New DoM Ward: Alpha Testing Tournament

[Neo Eternity]

Greetings, Duel of Magic patrons!

We have been hard at work on a new governing spell for the Duel of Magic ward. You know, that spell in the ward that is to blame for why your super powerful spell A fizzles, or your other super powerful spell B comes out weaker or does something it's not supposed to. It's also the spell responsible for keeping lower-ranked duelists from using spells beyond their means, or at least what the rankings decide those means are.

While Duel of Magic was intended strictly as a test of spell-wielding skill, which is why the most powerful of magi can duel safely with fledgling spell-slingers, we have decided to bring power into the equation, as timely and advantageous use of extra power is also part of skillful magic combat. The new ward will allow duelists to tap into their reserves of power and focus them into their spells. The callers will be trained to recognize this, and all successful focused spells will receive an extra half point, regardless of whether it's an offensive or defensive spell, similarly to how expertise in defensive maneuvers can turn a half point into a full point in Swords. Conversely, we have also decided that limiting the spell options of lower-ranked duelists is severely limiting their potential; this restriction will be lifted.

These changes aren't yet officially incorporated; we will be testing these new changes in two tournaments to make sure they work as well as we think they will.

The first is the one that this post is here to announce. It will take place on Monday, June 13th at 9:00 PM RST. It will be a single elimination tournament. The first place winner will receive two of the good old Tornadoes in Jars, and the second place winner will receive one. In addition, the first place winner will receive 5000 nobles, the second place winner 3000 nobles, and the third place winner 2000 nobles. But the tournament will not be the end of testing for the night; if you're eliminated, you may continue to fight practice duels to test out the new ward. The more testing, the better. But no duels fought on this night will count toward the standings. Mur will be officiating. Seeding here will actually be based on pre-registration. Duelists will fight at rank for this tournament.

The second tournament will be the All-Ranks Tournament, which will take place on Wednesday, June 22nd. Everything will go as usual for the tournament; duelists will fight at Wizard rank, but we will be using the new ward, and thus duelists will be able to focus their spells. There will be no practice dueling during or after this tournament.

If we like the way these changes look, we will allow the new ward to be used during regular dueling for further testing, if both duelists and the caller on duty agree to it. And if the public testing goes well, the new ward will become the permanent ward for Duel of Magic.

Please post your pre-registrations as replies to this thread.

EDIT 6/2: To reflect new details thanks to Mur.

((For OOC details on what's going on here, see the appropriate thread in DoM OOC: DoM4 Playtesting and Finalization Plans))

[MurOllavan]

I will be available to call next Monday. I will also pitch in a prize pool of 10000 nobles of profit from my new gnomish industry. 5k will go to the winner, 3k to second and 2k to first.

I hope many show up and ensure that Neo's new incantation is safe, as he is not apt with the magical arts.

[Neo Eternity]

First Mur acknowledges that a woman is a worthy Overlord, then he donates a rather large prize pool to a testing tournament. Do my eyes deceive me, or could strands of goodness actually be creeping into that hate-filled heart? Talk about some high hopes...

But in all seriousness, thanks for calling it, and thanks for the donation.

[Rachael Blackthorne]

I will enter this tournament.

[Sarah]

I'm in!

[Shadowlord]

I will participate.

~Shadow

[Lem DeAngelo]

Sign me up.

[Neo Eternity]

I suppose I should register too.

[Michiko]

((Change of mind... but *I* will be there.))

[Ahni]

Ooh ooh! I will participate!

[Angelica Rose]

I will be representing the institute.

I need to update the curriculum too as the student instructor.

[Vinny]

I feel that as Archmage, I should attend this shindig and procede to make mockeries of you all, stealing first, second, and third prize. Anyone who has objections to this can take it up with me in the ring.

[Kersh Caliber]

At his request, I will be fighting in Neo's place for the tournament. I am not yet reinstated, but he would like me to fight at my previous rank of Enchanter if there are no objections.

Proof of previous rank can be found on the 5/17 standings.

[MurOllavan]

I officiated this new Ward tournament for testing purposes. Seven combatants took part in this thaumaturgical quest for tornadoes in a jar. The seeding was: Rachael Wynter, Sarah Matthews, Lem DeAngelo, Ahni, Angelica Rose, Vinny and Kersh Caliber.

Round one saw Ahni overtake Angelica 5-4, Sarah lost to Kersh 5-3 and Vinny won his match against Lem 5-1!

Round two saw first seed and round one bye Rachael defeat Ahni 5-3 while Kersh upset the archmage 5-2!

The bronze matchup for third saw Ahni fight valiantly against Vinny only to lose a close one, 5-4. Vinny won third place!

The finals saw Rachael Wynter enter the ring against Kersh Caliber. Once again Kersh won by a decent margin, defeating Rachael 5-2 for the win!

1. Supreme Champion: Kersh Caliber!
.....Two tornadoes and 5000 nobles!
2. Worthy Adversary: Rachael Wynter!
.....One tornado and 3000 nobles!
3. Maybe Next Time: Vincent Smith!
.....2000 nobles!

::Mur's bracket follows::
http://challonge.com/images/brackets/DoM.png