Nope.
These were the most competitive and unpredictable quarter-finals I’ve seen in a very long time.
These were the most competitive and unpredictable quarter-finals I’ve seen in a very long time.
Best 1v1 tournament for whom?
For some players, yes.
For some players, no.
For some viewers, yes.
For some viewers, no.
As I said in another thread, I'm fairly new to following the competitive scene. However, what I can say is that I honestly haven't felt really excited for this tournament for some reason, at least not in the same way I felt with Battle of Africa 2, which was just fantastic all around. I think part of what I don't like is that some map generations are so unfair that with evenly matched opponents you just know from the beginning who's going to win. Some maps today left players with almost no chance to win at all.
5 years? How about 15 years? Insane games and come on, if someone predict you this bracket we have now, you would have called them crazy 1111
Fair but then again you forget how in so many games the better player won even having way worse map.As I said in another thread, I'm fairly new to following the competitive scene. However, what I can say is that I honestly haven't felt really excited for this tournament for some reason, at least not in the same way I felt with Battle of Africa 2, which was just fantastic all around. I think part of what I don't like is that some map generations are so unfair that with evenly matched opponents you just know from the beginning who's going to win. Some maps today left players with almost no chance to win at all.
It's definitely my favorite 1v1 tourney since DE. Super exciting to watch. The tension is insane. It explains perfectly why arabia is THE map in AoE2. Many more viable civs, balanced resource distribution, balanced gameplay and action at most ages, healthy but not excessive amount of cheese.
In some way it is sad because the game design doesn't allow many other maps to deliver nearly as good as arabia. In other open land maps the resource distribution gives some civs way stronger head start. High level high stake closed land maps often become camp fest. Gameplay and civ choices in hybrid maps are much more restrictive. Water maps are simply much more boring. I recall the early stages of NAC3 and HC3 were super fun and refreshing to watch. But they kinda fell off substantially after RO8, when the meta of each map was figured out.
Just personal preference though. Nothing to take away from Nili, T90 and Memb, who are all equally superb tourney organizers.
I dont think it is super diverse. Its basically the same civs all over again.It's definitely my favorite 1v1 tourney since DE. Super exciting to watch. The tension is insane. It explains perfectly why arabia is THE map in AoE2. Many more viable civs, balanced resource distribution, balanced gameplay and action at most ages, healthy but not excessive amount of cheese.
In some way it is sad because the game design doesn't allow many other maps to deliver nearly as good as arabia. In other open land maps the resource distribution gives some civs way stronger head start. High level high stake closed land maps often become camp fest. Gameplay and civ choices in hybrid maps are much more restrictive. Water maps are simply much more boring. I recall the early stages of NAC3 and HC3 were super fun and refreshing to watch. But they kinda fell off substantially after RO8, when the meta of each map was figured out.
Just personal preference though. Nothing to take away from Nili, T90 and Memb, who are all equally superb tourney organizers.
Called itI think this will be the best KotD so far, it couldn't be at a better time. The title for 1st place is quite up in the air, so hopefully this tournament will clear up if TheViper still is the best on the most conventional settings or if the Red Bull tournaments were just an anomaly. Meanwhile Hera, Yo and Liereyy had good performances in the Red Bull tournament, but can they do the same here?
And outside the top 4 there's a lot of competition as well: MbL hasn't really played up to his standard lately, but can he turn the tide? Nicov seems solid, but lately always meets a very tough opponent in the first rounds, so will he finally get a chance to prove himself? And will Capoch continue his resurgence with a solid performance?
Of course we still have to wait and see how the games turn out, but this tournament has all the signs of being one for the history books.
I dont think it is super diverse. Its basically the same civs all over again.
How many civs are played in more than 40% of series ? 7
How many civs are played in more than 20% of series ? 12
Civs picked in a bo5 = 12
So we praise, that players rotate between their 12 civs and call that diversity ?
We had Franks Lithuanians thrice this weekend as opening match of a series.
Clown Cup 3 has for the same stats: 6 and 19. Just saying, there is more in this game than just Arabia.