SL 13 Week 1

[Goose]

Week 1 begins SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21st 2016
@ 7PM GMT (Altitude Time) / 7PM UTC / 2PM EST / 1PM CST / 11 AM PST

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Round 1 Matches:
{ball} vs c: (snow, lostcity2, labyrinth, grotto, maze)
ZroG vs {TBG} (grotto, funnelpark, antre, asteroids, cave)
xproxx vs Volare (cross, skylands, grotto, ufos, core)
<Vlix> vs dt (cliff, skylands, antre, asteroids, ice)

Round 2 Matches:
{TBG} vs c: (cross, hardcourt2, ice, reef, skylands)
xproxx vs {ball} (core, cave, funnelpark, lostcity2, ufos)
dt vs ZroG (ice, grotto, hardcourt2, asteroids, skylands)
<Vlix> vs Volare (snow, planepark, ufos, cliff, illumination)

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SERVERS:
VAN1SH1NG'S League Servers


FORMAT:
Double Round Robin
All games will be played BO3
Map Pool for each match listed in parenthesis
AAB server choice where A is the team listed in BOLD
Each team vetoes one map from the pool with the team labeled in BOLD vetoing first. Non bold team picks first map to be played and losing team picks map(s) afterwards
Teams can sub twice during a game. 6 players + 1 sub will start each match

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST:
-Remember you are not allowed to smurf as another player
(Example: XX2 can no longer play under his {ball}Hollywood. account)
-When all teams are ready in the lobby, please try to complete the vetoes/map picking/setting lineups/etc within 5 minutes to avoid unnecessary delays in the tournament.
(Example: ball'n who is notorious for starting games 15-20 minutes after the scheduled times)

Trash talking is allowed and encouraged in the lobby as long as it is in good taste, but remember to show good sportsmanship and manners when games are being played. Try to make it a habit to say "gg" after the end of your matches too!

PLEASE POST THE RESULTS AND SCORES OF YOUR WEEK 1 MATCHES IN THIS THREAD

[Goose]

TEAM DISCUSSIONS AND OVERVIEW

dt

Formed: 7/15/15
Captain(s): woofy, fart, fh
1st Sky League appearance

Summary: What started as a meme is now a reality, and dt looks to enter this tournament with one of the more impressive rosters on paper. Formed from the ashes of last seasons 2nd place team asdf, dt comes into this league employing a clan constructed of some of the most active ladder players currently in the scene. With a trifecta of captains each offering a unique perspective to the game, this team has all the ingredients necessary to have a realistic shot at the championship title.
Player To Watch: Bran (Young up-and-coming player that has yet to reach his true potential.)
Potential Storylines: Is this roster plagued with too many "Me first" attitude-type players and not enough focus on the team element?
Is the hype surrounding this clan justified, or does dt lack the mental fortitude to overcome adversary?
Will the power struggle between fart and the rest of the captains negatively impact dt as a whole?
Season Prediction: 2nd



{ball}

Formed: 11/3/09
Captain: ball'n
Sky League 12 result: 3rd

Summary: The most decorated planeball clan in all of Altitude, and the only team to have participated in every single Sky League since the beginning of time. {ball} has taken a massive blow to their roster this season, losing star studded legends such as Walt and Carlos to retirement*. Replacing players of that quality will be a tough task for this team, but history has proven time and time again that {ball} can overcome any struggles they encounter.
Player To Watch: XX2 (A long time veteran who is consistent and dependable killer.)
Potential Storylines: Will {ball} be able to reclaim their former glory of years past?
Can ball'n still lead this squad of players to great things without the guidance and assistance of former captains DN and Carlos to help him?
Or will egos clash and dreams crumble as the legacy of {ball} evaporates in disappointment?
Season Prediction: 7th
* Walt is currently un-retired as of 2/21/16


Volare

Formed: 4/7/14
Captain(s): Demurrage, Kennedy
Sky League 12 result: 7th place

Summary: Volare have been a staple team in every Sky League for the past few years, possessing one of the most stable rosters during that time period. Although they have lacked the results in past tournaments, they have improved as a team each season and have shown a dedication and loyalty to their brand that not many other clans can compete with. With players who all share a strong love for the game and embrace having fun, translating that same energy and passion into a competitive spirit will be essential for Volare to achieve victory.
Player To Watch: Don't Follow (Old school Whale that is a master of defense.)
Potential Storylines: Will this tournament demonstrate the transition of Colossal Chipmunk from unknown pub player into a future Altitude legend?
Does Volare have what it takes to prove all the doubters wrong by earning a higher placement than {ball} at the end of the season?
What kind of feast will Demurrage cook if her team manages to win SL?
Season Prediction: 6th


{TBG}

Formed: 11/26/15
Captain(s): Stam, NuffHuff
1st Sky League appearance

Summary: As a team composed of virtual newcomers to Sky League, {TBG} hopes to produce a similar level of success in this tournament like they have done before within the ball_football community. It will be a tough competing against some of the more established and veteran teams in this league, but they have a roster of dedicated and hard working players that are eager for the challenge. The general public won't expect much from {TBG}, but past Sky Leagues have proven that no team should be underestimated.
Player To Watch: MUSTAFA (Dumb Bomb specialist that has a proficiency for clutch plays.)
Potential Storylines: Can {TBG} prove that Ledow's Football servers births high skill ball players?
Will OsOs manage to play without having to disconnect from every match?
Can this team defy expectations and become the underdog story that miraculously manages to fight its way to the top, or will suffering any devastating losses break their spirits?
Season Prediction: 8th


<Vlix>

Formed: 3/3/11
Captain: JWhatever
Sky League 12 result: 1st place

Summary: The reigning Sky League champions look to defend their title in what should be an even tougher challenge than before. While other teams would have easily crumbled if they lost a star TA player such as fart, <Vlix> has the luxury of having 2 top Randa players to fill his spot with Sanis and JWhatever. The rest of the core team still remains as solid as it was from their championship winning squad, all that's needed is finding how to rekindle the magic that won them last season's tournament.
Player To Watch: JimladSeraph (Hyper aggressive play style and is the only Whale who utilizes a rubber hull setup.)
Potential Storylines: Is <Vlix> posed to be the first back-to-back champions of Sky League since {ball} back in SL 10-11?
Or after savoring the sweet taste of victory are they no longer hungry to win it all?
Will Sanis be able to prove himself a worthy replacement in taking on fart's former role for the team, or will he crack under the pressure?
Season Prediction: 4th


xproxx

Formed: 1/11/16
Captain(s): fluffy, moxy
1st Sky League appearance

Summary: After finding success in APL 12 with the launch of their parody TBD clan Implosion, best buddies fluffy and MoxyCrimeFighter have joined forces once again by creating xproxx to compete in Sky League 13. At first glance it is easy to write this clan off as another joke team that is just here to have fun and troll, but in reality they have one of the most well balanced lineups with no obvious weak links on the roster. Although they lack many top tier elite talents, xproxx as a whole possess excellent teamwork skills and killing mastery and will undoubtedly be one of the most feared teams in this tournament.
Player To Watch: DonQuitoje (One of the most underrated Loopies that excels in killing back line defenders and creating space.)
Potential Storylines: Will moxy's propensity for never showing up to any league matches cause friction among the rest team?
Will Jonus be allowed to play his patented and effective Reverse Thrust Whale, or will fluffy force him to conform to a standard plane setup?
Can xproxx prove they are a championship caliber team, or will they forever be remembered in history of Altitude as nothing more than a bunch of jokesters?
Season Prediction: 1st


c:

Formed: 1/9/16
Captain(s): ufo, Clapon, Matattack
1st Sky League appearance

Summary: The most intriguing team of this SL, c: (aka Light Speed aka Care Cup) is an interesting blend of insanely strong veteran presence and fresh new faces to competitive planeball. Captain ufo has marinated this hippy dippy roster with a plethora of former Sammich teammates, while secondary captain Clapon's in game leadership and mumble communication skills are arguably the best out of all teams in this league. Finding the perfect balance between old and new players might be a challenge for them but
if c: can figure out how to produce results, the overwhelming talent and skill on this roster can skyrocket them to glory.
Player to Watch: Pata (A top 3 ball player of all time that is highly versatile.)
Potential Storylines: Will dragon be solely responsible for another team not winning a championship due to never showing up when his clan needs him most?
Is this the tournament in which we all witness the 'Swedish Sensation' dvd's sharp decline in skill and performance as he struggles to balance his duties in Altitude and his blossoming love life?
Can Altitude n00bies Capitolistocrat and Monstroso prove their worth to play alongside living legends such as Matattack and on1x, or will they struggle to fit in?
Season Prediction: 3rd


ZroG

Formed: 1/21/11
Captain: Douglas
Sky League 12 result: 6th place

Summary: Many pundits predicted that ZroG would dissolve after a disappointing campaign in Sky League 12. When Loopy extraordinaire Moon was deported to Japan over the summer the future of this team looked grim, but somehow they managed to scramble together a squad of players that looks potentially stronger than last season. With a wealth of knowledge and experience backing him, Dougie looks to lead this new and improved ZroG to bigger and badder things.
Player To Watch: TheGenesis (Effective Heavy Cannon sniper who is fresh from retirement.)
Potential Storylines: Will wuwu be able to carry on his legacy as the greatest Altitude player from Turkey or has old age finally caught up to the seasoned pro?
Will listening to Dougie's soothing British accent allow this team to remain calm under the pressure and stresses of intense planeball matches?
Is this the tournament in which Tjerki is finally able to step out from Jonus's shadow and prove himself as the better brother?
Season Prediction: 5th

[VAN1SH1NG]

As a reminder here are the league related servers commands..

/clan start - starts tournament in lobby
/clan stop - stops tournament in lobby

Both of these are instant if done by an admin or clan captains and starts a vote when called by others. Be aware that the start command may be changed in a week or two. I prefer to have a separate command to start league games and scrims to make managing stats easier.

/clan addleft, /clan addright, and /clan spec - can be used to change teams of the selected player (first select a player using /P <nickname>) after tournament has been started. These commands are only available to admins and clan captains.

Use /votemap <map> to start the game after tournament is on.

/clan roster <clan name> - lists players in a clan
/c <message> - sends a clan chat message which will be delivered to all online players in your clan

Admins, remember /a is available for cross server admin chat as well. I haven't seen this used at all since I added it. I tend to forget myself.

The same backup servers used last SL will be running tomorrow. I advise using the primary servers unless there is an issue. EU backup in particular tends to have somewhat worse pings for most compared to main EU. The backup US server should be close to main US though for most players.

I plan to record league matches this season again although I am not sure how many will get recorded per round yet.

[Dougie]

Not sure I agree with some of those predictions goose, although with 4 new clans, its not easy to judge how things will go. Here's mine though:

1. dt
2. lightspeed
3. xproxx
4. vlix
5. ball
6. ZroG
7. Volare
8. TBG

[Clapon]

great write up goose, really enjoyed it!! Super hyped for week 1!

all i gotta say is dont sleep on TBG, after watching a couple scrims i wouldnt be surprised if they played the upset all season and really shake up the bracket.

[Kafka]

Originally Posted by Dougie

Not sure I agree with some of those predictions goose, although with 4 new clans, its not easy to judge how things will go. Here's mine though:

1. ZroG
2-8. All other inferior teams

ftfy Dougie

[Fartface]

Originally Posted by Goose

Will the power struggle between fart and the rest of the captains negatively impact dt as a whole?

Heheheh I'm just the forums guy!

Originally Posted by Goose

Loopy extraordinaire Moon was deported to Japan over the summer

rofl

[JWhatever]

Vlix 2-0 dt
Vlix 2-0 volare

-J

[ufo]

c: 0-2 ball
c: 2-0 TBG

[ufo]

Great writeup sir goose, only thing I have to add is that we indeed have a tertiary captain by the name of matattack

[Dougie]

ZroG 2-0 TBG
dt 2-0 ZroG

ggs

[Slender]

3 walter lineup is a thing now

[Fluffy]

xproxx 2-0 volare
xproxx 0-2 ball

[VAN1SH1NG]

Miscounted my computers and I had 4 recording capable computers so recorded every match from this week. One goal missed due to a d/c and a couple 1st goals only barely got, but overall went well.

I will try to have them all on YouTube by Tuesday night.

[ufo]

thanks vanishing

[Sanis]

Originally Posted by ufo

thanks vanishing

thanks vanishing

[Brutal]

ball 2-0 c:
ball 2-0 xproxx

[Goose]

Week 1 POST GAME UPDATE

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Updated Sky League 13 Power Rankings:

Team: <Vlix>
Rank: 1
Record: 2-0
Trending: +3
Previous Rank: 4th
MVP For This Week: mssv

Team: {ball}
Rank: 2
Record: 2-0
Trending: +5
Previous Rank: 7th
MVP For This Week: Walt

Team: c:
Rank: 3
Record: 1-1
Trending: --
Previous Rank: 3rd
MVP For This Week: blarg

Team: xproxx
Rank: 4
Record: 1-1
Trending: -3
Previous Rank: 1st
MVP For This Week: Jonus

Team: dt
Rank: 5
Record: 1-1
Trending: -3
Previous Rank: 2nd
MVP For This Week: Bran

Team: ZroG
Rank: 6
Record: 1-1
Trending: -1
Previous Rank: 5th
MVP For This Week: Aki

Team: Volare
Rank: 7
Record: 0-2
Trending: -1
Previous Rank: 6th
MVP For This Week: LewisH

Team: {TBG}
Rank: 8
Record: 0-2
Trending: --
Previous Rank: 8th
MVP For This Week: Prey

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INTERVIEW WITH SANIS:


Hello Sanis, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. First off, how are you feeling after the impressive Week 1 victories over dt and Volare?

- Feeling great G00SE, I didn't expect such a clean victory over both our opponents! haha

Speaking of clean victories, lets talk about how well <Vlix> played in their second game versus dt on asteroids. You guys THRASHED them to the tune of a 6-1 beat down. Our experts predicted an EASY 2-0 victory in favor of dt heading into this match but that was not the case. Did you feel disrespected that most of the analysts had dt rated higher than <Vlix> before the season started, since they were an unproven team and you guys were the defending Sky League Champions?

- I was shocked at how our team was rated for sure. I expected a tough game vs dt but I certainly thought we would win. I felt we had something to prove to the expert analysts for rating us so low.

In previous interviews you have stated how ball'n was one of the players you used to look up to when you were a new player in Altitude. Next week you will face off against his TA when <Vlix> battles {ball} in Round 3. Would you say your level of Randa has surpassed his at this point in time, or do both of you play at a similar level of skill?

- I used to look up to him when I was new on {arr} and saw how frustrating he was to play against but yes, my randa has passed his by now. The old titans are just a shadow at the feet of the new generation and I will prove it come next week.

You are one of the few players in Sky League that has played from both North America and Europe. As of right now what region do you think has the best Altitude players: NA or EU?

- I was trying to decide which region is favored more, but in any way shape or form, both regions are split evenly down the line. If I manage to take the top ladder spot from Dyke I would say NA, but until then it really comes down to whoever wins the EU vs NA show match. (Editors Note: Sanis is referring to this future tournament http://altitudegame.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10019)

Thanks for your time Sanis. Any final words for your fans?

- ``

THIS CONCLUDES WEEK 1. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR PARTICIPATING. SKY LEAGUE RESUMES NEXT SUNDAY FOR ROUNDS 3 & 4

[Hollywood]

Goose, keep being you. I loved reading the FRO weekly stuff that you guys had written up. If anything, I love you as an admin because you make reading these threads truly entertaining.

Also, as reference my account is {ball}Hollywood.
XX2 is {ball}Hollywood. .

So I don't have to explain this in future.