I love playing indie scrum because you are a one-man team and take full responsibility for whatever happens in that game.

However, in Team Scrum, that is not the case. There seems to be countless factors that determine victory or defeat.

It doesn't seem to matter how good each individual player is on either side because I've seen many teams with better players (individually) get totally stomped by another team with inferior players. The key factor seems to be how well they play as a cohesive unit (or team). I know it sounds silly and rather obvious because it is called TEAM Scrum, but it is still interesting to note.

It all reminds me of what happened in the NBA finals recently. The LA Lakers had the better players individually, but Detroit was the better TEAM.

Hence the trouncing the Lakers took as they lost in 5 games.

Anyway, I noticed this even more than ever last night on the Slug as my green team played what appeared to be a better blue team, but we somehow managed to not only win, but totally dominate 18 to 5! Here were some of the players on both sides:

Green Team: Major Pain, Paisano, Dark Angel, Demolition Man and a 5th player I can't remember.

Blue Team: KID, Bolo (who missed half the game), God, Kentuckykillblly, HaHa and someone else.

As you can see, blue had the better players...over all... But why did we kick serious buttocks?

Here is the screenshot of the final score:

The highlight of the game for me involved the best goal that I ever scored! It came against the legendary Bolo who has taught me many things on the fine art of scrum. Trust me, I know that I might never be able to do this again to him, so forgive my moment of boasting!!!

Anyway, Bolo stole the scrum from Major Pain who was having an unreal game (scoring 8 goals) and I pursued Bolo. He jumped from a launch pad towards the goal and I followed doing the same thing. As we flew through the air I kept pelting Bolo with an endless barrage of shots until I killed him just before crossing the goal and while still in the air I somehow managed to grab the scrum and scored! It was unbelievable! I've seen him and other elites do this many times, but to actually experience such a thrill was exciting!

Anyway, back to my question: Is it as simple as the players that play better as a team will always win in Team Scrum?

How much of a factor does luck have in this? Great spawns and fortunate bounces around the goal? How important is battlemoding skill?

We had a very strong shooter on our side (demolition man) who seemed focussed on smoking tanks and it seemed to help our cause.

What say you?

Play KID on frantic. That makes all the difference. HaHa is Bolo. Last I played him.

Last edited: Thursday, June 24, 2004 at 3:39:43 PM

@Pray

That's what made this game so shocking, it WAS on a frantic! Also, HaHa AND Bolo were playing at the same time, so how can it be him?

HaHa's game reminded me of Burnsie though.

I always wonder ypeople play scrumin the Lush maps and hardly ever in the spooky and Franctic levels?! I mean they 2 have their cool scrum tricks and stuff! And the boost pads with the cliffs only makes them better B) (cool get aways for the scrum goal!)

Cadc (SA) (Leader)

I agree CADC the Frantic Maps kick butt. They are my favorite. If you were able to play late at night you'd find a lot of scrum games and now even TBM on Frantic maps.

Actually rogue, the only games I´ve seen played on all maps are The Fields of Screams Games with Azazel! They absolutely Rock!! ;)

Cadc (SA) (Leader)

The teams that are the best know who they are playing with, and quickly discover what each player is good at. BMers do well 'clearing' the goal, or chasing a runner with a flag. Some are amazing side swipers, good at waiting for a runner to come over a burm and have the scrum stolen, or timing the swipe just right at the goal, some are great runners: almost impossible to hit. A good runner has patience and maybe a 'scenic' route to the goal to give his/her team time to get there. Unpredictable driving is an asset for a runner as well.

A good team will pass the good runners if there is time.

A good team will line up on the 'scoring route' that the runner is likely to take waiting for a pass if necessary.

A good team will clear the goal or block at key moments. Even a re-direction is often enough.

A good team will GET OUT OF THE WAY WHEN THEIR OWN RUNNER IS COMING! (you can wait there if they need to pass, but don't force them to pass if they can see the goal! Instead follow behind to pick up the scrum if it is dropped, and to act as a 'sheild' for your teammate).

A good team will divide these tasks evenly and switch fluidly if need be.

A team scrummer should be well balanced at all of the skills, even if they are stronger at one and weaker at another.

There is more. But I don't have time. Get well LoneWolf.

--dd

@DD

Great stuff! Totally agree on all counts. Please post more when you have time.

Kid just had a baby...he might not be giving the game his total focus right now :)

Pai:

I missed 75% of that game. My teammates bumped me and screwed up several goals. After that game haha left and my team didnt lose the rest of the night.

Haha isnt me

Later jangles and I played some 2 on 2 and quadrupled our opponents points.

Hehe

B