User blog:RA2/Rankdown Series 3 Discussion & Questions

Note: This is a discussion thread, signups won't be open until the Series 3 Rankdown blog post opens. This time, there will be no priorities, people who played before may play again. There will be 10 players, meaning 9 open slots. Before we start, this post is to iron out the kinks, and address any questions people might have about this new format

Format
We will be using a new format this time around. Previously we were using the “Follow the Leader” format, this time, we’ll be using the “Pick-n-Mix” format. In this game, rather than one player nominating a pool and the rest cutting from it, players will instead fill the pool one by one.

In round 1, you may cut any robot in the entire population. You will then nominate one other robot, whom you believe should get cut ASAP, to go into the pool. You can’t cut or nom a robot that’s already been cut or nommed. In round 2 and beyond, players will cut a robot in the pool, then add another. Here’s an example of the flow. The example has 5 players, our game will have more:

Round 1:
 * Player 1: Cuts any one robot and explains why, nominates one other robot for the pool (no explanation needed for the nomination).
 * Player 2: Same, with any robots not cut or nominated yet
 * Player 3: Same, with any robots not cut or nominated yet
 * Player 4: Same, with any robots not cut or nominated yet
 * Player 5: Same, with any robots not cut or nominated yet. Lists out all the nominated robots for the benefit of the next player (note: Player order does not rotate, if you're player 5, you will always be player 5.  All players have equal levels of involvement, so don't worry about that.)

Round 2 and beyond'
 * Player 1: Cuts one of the 5 robots in the pool, and explains why. Nominates one other robot for the pool (no explanation needed).  Lists out all the nominated robots for the benefit of the next player.
 * Players 2-5: Same

This will continue for 12 rounds. After that, players will rank the surviving robots, and the averages will determine final rankings.

The Doom Dial
To make things more interesting, I’m introducing the Doom Dial, your choice of a special power. Each player may press the Doom Dial once to access one of the following effects:


 * Pit: Negate the most recent cut and remove the robot in question from the pool. The robot gets immunity for one full cycle (ie cannot be nominated until after the player you interrupted finishes his/her next turn).  It’s on you to play this in time to catch the robot you want, if it’s not the most recent, it can’t be Pitted.


 * Rogue House Robot: on your turn, you may cut a robot that’s not in the pool. You will not nominate on the round you use this. You may not cut any robot that has immunity.  This cut cannot be negated by the Pit.


 * Fog Of War: On your turn, instead of cutting/nominating, replace the entire pool with a new set. You may not pick any robot that has immunity.

The Doom Dial will be available from Rounds 2-11. You are not obligated to use the Doom Dial. To reiterate, you each get one button press, NOT one of each power.

Robots to be included/excluded
Included: All Series 3 main competitiors, and World Championship competitors

Excluded:
 * Non-Heavyweights
 * Soccer & Pinball-only competitors
 * Walkers
 * Mauler
 * Max Damage
 * Vector
 * Are there any other robots that should be excluded, for being dead-on-arrival or otherwise?

Questions?
Any other questions?