Implemented Replacement Players Between World Cup Qualifiers and Main Event Pools

[ken]

Currently, once qualifying rosters are set, replacements are not allowed during qualifiers/between qualifiers and pools except for bans unrelated to the tournament (1) (2). However, we not infrequently have requests from qualifying teams to replace inactive players between the qualifying stage and main event, frequently citing the two being functionally separate tournaments and/or sellbacks and the midseason auctions in SPL/SCL as the closest analogy to the break between qualifiers and pools in the main stage.

The purpose of this thread is to allow discussion on the potential for allowing pseudo-sellbacks/replacements in WCoP, purely for inactivity, including cancering, as the only other current exception is unrelated forum bans, as mentioned above.

In order for the status quo, ie no replacements, to be changed, there likely needs to be incredibly broad public support; so, if you have an opinion one way or the other, now's your time to share.

 

[a fairy]

Me as me, I would like to see the status quo changed. Many WCOP captains are new to the level of responsibility, and the teams frequently can have friction similar to SPL or SCL. I would like to see it possible for these teams to not be unnecessarily punished for things that I don't think it's reasonable for then to expect. Teams also have naturally limited options - if you're in a region where one of your best players also is a habitual 'mons quitter, you're faced with a Gordian knot - roster them and rtisk losing a player, or don't roster them and risk not putting your best foot forward. I don't have a strong perspective on what a replacements system would look like, maybe the one related to forum bans? But I see this as an improvement to the tour's competitiveness (a complaint I regularly grumble about) for little cost other than TDs/hosts needing to entertain less-than-perfect faith sellback requests (sorry to those)

 

[Malekith]

Agree 100%, in fact this should be also in pools -> poffs, just like the midseason week in SPL/SCL, some people join a team and once there are in they just leave, just to be there, that should be punished but the team shouldn't. Maybe limit it to 1 switch, but I think this is a great change.

 

[July]

Going to speak as a captain who's team had to face this issue and was affected by this during qualifiers, major props to the TDs for being very co-operative during the Qualifiers regading this but the loss one of main playing player due to inactivity was still a huge blow to the team. 100% agree with this change happening. There is a easy to check difference between unfaithful replacements and faithful ones. Inactivity or Leaving of the team cord can easily be proven. It should be allowed in between pools as well. TDs can put a cap on this to prevent abuse of the system. Overall very good change should definitely go forward.

 

[ken]

Moving forward, between qualifiers and the main event's pools beginning, we'll allow for teams to replace players deemed eligible for removal via sabotage/cancering or near-total inactivity due to the short period in which qualifiers occurs. These will be the only cases in which a player may be removed and replaced, they will be subject to extreme scrutiny and vetting, and reports about these players, similarly to SPL/SCL, will not be acted upon until the conclusion of qualifiers, where hosts and/or uninvolved TDs will review the evidence during the first few days of the break week between qualifiers and the main event's pools being released, with the exception of more immediate action being taken in cases of cheating and/or team leaking/sabotage pending further context. If removed early due to these specific situations, a replacement would be ineligible to play until the team reaches pools stage.

Any player subject to removal under these circumstances is earning an accompanying infraction for the behavior that earned their removal, as already outlined in the Official Rules and Guidelines (§ Team Tournament Rules).

In order for players to be eligible as a replacement for this purpose, they must have signed up for qualifiers.

Tangentially, forum bans unrelated to WCoP that last longer than the duration of the tournament are still eligible for replacements between qualifiers and pools, also requiring the replacement to have signed up.

There will be no opportunity for replacements between pools and playoffs, as this is most similar to the post-midseason auction timeframe before playoffs in SPL/SCL. Hosts/uninvolved TDs will not evaluate reports on quitters until the end of the tournament once pools begin, though team leaking/sabotage may also potentially be acted on more rapidly in this stage as well.