What determines which arena you go into?

Subrosa_Daro

Average character level, group leader level, rating, actual game level or something else?

I go into arenas where someone is lower rating or level and they have at least one char that nukes like a beast - math doesn't add up.

Zerx

Your start date. Arena ladders are filled as people join until they are full. Once in you stay in with the same people in the same arena unless they get booted by a dev for cheating.

Subrosa_Daro

OK cool that makes everything clear - especially nasty surprises etc. Thanks for getting back