Hello everyone,
I’m making a post here to bring attention to potential changes to the Metal Fight Limited Format as well as receive input on a few different scenarios. For quite some time I have been testing and hosting events that would see the re-introduction of currently banned parts, namely Libra and Dark Knight.
While these tests and events have generally been successful in proving that these parts are not more oppressive than what currently exists, talk has come about of completely re-assessing not just Libra and Dark Knight (DK), but Gravity as well.
To fill in those who many not know, many months ago I started testing these two parts because it was clear (in my opinion) that in a format with something as versatile and strong as the Gravity wheel, neither Dark Knight nor Libra would be out of place.
Both are competent wheels with some potent combos and attributes, same as Gravity. What we allow Gravity to do by existing is … interesting … and is at odds with the reasoning to have certain other bans, so why not be more consistent about was is and isn’t an acceptable power level?
As the idea of this reconfiguration continues to pick up traction, certain alternatives have come about. I will list the main proposed options here followed by my own personal pros and cons of the parts in question and the potential implications of each option on the meta.
1. Increasing MFL power ceiling: Unban Libra and Dark Knight parts.
2. Decreasing MFL power ceiling (1): Ban Gravity, keep Libra and Dark Knight banned.
3. Decrease MFL power ceiling (2): Ban Gravity, keep Libra banned, unban Dark Knight moving it and Screw to the watch-list.
Gravity Perseus
Pros
Cons
Libra
Pros
Cons
Dark Knight
Pros
Cons
"Summary" of Proposed Options
Option 1: What was originally proposed in the very beginning of MFL’s life. Power and versatility of these parts are accepted and kept in play. A fair share of the “decent but not crazy” part pool become noticeably less viable (typically the later Hasbro stuff), but in return you have a few parts allowed that all have the ability to be used on wildly different setups so unique combo expression is not lost in a technical sense.
Essentially going all in on a "fight strong parts with strong parts" idea. We bring in contentious parts, see how they fare and hope the lower tier stuff still sees use amidst high tier battles.
Option 2: This option simply removes the already banned or contentious parts. The power ceiling is drastically reduced and much of the existing MFL pool will lack that same level of versatility or viability, but there aren’t many stand out issues presented.
Options that were drowned or skipped over by Gravity/Libra/DK being present would be back on the menu without any “guilty” or “handicapped” feeling to their use. You lose some feeling of having “really strong” picks, but in return you have a deeper pool of options that you’re less likely to feel bad about picking anymore (Screw being the only real question mark here).
Option 3: This option removes the most contentious parts, Gravity and Libra, as they are really the bigger offenders of giving players that “handicapped” feeling or that they may be too much for the format. Dark Knight, relatively speaking, is much less offensive. It can produce some similar feats as Gravity on its best setup but not to the same degree or with the same level of safety vs. low track opponents in particular. Bringing it back because it is the most milquetoast of the three means it, along with Screw still, get watchlisted.
Essentially, you get a watered down version of Gravity back along with additional options for zero-g wheels, while ideally not compromising on the viability of the “decent but not OK” crowd as both Dark Knight and Screw would be closely watched to see whether they continue to invalidate those options where Gravity or Libra would have left off.
Please feel free to respond below with thoughts on the above options, or even potential proposals of your own if you have any. It could have a direct impact on the course of the Metal Fight Limited Format.
I’m making a post here to bring attention to potential changes to the Metal Fight Limited Format as well as receive input on a few different scenarios. For quite some time I have been testing and hosting events that would see the re-introduction of currently banned parts, namely Libra and Dark Knight.
While these tests and events have generally been successful in proving that these parts are not more oppressive than what currently exists, talk has come about of completely re-assessing not just Libra and Dark Knight (DK), but Gravity as well.
To fill in those who many not know, many months ago I started testing these two parts because it was clear (in my opinion) that in a format with something as versatile and strong as the Gravity wheel, neither Dark Knight nor Libra would be out of place.
Both are competent wheels with some potent combos and attributes, same as Gravity. What we allow Gravity to do by existing is … interesting … and is at odds with the reasoning to have certain other bans, so why not be more consistent about was is and isn’t an acceptable power level?
As the idea of this reconfiguration continues to pick up traction, certain alternatives have come about. I will list the main proposed options here followed by my own personal pros and cons of the parts in question and the potential implications of each option on the meta.
1. Increasing MFL power ceiling: Unban Libra and Dark Knight parts.
2. Decreasing MFL power ceiling (1): Ban Gravity, keep Libra and Dark Knight banned.
3. Decrease MFL power ceiling (2): Ban Gravity, keep Libra banned, unban Dark Knight moving it and Screw to the watch-list.
Gravity Perseus
Pros
- Highly versatile across the board (attack, anti-attack, balance, “stamina”), providing a sense of format/deck building depth
- Helps keep very strong Attackers (Screw) in check on a variety of setups
- Provides a dual spin option to the format
Cons
- Its strength can suffocate other potential alternatives in niches it occupies (Leone RF is a prime example)
- Its consistency across the board makes it an easy choice, simplifying the game at times (why pick X attacker when Gravity can do it and win AvA?)
- The most menacing setup (LTAC) can break general rules of the game when played optimally, its only true weakness being user error
- Lacks plentiful or common counter-picks
Libra
Pros
- Highly versatile across the board (mobile defense, grip defense, stamina, balance), provides some sense of depth to deck building options and the format
- Helps keep very strong attackers (Screw, Gravity to some degree) in check on a few setups
- Provides MLD with a few losing Stamina matchups (LSTCs, 230 combos with Mold 3)
- Every Libra combo variation has definitive and common counters while adding in its own counter chart
Cons
- Versatility can make other options feel obsolete or unnecessary (bakushin RSF, Earth RSF, HasDuo Stamina)
- Its ideal combos are “easy” to pick over others in the decision-making process, and very easy to use to its full extent (pick up and play can make for a toxic if not suboptimal environment)
- Can wall some lower-tier Attack types very hard, unlike most other existing alternatives, legitimately reducing the Attack pool (HasFang, things of that ilk)
Dark Knight
Pros
- Gives Chrome Wheels access to the left spin direction
- Opens up a few more viable chrome wheel combo options
- Realistically doubles the amount of high competitive Crystal Wheels (from 1 to 2)
- Provides a low track attack answer to 230 combos
- Every Dark Knight combo variation has definitive and common counters (often the same things)
Cons
- Potential to shift the meta to unduly focus on short tracks to combat it since it could eliminate extremely tall stamina threats and can do well against most mid height attackers
- Its most menacing setup (with a well-balanced Killerken and mint RF) can potentially outspin or draw combos defensive oriented combos
"Summary" of Proposed Options
Option 1: What was originally proposed in the very beginning of MFL’s life. Power and versatility of these parts are accepted and kept in play. A fair share of the “decent but not crazy” part pool become noticeably less viable (typically the later Hasbro stuff), but in return you have a few parts allowed that all have the ability to be used on wildly different setups so unique combo expression is not lost in a technical sense.
Essentially going all in on a "fight strong parts with strong parts" idea. We bring in contentious parts, see how they fare and hope the lower tier stuff still sees use amidst high tier battles.
Option 2: This option simply removes the already banned or contentious parts. The power ceiling is drastically reduced and much of the existing MFL pool will lack that same level of versatility or viability, but there aren’t many stand out issues presented.
Options that were drowned or skipped over by Gravity/Libra/DK being present would be back on the menu without any “guilty” or “handicapped” feeling to their use. You lose some feeling of having “really strong” picks, but in return you have a deeper pool of options that you’re less likely to feel bad about picking anymore (Screw being the only real question mark here).
Option 3: This option removes the most contentious parts, Gravity and Libra, as they are really the bigger offenders of giving players that “handicapped” feeling or that they may be too much for the format. Dark Knight, relatively speaking, is much less offensive. It can produce some similar feats as Gravity on its best setup but not to the same degree or with the same level of safety vs. low track opponents in particular. Bringing it back because it is the most milquetoast of the three means it, along with Screw still, get watchlisted.
Essentially, you get a watered down version of Gravity back along with additional options for zero-g wheels, while ideally not compromising on the viability of the “decent but not OK” crowd as both Dark Knight and Screw would be closely watched to see whether they continue to invalidate those options where Gravity or Libra would have left off.
Please feel free to respond below with thoughts on the above options, or even potential proposals of your own if you have any. It could have a direct impact on the course of the Metal Fight Limited Format.
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