[Lil' Lavery]

Here's my issues with the new drafting system:
A)Doesn't the #1 deserve good picks?
Yes, your ranking has a ton to do with your schedule, but I have yet to see a #1 or #2 seed that didn't deserve to be on top. From what I hear, 25 was more or less hands down the best team in NJ. 1731 had an AMAZING bot, set the high score at the regional with 99, could play offense and defense etc.
The #1 seed worked for their spot, do they not deserve the fruits of their labor?

B)The #1 was not, and never will be, a guarantee to even survive the QF round. 447 toppled 3 #1 alliances last year as the #8 seed. I have seen countless times, where even if the #1 seed survives, they have been brutally close, gone to 3 matches, etc etc etc

C)The shallow regional depth
There are 5 Regionals (Pitt, Finger Lakes, Waterloo, Boilermaker, and Israel) with 30 or less teams. That leaves a VERY narrow pool of teams, some of which may be out of comission, for the #1 and #2 alliances to make their 2nd pick from. Numerous other regionals have between 31-34 teams.

D)Championship Depth
At each regional competition, there are always a few teams that clearly are a level above the rest. There is typically enough of these teams for them to be spread amognst 3-5 alliances and have some exciting elimination matches. At Championship, each division typically has 10-20 of this level of teams. This means a few alliance each year have a full set of 3 of these teams. But now, it is quite possible for the #1 and #2 seeded alliances to only have 1 or 2 of this caliber of team, putting them at a distinct disadvantage, especially considering the defensive gameplay shown thusfar (where if you can shut down many alliance's biggest threat, and at least hamper their 2nd biggest offensive threat, you will typically win). I agree that this is a FAR lesser issue than the depth at the smaller regionals.


I speak from expieriencing the bottom half of alliances at both off-season and regional competitions. In 2004, 116 was in the #7 alliance, we beat the #2 seed in 3 matches, but would lose in the semi-finals. At "York Summer Frenzy" 116 was in the #3 (of 4) alliances, we beat the #2 seed once again, but would lose in the finals. At "Capital Clash" 116 was in the #5 alliance, we beat the #3 seed, but would lose in the semi-finals.