Benzo
12/19/2010, 04:03 PM
KK- so now that the VG is being incorporated at Play Pokemon events as side events, what can be said about what kind of structure and rules should be used?
There is a lot to take into consideration on this matter. Players want less restrictions, while the event staff want to have a format that is easiest to run with minimal issues and is current with VGC structure/format.
Let's look at this for a minute. At the VGC, the level of competition is high. And the restrictions are in place to keep the "battlefield" the most fair as possable for all levels of players. This format is set up by Nintendo, and it works for this high level of competition. TCPI has recognized what the VG can bring to Play Pokemon events and has begun to support those who play, no matter the players skill level as well.
On the Play Pokemon side, the level of competition is not so high as the atmosphere is not focused solely on the VG. It is a more relaxed environment that is seporate from what Nintendo has in regards to what structure will accomidate the players in this area.
To put the VG scene into a more orginized and structured manner at Play Pokemon events, we need to see what can be done to make players more interested in participating. But how can this be accomplished, while leaving the Nintendo events the "main" structure for the higher level of competition?
First- lets leave the Nintendo format up to the "professionals" at Nintendo, as they do an awesome job at providing some of the best VG events offered in the competition area.
As for Play Pokemon, we have room to format the VG scene to change things up a bit and to make players more interested and want to aprticipate more often.
Let's now look at what a format is. It is a set of rules, restrictions, and requirements that the players must adbide by in order to participate. It is the main structure that keeps the VG event running smooth and fair.
The format is broken down to look somewhat like this:
Requiements are what game cartridge(s) are to be used for the tournament.
Rules: How many Pokemon are to be used for the battle, what level the Pokemon must be at, and how many battles each player must complete. This also includes whether the tournament is swiss or single battle elimination. Also, whether the battle is double or single battle style.
Restrictions: What Pokemon are banned, moves that can not be used, hold items that can not be used, Cheat device/hack warnings, and anything that will keep the tournament unbalenced in skill level for all participating players.
A good format is always best if it is designed to keep the players happy by letting them enjoy the tournament, and must be structured to keep the interest still there.
So, what kind of format should be used at Play Pokemon events?
This is a bit tricky to format, since it requires some rules that are not too restrictive or keeps the tournament unbalanced.
Banning to many moves, hold items, Pokemon that can be used, and having a requirement that all who want to participate do not have will detour alot of players.
Here is an ideal format that might work well in the Play Pokemon environment.
Avoiding swiss rounds at events will keep the players at a happy medium. I say this because too many rounds stretch out the tournamnet too long timewise. If the players are in the TCG event, they feel rushed and sometimes do not even "report in" for the next round of the DS tournament. Single round elimination is shorter timewise, and it is complicated to have a person who went 30+3 to have time to even battle in the DS as TCG pairings go up faster then it takes the time to get in a battle.
Also, having a DS round at lunch time seems to be the time when most of those who signed up to skip out as lunch time is short enough as it is.
Having what game cartridges restricted to only two game cartidges keeps alot of players away and from signing up. Most of the current cartridges are compatible in one way or another. Some features with in the cartridges make the battles easier to set up, like auto level down/up. But, if we format the level to be set for one solid year/season and stick to it regardless of what new games come out, we will have more players signing up. Agian, a happy medium that players can count on for one year and be prepaired for.
The banned list: what is fair and what is not?
A balanced banned list can make or break a good tournament. In my experience, the #1 player complaint is that their "favorite" Pokemon is banned.
I think that if the Pokemon banned list should be structured, it should be in this manner:
ONLY 1 Pokemon can be used from this list: Mew, Jirachi, Celebi, Manaphy, Phione, Arceus, Darkria, Shayman, and Deoxys.
ONLY 1 Pokemon can be used from this list: Groudon, Lugia, Rayquazza, Kyogre, Latios, Latias, Mewtwo, HO-OH, Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia.
ONLY 1 Pokemon can be used from this list: Heatran, Cressalia, Raiku, Entie, Suicune, Regigias, Regice, Rgirock, Registeel, Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno, Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie.
Since all Pokemon have been released by Nintendo by method of Wi-Fi events or at a venue, the person running the tournament can check for Pokemon's legitimacy to be used in the tournment.
Setting the required battle level at 100 should be the flat requirment. I suggest this because the Pokemon level being 100 makes it easier to keep the cartrige options more availlable to those who do not have the "newest" game yet.
Banning hold items should be kept to a minimum, such as Soul Dew. Most hold items that give a specific Pokemon a greater advantage should be banned. Light ball should not be held by Pikachu, and the two orbs held by Palkia/Dialga should be banned. Rayquazza has an orb that can be held, it too should be banned. These hold items should only be banned if they are held by the Pokemon that Benefits that peticular Pokemon.
A simple hold item ban list should be: Soul Dew, leftovers on Wobbafett, Pikachu holding a light ball, Dialga/Palkia holding their orbs,and Rayquazza holding his orb.
Moves should not be banned but restricted in it's use if it creates a clause that locks your opponent down too much, like Dark void. It can cause the battle to be long and drawn out.
A simple clause for moves should be: Dark void can not be used when your opponant has two Pokemon on the field. Explosion can not be used whe you and your opponant have one only 1 remianing Pokemon on the field and in your party.
I suggest double battle stye format. The battles run quicker, and the competition level is a bit more balenced out. It also makes for the battles to be more fun, and combos to be used more effectivly.
Requiring that palyers have a minimum of 4 Pokies in their party is best. Allowing a player to register 6 Pokies in their party is a good option, using 4 and having the option to switch up if they continue to advance in the tournament is a great way to keep the player at a happy medium.
So- in all- this is my suggested tournament format for Play Pokemon events in the VG department.
Thoughts? Suggestions? ideas? Comments?
There is a lot to take into consideration on this matter. Players want less restrictions, while the event staff want to have a format that is easiest to run with minimal issues and is current with VGC structure/format.
Let's look at this for a minute. At the VGC, the level of competition is high. And the restrictions are in place to keep the "battlefield" the most fair as possable for all levels of players. This format is set up by Nintendo, and it works for this high level of competition. TCPI has recognized what the VG can bring to Play Pokemon events and has begun to support those who play, no matter the players skill level as well.
On the Play Pokemon side, the level of competition is not so high as the atmosphere is not focused solely on the VG. It is a more relaxed environment that is seporate from what Nintendo has in regards to what structure will accomidate the players in this area.
To put the VG scene into a more orginized and structured manner at Play Pokemon events, we need to see what can be done to make players more interested in participating. But how can this be accomplished, while leaving the Nintendo events the "main" structure for the higher level of competition?
First- lets leave the Nintendo format up to the "professionals" at Nintendo, as they do an awesome job at providing some of the best VG events offered in the competition area.
As for Play Pokemon, we have room to format the VG scene to change things up a bit and to make players more interested and want to aprticipate more often.
Let's now look at what a format is. It is a set of rules, restrictions, and requirements that the players must adbide by in order to participate. It is the main structure that keeps the VG event running smooth and fair.
The format is broken down to look somewhat like this:
Requiements are what game cartridge(s) are to be used for the tournament.
Rules: How many Pokemon are to be used for the battle, what level the Pokemon must be at, and how many battles each player must complete. This also includes whether the tournament is swiss or single battle elimination. Also, whether the battle is double or single battle style.
Restrictions: What Pokemon are banned, moves that can not be used, hold items that can not be used, Cheat device/hack warnings, and anything that will keep the tournament unbalenced in skill level for all participating players.
A good format is always best if it is designed to keep the players happy by letting them enjoy the tournament, and must be structured to keep the interest still there.
So, what kind of format should be used at Play Pokemon events?
This is a bit tricky to format, since it requires some rules that are not too restrictive or keeps the tournament unbalanced.
Banning to many moves, hold items, Pokemon that can be used, and having a requirement that all who want to participate do not have will detour alot of players.
Here is an ideal format that might work well in the Play Pokemon environment.
Avoiding swiss rounds at events will keep the players at a happy medium. I say this because too many rounds stretch out the tournamnet too long timewise. If the players are in the TCG event, they feel rushed and sometimes do not even "report in" for the next round of the DS tournament. Single round elimination is shorter timewise, and it is complicated to have a person who went 30+3 to have time to even battle in the DS as TCG pairings go up faster then it takes the time to get in a battle.
Also, having a DS round at lunch time seems to be the time when most of those who signed up to skip out as lunch time is short enough as it is.
Having what game cartridges restricted to only two game cartidges keeps alot of players away and from signing up. Most of the current cartridges are compatible in one way or another. Some features with in the cartridges make the battles easier to set up, like auto level down/up. But, if we format the level to be set for one solid year/season and stick to it regardless of what new games come out, we will have more players signing up. Agian, a happy medium that players can count on for one year and be prepaired for.
The banned list: what is fair and what is not?
A balanced banned list can make or break a good tournament. In my experience, the #1 player complaint is that their "favorite" Pokemon is banned.
I think that if the Pokemon banned list should be structured, it should be in this manner:
ONLY 1 Pokemon can be used from this list: Mew, Jirachi, Celebi, Manaphy, Phione, Arceus, Darkria, Shayman, and Deoxys.
ONLY 1 Pokemon can be used from this list: Groudon, Lugia, Rayquazza, Kyogre, Latios, Latias, Mewtwo, HO-OH, Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia.
ONLY 1 Pokemon can be used from this list: Heatran, Cressalia, Raiku, Entie, Suicune, Regigias, Regice, Rgirock, Registeel, Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno, Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie.
Since all Pokemon have been released by Nintendo by method of Wi-Fi events or at a venue, the person running the tournament can check for Pokemon's legitimacy to be used in the tournment.
Setting the required battle level at 100 should be the flat requirment. I suggest this because the Pokemon level being 100 makes it easier to keep the cartrige options more availlable to those who do not have the "newest" game yet.
Banning hold items should be kept to a minimum, such as Soul Dew. Most hold items that give a specific Pokemon a greater advantage should be banned. Light ball should not be held by Pikachu, and the two orbs held by Palkia/Dialga should be banned. Rayquazza has an orb that can be held, it too should be banned. These hold items should only be banned if they are held by the Pokemon that Benefits that peticular Pokemon.
A simple hold item ban list should be: Soul Dew, leftovers on Wobbafett, Pikachu holding a light ball, Dialga/Palkia holding their orbs,and Rayquazza holding his orb.
Moves should not be banned but restricted in it's use if it creates a clause that locks your opponent down too much, like Dark void. It can cause the battle to be long and drawn out.
A simple clause for moves should be: Dark void can not be used when your opponant has two Pokemon on the field. Explosion can not be used whe you and your opponant have one only 1 remianing Pokemon on the field and in your party.
I suggest double battle stye format. The battles run quicker, and the competition level is a bit more balenced out. It also makes for the battles to be more fun, and combos to be used more effectivly.
Requiring that palyers have a minimum of 4 Pokies in their party is best. Allowing a player to register 6 Pokies in their party is a good option, using 4 and having the option to switch up if they continue to advance in the tournament is a great way to keep the player at a happy medium.
So- in all- this is my suggested tournament format for Play Pokemon events in the VG department.
Thoughts? Suggestions? ideas? Comments?