[MR] WoW points

[Duane Moore]

--- On Tue, 10/13/09, David Ritterskamp <jonnyb70 at hotmail.com> wrote:

> From: David Ritterskamp <jonnyb70 at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [MR] WoW points
> To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
> Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 3:46 PM
> 
> Unless I'm badly mistaken, the scoring system in place at
> WOW is no different from that used at Gulf Wars or
> Pennsic.

It's actually quite different, since _usually_ the war points at Pennsic don't involve popularity contests for say, Aethelmarc, where the War is held. I agree with the other poster that the rules for some of the other 'points' could have been explained better. When we checked into troll we were given some tokens to 'vote' for our side. When we asked how and where to do that, we were told "I don't know.." so we just threw those tokens away. Regardless, any 'competition' that relies on a population of those that simply show up is going to be skewed in favor of wherever the event is held. 

Personally I think it would be better to simplify the points used (if they have to be used at all) to simply things that are competitions with clear winners like this:

Five Point System:

Armoured Fighting (have as many battles as you want but make them an uneven number so that you arrive at a clear winner.) (1 pt)
Fencing (1 pt)
Archery/Thrown Weapons: (1 pt)
Youth Armoured/Rapier: (1 pt) (I'd even go so far to say that these should be incorporated in the the armoured and rapier points to further simplify, but you'd have to add one more 'point' to get to five points overall then.)
A&S  (1pt and judged on quality, not quantity of the entries because again that gives the 'home team' an advantage.)

Being completely honest there has been a weird funk about this event from the get go that has colored a lot of folks perception about it. I'm a very competitive person but it has seemed that from the very start things have been set up, either on purpose or by accident, so that Sacred Stone simply can't loose this war. This isn't just my opinion, i've have it repeated to me time and again for the last four years by folks from around the kingdom and I know some folks have indeed decided not to come down because of all the hassle involved. This perception always makes me personally think about whiether it is worth the five hour drive from Richmond, to camp out in a field in October (wasn't the weather, AMAZING this year? wow!). I've had a good time at the event, and this year was a lot better than last year, but i'm still not sold on it to be honest. On the other hand, certainly a lot of folks do come to the event, and that number is growing. 

As a fighter it is hard for me to get our troops too excited about a 'war' where all our blood, sweat, and effort will be cancelled out by popularity contests, and I know that I have worked very hard to get folks excited about this event for the last couple of years from the Central Region, because I love mellee events and the bonding that can occur there.

One thing I know that turns me off are the endless updates, bickering, crowing and such about points after the event is over. I know folks want to know who 'won' ...that is natural, but hey here we are several days afterwards burning up the Interwub about points...seems like wasted efforts to me!

Hey, here is another thing...the portajohn servicing was awesome. I'd suggest a few more pots though, some of the ones down the road from us, got er....a lot of use. Yuck.

Regards, 
byram