Equestria Cup - OOC Discussion Thread

[Equestrian States]

Here's the OOC thread for the Equestria Cup (and any following tournaments we might have along the same lines).

All nations are welcome to post here, whether you're from the Pony Lands or Equestria, a member of CoPS, or just a curious NS Sports regular. Anything within forum rules is allowed as long as it relates to the Equestria Cup. This may include...

-Questions for me (or later hosts)
-Observations on the matches
-Friendly banter
-Any other OOC stuff you can think of

Equestria Cup I - Winner: Hobbiest Republic
Equestria Cup II - Winner: Sanian Confederacy
Equestria Cup III - Winner: Skallen

[Karditan]

Will there be other pony-related sports competitions? Soccer is illegal in Karditan, but with 40% of our population being ponies, we have a thriving pony sports sector. In fact, there are three pony players on Karditan's WBC team, and all have contributed much to the team's success in its inaugural season. An earth pony we sent to the NS Boxing Organization fights is currently on top of the heavyweight division, and one of our pony chessmasters took third place in the second International Chess Tournament.

[Equestrian States]

Will there be other pony-related sports competitions? Soccer is illegal in Karditan, but with 40% of our population being ponies, we have a thriving pony sports sector. In fact, there are three pony players on Karditan's WBC team, and all have contributed much to the team's success in its inaugural season. An earth pony we sent to the NS Boxing Organization fights is currently on top of the heavyweight division, and one of our pony chessmasters took third place in the second International Chess Tournament.

It really depends on how this one goes. If the Equestria Cup goes well (quality RPs, outside interest expressed, etc.) then I probably will continue the Equestria Cup and expand to a couple other sports (Baseball and American Football have gotten some questions).

[Yesopalitha]

Just want to say thanks for letting non-pony nations with ponies in their population to RP along with you.
And are we going to have a completely new Ranking system for this cup?

[Equestrian States]

Just want to say thanks for letting non-pony nations with ponies in their population to RP along with you.
And are we going to have a completely new Ranking system for this cup?

First, no problem. You fit the CoPS qualification, so you were in with that.

A new ranking system though...hmm. Maybe after a few tournaments, but until then we'll stick with having all the teams on a level playing field.

[Yesopalitha]

Just want to say thanks for letting non-pony nations with ponies in their population to RP along with you.
And are we going to have a completely new Ranking system for this cup?

First, no problem. You fit the CoPS qualification, so you were in with that.

A new ranking system though...hmm. Maybe after a few tournaments, but until then we'll stick with having all the teams on a level playing field.

so I can't use my KPB's? just joking.
Maybe we can get some more pony RPers in the WC though.... have CoPS take over the WC! Lol

[Equestrian States]

First, no problem. You fit the CoPS qualification, so you were in with that.

A new ranking system though...hmm. Maybe after a few tournaments, but until then we'll stick with having all the teams on a level playing field.

so I can't use my KPB's? just joking.
Maybe we can get some more pony RPers in the WC though.... have CoPS take over the WC! Lol

Yeah. No KPB bonus for either of us, and especially not you But yeah, getting the CoPS into the WC would be awesome, but I think that taking it over would be very difficult. Of course, if we got everyone in the two main pony regions to apply

For now though, I'd say the best I could expect would be a BoF win for some CoPS state (I have no doubts that a strong RPer could take it by storm) and maybe (if we got enough support) a hosting gig for a distant CoH or BoF.

[Yesopalitha]

Still willing to send a team if you need one. I have a bit more time now so it would be fine (as long as it's ok if I RP as long as I did last time).

[Karditan]

I just thought I'd throw in that a ponyist state was the runner-up in BoF46, only to lose in the finals to one of the best RPers out there (making a comeback from a prolonged absence.) I'm not technically in CoPS or anything like that, but my team of crooks of all species steamrolled most of their opponents.

I assure you that Karditan will join the Equestria Cup once our team of crooks brings back the World Cup trophy and proves to our leaders that soccer isn't completely useless. Don't hold your breath

Edit: Oh, and runners-up in the latest BoI with a pony-heavy team.

[Equestrian States]

Still willing to send a team if you need one. I have a bit more time now so it would be fine (as long as it's ok if I RP as long as I did last time).

You're in. Looking forward to seeing you post there!

I just thought I'd throw in that a ponyist state was the runner-up in BoF46, only to lose in the finals to one of the best RPers out there (making a comeback from a prolonged absence.) I'm not technically in CoPS or anything like that, but my team of crooks of all species steamrolled most of their opponents.

I assure you that Karditan will join the Equestria Cup once our team of crooks brings back the World Cup trophy and proves to our leaders that soccer isn't completely useless. Don't hold your breath

Edit: Oh, and runners-up in the latest BoI with a pony-heavy team.

That might take a while. I'll se you in Equestria Cup XXIII.

And good job with the wins there. Let's teach 'em the power of ponies!

[Ceffyltir]

I've never roleplayed any kind of sporting event in my life, so I have a few questions. I've read some guides, but all they have done is confuse me even more.

Exactly how many players are on each team? To my understanding, there is one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three strikers. That makes eleven. However, I've also seen teams with only ten players, and other teams with twelve or more.

To what extent can players use special abilities or powers? Some say that pegasi can use their wings to jump higher, and others say that they cannot use them at all. One of my players primarily walks upright like a human, but has the ability to run nearly twice as fast while on all fours. Would it be considered cheating to do so?

Lastly, how many players can I have outside the game to replace current players in the event of extreme fatigue or injury?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Equestrian States]

I've never roleplayed any kind of sporting event in my life, so I have a few questions. I've read some guides, but all they have done is confuse me even more.

Strange that they didn't help at all...

Exactly how many players are on each team? To my understanding, there is one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three strikers. That makes eleven. However, I've also seen teams with only ten players, and other teams with twelve or more.

A minimum of eleven starters. Most players have backups that are also sent to play, and so their teams have upward of twenty players on the roster. However, eleven players start. What those players' positions are is up to you. I personally use the 1 GK, 3 DF, 4 MF, and 3 FW because it is balanced. But some RPers choose to have the team be more biased towards the offense or defense, so a team with six forwards would be strong offensively, but vulnerable on the defense. Basically, it's a matter of how you want your team to be RP'd.

To what extent can players use special abilities or powers? Some say that pegasi can use their wings to jump higher, and others say that they cannot use them at all. One of my players primarily walks upright like a human, but has the ability to run nearly twice as fast while on all fours. Would it be considered cheating to do so?

That depends. Can your opponent do the same? And do they let you do that (see RP permissions)? Basically, if a player is okay with you godmoding a Pegasus shooting a ball into the net from a dozen feet in the air, then you're welcome to do so. Of course, then you do have to consider that they could RP it as your cheating led to their defeat. I personally don't have extreme godmods on the special abilities of players. I RP my Pegasai as using their wings to increase their speed. Check out the roster I posted in the WC59 Rosters thread for my personal views on this kind of thing.

In short, I make each species have a special trait that boosts its performance, while also giving it a weakness, such as overconfidence or an inability to stop when charging. So no, it's not cheating, though you might see your opponent RP that your players 'cheated' but got away with it.

Of course, if their players can do the same: sure, knock yourself out. One time, I RP'd a game against a team of aliens that included a giant, green, gelatinous mass. NS is full of crazy, non-human stuff. More than you'd initially expect.

Lastly, how many players can I have outside the game to replace current players in the event of extreme fatigue or injury?

I've never focused too much on it, so you could have your whole team get switched out, though that might be taking it a bit too far. For the Equestria Cup, consider it unlimited. I don't know enough about RP soccer rules to give you an exact number.

[Ceffyltir]

Thanks a lot, Equestrian States! The Equestria Cup is a lot more easy-going than I thought. Also, the guides did help quite a bit, but they raised some questions as well.

[Terra]

Tagged.

[Tryienne]

I have a question about the other sports for the Equestria Cup. What if we took something with racing sports? In The People's Republic of Tryienne is it a tradition that every Pony has to compete in a Chariot race to grant them their passage into Stallionhood. No exceptions between Mares and Stallions and the races.

So, in Tryienne, we have a complete Chariot Championship, and other motorized racing sports are also sports that are popular in Tryienne.

[Equestrian States]

I have a question about the other sports for the Equestria Cup. What if we took something with racing sports? In The People's Republic of Tryienne is it a tradition that every Pony has to compete in a Chariot race to grant them their passage into Stallionhood. No exceptions between Mares and Stallions and the races.

So, in Tryienne, we have a complete Chariot Championship, and other motorized racing sports are also sports that are popular in Tryienne.

Hmm...maybe. I could use the standard formula racing scorinator for the results...but I'd have to toy around a little to get a feel for it.

Would the ponies be pulling the chariots?
What would be in the chariots that the ponies (?) are pulling?
Are multiple ponies assigned to each chariot?
How many laps in each race?
Do you have any suggestions for how the competition would be set up? (# of Races, # of Participants, Locations, etc.)

Anyways, in regards to other pony sports for the Cup, the following have had interest expressed in them (and a few are ones that I've thought of):
-American Football (Could be fun, my World Bowl team is doing surprisingly well)
-Baseball (Would be a bit difficult to RP ponies playing baseball, but it is my favorite sport...)
-Boxing (Easy enough to do, they 'applebuck' the crap out of each other)
-Chess (Not my personal favorite, so someone else might want to RP the stuff)
-International Leagues (For football, baseball, or soccer)

In addition, how would you guys feel to me opening this up to everyone on NS? Now, I wouldn't let the clearly OOC anti-Pony players in because they wouldn't be much fun to RP with, but others could RP their small pony populations sending in players to play. These players would be required to send sapient MLP: FiM-canon species to play (Pegasai, Earth Ponies, Unicorns, Griffons, Minotaurs, or Dragons). To the players from the Pony Lands and CoPS, the requirements would not apply (they could still send whatever species they wished to).

Your thoughts, everyone?

[Tryienne]

Would the ponies be pulling the chariots? Yes. I know this is Racist for some Pony Players, but in my country are the chariots pulled by Earth Ponies.
What would be in the chariots that the ponies (?) are pulling? Mostly Pegasi, but Unicorns and Earth Ponies are also represented.
Are multiple ponies assigned to each chariot? As a matter of fact, yes. There are many kinds of series, such as the Eqiuna, where two Ponies are in a Chariot pulled by four ponies race against each other, and fight against the other one. I shall bring more information if you think about it for making Chariot races into the Cup.
How many laps in each race? Differs, but the Eqiuno, the main race, has a amount of 75 laps, but that differs from the location where the race is held.
Do you have any suggestions for how the competition would be set up? (# of Races, # of Participants, Locations, etc.)
I do have a couple. The Eqiuno races should have about 20-30 participants, but that can be changed alongside the nations who would join. A season would have to have 40 to 50 races, but like with the participants, that can be changed alongside debate between the nations who would participate. The locations, don't differ that much, see it as a kind similar to a regular season of Motorsport, e.g. NASCAR, but, once again, that is differential between the nations itself. For the rest, I don't have any more suggestions about a sport like this.

I hope this will be helpful.

[Karditan]

I could probably host an Equestrian Baseball Classic in the offseason between WBCXXII and XXIII (which probably means late June or July). Due to the mixed nature of Karditan I wouldn't impose an equine-only rule; though we would be more than happy to furnish specialized equine sporting equipment to any national teams that may be lacking it. Specialized bats with mouth-grips (and matching mouth-guards) and gloves specially designed to fit on hooves (with some internal spring mechanizations to emulate a man closing a glove when something hits the web) for the most part. Throwing the ball does take training and skill for most Earth Ponies and Pegasi, usually requiring a toss-and-hoof-strike method that takes years of practice to perfect. Short Stop, of Karditan's national baseball team, is willing to do a seminar to teach magically-deficient ponies the essentials of that. Some pegasi are actually dextrous enough to grab and throw the ball with their wings, such as outfielder Gale Wind, who was one of the most effective players in Karditan's WBC debut.

Of course there are regulations about how long Unicorns are able to magik the ball, usually along the lines of having to release it somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3 of the distance to the intended target. The exact ratio changes from league to league. It's usually easy for referees to notice violations because of how objects that unicorns magik glow- and unicorns who's glow is somewhere between blue and white are advised to keep their throws low and level, so people don't get suspicious that you lobbed it into the sky so that the ref would miss the glow.

Also brony-haters would be allowed if they are civil about it. If they merely RP as racists, sure. Creates plenty of RP opportunities. If they're constantly OOC bashing or are trying to start an IC genocide, that's where I draw the line.

(Oh, and ponies box on their haunches using their front hooves. Bucking the hell out of each other would be more like Jackass than Boxing.)

[Ceffyltir]

Firstly, I think racing would be an excellent idea.

Secondly, I actually like it better to have only pony-nations compete. I know it sounds unfair, but if we started letting anyone in, the Equestria Cup (and everything like it) would lose its charm, you know? I think of it as a privilege to be able to participate in these events. Besides, there are plenty of other sports on the forum that the other nations could join.

Although, I guess it's up to you guys.

[Lykosia]

Can anypony tell me how to figure out who I would compete with next?

[Equestrian States]

Firstly, I think racing would be an excellent idea.

Secondly, I actually like it better to have only pony-nations compete. I know it sounds unfair, but if we started letting anyone in, the Equestria Cup (and everything like it) would lose its charm, you know? I think of it as a privilege to be able to participate in these events. Besides, there are plenty of other sports on the forum that the other nations could join.

Although, I guess it's up to you guys.

No. Your imput is appreciated (I don't get much anyways).

I can see your reasoning for that, so new idea:

If we find ourselves in need of additional players (just 1-3), then what we could do is have an invitational for non-Pony nations to decide who gets into the Cup. I don't know how many people would be interested, but I'll be using an actual sign-up thread for Equestria Cup III so we can gauge the interest from that.

Can anypony tell me how to figure out who I would compete with next?

You're the ninth team in Group A. On MD3, the 9th teams play against the 4th teams in the second matches. That gives you:

Ceffyltir vs. Lykosia at Elements Stadium in Ponyville

I've been trying to edit the OP to add the schedule, but it won't let me for some reason.

[The Everfree Forest]

I second Lykosia here, I have difficulty working out who I verse next... mainly because you don't have Unified Pony in the list so I can't tell what number I, and everyone else, is. Quite fun so far this... even if I did miss the start XD. I'm getting the hang of it

[Krumbia]

Woop! Out again.

[The Everfree Forest]

same here Krumbia, at least we both came 5th I guess. I just now wish I hadn't missed the first two days....

[Filopines]

Is the Equestria Cup only for nations with pony players?