We're taking 48 cards penalty, plus 24 cards lost from Amilir's deck (which was a counter). We have taken the biggest blow of this War so far. Now, I will try to analyze what we did wrong and how not to do it again. This is probably enough to get us out of the War. It is not a reason to stop fighting, though: Life was in a similar situation last War and managed a 3rd place... and that is why I have written this. It is an attempt to start a constructive conversation on how to do better. Do not act immaturely, please, as this is fault of all of us: we are a Team and we share responsabilities.
Problems:
First problem was, we have taken the rules too lightly. People edited the posts of the Deckbuilding Phase even after the ending time, cutting out minor mistakes or sorting other things out, but this is not an Event to run lightly. We should have finished the deckbuilding far before the deadline, both times, and we never actually did.
Second problem was, we have been careless with the Vault editing and the salvaging/discarding/converting topic. It is good to remember that while everybody shall contribute, some roles have privileges that other people do not have. If the salvager starts salvaging topics, then he is the one that can edit the opening post, which is what Warmasters use as a measure. Lieutenant and General have mod powers, but Lieutenant Amilir is gone and QuantumT cannot do everything alone.
This is almost the same, but we're all far more guilty, with the Vault. The Vault can be freely edited, and not having done it means nobody (including myself and excluding Amilir for obvious reasons) was paying attention to it.
Third problem was with the ADU - or rather, with not properly using it. I'm not accusing anybody, as we all did a bad deckbuilding phase and should have checked it, so please don't feel offended by this.
Solutions:
We're going to need some brainstorming on this, but I have some suggestions. I would like to point out that this is by no means intended to offend or insult anybody, so please don't be. Nor is this supposed to be the word of an arrogant: I'm well aware that QuantumT is in charge and what I say here is just suggestions.
I'm just pointing out what, in my head, needs to be done, and why.
1) We need to reorganize roles. Some people are less active than others, and that's a fact. RL takes its toll and all, so it's not an accusation, but we need to keep the most important roles for the most active people. First, we need a new Lieutenant fast. We need somebody with mod powers to tutor over everything. Second, we need to keep the Deckbuilder, Salvager and Vault Editor roles on active people. I'm not going to say who is not or anything, that is up to the General (I have no right to criticize others from my position).
2) We need to agree on a common policy. Some mistakes are easily avoided by just creating and applying a common code of conduct. I'm going to post the one I came up with today, but please help define it further.
Deckbuilding:
At the end of the first day of the Deckbuilding phase, we need to have 8 legal decks to work on. Even if we swap later, that's no problem, as long as we have 8 decks (well... probably less than 8 now) by the end of the first day. Any team member with the right to do so (Lt., Gen. and Deckbuilder) can do it, but he needs to use the ADU and check that all decks are legal before updating them.
At this point, any one member of the team must check the legality of the decks and post in the thread convalidating them. If nobody did this before, it is YOUR duty to do it, no matter the role.
If anybody wants to edit the decks, he must check the legality again, and another person must convalidate it again. I know it seems rather pointless, but it is not as time-consuming as it seems.
If the OP of the deckbuilding is not up to date, you shall PM the three people that can change it (Lt., Gen. and Deckbuilder) informing them of this fact.
Salvaging, Discarding, Converting:
At the end of the first day of the Deckbuilding phase, we need to have legal salvages and discardings done. Even random ones will work. After the discussions, the Salvager, the Lieutenant or the General should alter the OP with the proper changes.
If you notice that the OP is not up to date, you should PM the three people that can change it (Lt., Gen. and Salvager) to warn them.
EVERY TIME the OP is edited, the person who edits it shall edit the Vault too. Everybody can do it, so... he might as well. Every time he does, he should post a warning to everybody that he did. Every other team member will then need to check the Vault and post to convalidate it. One convalidation is sufficient, it is unlikely that two people would make the same mistake.
Summary:
Every time we start the Deckbuilding phase we need to have a legal setup ready to modify later. Every time decks are changed, the one who changes them checks the legality of all of them, and another person posts to convalidate it. Every time salvaging and discards are changed, the person that changed them changes the Vault too and another person posts once to convalidate the salvaging and once to convalidate the Vault changings.
Final considerations: we're going to have between 4 and 6 players fighting next round, most likely. We don't need a replacement for Amilir. We will probably save some decks, along with some chances to resist. Not all hope is lost, but we can't say we're going to win this. At least, let's resist to a mid-range position, ok?
