Wow, so the sniper was a duplicate account! I'm both surprised, and also not surprised by that.

Definitely duplicate accounts are the biggest problem, since they allow someone to snipe without also ruining their chances for the month. And if they run into their own character, they dont snipe. I think it wouldnt happen much at all if

And the people who save up their money for 7 rounds and then buy a +10 weapon or whatever for one guy in the qualifying round, still arent a threat. I lost because this guy knew what to do and bought 3-4 weapons and armor, fully enchanted, with +2/+2/+2.

I think that effective sniping would be unlikely with no duplicate accounts, as the experienced player wont want to play the game that way with their only account. Players who dont know what they are doing and spend all their gold at that point only hurt you like 20-50, not by 150 with a loss. Thats much, much lighter hit.


I do think the one qualifying round is great, as it means that getting sniped means you arent out, you just are very weakened. I mean, I'm still in it, with 4 ppl left. I'll probably lose one of these next two, but at least I made the final 4. Without the qualifying round I'd be gone. The qualifying round is also essential to reduce the number of players to a power of 2.


I do think its fair for top players to play inactives, because there is skill in getting to the top of the rankings AND it generally involves using temporary enchantments. I buy an average of about 10 gold in enchantments a round in the computer rounds, and usually end up about 3rd. (I also have a good strategy for the computer rounds). Usually the top couple spots are people who go with even more enchantments. THey succeed in buying themself a profitable seed.


I think one solution might be that if you are inactive for 3 days in a row, they you become inactive for that tournament and cant modify anymore. Someone could save money but not be inactive by spending their upgrade points, or setting strategy or anything. Then, people who are inactive in this way would automatically be ranked below those who are active in the qualifier. The result is that no one near the top could be sniped. If you want the security of getting to fight an inactive for that round, get a high seed. They are buyable with enchantments...
I think the decision of whether to enchant to try and improve your seed, versus not 'waste' the money, is an interesting one.