Future League Rules

While the server is down seems like a good time to discuss a couple of things that bother me about League competitions these days.

I want to stress that this is NOT about tactics. I fully understand the tactical end of this.

First is the use of tags that are not readily recognizable. I feel that this detracts from the game, as a lot of the fun is knowing which player we are playing against. Many of us have been friends (or enemies ) for years while playing this game, and I feel the secret tags knock the fun factor down a few pegs.

I would like to see a rule that states you must fly a recognizable tag during League events.

Secondly, a new tactic is to fly only 6 players as GB, when perhaps both squads have more players sitting. Who wants to sit when they could be playing??? I feel that this knocks the fun factor down a few more pegs, especially for those sitting.

I would like to see a rule that states a squad flies all their players, as long as the sides are even. I am aware that the "extra" players could be kept waiting outside the arena, but the honor system would have to apply here.

Fellas, I really believe both these items are hurting our beloved game. I look forward to reading your comments, whether you agree with me or not.

Tags.... yes it would be nice to see who is who, but some squads may feel certain pilots may get targeted if thier identities are known, Tigers havn't adopted this policy and I can't see us doing so , but it isn't exactly a new one.

The tactic of 6 GB, was something we was trying to avoid with the rules on subs etc, but it's a very hard one to enforce, if a squad only wants to fly with 6 GB, all they have to do is make sure only 6 enter the arena.. I havn't reffed a game yet where both squads have had pilots sitting, but I would certainly be asking questions if the occasssion ever arose.

2 straight rules:

1.) A squad (all its pilots) must fly a recognizable (known) tag during League events.

2.) Squads have to fly with the same amount of pilots in both halves.

Unlucky for latecomers but that?s life.

I think the time has come, such rules are appropriate. Playing league matches degenerates to the ?tactical? BS of some sick brains.

Here's my opinion.

First the name tags issue. I was perfectly happy with the known name tags, but yes the two really good

pilots he have where definitely getting targeted. After seeing other squads with the unknown tags, I asked my C/O about doing a change and he reluctantly agreed to try using "unknown" tags, and it has worked to help us from having our better pilots being targeted. Being one of the newest squads with the most inexperienced pilots we need every advantage we can get.

Point of fact: these "unknown" tags are posted in the squad roster on the CLP as required. So our tags are not entirely "unknown" if one takes the time to look. I do this for before every match anyway. I do agree that it is not fun flying against unknows, but it does seem to help.

As far as the number of players showing up to fly. I would love to have all of my guys fly when the other team brings a full compliment of pilots. For the first time in the history of my squad I have actually had more pilots than needed to man every event so far. To us, it is a big accomplishment in which I am very proud of my squad. Hopefully it will continue. In the SNL Event. It was usually just me and one or two other pilots. If we had someone join our squad the same day as the event, we threw them to the wolves and they flew with us. We didn't care if there was 5 or 50 on the opposing team we where going to fly and put up a fight. WE WON'T BACK DOWN. We're just a bunch of silly Jarheads with no common sense.

JoKeR!

XO/BSS

If the best players don't want to be targeted, they shouldn't play so darned good.

If your best players are being targeted, the rest of your squad should learn to compensate for it. This will come with experience.

Anyways, that's all tactics and we are not discussing tactics, right?

Here's my thoughts,

1. There is open teams for people to play team format without tactics if they wish. Squad matches takes it up a notch and requires better tactics. The names are a tactic. It's too hard to say "you can use this tactic, but not this one". I personally don't like them either, and honestly don't know who is who on my squad, nor do I or will I try to take the time to learn them. I still have fun.

2. Using only 6 pilots or only showing 6 pilots is another tactic. This tactic is enabled by the league LM's. This was never an issue before, because the minimum used to always be 8, except for SNL, SINCE the time for this league was during a smaller time window allowing less pilots to participate.

I can deal with the names, over time everyone will learn who is who, I think the pilot tactic has to be looked at from an admin point of view that is running the league. Can most squads support at least 8 pilots? Maybe 7?

Here's my thoughts,
1. There is open teams for people to play team format without tactics if they wish. Squad matches takes it up a notch and requires better tactics.

This is a good point of view, I can second.

Nevertheless I don?t think all available ?tactics? should be allowed to use. Obviously there is a group of ?fun?- pilots and a group of ?sport?- pilots. AA - leagues are competitions like any other competitions and squads are going for the win. You are up to pay each prize for the win ? I?m not.

Where would the world coming to, if we next playing soccer with our hands, just because it is a better - and more effective tactic ?

AA -tactics should remain to the restrictions of the playing field, the pilots skill and the plane specs.

The ?tactics?we?re currently talking about, are unsporting, dirty, little tricks.

Issues:

Some squads for instance [WARSHIPS] <-- 10 Characters Alone. Can only display 12 in mid air? I personally hate alias, the ones i use outside of squad games are no secret. We had wings 8years ago? Before this was adopted as a "tactic". I'd be happy to fly Warships_madman.

Theres 2 reasons why people hide tags:

1) Avoid targetting (stupid as pilot tags NEED to be listed)

2) Use 12 characters of bullshit so no idea who you've hit. E.g [ WARSHIP ] A1

Solution: No straight forward one. I feel the second reason should be banned. Find that above and beyond tactics. For squads with long names, decide if you'd rather see the first 2 letters or 1, or just a Number or Letter.

Number Issue.

Thats disgusting tactic, if both show 6+ and another team refuses to play all, why have all those members? I've seen people "pop" in when its their GE turn either after they just done the GB half, or mysteriously have to go after the GE Half.

Solution: Make people fly if they show. Problem, people will hide outside of arenas on TS/MSN. Trying to lockdown that IF any squads tried that.

Conclusion

No game exists without problems, but hard to control them. The tag issue i pushed HARD to enforce before 2xsquad to make sure ALL pilot tags were listed, as wizard can concur. Due to issues with SNL, and previous 4xsquad, when unknown tags popped up. Not knowing who you fight is an disdavantage.

I believe all tags should be known, bar the long squad names, where upon a discussion, there needs to be a conclusion whether to use a Num/Letter and list in a suitable time period before the league, or use the full name, meaning only seeing 1-2 bits of it.

The number issue. Hard to "control". Really depends on the C/o. If your squad shows up, don't hide them, fly them.

Nevertheless I don?t think all available ?tactics? should be allowed to use.

I agree, this goes for minimum pilots, don't give them the option. Put it back at 8 and see what happens, you can always ammend the rule down to 6 afterwards if it's a problem. If the teams who are using this tactic know they have to play 8, then 8 will show, they won't risk losing games just to try to prove they only can field 6. As far as FD goes these days, we are lucky to field the minimum, twice we haven't had enough. I have notice other teams use this tactic, just look at their Teamspeak and you can see just how many they really have. I have no problem displaying a recognized tag. If your being targeted, most likely it's by more than one pilot, and if that's the case then there is more of your m8's to fight the other enemies. It's a team game, not 1 pilot wins the match.

@ Noodles, Warships have been one of the first sqauds to not play all pilots. In fact they have had them sit on US and watch and only fly minimum. Don't make comments that are deliberate lies.

Can most squads support at least 8 pilots? Maybe 7?

No and thats why we mostly flew only 6 in most of the snl matches. Only 6 showed up, either our squad had only 6 or the other squad had only 6 and to have more then that show from both squads is....well you can say not realistic. When both squads had 7 we always few 7 then, but 99% of the time it was 6 on 6 because the leage states that a squad in the match needs 6 or more to fly or its a forfeit. There has plenty of times were squads came in with only 5 and we still got it on. As far as the names go....who cares what they fly under as long as there there....I don't think its the name thing so much....its waiting on people to show and show on time is the real problem, names a name, if that person is registered and gets to see the rooms to enter, he/she can come in and fly whatever name they want....no one is going to tell a member of a squad what name they have to fly.....again to get them there is an accomplishment then to tell them what name there tag has to be? I don't think so!......yes it is a tactic and this game is how to arrange while we all have the same means of the game, try to get the advantage to win (simple) not really....but anything and everything you can do to help a squad is put into this game 100% from each squad member, and to put it simply when your a target and with the new names now there is no more target...I think it makes the game smoother....like sandman said, I have no idea whos flying next to me either but thats how everyones looking at it, no one knows whos who and who really cares? just kickin ars and winning is what matters in any type of match or event. There is squads that fly it to win and others that fly it to get better, there is also squads that fly for both, I think most squads fly to win and then once they get beat, they fly to get better as a sqaud not an individual. Change is good but some things should never be changed.