with Stealth Assassin: 1,250 games
Applying the formula:
(1,250 / 5,000) = 0.25
0.25 × 100 = 25%
This results in a 25% Pick Rate. Statistically, this means the character appears in 1 out of every 4 matches played.
Why is Pick Rate Important?
Pick rate is rarely analyzed in isolation. It is usually paired with Win Rate and Ban Rate to determine the actual power level of a game element.
High Pick Rate + High Win Rate: Usually indicates the character is Overpowered (OP) and may need a "nerf" (reduction in power).
High Pick Rate + Low Win Rate: Indicates the character is popular or fun to play, but not necessarily effective, or is being played by unskilled players.
Low Pick Rate + High Win Rate: Often suggests a "niche" character that is only played by specialists or in specific counter-situations.
Interpreting the Data
When calculating pick rates, context is crucial. In games with unique picks (where a character can only appear once per game), the maximum pick rate is 100%. However, in games where mirror matches are allowed (both teams can pick the same character), the theoretical maximum could be interpreted differently depending on whether you are measuring "presence per match" or "pick frequency per team". The calculator above uses the standard "presence per match" methodology.