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Considering a map pick phase for competitive GOIO

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Urz:
Given the long stagnation of the competitive GOIO scene, and lack of support from Muse in providing client functionality to help bolster the integrity of competitive matches: it seems like a good time to try some new stuff.

The maps in this game vary widely from each other and have properties which favor certain ships, playstyles, or teams. The completely random map roll can play a significant role in the outcome of a match, particularly in the "best of one" set format that's currently used.

In addition: there are specific maps which overwhelmingly produce boring matches, and we could certainly use less of those.


What I am proposing is for the first game of a set to start with a map pick phase based on a pool of five maps. Starting with the five maps deemed most suitable for competitive play, the team captains take turns removing maps from the pool until one is left. For subsequent games within a set, the loser of the previous game would get to choose whichever map they wanted from the full pool.

This leads to fewer matches being decided by the random rolls, more games being played on "neutral" maps, and making matches closer overall.


Thoughts?

Urz:
To further illustrate the point, here is (roughly) how I see the maps from a balance perspective. Below, I've ordered the maps from the "most open" to "most closed", based on size and terrain composition.

---- open ----
Battle on the Dunes
Fight over Firnfeld
Water Hazard
Northern Fjords
--- neutral ---
Clash at Blackcliff
Paritan Rumble
--- neutral ---
Canyon Ambush
Duel at Dawn
---- closed ----

So using this list as an example: Dunes, Firnfeld, and Duel are the least neutral maps and would be removed from the starter map pool

Squidslinger Gilder:
A competitive event without Dunes or Duel...

GurasOguras:

--- Quote from: Urz on December 29, 2016, 08:22:32 pm ---To further illustrate the point, here is (roughly) how I see the maps from a balance perspective. Below, I've ordered the maps from the "most open" to "most closed", based on size and terrain composition.

---- open ----
Battle on the Dunes
Fight over Firnfeld
Water Hazard
Northern Fjords
--- neutral ---
Clash at Blackcliff
Paritan Rumble
--- neutral ---
Canyon Ambush
Duel at Dawn
---- closed ----

So using this list as an example: Dunes, Firnfeld, and Duel are the least neutral maps and would be removed from the starter map pool

--- End quote ---

I disagree a lot with the list you provided here. Canyons are the most balanced for both long and close range, while for every single Blackcliff match double mobula is the answer.
I may be biased a lot with my T.Pr style heavily focused on splitting and close engagements, but Blackcliff and Duel were our least favorite maps due to the difficulty for the performance of such actions. Every single time it's always better to 2 mobulas, which is something I hate current meta for.

Blackcliff is definitely not a neutral map - it's favoring galleons or mobulas a lot. Canyon has an open area to the south allowing the blue team to camp at their spawn and deny the opponent's approach. Red spawn is more clouded but has a similar utility if a team chooses to play like so. Dunes are more close range oriented as it is possible to split very wide and use a lot of clouds and terrain to shift your approach angle. Paritan has only one camping spot for mid-long range which is almost never used but the amount of buildings and terrain heavily favor close range combat almost exclusively. Duel provides two ribs at each spawn allowing for medium range ships to take a decent cover. As a close range brawling player, I hate Duel for some reason. Probably because I was being countered with mine and artemis based builds every single time playing there. The central area is also pretty open and it is difficult to sneak into your opponent's spawn without your approach being denied or at least noticed. Fjords are balanced for both close range and cancerous mobulas. On Water Hazard, my team was surprisingly successful with performing a lot of flanking maneuvers as long range ships don't have many good covers.

Map size is a very little factor.

My list would look more like:
---- open ----
Fight over Firnfeld
Clash at Blackcliff
Battle on the Dunes
--- neutral ---
Northern Fjords
Water Hazard
Canyon Ambush
--- neutral ---
Duel at Dawn
Paritan Rumble
---- closed ----

Urz:
As much as I would love to debate the ordering of the example list I hastily threw together, I think it's prudent to first determine if a map picking phase is even wanted.

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