How Fair are the Prizes? by David McCallum #701548

Its been a funny war this one. Now the dust has settled and folks are digging into the post match carnage continuation that we refer to as a raid, it has allowed time for me to reflect on certain changes.


The big one of note has been my attitude towards the prize packs on offer. Yes, losing out big time during the Faction War may have had this question lurking in my subconcious, but I feel I can now finally weigh in with an opinion on that age old bone of contention, the fairness of prizes.


To summarise (in a very simplistic way) there appears to be 2 camps. Those in the lower divisions who look at the prizes on offer for the likes of Division 1 (especially the free mech for 8 kills) and state that it is unfair.


Then there are those who are actually in the upper brackets, whose response appears to be "stop mucking about trying to dominate the lower dvisions, get up here and earn the good stuff like we did."


MOAR! cry the hecklers...


Now don't get me wrong, I have hovered indecisivly between these two opinions. I can certainly recall being a lowly level 20ish newcomer, glancing up at Mount Olympus where the Gods bickered and fought and had avaricious thoughts about the prizes on offer there. I also recall a more recent period in divisions 4 or 5, steadily plugging away at silver medals, gathering useful weapon upgrades and equipment (plus the occasional mech) and being more than satisfied that I could.


And then this months war happened.


I can't say if it was because Fusion formed, or Cyberstorm disappeared, or the increase to minimum team numbers, or if it was a byproduct of the Myth and Legend snake draft competition, but you could hear the spread sheet wallahs having a furry caniption as their meticulous level management went out the window. Sometimes you just have to say "stuff it", put your best teams forward and play the cards you are dealt.


We got dealt Division 3.


While a daunting prospect in and of itself and definite uncharted territory for us, for the purposes of this dissertation it should be pointed out that Division 3 is the start of the top band of prize packs.


I'm going to pause at this point... the following section should in no way be construed as an attempt to insult the exploits of our noble opponents from the Elite Special Forces, Slaughter House 5 and last but by no means least, The Isle of Misfit Toys. It is simply the joy of a pilot who has remembered that, yes, there is a big difference in prizes when you go from one prize band to the next.


Oh, and since some areas of the world insist on litigation, parental guidance is recommended, viewer discretion advised, may not be safe for work or politically correct, do not even ATTEMPT to watch until you are onto your second coffee of the day, yadda yadda yadda...


And could somebody please get ready to hose the Smurfs off because you know how excitable they can get...





I think you get the picture. Some of you may need to speak to Dr Drake, he has the brain bleach.


But we got the same frikkin prizes as the Brotherhood!


Yeah yeah, I know you are going to point out that the NWH still get an extra big blue mech, but lets face it, that's about all they are going to keep... most of the rest is just going to get slagged for niodes. All things being relative, I got the better end of the deal.


The point of that little outburst however is to illustrate that yes, there are indeed benefits to moving up in divisions and fighting for the higher prizes. Some of you may have become so comfortable at the level/division you wish to dominate, you've forgotten the feeling that comes with a bigger payout.


Go and hit play again if you need a reminder.


Submitted by David McCallum #701548