Quote Originally Posted by Aravell View Post
I think it's also because the general player skill level is more balanced?

It feels like even without a commander, people still make good decisions and generally play ok.
Very much so. And this does happen on NA sometimes in the absence of premades. This is why we've floated everything from matchmaking algorithms to reducing rewards. But I'd suggest it's precisely those battles where there is little commanding where people are compelled to look at the map and figure out how the mode works. You learn absolutely nothing by racing around after a "D" with a 3-2-1 countdown banging in your shell-like.

It also illustrates another flaw in Olivia's logic. We do have this "rouletter" population on NA, many of whom have no desire to get better. But they are not going to leave because they constantly get curbstomped! They're there for the XP and don't give a hoot about what transpires on the battlefield. The people it will drive off are those with potential and a willingness to learn, who conclude (not incorrectly) that NA FL matches are currently dominated by a curbstomping clique.

In other words, Olivia's offensive statement that she will drive out the weakies by beating them with her premade barrage will never work. It'll just drive away players with the desire to get better, but who don't respond well to The One True Path being "beaten" into them.

As we used to say in Kansas, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Similarly, you attract a new crop of players through engaging, balanced matches, not cynical noob-farming, as those on Dynamis can attest.