Variant Squad Building League
=======================
Building squads according to unusual restrictions/rules is always interesting, but we seldom see the results of what would happen if the squads actually met in a game. That will hopefully change with this league. For this league, we need both GAME PLAYERS and SQUAD DESIGNERS. You may participate in either or both of these roles. At the end of the league there will be a TOP DESIGNER, TOP PLAYER, and LEAGUE WINNER (the latter of which will be a combination of designing/playing).

In order to better evaluate the design of a squad (and not just the skill of the player using the squad), the league rules are designed so that squads are played by multiple players.


PARTICIPATION:
Play whenever you can. No commitment necessary. The number of players may be capped if it gets to be too many people, but I don't anticipate that happening. I'm hoping for anywhere between 6 and 20 participants. Reply to this thread to express interest in playing. It's not required, but if the league does get too crowded, this will secure your place. Additionally, if people see your name here they'll know they can contact you for a game if they're looking for one.


DURATION OF LEAGUE:
I will post six squad-building challenges over the course of the next 2-3 months.


SCHEDULE:
Challenges will be run one at a time and each one will approximately follow this schedule:
1. Challenge given.
2. Between one and three days to build and post a squad. You may make changes to your squad during this time.
3. Between one and two weeks to play games using the squads.


WINNING:

You win the league by earning points. Points are awarded for (1) creating squads, (2) having squads that others like enough to select for use in a game, (3) having squads that are strong enough to win games, (4) playing games, and (5) winning games. The first three categories earn "design points". The second two categories earn "player points". Details below.


DETAILED RULES:

1. CHALLENGE: The challenge will be clearly marked in the BlooMilk squad building discussion forum. The challenge will specify the schedule, squad building restrictions, and the rules/goals of the game to be played. The rules may just be a standard game or may be a symmetric scenario.

2. POST A SQUAD: Post a squad as a reply to the thread before the deadline is reached. Each person can submit only one squad. Posting a squad earns 5 design points in the standings.

3. PLAY GAMES: During the week, you can play up to THREE official games, subject to these rules:

* You may choose your opponent freely and schedule games at the convenience of both players. Presumably, most games will be on Vassal but you can play in person if you live near another participant in the league.

* Each game will be played according to the rules of the challenge.

* Each game will ONLY use squads that have been posted to the challenge thread.

* During the FIRST game you play for each challenge, you MUST select and use SOMEONE ELSE'S SQUAD, not your own. By choosing someone else's squad you are effectively 'voting' for the squad and they will receive points for you choosing their squad. Effectively, there are four people involved in a game: two players and two squad designers.

* If you play two or three games during the challenge, you must select a different squad for each game. This ensures that fewer squads go unused.

* If you play two or three games during the challenge, you may use your own squad after the first game, but you do not earn design points for choosing your own squad.

* Squad designers may not play a game against their own squads. So when selecting a squad, if your opponent designed a squad do not select it.

* Both players report the results in the forum. The following information is needed: PLAYER 1, SQUAD DESIGNER FOR PLAYER 1, PLAYER 2, SQUAD DESIGNER FOR PLAYER 2, WINNER. A write-up and opinions on the squads is welcome but not required.

* Although I can't really enforce it, when you select a squad to use in a game you should do so based on your opinion of the squad - what's interesting and/or looks strong to you. Don't base your decision on outside criteria such as avoiding the squad designed by the current league leader, or "trading" with other players by saying, "I'll pick your squad if you pick mine."


Based on the results of each game, points are awarded:

Each SQUAD DESIGNER gets 2 design points for having their squad selected for play. (Not applicable if a player selects their own squad.)
The winning SQUAD DESIGNER gets 3 additional design points. (Not applicable if a player selects their own squad.)

Each PLAYER gets 2 player points for playing a game.
The winning PLAYER gets 3 additional player points.

(Another way to think of this is that the winners - both player and designer - get 5 points each and the losers - both player and designer - get 2 points each. If no one selects your squad, you get 0 points.)

LEAGUE WINNER: Participant with the most total points at the end
TOP DESIGNER: Participant with the most design points
TOP PLAYER: Participant with the most player points

when will this start??

Sounds like fun. Hope it goes well!

Aye, would there be any chance of posting squads up for designer points, but not taking part? Sound strange, but chances are if it's over in the US, I won't be able to take part anyways.

i'm in on the design part for sure, not positive about the playing yet

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

You can then still give points to people who do play.

I would suggest organising one game per person per week and that is organised by matching them to a local timezone player (or near as), if people wish to play more that is up to them