Round 3

[Masahiro Sakurai]

Will Isabelle do the duel? Can underdog god Mario last all the way until the swap?

[Master Hand]

It's that time again

~THE MASTER FINGERS~

THE THUMB



Oh how quickly things can change! Duck Hunt chose to use their two most powerful cards on the Shield Sandbag and did not tell a soul they intended to do so, leading to much bewilderment when their play was revealed at the Team Meeting. Their apparent allies Robin, Samus and especially Wii Fit Trainer were most confused of all. Robin mentioned what Duck Hunt had done to Dark Pit, who was also highly perplexed and spread the news to all he interacted with. Duck Hunt may be content with their strategy to openly discard tehir best cards, but as of now the tactic is only causing them negative attention and they can previous little afford that when Red is going to be the fluid team of the three.

THE INDEX FINGER



Piranha Plant going into the Ring was an openly acknowledged fact. King Dedede even sent them a GIF of weed killer being used on a puppet weed Armed with this knowledge our beloved Piranha Plant sprung immediately into action and deployed their Attack Cards as optimally as they could to survive. As the highest bidder for the Attack Sandbag they got the choice of which stage they would duel in, and selected to play Twenty Levels as Loonerty had won that in Australian Survivor: Chile. Piranha Plant smashed the competition with 16 Levels, the next highest being Yoshi's 8. Piranha Plant also snatched the Shield Sandbag to give them more time to exchange selfies with their new team members. We love challenge sluts in Arena and I couldn't not acknowledge such a fanworthy play

THE MIDDLE FINGER



Most of the cast were on their best and most correct behaviour while I update this, so it would be remiss of me to award the Middle Finger to anyone other than the inactive Isabelle. She has made some occasional logins, it is true, but none of that has resulted in any messaging or posting. I am definitely concerned that she is going to not do the duel and leave the outcome unresolved until 7:00pm tomorrow night, meaning I would have to cover for Sakurai in his absence and actually do something productive Perhaps she'll spare me that, here's hoping!

THE RING FINGER



This was an obvious one y/y? Once Ike lost in the Ring and was not a mute third wheel these two quickly started bonding at the Spectator Stands. I like the think of them as star-crossed lovers, so obviously in sync as personalities and players yet stuck in ill-suited teams that they should not realistically escape for the time being. I have always believed that secret combinations of two are far more viable than combinations of three, and these two have further illustrated this principle. Take that, self-righteous Ghibli lurkers Eventually I think these two will unite and be able to work together reliably.

THE PINKY



This might be seen as an interesting choice but I feel like King Dedede is electing to downplay himself at this exact moment and I'd like the bragging rights for picking up on it early Every time I review King Dedede's updates or his communications I notice the sheer composure that he approaches everything with. The Green Team has a bunch of players doing questionable things. Where Dark Pit is exasperated, King Dedede takes it all in his stride and lets it play out. He's specifically avoiding twist interactions after his prominent premiere and conceded Mario even if he saw better logic to keeping him. Dark Pit spoke positively of him to Robin and I think he'll be able to sell himself as stable down the line.

[Crazy Hand]

After being so close to the default boot for the first few rounds, it seems like DK is finally gaining some traction. He may have picked up Samus and now Robin and might have a better foothold in the tribe

[Masahiro Sakurai]

Wario is considering volunteering; whether he goes ahead with it or not, it is a weird idea given his lack of experience. Dedede's confessional sums this predicament up nicely; in trying to be everyone's number 1 ally he's ended up in a real pickle. If it doesn't happen Link has finally worked out the danger he is in. His immunity bid will likely fail to match K Rool's eventual bid, but picking the Stage Select will help him; worst-case scenario, he can ban two maths duels.

On Red, Robin is the swing vote between DK/Yoshi and Duck Hunt/Wii Fit Trainer. I don't like Wii Fit's chances here, honestly, but Duck Hunt will likely be immune next round anyway, unless Mario ends up there again and Falco convinces him to play huge for immunity. Hmmmmm...

Blue seems set to boot Captain Falcon, or revolving door the duelist, which, no? Captain Falcon's only sin was missing that 12-hour period everyone formed the relationships in initially, and he's been a top person to follow the whole game. I hope he finds a safe place to land, no matter what.

Presuming no Isabelle, Marth will win and head to Green, while Red will reclaim Mario. This talk of Blue's "disunity" from a 4-3 vote, while true, has been comically overstated. Much of the game has decided it was a lie; while that is wrong, it has made them suspicious of a high level of collaboration on Blue. The fault here does lie with Blue for aggressively advertising that happy accident of a vote as if it were telling of the true dynamics.

[Tabuu]

So I feel like it needs to be said but: How are these players able to read Squirtle's posts? It takes me about 5 minutes to decode every time he speaks and it's a lot of effort, I can't imagine doing it in multiple group chains every round? This blue team has some mental fortitude that I am sadly lacking, it seems

[Master Hand]

I just spent the last 40 minutes clearing out Lakitu and it really was impossible to focus on anything in his messages at all. Squirtle is my all-time favourite Pokémon and JustJaking is an icon, but it is hard not to think it ideal if we're not having to handle all that for long in this

From what I've read if he'd started like he is now he'd be in a worse spot. Doesn't bode well for the swap I'd say.

Captain Falcon going in is unfortunate on a number of levels. He got unlucky that timezones meant he had a communication gap while Squirtle, Richter, Falco and Pyra & Mythra all got to know each other, followed by an 18 hour period where he was generally online but neither Squirtle or Falco were at all. He certainly will not go down quietly. The four have mentioned giving Captain Falcon an edge on whatever tribe he joins by having him bid for Immunity, but this will certainly come across as them using him to make Piranha Plant vulnerable and ditching him at the same time. Like the 4-3 Ike vs Marth vote I feel like that'll create terrible publicity and Blue will continue to miss out on duelists.

That said, the work Captain Falcon is putting in on Mario may bail Blue out and add another insult to injury for Captain Falcon, if there is no revolving door.

[Master Hand]

Love that I'm here dutifully refreshing and ready to pounce on any Attack Card plays for the spreadsheet and such only for essentially everyone to do nothing just over an hour before the deadline

[Tabuu]

Today's Tabuu Topic of the day is... tax evasion

Much like our resident inactive Isabelle, I took a day off from the board! I am not shocked in the least that she went inactive and am mostly just annoyed that she showed up at all, if she went inactive immediately we could've at least let Asbel replace in?

I'm going to refer to each player in the game BRIEFLY, as I want to talk about everyone without spending years on a post. I will also be ranking them within their teams somewhat, just talking about whoever I like most of the team first and going down.

First is:

Blue Team: Um this group is so weird? I like some of them but I also just do not care in the slightest about others, and it seems like most of the more interesting people are getting got? I will say they seemed to handle the Marth situation about as well as they could, and that bridge doesn't seem to be burned at least. But this next boot? They won't be able to manage it well, even if they let him get immunity next round it'll hurt them because as Master Hand said it'll just look like trying to fuck over the Plant. It seems like it'll be Captain Falcon right now, with an outside chance of Pythra that doesn't seem to be rooted in reality.

Captain Falcon - Honestly the life of Blue for me, their shtick is funny and engaging, but they are just unable to connect with this team. Most of it seems to be for timezone reasons as this is the unofficial Not Australian Team, but I suspect that even if their timezone were good they wouldn't be safe regardless? Falco has it out for him, the girls don't seem to like him and Richter is his only real fan it seems. I think he'll have a lot of longevity in future, but this just isn't his home.

Falco - I am kinda liking Falco's moral dilemma that is his confessional, and feel like out of everyone on this team he has by far the most potential in future. He's sociable, but it will do him in down the line as he seems to love everyone? Lol. Emotionally invested in Falco.

Piranha Plant - lmfao What a terribly thought out shtick, but I'm loving it. Just posting images and gifs as their game while they try and survive challenges as long as humanly possible. I love it. Obviously they need to die soon, but I will love their journey for as long as it happens.

Feb 15, 2022 16:36:31 GMT 10 Piranha Plant said:

That's just social game sweaty.

Richter - He's fine enough, social and very well liked (maybe becoming the most liked?), but just not making a splash right now. (this colour is yellow not gold, regular yellow just isn't visible on this board)

Pyra and Mythra - We've mentioned this in the Discord, but Pythra have just been overshadowed by Duck Hunt Duo doing the same shtick but, well, interestingly. A two in one shtick is a good idea and I was going to be Ice Climbers with the same concept before I decided to cohost instead, so I totally get it.

Squirtle - I commend Squirtle for his amount of effort, but I think less is more. This is too much. It's unreadable I'm sorry.

Will make a post for Green next

[Master Hand]

Hard to document the craziness as it happens, but Green Team has reached boiling point! Wario's current scheme may seem in the Ring willingly or not. Dark Pit and King Dedede seem ready to sever the tie.

[Tabuu]

Green Team: Green is a mess, they're too active for their own good Absolutely going to overplay themselves at some point to try and stay afloat, which I am loving but also feel like it'll tear them apart eventually. While Blue is more at risk of isolating themselves but sticking together, Green is at risk of hating each other eventually. And I am loving that idea. Great team, hope to see them succeed. I like every single member of this tribe.

Legitimately have no idea who will be booted here. I have seen votes cast for King Dedede, Link and Wario, and I think Marth will be on the table too. That's 4/7 with one hour left. Insanity. I will pretend that Marth has not yet joined the tribe yet for the sake of keeping the duelists in their own post at the end.

Wario - overplaying GOD Fave of the game right now, he is sooooooo detrimental to his own game when he could easily be among the most loved here and I am here for it. Do I want him to be sent into the arena? No. Am I going to fan myself with how hot the move is if he's sent in, willingly or not? Absolutely. Praying for him to win if he's sent in.

Dark Pit - Terrible rep choice, it needs to be said, but Dark Pit has one of the better arcs so far. He came onto this tribe seeming like a fourth, but has quickly grabbed the reins of this tribe and is in a great position. Everyone seems to like him. This is far too early to call this btw but... winner prediction? He has the abilities to do it.

King Dedede - Hilarious shtick and also killing in socially Yeah whatever DDD is more greedy than what this portrayal is, but who cares it's funny. Him being willing to slit Wario's throat even if he backs out of the plan is ruthless and I adore it. He's got some longevity here.

Kazuya - Kazuya and DDD are basically a duo at this point in my eyes, and Kazuya is both the less targeted one but also a little less interesting for me. Not that say I don't like him, I think he's great and playing the social game very well. I do think he's a huge part of why Marth ended up joining their tribe and has made the most of his role in the game without ever being too focused.

King K Rool - K Rool is kinda great, though a bit more lowkey? He's gaining traction and I'm glad to see it, that play for immunity was absolutely needed. I like how his reads on the tribe are 100% on point too, even though he hasn't said much beyond that.

Link - Link is fine, just a little out of his depth. I would not be crushed if he were sent in as a sacrifice for the team, and the fact that he thinks it's Dedede going in when there is no chance in hell of that happening tells me that he's not long for this game. I wouldn't mind seeing his reactions next round though, could be fiery

[Tabuu]

Red Team: Okay actually this tribe turning into a 2v2 with Robin and Samus in the middle was a shocking but great development. This tribe is a quiet mess, on the surface it seems like a really boring tribe, but internally they're a mess. I don't quite know who is getting eliminated right now, but I think it'll be between WFT and Mario now that he's joining? Sad for Mario as I do want him to survive at least one round, but perhaps it just isn't meant to be

Honestly kinda shocked that all these tribes do not care for mutineers at all, it's a very different dynamic than usual games where people actually want people to join their tribes lol.

Robin - The kingmaker right now, and likely in the best position. I think he will cut Mario again just to keep the dynamic the same as before, but I am interested to see where he goes. Surprised I care this much for a Fire Emblem rep, but he's doing it justice more than the others are.

Yoshi - The shtick is funny Love that Yoshi is strategically trying to get rid of every challenge he is afraid of before he joins, it's a great play for him. I think he'll easily survive the dislike WFT has for him and thrive here, definitely made the right choice on tribe here.

Duck Hunt - hilarious shtick kinda lowkey imo but still hilarious enough to not even be considered a target at this point

Samus - Solid socially, doing well. Not much to say, but I like her enough. Putting her in yellow because I am waiting for her to shine.

Donkey Kong - I don't really notice DK too much yet, but I have to give massive props for turning their position around on this tribe. I was sure they were an early out, maybe even the first out, but now it seems like they have made some momentum into being in an okay spot here. I'm more interested in them moving forward.

Wii Fit Trainer - She's there. Idk. This game said we're gonna make sure you don't remember any women in this cast.

[Tabuu]

The Ring: And finally the duelists. Was this outcome a shock? No. Did I expect Isabelle to be active? No. Her getting second boot is more than I expected and honestly more than she deserved. I do think both survivors have a huge chance of being sent right back in, but I really hope they get a second chance at life here. Mario probably is getting his third duel, but Marth might be able to scrape through for a bit.

Mario - underdog king I have no faith in him to survive long, but I will enjoy the journey while it lasts. He's fun enough and this duel arc is as good a showing as any and can make him look stronger than he really is if he wins enough.

Marth - was inactive early on, but has come back and quickly shown why he survived over Ike round 1 despite the activity levels. I think if he can survive this round, which he seems poised to, then he'll be able to survive for a while yet. He can get over the bar that is Link easily and even against K Rool might stand a fair shot. I have faith in him.

Isabelle - yeah.

Top 5:

1. Wario

2. Dark Pit

3. Captain Falcon

4. King Dedede

5. Falco

ok active cohost era over. will post again tomorrow maybe

[Tabuu]

Disappointed that Mario is being sent out over someone who has now selfvoted 2 of 3 rounds so far, and I think the red team are being incredibly shortsighted with this decision, but I also kinda get it.

[Tabuu]

Somehow, despite Green being so crazy this round, they have managed to be the least chaotic result.

Red had two selfvotes and ended in a 3-2-2 Mario boot.

Blue had Squirtle and Richter switch their votes right on the deadline, with Squirtle getting it in on time and Richter missing out by 4 seconds. So now it's a 3-3 tie for Falcon and Pythra. Richter will likely fix this on the revote though and send the twins out.

Very shocking results