Yeah, I don't know how but it's actually more unfair than before. With a antagonist lower than you now the mooks can kill you in less than half a second. No amount of skill can possibly overcome that.
This is even more frustrating as rewards are based on multiple wins. Get an antagonist or a weak team you will lose.
I don't know why the difficulty isn't selectable, as it stands there are no plus points in being at a high MMR. Plus it seems more difficult than before.
With high MMR it's difficult to win, and you barely get anything extra. The chance for an instant loss with an antagonist is always there. The win streaks are harder to achieve, matchmaking takes longer, playing as the antagonist is a lost cause as you are on your own.
It now makes more sense purposely losing to lower it by either afk or suicide. Why is this the case?
Why is the antagonist mode not completely separate, as that would help alleviate half the issues.