So if you haven’t been living under a rock, you probably have been seeing more discussion about MLG Vegas and their preselected map pool.

While I do find the discussion to be uncompromising on both ends, I think MLG does need to take the first step to suggest a pick/ban alternative.

I came up with this draft method two days ago, and, after seeing someone else bring it up as a possibility, I decided to gauge the community reaction to it.

To preface, this map ban/protect process holds two things in mind: 1. Player Choice, 2. Guaranteeing the play of all map types

Setting the Scene

I think it is important to play all formats regardless of their competitive viability. I do recognize 2CP maps are inherently unbalanced due to the stall potential the defense has on the second points. However, this is a point Blizzard does not seem willing to yield on.

So how do we go about ensuring a map gets played, while also giving players the choice to pick their maps? One suggestion would be to enforce the play of every game type in BO3 and BO5.

How do we get around to this?

New Way to View the Map Pool

Let’s divide the current map pool to reflect 3 map types: 2CP, KotH, and Escort/Hybrid.

I do recognize a major flaw here: the grouping of Escort and Hybrid as a single category. Yes, I understand the consensus among players regarding escort and hybrid maps being the most balanced of the formats, but I would make the argument they are close enough to be grouped together.

BO3

Now, we have 3 map types, which fit perfectly in the BO3 style. From here, we would specifically allocate an odd number of maps per type. Teams would be then allowed to ban until 1 map remains for each type. This can take the form of individual drafts: 2CP draft, KotH draft, and Escort/Hybrid draft, or it can take the form of a draft over the entire map pool.

Now this holds for our conditions. By enforcing map types, we give Blizzard what they want. However, we also give players the option to pick the maps they want to see. Admittedly, the player choice is in the form of bans versus picks, but I still think banning will result in a final map, which both teams feel neutral on. In addition, the banning process will involve a positive move in terms of making map select smarter.

The subsequent order of maps played could be randomly predetermined, as to keep things “fairer”.

BO5

What about for BO5? This is where I’m going to give more of the power to the teams.

We will start out the draft with an initial Ban/Protect stage. Teams will take turns banning 1 map and then selecting 1 map to guarantee play on (protecting). To keep things fair, the team who bans first will protect second.

Afterwards, teams will follow the BO3 process to figure out the rest of the map pool with the stipulation that each map type is played at least once. This style gives teams more luxury in terms of what maps they want to play.

The ordering of the maps would be as such: Games 1 and 2 would be the team protected maps, Games 3 to 5 would be randomly ordered. There are a few nuances, which can be added to the situation. If we deem first ban/first protect to be more advantageous, we can order Games 1 and 2 in a way such that the first game is the preference of the disadvantageous side.

Conclusion

Obviously, this process still needs work. But that is why I am looking to the community for suggestions. I think this ban process allows for both Blizzard and the players to get what they want, but also requires compromise.

So let me know what you think!

Sincerely,

Wilson ‘Scr1be’ Xu