Blue Devils went BOT this Night.

That was a really exciting game against the Trnava Saints, a hard fought battle for the division lead. Especially that safety on me in Q3 really got on my nerves. I spent most of the game pacing around the apartment with my tablet in hand, completely on edge.

One thing I wondered afterward, when I saw that Morion had enabled MOTY: considering the overall difference and MOTY, what’s the point of MOTY and do you use it regularly? I’ve seen there have already been many discussions about it, but I’d be interested to know how it’s currently being used here with the Monarchs.


Anyway cheers Morion!

I only see it used sometimes, in any games.
I personally don't use it often, since most of the time the standings are quite clear and the consequences of usig it are harsh.

MOTY is no sure thing for a win and sometimes the engine does "favor" the underdog, even heavily. That's likely the result of the randomness of the plays.
Just a statistical hickup.

But of course here many factors do have an impact, playbook, roster and so on. Last gameday there were some more strange results, but that's how it is.

I guess many managers did rage-quit over such stuff and it's beside 'no thanks, not my game' after initial signup the top reason to quit the game, the feeling to have lost a game (or better gameS) your team should have won, since the strength and maybe ELO were on your side.

I dislike using MOTY because of the consequences in PC and maybe even moral, which could ruin your season, if used on the wrong day or such a result happens as to the Saints. You might lose the next supercup game also, or the next league game and so on. So most of the time I think it's not worth the use.

It's used a bit more often in Elite I think, since sometimes there a win more or less is essential for a post season spot.

In the level one leagues, usually it's not.

Thank you for your thoughts on this topic. I see your points and will also use MOTY sparingly.

Looking back on my current season, I realize I may have underestimated the importance of a solid playbook. Winning one, two or even three games against an on paper stronger opponent can be chalked up to an underdog bonus, but it seems that a well crafted playbook can actually make a significant difference, even against much tougher teams.

Or maybe I was just lucky more often than not.

So, we are closing in to the playoffs seatings, so let's get to the current setup.

The AC looks quite open, with no clear favorites (at least as I see it).

AC East
With the win over the Saints did the Berlin Racoons get the upper hand, but the 2 games left against human teams which on paper could get away with a win. I personally think the Racoons have a good chance to win all games, so they will likely win the division.
A loss in any game will likely mean they will not win the division, since the Saints have a similar strength of opponents and will likely win all games and have a better PD. So likely 15-1 record and the #1 seat in the Playoffs.
Trnava Saints did lose the most important game in MOTY and now they have to hope for a loss of the Racoons against the Devils or the KAFakofers. The Saints itself will likely win their remaining games against the Devils and the Tigers. That would be 14-2 at the end and a #5 seat. IF the Racoons lose only 1 game and the Saints win all, they would end up as division winner and #1.
Derpenstein Devils do face a tough remaining schedule and are not favored in one of them. Final record projected as 6-10, which would mean, no playoff spot.

AC North
Rockabilly Kings are primed to win the division after a deciding game against the Cobras. They play the Jaguars as lone human team left on the schedule, so likely their final record will be 13-3 and because of the remaining schedule of the Doves, likely a #2 playoff seat based on PD.
Cottbus Cobras have a similar easy remaining schedule as the Kings, but a win less so far on the record. Means, they will likely win all remaining games and finish at 12-4. But they have to play the fallen-BOT Blue Devils and because of the continuation feature on new fallen BOT teams, that game will likely not a be a push-over game and on a very bad day, this could end in a loss. IF such a loss happens, it would have some impact on the playoff picture with all possibilities too many to describe here. Assumption is, the Cobras win, since the BOT Team will also play BOT tactics and that is usually not enough to beat a mature team.
Blatná Jaguars are one more game behind the Cobras and face 3 human led teams, in which they are not favored. Likely they will end up with 8-8 and no playoff spot.

AC South
Doves are right now leading the division by some PD, but the lead will be decided on the final gameday against the Rabbits. The winner will very likely have a win more than the loser and will win the division. Doves won the first game a few weeks ago, I pick the Rabbits as winner for the 2nd, which would mean, the Doves will finish 2nd in the division at 12-4 and with likely no Playoff spot, thanks to a worst PD than the Cobras.
Hopping Rabbits are at the same win level as the Doves, but roughly 50 points behind in PD. They can gain a bit, thanks to 2 BOT games, but the outcome against the Doves will decide the Division and the playoff fate of the winner. If the Rabbits win, they win the division at 13-3 and a #3 playoff seat thanks to PD. If the Doves win, the Rabbits would not make the playoffs.

AC West
Blue Devils are a BOT team, but thanks to the strong performance in the week until BOT-dome and the continuation feature, this team has still a lot of weight in the playoff race. Worst case is, they win the BOT game and against the human teams, because of their strength of the roster and despite the BOT tactics. Unlikely, but could happen. They would finish 13-3, win the division and get the #4 seat in the playoffs. That would be bad, since BOT team in the playoffs would push the Snappers out of the playoffs. But I think this will not happen. It's unlikely they will win all game, not even both games against human teams. They might win the BOT-game, but that is a coin-toss game, since in those the contiuation feature does not work. That means, likely the team will finish 11-5 and 2nd in the division and outside the playoffs. But those 3 games will be crucial for the Snappers and also for the Wildcard round.
Orono Ancient Snappers are Right behind the Devils as lone human team left inside the division and need at least one more win than the Devils on the remaining games to win the division. PD won't be an issue, because of the schedule of the Snappers. They play the Devils on the last gameday, but you never know with those early BOT teams on that strength level. Likely the Snappers will win all games and finish 12-4 as division champ and as #4 in the playoffs.

Playoff seating for AC
#1 Berlin Racoons 15-1
#2 Rockabilly Kings 13-3
#3 Hopping Rabbits 13-3
#4 Orono Ancient Snappers 12-4
#5 Trnava Saints 14-2
#6 Cottbus Cobras 12-4
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Doves 12-4
Blatná Jaguars 8-8
Derpenstein Devils 6-10

tomorrow the 2nd part for the NC.

EDIT: Added the final record of the Snappers in the seating list.

Nice read as always! Thank you.

Let's tackle the NC now.

The NC has some serious contenders and the rest as it seems.

NC East
Black Habaneros won the division already. All left on the line is the seating for the playoffs with a quite close field right now. Because of the schedules of the 4 teams leading or already having secured the divisions, I expect the Habaneros to jump to the #2 seat in the confernce with a 14-2 record and a better PD, thanks to only 1 game to a human team, where they are highly favored.
Trnje is on of those teams, I don't get inside the league, being here since season 53 and not having a full stadium. Well, the team has only BOT games left, meaning it will finish 6-10, outside the playoffs.

NC North
birney's weekenders did also already secure the division title and have the same challenge as the Habaneros, to get a good seating. Unfortune for them, they play 3 human teams. That's bad for the PD and unfortune also is, they play the right now leading team of the whole league, the Miners. I expect them to lose that game and that means they would fall to a record of 13-3 and the #4 seat. IF they win the game, they would end up at 14-2 and then PD will be important. Likely #2 spot would be it, but #1 to #3 is possible, thanks to the schedule.
Prague Lions play 1 BOT and 2 human teams, in which they are not favored. Means, likely he end up with a 8-8 record, outside the playoffs.
Paris Chiefs have 3 BOT games left, which means, they will end up at 7-9 and also no playoff spot.

NC South
Ruhrpott Miners did secure the control of the division by winning against the Panthers last weekend. Now they have 2 BOT games left and the weekenders game. I expect them to win all games to finish 15-1 and as #1 seat. If they lose the weekenders game, the PD will be deciding and that's hard to say. Right now they are behind the weekenders, but have those 2 BOT games will change a lot. Everything between #1 to #3 is possible.
Paxtang Black Panthers had it in their hands last week to Control the division and maybe Winning it the 1st time since season 55. But they lost and have to settle with a wildcard spot, thanks to 3 BOT games, giving them a 13-3 record and the #5 spot.

NC West
Suchdol Minors are close to get the official Z for the division title. With 1 BOT game and 2 games against division rivals, in which they are favored, the Minors are likely to finish 14-2 as #3 team in the conference. Their PD will likely suffer by the games against human teams a bit.
KAFakofers are at the moment on the 2nd spot inside the division, but have compared to their other rivals a brutal remaining schedule. weekenders, Racoons and Minors are not in their favor, so likely the will finish 8-8 and ouside the playoffs.
Tokha Tigers are just by PD behind the KAFakofers, but they face on their 3 games against human teams, the Cheetahs on last gameday, where they are favored. That means a finish of 9-7 and a #6 seat for the playoffs.
Badalona Cheetahs are another mystery team for me, being in RZA since season 35! Not sure they are in some sort of rebuilding Phase, but no coaches are never a good idea. They play a BOT and 2 human teams, in which they are not favored, so they will end up at 5-11, outside the playoffs.

Playoff seating for NC
#1 Ruhrpott Miners 15-1
#2 Black Habaneros 14-2
#3 Suchdol Minors 14-2
#4 birney's weekenders 13-3
#5 Paxtang Black Panthers 13-2
#6 Tokha Tigers 9-7
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
KAFakofers 8-8
Prague Lions 8-8
Paris Chiefs 7-9
Trnje 6-10
Badalona Cheetahs 5-11

Great write ups. Easy and nice to read. Good job, jack6.
Most of the predictions will come true. But in short time we will know more about it what the future will show us.

Good luck to all teams and may the better teams win.


PS: I hope my QB don't sucks again in the remaining games as last season.

No Surprise this Weekend.

Blue Devils BOT did lose the BOT Game, means the Snappers made a Huge Step towards Division win.