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2011-02-14 13:26:51
45 votes, rating 4.7
45 votes, rating 4.7
Why I prefer The Box
This was posted by me in the forum, but i will blog it so that people can know why i prefer Box to Ranked. Saves me having to explain.
Most people play in the Box for two reasons. One being the ease and speed of getting games. The other is the fact that it is a completely level playing field. We know exactly what the rules are, for there is a rulebook telling us what they are. We know exactly what the skills do, for they are explained in the very same rulebook.
You may think this is the same for the whole site, but you are wrong. Every other divisions has a subset of rules some of which are not very obvious. For example, as Shadow (probably rightly) says, that original team will struggle to find games in ranked. (thiswas relating to one of those power builds at TV1400ish with 6 claw/mb/piling on players and nothing else) Why? Is it because it doesn't follow the rules laid out in the manual? No! It is because it doesn't follow the rules that a lot of other players within ranked play by.
"But where are these rules?" I hear you ask. They are in the same place as those that say if you pick a certain skill you automatically rule yourself out of other games, or if you foul you cut down even more the number of players you can play. Stall? I don't think so, not if you want to play everyone. Even in stunty, acadamey and League (although at least in League the rules are normally spelt out for you) there are extra rules to play by, unless you are happy being limited to who you can play against.
In the Box the rules are simple and straight forward. If it is in the rulebook (and the client) it is allowed. Want to T16 foul to relieve frustration go ahead, be my guest. Want to build an entire dp team, don't let me stop you. Of course the downside to this is that the Box gets quickly full of the sorts of teams that aren't welcome anywhere else, but you know what? I really don't care. I welcome them with open arms. Personally i don't like using these teams, but who am I to tell people they can't? It is in the rules!
This pretty much sums up why i prefer Box to Ranked. It is not about Cherry Picking, it is about a level playing field.
Most people play in the Box for two reasons. One being the ease and speed of getting games. The other is the fact that it is a completely level playing field. We know exactly what the rules are, for there is a rulebook telling us what they are. We know exactly what the skills do, for they are explained in the very same rulebook.
You may think this is the same for the whole site, but you are wrong. Every other divisions has a subset of rules some of which are not very obvious. For example, as Shadow (probably rightly) says, that original team will struggle to find games in ranked. (thiswas relating to one of those power builds at TV1400ish with 6 claw/mb/piling on players and nothing else) Why? Is it because it doesn't follow the rules laid out in the manual? No! It is because it doesn't follow the rules that a lot of other players within ranked play by.
"But where are these rules?" I hear you ask. They are in the same place as those that say if you pick a certain skill you automatically rule yourself out of other games, or if you foul you cut down even more the number of players you can play. Stall? I don't think so, not if you want to play everyone. Even in stunty, acadamey and League (although at least in League the rules are normally spelt out for you) there are extra rules to play by, unless you are happy being limited to who you can play against.
In the Box the rules are simple and straight forward. If it is in the rulebook (and the client) it is allowed. Want to T16 foul to relieve frustration go ahead, be my guest. Want to build an entire dp team, don't let me stop you. Of course the downside to this is that the Box gets quickly full of the sorts of teams that aren't welcome anywhere else, but you know what? I really don't care. I welcome them with open arms. Personally i don't like using these teams, but who am I to tell people they can't? It is in the rules!
This pretty much sums up why i prefer Box to Ranked. It is not about Cherry Picking, it is about a level playing field.
Comments
Posted by Garion on 2011-02-14 13:31:38
I love the Box too. And I hope your comment puts an end to that thread :)
Posted by studmandudebro on 2011-02-14 13:34:41
:)
Posted by Rabe on 2011-02-14 14:15:27
In ranked I play strange, eflballing dwarves which is totally fine since I get games quite easily (never has been a problem with that team) and my players are not dying as fast as they might in the box. Perfectly suited for my my storytelling pixel-hugger side!
I love the box for getting games and for being able to play more brutal teams and aiming for casualties without a bad conscience (I know, it's not needed in ranked either, but I can't stop it to happen). But I also play other teams there. I believe I'd start almost every new team in the box from now on, except for some rare beloved fun teams maybe.
I guess it's for the reason you explained: Rulebook and client define what's possible and allowed. And it's only them!
I love the box for getting games and for being able to play more brutal teams and aiming for casualties without a bad conscience (I know, it's not needed in ranked either, but I can't stop it to happen). But I also play other teams there. I believe I'd start almost every new team in the box from now on, except for some rare beloved fun teams maybe.
I guess it's for the reason you explained: Rulebook and client define what's possible and allowed. And it's only them!
Posted by Gotte on 2011-02-14 14:54:32
I agree with this post. I am really happy to see that most players are still playing box games instead of ranked.
Posted by maysrill on 2011-02-14 15:22:30
Box is good for a quick, competitive game with little work. It's not even hard getting a game at off-peak times now (though I still see "not enough coaches" pop up later at night in the US).
Personally, I get the most fun match-ups in Ranked, and I think with a little work I get better-matched games than the scheduler picks out. Plus, I get to pick my opponent, and bias it toward people I know are fun to play against.
If I see (to pull two names out of my Whitelist) Arktoris or The_Provocateur looking for a game, I'll just try to find something "close enough" to get a game. I know it will be fun regardless of the final outcome.
Box games may turn out fun, may be very competitive, but there isn't as much "7th meeting of SuperTeamA and AncientTeamB", and you're just as likely to get a match with JoeSilentNoGrats or BobTheAntisocialSpiteFouler. It's like free OnDemand cable movies. It's quick and easy, but the selection's much more sketchy ;)
Personally, I get the most fun match-ups in Ranked, and I think with a little work I get better-matched games than the scheduler picks out. Plus, I get to pick my opponent, and bias it toward people I know are fun to play against.
If I see (to pull two names out of my Whitelist) Arktoris or The_Provocateur looking for a game, I'll just try to find something "close enough" to get a game. I know it will be fun regardless of the final outcome.
Box games may turn out fun, may be very competitive, but there isn't as much "7th meeting of SuperTeamA and AncientTeamB", and you're just as likely to get a match with JoeSilentNoGrats or BobTheAntisocialSpiteFouler. It's like free OnDemand cable movies. It's quick and easy, but the selection's much more sketchy ;)
Posted by maznaz on 2011-02-14 15:48:16
very good post
Posted by Calcium on 2011-02-14 15:48:29
Couldn't agree more. As I make perfectly clear on every one of my teams bio, I don't concern myself with how any coach plays, and I in turn don't care about anyone else's playstyle. It's all good. And it's early days but it's good to see the box still maintaining some sort of playerbase.
NUFFLE on the other hand is a git. I want to kill him/her/it...
NUFFLE on the other hand is a git. I want to kill him/her/it...
Posted by Cloggy on 2011-02-14 16:31:12
Good onya. Play where you enjoy the game the most.
I'd say the box have improved a lot with the introduction of the new client and that the matchups are nicely quick and just fine in terms of fairness. So have fun!
Now if we can all PLEASE stop the entire comparison debate, that would be very nice indeed.
Unless of course someone still has an original thought or new argument to bring into it, but as well worded as this one is, even it isn't new by a long stretch.
I'd say the box have improved a lot with the introduction of the new client and that the matchups are nicely quick and just fine in terms of fairness. So have fun!
Now if we can all PLEASE stop the entire comparison debate, that would be very nice indeed.
Unless of course someone still has an original thought or new argument to bring into it, but as well worded as this one is, even it isn't new by a long stretch.
Posted by Balle2000 on 2011-02-14 17:21:30
Word freak_in_a_frock! Lower head, charge on.
Posted by Mr_Foulscumm on 2011-02-14 17:47:11
I agree with Cloggy.
Posted by Cavetroll on 2011-02-14 19:58:23
I agree with Calcium - NUFFLE is a git.
Posted by The_Murker on 2011-02-14 20:28:36
Why do people ask other people to stop blogging in their blogs?
Posted by Nightbird on 2011-02-14 20:55:26
+1 Cloggy
Posted by duttydave on 2011-02-14 23:43:32
Quite simply I like the ease of getting games in Blackbox. In Ranked, I don't enjoy sitting on Gamefinder for half the evening getting an endless stream of "No Thx" replies despite offering fair match-ups. I know not all Ranked coaches are like that but I've encountered enough that are to make me prefer Box.
Posted by PurpleChest on 2011-02-14 23:43:58
I'm afraid i dissagree with a many a point you make, but rated it highly as its always nice to see someone find what they think is their ideal gaming enviroment. I hope your judgement of the playing field remains as level as you percieve it to be right now for many years to come.
Posted by freak_in_a_frock on 2011-02-15 00:44:52
It will always remain level, whether it remains fair is to be seen :) As long as everyone has the same chances of building a team in a certain way as everyone else it will always be level.
Posted by pythrr on 2011-02-15 01:57:47
po-tay-to!