Matchmaking of some sort was implemented before, which didn't work out, but I don't see why something like this couldn't work.

Currently there's already a few complex server commands like duel mode which have effect in forum as well as ingame regarding tc totals.

How about just taking the current elo system and restricting it to a mode similiar to duel mode where you win and your rank/elo is updated on forums and ingame.

Allowing you to learn would be easy to do if ranking was seperate from casual play, you could play anything with no reprocussions. You always get qi, but rank can only be obtained via something similiar to this idea.

Maybe tweak one thing, though. Belt based ranking is removed and replaced with a system that rewards you with more elo for beating people with higher ranks instead and discourages you from playing people with lower ranks. Hell, people always complain about alts but if an alt is of any decent skill level they'll have a high elo and low rank. If they have earned it via this rank system then it's a level playing field for higher belts to get higher ranks and low belts as well. New players can still get rank quickly if they improve enough to beat people with high ranks, so there's that as well.

One problem was pretty much that higher belts have a handicap when it comes to ranking up and lower belts have an advantage so the same person could achieve a high rank much easier just by using an alternate account. Also Hax brought up that you're discouraged from playing lots of different mods. This seems like it would solve both issues.

Ynvaser also said remove global rank and tbh a global rank 1 player even if earnt properly probably doesn't deserve rank 1 all mods considered. Why not set a system up where your modrank updates to match the mod you're playing instead of global. Global rank then gets removed entirely. I actually wouldn't mind seeing that either as well and it adds more value to modranks which right now don't feel so special