The Baptism of Fire is unique to the World Cup cycle for an important reason: it is a chance for the debutant nations to shine. Open only to national teams with no points in the Kaze Progressa-Bedistan Ranking System and no previous history of entry, the competition is a chance for the new sides to make their entry into the World Cup scene, and pick up some crucial KPB points for their first qualifying attempt. Consider that a side that goes undefeated in the BoF would immediately jump ahead of half of the teams with KPB points at this moment!* Even finishing with nine points (i.e., three wins, nine draws, or some combination in between) would help you jump ahead of a number of past competitiors.
Also unique to the Baptism of Fire is the importance of the RP bonus. In all other competitions, the RP bonus is one of two factors (the other being your KPB score) that affects your chances of winning. In the BoF, the RP score is the only modifier that helps you win. Those who contribute to the fun of the tournament with creative, original, and entertaining posts will have an advantage on their opposition, though be warned that Margaret always watches, and that randomness rules the day…
The 42nd Baptism of Fire will also bring with it a format that has only been used once before in a WCC event: Swiss-system, also known as Power pairing. After the first slate of fixtures, which shall be set by a random draw, matchdays two through six shall be set by the records of the teams involved. The summary version is: teams will be split into groups for pairing by points earned so far, and ranked by a series of tiebreakers; within each group the best team plays the worst, and so on (with one caveat: no rematches are allowed). The spoiler contains a more elaborate description:
After the six matches of the Power Pairing Stage, the top eight teams, plus all teams tied in points with the eighth-place side, will advance to the Championship Stage. A single knockout round will be played to reduce the teams to eight, who will be paired up for the quarterfinals, semifinals, the third-place playoff, and the Baptism of Fire Championship. These matches will use conventional extra time and kicks from the mark if tied after regulation.
The Draw was held last night on IRC, and the first matchday will be scorinated on Tuesday, April 4. Scorination for matchdays 1, 3, 5, and likely all of the knockout rounds will occur after 9:00 PM EDT (UTC -4), or 1:00 AM UTC +0, with a window of three hours in effect sometime after that time. Matchups for the next matchday will be announced within an hour of the score posting, unless otherwise mentioned.
Posting a roster is strongly encouraged, and is scored as if it is an RP. To assist your opponent, please include the following information with the roster post:
- Code: Select all
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers Y/N
Godmod scoring events Y/N
RP injuries to my players Y/N
Godmod injuries to my players Y/N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y/N
Hand out red cards to my players Y/N
Godmod other events Y/N
And now, the opening fixtures!
Kanadialand v. Ko-oren
Dimetrija v. Hakkland
Yavin 420 v. McKleigh
Wolfenium v. Altimarus
Chunnan v. Czechzenia
Clampo v. Zitru
Fuballo v. Jah Sensimilia
Ocel0t v. Raboso
North Chicanan v. Kandorith
Sarrbia v. Izarius
Sensimillastan v. Ketharnia
Green Jello Salad v. Daliusia
Espiañola v. Rumbipura
Khabarovsk Krai v. German zerabithea
Leyte Islands v. Kernansquillec
Ghanariar v. Justonia
Kaputrania v. -Bederich-
Seleucius v. Blasphematic Fools
Stachland v. Cheergirls
St Samuel v. Coffee Cakes
Astograth v. North Orus
Green Hexagon v. Whiteinch
Sarzoclava v. Albertasby
The Kangaroo Republic v. Bellof
Mercia-Northumbria v. Emanga
Cabric v. Traila
Mojojemima v. Northpolistan
Britcan v. The Kiaser Colonies
Pohjoisland v. Kellaxia
Polar Islandstates v. Andreass
Dandakia v. Starorentia
RenXasia v. Quakmybush