Marabot 108 Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 Note: This report was written by TDN's Altador Cup Analyst team as a reflection on our Global Predictions with respect to the Cup's first round results. The report was written on the first day of round two, it does not take into account any of the results or matches of the second round. Hello TDN! This is Co reporting after the final match-ups of day 17 (and yesterday’s match of Virtupets versus Krawk Island was incredibly thrilling)! I’m here to bring you up to date on standings, analysis, and predictions, and will be talking about each team. A paragraph or two will be available detailing the team’s current performance, along with updated projections for their final position. Also, do remember the the top two tiers or so are very fluid, meaning that the results of one day could make all predictions on this page irrelevant. 1st: Maraqua (Round Equal) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/maraqua/logo.png" style="float:left;margin:5px" alt="Maraqua Logo" />Maraqua is one of the top powerhouses in this year’s cup, having a 15 day streak without a loss, tied with Kreludor for the longest of any team so far in the Cup. They were the first team ever to beat Virtupets this cup, though they only drew in Yooyuball, and the first team to sweep Lost Desert. Maraqua did have a rough start though, almost being swept by Kreludor on day one, and letting a near-draw slip through their fins on day two. The team has done much as expected, although it needs a bit more Yooyuball improvement if it's to hold up against other powerhouses. They stand just under the 3-way draw for the top Yooyuball record (off by 1 win), with the 4th best record of 11-5-1. This year the team is much more balanced on their sidegames as they needed to be, and because of this, they currently reside at the top tier in 3rd place. The team is sure to focus on the main sport, Yooyuball, during the finals. This gives them a good chance to flood their opponents, but no one is guaranteed the Cup with the current competition, and there's still lots of room for improvement (and deterioration) in the second round. Current Standing: 3rd Original Prediction: 1st Current Prediction: 1st 2nd: Kreludor (Round Up + 6) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/kreludor/logo.png" style="float:right;margin:5px" alt="Kreludor Logo" />Kreludor did not fall at all, a surprise to many. Many attribute it to SOTAC (a travelling group of more than twenty of the Altador Cup's top All-Stars) joining the team, although the significance of their support is debatable. Kreludor was smart and managed to stay under the radar of most low-contribution players during sign-ups. The team is currently working very hard, and a force to be feared. Unfortunately, the team does occasionally slack-off against non-powerhouses, allowing sides, and even Yooyubal every now and again, to come to a draw. This team has done much better than expected by most predictions, and for sure has a shot at the cup, currently a member of the 3-way tie for the best Yooyuball record. They and their neighbours from Team Virtupets share a similar problem however, in that the numbers and organisational strength of their support base aren't quite a match for other powerhouses. The team has followed much of the same pattern they did in the previous year, though they seem to have weakened in Slushie Slinger to progress in Yooyuball. They will undoubtedly be a colossal force in the 2nd round, but endurance will be a key factor that the team will need to keep an eye on. Current Standing: 1st Original Prediction: 8th Current Prediction: 2nd 3rd: Virtupets (Round Up + 2) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/virtupets/logo.png" style="float:left;margin:5px" alt="Virtupets Logo" />Virtupets is also tied for the best Yooyuball record, and the best Make Some Noise record this cup. Doing incredibly well, the team has lost only three matches, to Maraqua, Meridell, and more surprisingly, Shenkuu. The team has yet to loose any Make Some Noise games, drawing only to Tyrannia in the sport. Stealth, another All-Star group, has made a large contribution to this team's performance, boosting it past the second tier. The team has, not surprisingly, continued its climb though the standings, much like last year. They are currently riding mostly on their Yooyuball and Make Some Noise records to stay in the top, and are going to need to put more effort into their less-then satisfactory Shootout Showdown and Slushie Slinger records to be able to stay there. The team is undoubtedly one of the strongest in the cup, and just need to get enough points to remain in the top, without which they could fall like Maraqua last year. Current Standing: 2nd Original Prediction: 5th Current Prediction: 3rd 4th: Krawk Island (Round Equal) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/krawkisland/logo.png" style="float:right;margin:5px" alt="Krawk Island Logo" />Krawk Island has done much as expected, rising out from the slump caused by the Winner’s Curse. The team spent their easy schedule at the beginning of the cup perched at first, before taking a tumble back into the 2nd tier for the majority of the rest of the round. The team currently stands with losses against the three teams above them, having been swept by Kreludor, and barely avoiding a similar situation against Maraqua. Despite this, the team is still the 3rd member of the draw for best Yooyuball performance. Krawk Island is quite strong this tournament, but is acting much like Virtupets in terms of sides. They are a bit more well rounded between Shootout Showdown, their best side, and Make Some Noise, still with only 8 wins, and have an inferior Slushie Slinger record even to Virtupets. Now, this is all sensible reasoning for their current 4th place standing, but with Tyrannia tied for their spot, they will need more side game points to make the first tier. As for the finals, it seems that the three teams ranked above Krawk Island have already demonstrated significantly stronger performance. Current Standing: 4th Original Prediction: 4th Current Prediction: 4th 5th: Darigan Citadel (Round Down - 2) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/darigancitadel/logo.png" style="float:left;margin:5px" alt="Darigan Citadel Logo" />Darigan Citadel is currently performing much like Maraqua last year. The team was projected in most predictions to end in the top 2, but has faltered in their sides. They may have the 2nd best Make Some Noise Record, but this has been offset by their Slushie Slinger record, which is the 5th worst in the tourney. On a brighter note, the team has the 6th best Yooyuball record despite their 8th place standing. Darigan has picked up their power toward the end of the first round, drawing both Maraqua and Kreludor. The team now needs to focus on gaining points to stay ahead of Haunted Woods, and avoid falling into 3rd tier. Undoubtedly, come the semi-finals, the team could very well beat either Terror Mountain, or Tyrannia, both of which they are superior to in Yooyuball, and battle it out with Meridell in a tough finals match. Current Standing: 8th Original Prediction: 2nd Current Prediction: 5th 6th: Meridell (Round Equal) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/meridell/logo.png" style="float:right;margin:5px" alt="Meridell Logo" />Meridell was thoroughly unpredictable during the first round, losing to Maraqua, Tyrannia, Kreludor, and Krawk Island, while beating Darigan, Virtupets, and Terror Mountain, and drawing with Haunted Woods. The team has the 5th best Yooyuball record, and currently sits in 6th overall. Meridell has preformed a bit under last year’s standards, but has for sure not let their 8th place finish hurt them. After a tough start, the team managed to pick it up, ending the first round in 6th. Meridell does have a shot at the fourth spot in the first tier, but for this they'll need to improve their consistency, and also need to level out their sides a bit. Unless they can bring their top form play to every match consistently, Meridell will most likely end the Double Round Robin, and finals, in 6th. Current Standing: 6th Original Prediction: 6th Current Prediction: 6th 7th: Terror Mountain (Round Up + 3) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/terrormountain/logo.png" style="float:left;margin:5px" alt="Terror Mountain Logo" />Terror Mountain has seen a major improvement from last year, ending the first round in 7th, with the most well-rounded side game stats of any team. The team's one weakness that's still dragging it down is the Cup's staple sport - the team is barely holding onto the 9th best Yooyuball record. Terror Mountain has come a long way from 3rd tier last year, even though they have only ascended 2 places. This team, like Virtupets last year, has managed to convert their Shootout Showdown power, which is currently their worse side, into powerhouse strength. Though Terror Mountain has another round to show off their new power, their golden age was at the beginning of the cup in the top 4. As for the finals, the team has shown they are superior to Tyrannia, but only barely, and are not quite close enough to the Yooyuball powerhouses of Darigan and Meridell. Unfortunately for them, Yooyuball is the critical sport in the Altador Cup, and they need to improve there if they want to perform in the finals. Current Standing: 7th Original Prediction: 10th Current Prediction: 7th 8th: Tyrannia (Round Up + 3) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/tyrannia/logo.png" style="float:right;margin:5px" alt="Tyrannia Logo" />Tyrannia was one of the best first round teams this cup. Currently tied with Meridell for the best Slushie Slinger record, this team stayed in the top tier right until the end of the round. Though tied for 4th place with Krawk Island, this team equals Haunted Woods' 7th best Yooyuball record. Tyrannia’s success in their standings position is partly due to their strong sidegame results - Make Some Noise is their weakest side and they currently hold the 5th best record in it. Tyrannia has lost steam against the powerhouses, still taking sides but faltering in Yooyuball. This has caused them to fall in the standings, and would seem to indicate that the team will struggle in the finals. Without a stronger Yooyuball record, Tyrannia is likely to end up in 2nd tier, which is still an amazing improvement from last year where they ended the Round Robin in 11th. Tyrannia is undoubtedly a 1st tier contender, but their ability to contend is weighed down by their Yooyuball performance, so they aren't likely to finish the season there. Current Standing: 4th Original Prediction: 11th Current Prediction: 8th 9th: Haunted Woods (Round Up + 3) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/hauntedwoods/logo.png" style="float:left;margin:5px" alt="Haunted Woods Logo" />Haunted Woods took last year’s results as something to improve upon, and improve they have. Ironically, Haunted Woods has the same dilemma as last year: the team is stuck in 3rd tier, just under 2nd. Despite this, the Haunted Woods is better than Terror Mountain, and equal to Tyrannia in their Yooyuball record. The team currently has an 8-6-3 Yooyuball record, managing to beat the majority of the teams below it in the staple sport, while drawing with a few above it. As for side games, they are reasonably strong with the 3rd best Make Some Noise record, though their Shootout Showdown record is average, and Slushie Slinger is a bit under par. Haunted Woods has been the only team in the Altador Cup to consistently fall each year, but this year the team is looking to turn that around. The team currently sits just one side game win below 2nd tier, and have the determination to move up, but unfortunately the team is still missing that final push they need to get them ahead. Before any drastic changes will happen to their rank, this team needs to prove its consistency and endurance, both in the round robin and in the finals. Current Standing: 9th Original Prediction: 12th Current Prediction: 9th 10th: Roo Island (Round Down - 7) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/rooisland/logo.png" style="float:right;margin:5px" alt="Roo Island Logo" />Last year, the Roos took off from their slump, rocketing into 1st tier above Maraqua and Meridell, who were both projected to be in the top four. This year they’re back in 3rd tier, even getting hit by the occasional sweep. Roo Island seems to have lost the majority of their amazing Yooyuball and Shootout Showdown power from last year, and is tied for the 2nd last Slushie Slinger record. Roo Island is good at grabbing unexpected draws against upper tier teams, but they are definitely lacking their W/L/L/W consistency from last year. This sudden drop would seem to indicate that Roo Island lost a significant chunk of its support somewhere, possibly in the form of an All-Star group moving on, or simply large numbers of players going to other teams. Roo Island is the “10th Yooyuball Powerhouse” in that they are the lowest team in the standings that frequently draws Yooyuball with upper teams. If the team can keep up their focus and morale, they have a good chance of remaining stable in their tier, but they'll need to remain consistent throughout the second round and the finals. Current Standing: 10th Original Prediction: 3rd Current Prediction: 10th 11th: Shenkuu (Round Down - 2) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/shenkuu/logo.png" style="float:left;margin:5px" alt="Shenkuu Logo" />Shenkuu's hopes of making a comeback seem to have been delayed by the loss of even more of its critical support. Shenkuu is hovering in 3rd tier after spending 3 years in the cup flying through 1st tier, even placing 2nd in AC IV. This team currently has the weakest Slushie Slinger record, and holds below-average records in the remaining games, even suffering the misfortune of the occasional sweep at the hands of larger teams. Shenkuu is on the brink of falling into 4th tier for the 2nd time this season. To avoid this fate, Shenkuu needs to get as many points as possible, preventing sweeps and beating lower ranked teams. Shenkuu does have one great upset under its belt, defeating Team Virtupets in Yooyuball. Nevertheless, Shenkuu has a decent Yooyuball record for its placement (7-3-7), meaning that they should have some power in the finals. Current Standing: 12th Original Prediction: 9th Current Prediction: 11th 12th: Kiko Lake (Round Up + 3) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/kikolake/logo.png" style="float:right;margin:5px" alt="Kiko Lake Logo" />Kiko Lake is the powerhouse of the underdogs. This team swipes random sides from even the strongest teams, with above average scores in both Slushie Slinger and Shootout Showdown. This team has done amazingly well relative to last year’s 16th place finish, coming back to their highest placement ever, at least so far, sitting safely in 3rd tier. Kiko Lake now needs to defend their position, as at this point in the cup, there’s a wide points margin between them and the teams higher in the standings. The team will also have quite a challenge come the finals, as their Yooyuball record isn't quite up to par with other 3rd tier teams. Current Standing: 11th Original Prediction: 15th Current Prediction: 12th 13th: Mystery Island (Round Equal) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/mysteryisland/logo.png" style="float:left;margin:5px" alt="Mystery Island Logo" />One of a several teams to drop from their placements last year, Mystery Island is currently tied for the 6th lowest Yooyuball record, not quite living up to the 6th place standard they used to maintain. This year, the team focused on picking it up in their side games in an attempt to pull back into 3rd tier. Despite this, the team is still the strongest Yooyuball team in tier 4. Mystery Island isn't done fighting yet however, and still has a slim chance of pulling into tier 3 before the tiers begin to lock. Mystery Island would need to pull into their old powerhouse mode, which has yet to emerge and may come at the cost of consistency (and lack of consistency could also cost them critical points). Though the team will soar through the finals, it’s unlikely they'll have much of a chance at climbing the standings further this year. Current Standing: 15th Original Prediction: 13th Current Prediction: 13th 14th: Lost Desert (Round Down - 7) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/lostdesert/logo.png" style="float:right;margin:5px" alt="Lost Desert Logo" />Dropping from 1st to 14th, the champions of AC V have had the biggest season-to-season drop of any team in Altador Cup history, larger than the 8 place drop suffered by Roo Island after they were hit by the Winner's Curse, or the 9 place drop that affected Shenkuu. The Lost Desert has fallen an unprecedented 13 places, with few existing factors that could adequately explain the extent of their dive. This team's performance has most analysts completely baffled. What we do know is that they are preforming equal to Mystery Island in Yooyuball, and doing quite well in sides for their current position. Lost Desert has had very few upsets, their only significant one being a win against Tyrannia. They have also been hit by several sweeps over the first round. Despite this, they are stronger than the majority of their immediate peers in Yooyuball, and this will allow them to stay consistent in the finals. Current Standing: 14th Original Prediction: 7th Current Prediction: 14th 15th: Brightvale (Round Down - 1) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/brightvale/logo.png" style="float:left;margin:5px" alt="Brightvale Logo" />Following a pattern similar to their performance last year, Brightvale started out strong as a 2nd tier team, then seemed to run out of steam and dropped through the standings through the rest of the Round Robin, eventually losing their 3rd tier spot to Kiko Lake. Brightvale has managed to maintain its exceptional Slushie Slinger performance from last year. The team's Yooyuball record isn't quite as exceptional however, placing 4th lowest when compared against other teams' Yooyuball play. While they are a reasonably strong team for the mid-tiers, Brightvale's lack of Yooyuball strength is a major weakness, and one that may end up being absolutely crippling in the finals, but they can always enjoy a nice piece of toast. Current Standing: 13th Original Prediction: 14th Current Prediction: 15th 16th: Faerieland (Round Up + 2) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/faerieland/logo.png" style="float:right;margin:5px" alt="Faerieland Logo" />Surprising some analysts, the rapid influx of players from The Faeries' Ruin plot seems to have had a relatively balanced effect on this team, neither strengthening or weakening it. While they're not as strong as they were when they finished last year, Faerieland still meets every opponent with a strong Slushie Slinger showing. However, they're weaker than their immediate peers when it comes to Yooyuball (ranking 3rd lowest in the sport). There is still some time for Faerieland to strengthen, but they're not likely to be able to climb a full tier this season, and their lower strength in Yooyuball will give them a lot of trouble come the finals. But the no-longer-pink FLUFF cloud is not done yet. Current Standing: 16th Original Prediction: 18th Current Prediction: 16th 17th: Moltara (Round Equal) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/moltara/logo.png" style="float:left;margin:5px" alt="Moltara Logo" />Getting payback for last year's finals results, Moltara managed to outdo Team Altador for its first Yooyuball win early in the season, and their general performance hasn't been too bad, swiping side games wins (and match points) from a number of higher ranked teams. Despite this, the team is currently in 18th, as it's been unable to push past the teams above it to gain a foothold in the higher tiers. That said, Moltara is likely to end the finals well, as they should be able to beat Altador again in the main sport, edging one spot above their final position last year. Progress may be slow, but if it remains steady, Moltara will not long occupy the bottom tier. Current Standing: 18th Original Prediction: 17th Current Prediction: 17th 18th: Altador (Round Down - 2) <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/altador/logo.png" style="float:right;margin:5px" alt="Altador Logo" />Altador has yet to win, or draw a Yooyuball match this cup. In terms of general performance, this has been made up for, as the team is tied for the tournament's 3rd best Slushie Slinger record - no easy feat for any team. Despite this, the team has showed no real power in the main sport, and by this stage it seems like they won't be able to make much headway on that front. Side game performance is great, but to get ahead in the finals one needs to perform in Yooyuball, and at this point Altador simply does not have the strength it needs to outperform its immediate peers. Current Standing: 17th Original Prediction: 16th Current Prediction: 18th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Person335 Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 1. Meridell's title has a "sizable" error. Might want to check that. 2. I have to say, pretty accurate predictions. Though kind of weird to see final predictions a bit off from current standings, but I guess the AC is only halfway done. We've had surprises, and this year's no different. Guess we'll just have to play, wait, and see... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xepha Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 1. Meridell's title has a "sizable" error. Might want to check that. 2. I have to say, pretty accurate predictions. Though kind of weird to see final predictions a bit off from current standings, but I guess the AC is only halfway done. We've had surprises, and this year's no different. Guess we'll just have to play, wait, and see... It's not weird that predictions don't equal current standings because during finales, team face other teams in their tier... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voteforpedro333 Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 Though it's very obvious that Maraqua and Kreuldor have what it takes for the top two, I think it'll go to Kreludor. They have Finals experience and they deserve it after being close so many times in the past couple of years. After all, Lost Desert had never placed below fifth and got a 1st place after two consecutive 3rd's...which makes me all the sadder to see us having the hardest hitting Curse there ever was. Perhaps it gets stronger as time goes on? I also want to see a "non-champion" top four. Yeah, that means KI and DC in second tier, but if Meridell or Terror Mountain can dominate the second round it can happen. And maybe, if only, LD can wake up from this wretched nightmare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanjoseph99 Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 SHENKUU! WAKE UP!! NO TIME FOR SLEEPING HERE!! WE HAVE TO PLAY HARD AND PROVE THEM WRONG! ;) But first.. A slushie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antiaircraft Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 SHENKUU! WAKE UP!! NO TIME FOR SLEEPING HERE!! WE HAVE TO PLAY HARD AND PROVE THEM WRONG! ;) But first.. A slushie! ^ This is the most epic motivational speech I have ever had the pleasure of reading. xD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marabot 108 Posted June 20, 2011 Author Share Posted June 20, 2011 Yesterday's MQ vs. KD results prove my reasoning. I SHALL PREVAIL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awesome_Paul Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I reckon Maraqua may come 4th, depending on how well they do this round. 11 wins so far in YB isn't enough so far (when you have 4-5 teams with more). I think Kreludor will win it this year. Though I predict the top four as: 1st: Kreludor 2nd: Virtupets 3rd: Krawk Island 4th: Meridell Maraqua may be able to switch with Meridell though, if they get their results in round 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marabot 108 Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Well Maraqua has beaten all four of those teams at least once, and the KI match amde no sense in any universe or alternate reality, and the 1st KD match was aprt of MQ's traditional slow-start. I THINK that it is POSSIBLE that it could be KD vs. MQ 1st round, in which case VP or KI gets 2nd. I think that if Maraqua can make 1st tier, they win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanjoseph99 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 ^ This is the most epic motivational speech I have ever had the pleasure of reading. xD Hahahaha. :) Seriously. We need more slushies and slushie wins!! It would be pretty embarrassing If we get a good placement (maybe around 2nd tier) and get NO Slushie wins?? Hahaha. We need more slushies Shenkuu! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awesome_Paul Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I dunno, If anything, they will get 2nd/3rd and they will win next year. Kreludor just have the finals motivation. But Maraqua really needs to step it up in Yooyuball, drawing that and winning side games, won't get into the finals :) But we'll soon see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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