As an objective spectator (even though I signed up for SPL I don’t play any of the meta games so I promise I’m not coping) I have to say that this SPL draft looked pretty bad. Not like bad bad but for Smogon’s “most prestigious tournament” I expect more. Everyone has been talking about whether or not newcomers are having chances or not and honestly I don’t think that matters. SPL is meant to be an elite tour and should feature the best players on the site - whether that be veterans who have proven themselves in past editions or new players with spectacular results. I don’t have any beef with anyone who got drafted or was a manager aside from this observation. This SPL draft looked more like OUPL or any other sub forum tour - everyone is a good player, but it lacks the eliteness you expect out of an official team tournament. I honestly can’t say why, maybe having 12 slots over 10 slots contributed to a decline in the average quality of players but lots of big names new and old were shafted in this edition; I won’t bother naming them because most have already been mentioned in this thread. I understand that there is an increased builder pressure as well and lots of builders have been picked up. It’s important to remember that builders can be picked up for free and players can’t; the most exceptional builders warrant a pickup but most are strong players in their own right already. If a promising new builder is not ready to compete in SPL they can make the exact same impact as an out of team support and managers with connections (ie all SPL managers) should be able to procure the help of competent builders with ease. On the other hand a high level player without building experience or skill can develop so much more getting drafted and can contribute practically nothing undrafted. The bias towards builders is unnecessary, takes away chances to see raw players in action, and hinders the development of players for whom their game is their primary focus.
Finally, yes, SPL is a team tour, yes it’s enjoyed with friends. But for the spectator who wants to see the greatest players on the site and for the competitor who wants to play the best Smogon has to offer, SPL has a responsibility to stay elite and the managers part in upholding this responsibility is to ensure elite players at SPL level are drafted. Just as important as team chemistry is building as strong of a roster as possible and if strong players more than capable of holding their own are left undrafted that indicates at least a partial failure in the system or the culture and suboptimal drafts somewhere on the board.
Finally, yes, SPL is a team tour, yes it’s enjoyed with friends. But for the spectator who wants to see the greatest players on the site and for the competitor who wants to play the best Smogon has to offer, SPL has a responsibility to stay elite and the managers part in upholding this responsibility is to ensure elite players at SPL level are drafted. Just as important as team chemistry is building as strong of a roster as possible and if strong players more than capable of holding their own are left undrafted that indicates at least a partial failure in the system or the culture and suboptimal drafts somewhere on the board.
