So, rumor has it that a possible format alteration is being considered due to the soldier theme being so dominant in the current format. Some of the possible changes that were discussed were...

A) Banning HoT Cap
B) Banning the Asgard map
C) Banning HoT Cap on the Asgard map
D) Allowing Galactic Gaurdians and making it so you have to use figs from two of these sets... IH:FF, FF Starter, and GG:GF.


My thoughts about each of these options...

A) poor choice. It negates a single power piece, but there are others (we'd simply see War Machine on every team most likely).
B) I'm not in favor of banning stuff. The Asgard map may very well help some other teams but you're hurting those by banning a single map. Besides, there's still the Park.
C) The worst of the 4. Now you're just making things more complicated than they already are.
D) The best of the 4. No, it doesn't bring any other theme teams in, but let's look at the GG figs:

• Drax... gives the brutes another option
• Dr. strange... definitly handy against Cap teams with his SP. Doesn't help with any theme teams, but still...
• Super-Skrull... would just make me wish that generics weren't also highlander'ed
• Skrull Assassin... see Super-Skrull. The spy keyword allows you a 309 point team... sadly, not enough (and it's a poor team of IC generics largely).

So, Doc Strange alone is enough of a detrement to range heavy teams (including soldier teams) that it may be enough to make a difference in people's choices. Drax adds some heavy damage dealing (with EW) that a brute team might stand a chance. A non-theme of close combat figs backed up by Doc Strange means that they might just be able to get close enough to a heavy ranged team to actually do some damage.

As much as I'd like to see those changes, I don't think it's gonna happen man. Heck, I'd be thrilled to back it down to a no-range event. You'd see Starter Thing everywhere, but it would make what you do with the other 300 points matter a lot more.

Problem is GG is not guaranteed

The 4 I listed were sold as preview figs.

Not widely available and therefore a detriment to new players. Everything else is possible to get.

No plans on banning Cap. GG GF and any other set will be only be reconsidered as an add on if they release a new set or figures before or during league play. Something we had always planned on.

Also the park map is much easier to deal with than Asgardian.

Hope that dispells your rumors.

So that leaves banning the Asgard map?

And I'd still take soldiers on the Park over most other teams.

Part of the goal for this league it to bring new players in a create a good first experience for them. To allow GG would just be wrong, since they have no access to it and it puts them at a disadvantage. It's all about the Marvel items currently being sold in the Store. If GG simul-launches this week, then it might be more of an option, but it creates a barrier to entry that might still be too high for what I consider an "intro league". There isn't a hard & fast number of what is an acceptable barrier to entry; but my gut tells me that $20 is the max someone should need to spend to be competitive with 80% of the teams being played. Howard is the league director though; so he has the final say.

no access?
what about the fact that GG figs are way cheaper in AH than war machine? which almost no new players have access too due the extreme prices, nothing is gonna make it easier for new ppl. they're screwed anyway you slice this bread, the way i see it.

They me cheaper at ths moment but were to allow GG then they would not be the case. Also I do no think you realize how many players that do not have these figures are out there. There isnt enough in the AH to support them. All that would happen is they would become scarce and expensive.
Not going to budge on this one but I do hope that they become available very soon online.

the price prolly would go up on those figs but at least u'd outfit some peeps. Its really the same w/ ppl that don't have Cap, i'm sure his price has gone up quite a bit

Thats totally fine that don't wanna add those figs now, the decision is up to you. (super glad i'm not in charge) I'm just sayin stop all the "Think of the new people!!!" talk. cuz they ARE screwed if they don't have cap and War M at this point in the League.

I know people who bought multiple GG singles in the hopes of reselling it just in the event something like this came up. It's just not fair unless there was some sort of agreement that they wouldn't resold on the AH for any more then what they were bought for (and I don't trust anyone would agree to that ... or there would be enough supply). LOL! Let's just wait and see if there's a simul-launch for GG this week.

Agreed.

The same could be said about Cap, Thorbuster, etc, etc, etc, etc. As people are so fond of pointing out on this forum when discussion turns to rarity of figs, life isn't fair.

You know what brings in new players? Great, cheap options that allow them to have fun.
This league isn't really that.

A) Having to have access to all the four different qualifying sets is a harsh detriment. If you want to say no HoT figs, then do so. Why the need for all the other limits? having to play IH:FF sucks - I don't need the figs, I don't want to buy the set. So I'm out, just because of that?

B) As Hair has been pointing out, it's going to be a TON of the same teams and that's simply not fun to play AGAINST. Maybe some people like playing HoT Cap 25 times in row. I think that sucks.

C) I've been in HCO since beta and I love Marvel. I have IC figs, HoT figs, GG... why can't people just play what they have and let new players come in to play?

If you really believe in helping new players enjoy the experience, GIFT them figs, just like we do with the real game. Take all those dupes and stuff and give em away with the hopes that someone likes them and will use them.

That makes sense to me (if the goal is new players).

So if they(GG: GF) do become available to everyone, are they going to be allowed in the league?


Whilst at work i was thinking of actual "newb benefiting" league rules. i thought of one we did when back when i used to play IRL. back then there were only REV U 's so we said ok, only REV's are allowed. So i guess for something similar nowadays i'd go with IC REV's and CUR set from HoT. then just ban the rest. 98% of those figs are under 30CB's in AH. still the best one with those restrictions still might be Cap from HoT but it gives u way more options to choose from.....

k anyway i know thats not gonna happen but i just had to throw it out there.

All discussion/arguing aside i truly am glad this thing is goin down.