After a pretty spectacular start to Season XXXVI of Ultimate Monster Battle Arena, the typical first-round scuffle has resulted in some pretty impressive moves in both Heavyweight and Lightweight Tournaments. A series of resignations and withdrawals in both has caused some lower divisions to be completely reshuffled, saving some Monsters from relegation and causing a quadruple promotion from Lightweight Zeta Division into Epsilon Division as a withdrawal from each division further up caused a cascade of shuffling.
The full rankings can be viewed here. The Network reminds loyal readers that the Shuffling moves the top 1/3 of each Division up and the bottom 1/3 down before each League Conference in order to make things interesting. The order is decided by points earned by beating other competitors in the Arena (5pts for wins in the Division above, 3pts for the same Division, and 1pt for the Division below)
The Double Team table has been established, with last year's Double Team Champions, Block and Tackle, receiving their place seeded first.
The following Monsters (Trainers) came top of their respective divisions during the first round and will receive an additional prize during the League Conference.
In particular, Howling Terror has taken an impressive lead over Volcanosaurus in the early stages of the Heavyweight tournament while Toxtor dominates in the Lightweight Alphas. It's all to play for as ever, but fans are already turning away from the magma-spewing titan of Season XXXV to favour the long-necked Howling Terror!
With 8 teams competing in the Double Team Tournament, the Network is pleased to remind competitors of how the Double Team Tournament works: each Round, points will be awarded based on performance against other Teams. Each win is worth 3 points, with initial ranking used to break ties by the end of the Tournament. Additional points may be scored based on coordination and cooperation at the adjudication of the Umpire of each match. Let the tournament begin!
As usual, from the second League Conference of the Season onward, Administrative Fees will be charged for corrections or changes to details provided to Host. The Network thanks you for your cooperation and understanding.
Following the pilot of Money Pit during the latest tournament rounds, the Network is considering the possibility of other non-fight based entertainments between the matches. Further news to come shortly.
There was a slew of gladiator fights in round 1. Interestingly, although several of them were the usual fare - humans being crushed by Monsters, someone attacking The Inertiantor whilst it remains immobile - a couple drew large crowds. One in particular generated a lot of controversy, and Sentinel looks forward to the future discussion surrounding the place of gladiators in the League. Whilst, ultimately, gladiator battles are diversions from the true sport of Monster Battles, it remains to be seen whether the gladiators themselves can generate the favourable publicity and the attention of sufficient Rules Lawyers to bring any more prominence to their role.
There was a lot of crowd-pleasing musical numbers this round. Some creative bright spark behind Dark Steel's entrance, plus whoever created the music for the Dance-Off, indicates untapped musical talent. What will we hear next?
Something light-hearted to round off the issue: our review of the latest quirky entertainment Bastion has to offer… Progress and Steeple's Beetle Circus!
Featuring the two Monsters we've seen recently in the Lightweight battles, Rollerpedes and THE TENT, this effortlessly slick show keeps delivering acts so entrancing that the evening just rolls away. Rollerpedes treated us to acrobatics in the Arena, and we had a taste of the teamwork in their double team fight where the beetles started inside the tent, but if you enjoyed that, then you really just see them at their best. For example, THE TENT was one hundred per cent dry, and its lamp eyes were coordinated.
The Monsters' routines are fun and awesome. It's so fun that it's easy to forget how clever it is; the Monsters are truly a testimony to the skills of their Trainers, Messrs Progress and Steeple.
In conclusion, the Circus has been delighting citizens of Bastion, and may delight you too. This writer's kids loved it - but predicts that readers will need to arrive early future shows - there were queues last Thursday.