Add chat to ladder page

In the very competitive last 10-15 minutes before the server day resets, most of the top players are online to make sure they get their highest rank possible. This is a great time for all these players to interact in chat, but most people spend the time watching the ladder page in case they get attacked or so they can attack as soon as their cd is up. I think it would be great to add the chat button to the ladder page so we can do both and people can be more active in chat

I like that idea^

on the same token though most of those players still wont chat because they still wont be able to see if they get beaten while in chat, and I wouldn't want to go in chat and get distracted then lose my rank. honestly, though I like the idea and the thinking behind it, I don't think it would really cause the desired effect

Or alternately, have some kind of alert that pops up when someone challenges you in ladder, no matter where you are. (Even in a challenge.)

If this is too hard, then possibly --

A) a message in the home-screen ticker would be nice, in a contrasting colour.

B) a chat message like this:

Soandso
2v2 anyone?
System
Lose, rank 89. You were defeated by JoeBloggs in the ladder tournament.
System
You have moved from rank 73 to 89.
FredSmith
Join my room.
System
Win, rank 89. You have defended your position in the ladder from a challenge by JaneDoe.

So instead of (or in addition to) bringing chat to the ladder, you could bring the ladder status into chat.

However, I'd also like to be able to chat from within a challenge. Make chat truly global.

B) a chat message like this:

Soandso
2v2 anyone?
System
Lose, rank 89. You were defeated by JoeBloggs in the ladder tournament.
System
You have moved from rank 73 to 89.
FredSmith
Join my room.
System
Win, rank 89. You have defended your position in the ladder from a challenge by JaneDoe.

Good idea

Or instead of "System", the message could come from "Ladder":

Ladder...................2012-03-03 07:24:32
Lose, rank 89. You were defeated by JoeBloggs and have moved from rank 73 to 89.

Which might appear in some views like

Ladder:Lose, rank 89. You were defeated by JoeBlog...

Or you could even make something shorter like

Ladder...................2012-03-03 07:24:32
Lose, rank 89 from 73. Defeated by JoeBloggs.

You could show the change in rank using the crown icons that already appear in chat

Ladder.....[73]-->[89].........2012-03-03 07:24:32
You were defeated by JoeBloggs.

There are multiple possibilities for formatting, but you get the idea.

I like the chat during battle idea, especially for team mode or pvp when you and your partner/opponent actually have control over it so you can scheme and strategize.