A Challenger Approaches (a small format pondering for next World's)

Mostly Janna··1 votes·2,424 views

Would it be worth considering that next years worlds include a Bo1 (or Bo3) mini-bracket for all of the teams in the bottom two spots of their groups? They would face off and the winner of that matchup would have the ability to challenge any of the second place finishers from group stages to match (Bo1/Bo3) for the right to compete in the knockout bracket and a final shot at the Summoner's Cup. Should the winner of the 'Challenger Approaches' tournament defeat their team of choice that already advanced to knockouts, they would take the spot of that team in the knockout phase.

I know it would add another day of play into World's, but I think it is worth considering. It would give some of the smaller regions more time on the international stage, teams that are good at adapting a format that better suits them, make it more interesting for viewers (your team still has a shot), and eliminate the impact of some of the 'Group of Death' draws.

Downside, adding in another day of play, and also that it definitely would be awful to be the team to scrape by and get through from groups only to lose your slot to the challenger.

Just something I pondered.

5 Comments

III BAKURYU III 1 votes

The exciting thing about Worlds is the groups and how some groups look weaker but are actually strong, group of life, group of death etc etc - adding in the safety net of such Best of X for a chance to make it out of groups kinda makes it less interesting in my opinion and honestly would make such stale.

Simplicity goes a long way - It's a cut throat tournament that gives no second chances -

Mostly Janna1 votes

Totally get that.

And yes, a lot of what we expect already doesn't happen.

Where I find my hangups and 'well I'm done watching' during groups is when the outcome is decided in Games 1 or 2 of Day 2 of who is making it out of groups. I do not find that exciting at all. That is one of the things I liked about this from a concept level because it addresses that.

ChompyWulf1 votes

This idea is bad. It adds a minimum of 12 games to the tournament, and the idea a "second chance" winner can pick any 2nd seed means some kind of lottery to decide order and who gets to pick who, unless you're ok with that possibility of one team facing FOUR MORE knockout scenarios.

It's just a bad idea that would draw things out more and make more of a mess. I'd support the chance of minor regions getting more time facing international competition, but not at the expense of drawing out an already long tournament.

Mostly Janna1 votes

No lottery should be needed. If you keep it as Bo1, then it is 8 matches. Easily playable in a day.

Losers in Groups A, B, C, D are bracketed off just like the knockout round. Could even do it by their already established groups, which would have already determined who gets side selection and such based on their finishes.

Say in theoretical case RNG ran through this knockout. They would then have the choice (as of right now) to face Splyce, G2, or Fnatic to claim their slot. You get one challenge, so you would want to pick who you think you can beat.

Flemman1 votes

what is the purpose of being second in group stage then?

except rewarding loser with another chance, your idea just negate the fact of doing good in an hard group

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