WHY THIS LEAGUE IS STILL AWESOME AND RELEVANT

The other day my drug-addled, foul-mouthed, oft-rehabbed counterpart thought it best to infringe his poisonous beliefs upon those of us who still care about this league.   I thought long and hard as to why this league is not as Pablo alleges, but instead, how it remains awesome and relevant:

1.  The characters whom we all know and love, whether they be from the universes contained within  Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Transformers, or Anime, are still alive in the FFL.  Not only are they still living and breathing, but they remain, in fact, the quintessential reason as to why this league was created in the first place.  The characters and entities in this league allow the pooling of imaginations into a non-formulaic concoction of excitement.  Heroes.  Villains.  Vigilantes.  Scoundrels.  The FFL has them all and in droves.  Whether a match contains Superman, Spiderman or the Artrips, we ingest on a weekly basis a variety of flavors that make this league great. 

2.  Although we have lost many owners over the years such as Poteracki, Oblak and Seeney, as in all leagues, there is a time when even the mighty must hang up their cleats.  As the heroes of our modern day sports era have gracefully left, i.e., Pete Rose, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa, those within the FFL must also eventually leave to allow others to enter and covet what is known as the Trophy of Champions. 

3.  The writing of the “Watchers” has morphed and acclimated to what is needed for the league each year.  There can be no doubt that each “Watcher” has his or her own style and spin on the same story.  Simply, that is what makes this league exciting, the results always arguable.  Someone once said, “never is it right to criticize others if one is not in the position to stand in ones’ shoes and never tries in the first place.”  There are many who should heed these very words.   

4.  This league is not stagnant, but has adapted each year.  For example, the “Watcher Voted” matches were stroke of pure genius and not once has there been a question regarding the tabulated votes associated with same.  Further, we have created new instrumental characters enjoyed by all - the likes of Bama, Rob C, Real Man, Papaw and Mamaw, Cock Sneak Goombah, Immel and Darth Shemalyah.  Like each new universe’s creations, so have we been able to bring ourselves to this task.  A universe of diversity and absurdity at the same time --  something we can all laugh at and be proud of.  Something to which we can all call “ours” is never something to scoff at.

5.  Last, but not least- SHAME!  Shame on Pablo for attempting to create problems which do not exist.  Shame on those who accept his vitriolic rhetoric as reality.  Shame to those who would disparage a league that has allowed us to escape, even if only for a few moments each week.  Shame. . .

-Earth 3 Pablo

THE SEASON 9 DRAFT

The draft for this season is the largest we have had in several years, and also the largest that some of the newer members of the league have ever seen. With over 400 spots, it will be a bit of a throwback to the drafts of old; but at the same time it incorporates the methodology established over the last few years.

There will not be a separate draft for Graveyard picks this year, nor will there be a side draft like there has been in the last few seasons. There will also not be off picks gifted to individuals drafting; but instead all off list picks are listed directly on the draft list itself. There are more than enough group and single off list picks for everyone in the league; but like all spots on the draft list they are first come, first serve. So if you want them, take them; as they will not be held or guaranteed for everyone.

The Graveyard picks are also all listed directly on the draft. There are several specialty graveyard picks on there as well. The additional graveyard points that owners have accumulated may be used any time a graveyard pick is drafted. You can use up to seventy-five points of your own, in addition to whatever the pick itself allows per turn. They can also be kept for future drafts with interest provided.

Last year's purge was created in part to do away with an ever-growing and increasingly burdensome waiver wire. For this reason, as it was last year ALL characters are undroppable. The only way to open up roster spots is to trade characters or kill them off. You may only draft as many characters as your roster will allow. The maximum roster is 350 characters (not counting your coaching staff, which is up to 6 people). Several teams are close to their maximum and several are quite sparse. If you wish to have a larger draft than your roster allows than I suggest you begin working out trades with those teams that have the opposite roster size as you.

The strangest addition to this year's draft will be the last fifty characters. These characters are primarily different, obscure, or short-lived versions of previously used characters. These characters will come into the league with only three lives. After their third death they will go to The Graveyard, and their weapons and/or items will not be passed on.

A good sized chunk of the draft are characters that were left to the league by the exiting championship team The Horsemen of Apokolips. These characters all have different deaths, which will be listed on the draft. Some of them have items as well, which does not appear on the draft; but does in the email you all received from our gracious and powerful roster wizard.

Feel free to contact me here on this post, or via text, call, or email if you have any questions. The draft itself will take place on Saturday February 13th at 1:00 at my house. Feel free to show up any time after 11:30 am if you have any questions or concerns that I would be glad to help out with. The draft lottery will take place on this coming Monday evening. The results will be posted afterwards.


Here is the draft:

PAGE A:

1. Lor San Tekka 8
2. General Hux 12
3. Supreme Leader Snoke 43
4. Rey 20
5. Poe Dameron 12
6. BB-8 (7)
7. Maz 10
8. Captain Phasma 12
9. First Order Storm Trooper #1-10 (4)
10. First Order Flame Trooper #1-5 (5)
11. First Order Snow Trooper #1-5 (5)
12. Talia 22
13. Old Daka 32
14. Jedi Consular #1-4 (27)
15. Jedi Temple Guard #1-4 (22)
16. Dathcha 5
17. HK-47 (20)
18. Ima Gun Di 31
19. Kip Durron & Dass Jennir 30, 30, 58
20. Birra Seah 8
21. Foul Moudama 30
22. Roron Corobb 30
23. Ood Banar & Qu Rahn 30, 30, 52
24. Sith Lady Githany 35
25. Halagad Ventor 30
26. Rom Koda & Falon Grey 30, 20, 43
27. Lord Hoth 31
28. Lowbaccca 31
29. Lucas McCain: The Rifleman 12
30. Anarky 22
31. DC Grab bag
32. DC Grab bag
33. Sky Pirate 15
34. Fizban 20
35. Brainstorm, Skids, and Swirl 25, 25, 25, 68
36. Doc Magus 20
37. Hell's Angel 20
38. Sad Sack and The Sarge 6, 10, 12
39. Six Gun Gorilla 20
40. Decepticon Cassettes #1-3 (14, free w/ cassette group)
41. Enemy, Garboil, Glit, Howlback, Sundor (-5), Flip Sides (-5), & Wingthing (15, free w/ cassette group)
42. Autobot Cassettes #1-3 (14, free w/ cassette group)
43. Flip Sides (-5), Nightstalker, Playback, Rosanna, Stripes, Blackcat, and Sundor (-5)
44. Ravage Clones #1-2 (14, free w/ cassette group)
45. Autoscout #1-2 (14, free w/ cassette group)
46. Aladdin (10), Abu (2) (10), Magic Carpet (8, -5 w/ anybody else), Jasmine (6), and Genie (45) (50 for the whole crew)
47. Jafar and Iago 30, 2, 30.
48. Grid and Atomica 22, 22, 42
49. Puzzler (all 6 members of Go-Bot Gestalt), (1 roster spot)) 18, 45
50. Courageous (Go-bot gestalt power suit) 45
51. Go-Bots 20
52. Cenobite #1-3 (15)
53. James Madison 6
54. Colonel James Monroe 6
55. George W. Bush 6
56. Dennis Miller 6
57. Bernie Sanders 6
58. Jimmy Carter 6
59. Super Grover 10
60. Fishface and Dogpound 12, 12, 20
61. Clifford the Big Red Dog 30
62. Bowser Jr. 10
63. Alena 15
64. Kiryl 15
65. Flamestrike 15
66. Takhisis 15
67. The Sileni #1-3 (20)
68. Satyr #1-3 (20)
69. Oreads #1-3 (20)
70. Dryads #1-3 (20)
71. Graiae #1-3 (20)
72. Siren #1-3 (20)
73. Greek god #1-4 (20)
74. The Erinyes #1-3 (20)
75. Tisiphone 20
76. Megaera and Alecto 20, 20, 34
77. Sleep and Death 20, 20, 34
78. Demeter 20
79. Rhea 20
80. Pan 25
81. Silenus w/ his ass 20, 2, 20
82. Leda 20
83. Castor and Pollux 20, 20, 30
84. Kain Grinder, Sahra Burn, Proud Cragger, Chronos Lait 15, 15, 15, 15, 35
85. Eve 15
86. Damud Hellstrike w/ The Golden Axe 18
87. The Headless Horsemen 20
88. One Punch Man 20
89. Nightsister Initiate #1-3 (16)
90. Nightsister Acolytes #1-3 (18)
91. Senior Jedi #1 (36)
92. Marvel Grab bag
93. Marvel Grab bag
94. Iron Legion #1-5 (20, counts as Avenger)
95. Thermal Man 20
96. Thermo 20
97. TESS-One 20
98. Mamaw, Papaw, and Bama 6, 6, 6, 12
99. Nik Landsoh 20
100. Brek Nyram 20
101. Barry Streakfires 15, 2, 15
102. Rasslor 20
103. Lebron James "Jump the shark" Bitch Becks 5
104. Bukaki Becks 1
105. Super Duck 15


PAGE B

1. Swamp Thing (-5) 31
2. Harley Quinn (-3) 12
3. Scarecrow (-1) 16
4. Deathstroke (-8) 35
5. Vandal Savage (-3) 32
6. Scar (-7) 40
7. Cyclops* (-5) 30
8. Phonix-Jean Grey* (-7) 40
9. Angel* (-3) 30
10. Iceman* (-5) 30
11. Beast* (-6) 30 *Can be taken with one pick if desired.
12. Scarlet Witch (-7) 34
13. Cannonball (-0) 30
14. Dazzler (-6) 25
15. Kid Omega (-3) 39
16. Exodus (-9) 52
17. Joseph (-9) 44
18. Sebastian Shaw (-1) 28
19. Black Queen (-5) 28
20. Emma Frost (-5) 32
21. Madelyne Pryor (-5) 30
22. Mr. Sinister (-1) 39
23. Gideon (-6) 29
24. Stryfe (-7) 35
25. Black Tom Cassidy (-7) 29
26. Eternity (-9) 100
27. Nezzar the Calculator (-8) 80
28. Gammenon the Gatherer (-8) 80
29. Jemiah the Analyzer (-9) 80
30. Ziran the Tester (-9) 80
31. Miho (-5) 22
32. The Seacons (-6,4,4,5,4,4) 65
33. He-Man (-6) 40
34. Faker (-4) 36
35. Harry Potter (-8) 25
36. Witch King of Angmar (-8) w/ horse (-2), and Fell Beast (-2) 42
37. Balrog of Moria (-6) 38
38. Smaug (-8) 33
39. Sheelob (-1) 25
40. Imohtep (-8) 35
41. Anak Sanamun (-6) 25
42. Frankenstein's Monster (-3) 35
43. Wolfman (-0) 18
44. Jason Voorhees (-5) 36
45. Leatherface (-2) 26
46. Pinhead (-6) 37
47. Percy Jackson (-7) 36
48. Hades (-3) 49
49. Medusa (-4) 35
50. Stheno (-0) 26
51. Eurale (-0) 26
52. Green Lantern Ryan Poteracki (-7) 34
53. Brandon Inge (-8) 6
54. Mandalorian Justin Oblak (-6) 16
55. Dexter the Dog (-6) 4
56. Ella Artrip (-9) 6
57. Jack Artrip (-4) 6
58. The Demon (-7) 8
59. The Starchild (-7) 8
60. The Catman (-8) 8
61. The Celestial (-9) 8
62. Sheena Brugh (-9) 20
63. Hannibal Lectur (-3) 12
64. Zuul (-8) 15
65. Vince Clortho (-9) 15
66. Lion-O (-6) 20
67. Bugs Bunny (-5) 9
68. Seaworm #1 (-7) 35
69. Seaworm #2 (-5) 35
70. Seaworm #3 (-5) 35
71. Seaworm #4 (-7) 35
72. Seaworm #5 (-7) 35
73. Seaworm #6 (-5) 35
74. Prof. X (-9) 45
75. Charleton Heston (-3) 7
76. Black Hand's Black Lantern Ring
77. She-Ra's Sword of Protection
78. Wonder Woman's Lasso
79. Voldemort's Wand
80. green lantern ring
81. green lantern ring
82. indigo lantern ring
83. red lantern ring
84. red lantern ring
85. Bill Kelly: Jedi Lightsaber Scientist 25
86. Eugene Aaron “Butch” Griswold: Super Sayan 19
87. Black Lantern Bill Kelly and Zombie Aaron Griswold 6, 6, 10
88. Zombie Bill Kelly and Black Lantern Aaron Griswold 6, 6, 10
89. Black Lantern Teddy Tear 5
90. Teddy Tear: Jedi Temple Guard 21
91. Zombie Teddy Tear 5
92. Colonel Mustard 5
93. Professor Plum 5
94. Mr. Green 5
95. Miss Scarlet 5
96. Mrs. Peacock 5
97. Mrs. White 5
98. Lyndon Baines Johnson
99. The Hungry Hungry Hippos (6, 6, 6, 6, 12)
100. Nichol Valdez: Nightsister Sith Witch 21
101. Black Lantern Nichol Valdez 6
102. Zombie Nichol Valdez 6
103. John Quincy Adams 6
104. J.J. Abrams 6
105. Rob C 6


PAGE C


1. Rey's speeder
2. 3 First Order Tie Fighters
3. Perla (9) w/ Garbage Barge Ship
4. Star Destroyer Devastator car
5. Skeletor's Landship
6. Goku 30
7. Vegeta & Trunks 30, 20, 45
8. Krillen 20
9. Piccolo 20
10. Gohan and Goten 20, 20, 30
11. Gotenks 33
12. King Cold, Frieza, and Cooler 15, 12, 12, 30
13. Super Sayan #1-3 (19) **The first owner to take two Dragonball Z spots will get the reurrected SSJ4 Gogeta for FREE.
14. USR Demobot 30
15. Evil Lyn's landship
16. Gwildore's Car
17. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins (6, 6, 6, 14) w/ shuttle
18. Off List Pick
19. Off List Pick
20. Off List Pick
21. Off List Pick
22. Off List Pick
23. Off List Pick
24. Off List Pick
25. Off List Pick
26. Off List Pick
27. Off List Pick
28. Off List Pick
29. Off List Pick
30. Off List Pick
31. Off List Pick
32. Off List Pick
33. Off List Pick
34. Off List Pick
35. Off List Pick
36. Off List Pick
37. Off List Pick
38. Off List Pick
39. Off List Pick
40. Off List Pick
41. Off List Pick
42. Off List Pick
43. Off List Pick
44. Off List Pick
45. Off List Pick
46. Off List Pick
47. Off List Pick
48. Off List Pick
49. Off List Pick
50. Off List Pick
51. Off List Pick
52. Off List Pick
53. Off List Pick
54. Off List Pick
55. Off List Pick
56. Group Off List Pick
57. Group Off List Pick
58. Group Off List Pick
59. Group Off List Pick
60. Group Off List Pick
61. Group Off List Pick
62. Group Off List Pick
63. Group Off List Pick
64. Group Off List Pick
65. Group Off List Pick
66. Group Off List Pick
67. Group Off List Pick
68. Group Off List Pick
69. Group Off List Pick
70. Group Off List Pick
71. Build Your Own Characters
72. Build Your Own Characters
73. Build Your Own Characters
74. Build Your Own Characters
75. Build Your Own Team (up to 6 characters)
76. Build Your Own Team (up to 6 characters)
77. 2 Marvel Characters and 1 Marvel Vehicle
78. 2 DC Characters and 1 DC Vehicle
79. 2 Star Wars Characters, 1 Star Wars Vehicle, and 1 Star Wars Weapon
80. 1 Marvel, 1 DC, and 1 Star Wars Character
81. Resurrect 1 Marvel character for free
82. 30 bonus graveyard points for a Marvel character only
83. Resurrect 1 DC Character for free
84. 30 bonus graveyard points for a DC character only
85. Resurrect 1 Star Wars character for free
86. 30 bonus graveyard points for Star Wars character only
87. Resurrect 1 LOTR Character for free
88. Resurrect 1 Dune Character for free
89. Resurrect 1 Decepticon for free (may be a gestalt if all members are dead)
90. Resurrect 1 Autobot for free (may be a gestalt if all members are dead)
91. Resurrect 2 G.I. Joe (or Cobra), TMNT, or Masters of the Universe characters for free
92. 80 Resurrection points
93. 60 Resurrection points
94. 50 Resurrection points
95. 45 Resurrection points
96. 40 Resurrection points
97. 35 Resurrection points
98. 30 Resurrection points
99. 25 Resurrection points
100. 20 Resurrection points
101. 15 Resurrection points
102. 10 Resurrection points
103. 10 Resurrection points
104. 10 Resurrection points
105. 10 Resurrection points



PAGE D


1. 5 Resurrection points
2. 5 Resurrection points
3. 5 Resurrection points
4. 5 Resurrection points
5. 5 Resurrection points
6. 1 Resurrection point
7. 1 Resurrection point
8. 1 Resurrection point
9. 1 Resurrection point
10. 1 Resurrection point
11. 1 Resurrection point
12. 1 Resurrection point
13. 1 Resurrection point
14. 1 Resurrection point
15. 1 Resurrection point
16. 1 Resurrection point
17. 1 Resurrection point
18. 1 Resurrection point
19. Resurrect 5 free commons
20. Resurrect 2 free commons
21. 2 Black Lanterns
22. 2 Zombies
23. 2 Vampires
24. 1 black lantern, 1 zombie, and 1 vampire
25. 2 vampires from the league
26. 5x Resurrection grab bag
27. 3x Resurrection grab bag
28. 2x Resurrection grab bag
29. Resurrection grab bag
30. Resurrection grab bag
31. Resurrection grab bag
32. Black Lantern Grab Bag
33. Zombie Grab Bag
34. Vampire Grab bag
35. Black Lantern, Zombie, and Vampire grab bag
36. Hugh Glass 6
37. America Chavez 10
38. Alliance Medical Frigate
39. Orange lightsaber
40. white lightsaber
41. yellow lightsaber
42. green lightwhip
43. blue lightwhip
44. 2 red lightwhips
45. red lightsaber pike
46. 2 green lightsaber pikes
47. 2 blue lightsaber pikes
48. Brad Davis 6
49. Damien Dahrk 28
50. Zoom 33

3 DEATH CHARACTERS
51. Padawan Anakin Skywalker 27
52. Padawan Obi Wan Kenobi 25
53. Ahsoka Tano: Rebel 29
54. Farmboy Luke Skywalker 10
55. Resistance General Leia Solo 18
56. Jedi Master Dooku and Padawan Qui Gon Jinn 33, 22, 50
57. Old Han Solo and Old Chewbacca 20, 20, 30
58. Talking Wicket W. Warrick 2
59. Gay Alan Scott 29
60. Deputy Yellow Lantern Scarecrow 30
61. Deputy Star Sapphire Wonder Woman 45
62. Green Lantern Penguin 18
63. Mechanic Kilowag 15
64. Lego Batman 15
65. Lego Robin 10
66. Deputy Blue Lantern Barry Allen Flash 35
67. Deputy Green Lantern Ganthet 45
68. Deputy Red Lantern Mera 35
69. Deputy Orange Lantern Lex Luther 35
70. Deputy Indigo Lantern Ray Palmer 30
71. Old Man Logan 33
72. Colonel America 31
73. Chick Thor 45
74. Non-Symbiote Black Suit Spider-Man 30
75. Lego Iron Man 15
76. Lego Hulk 18
77. Paladin 30
78. L'il Superman 25
79. Batmage 30
80. Leatherwing 25
81. A-3 35
82. (movie) Optimus Prime 45
83. Duck Didgers and Cadet 6, 3, 7
84. Jurassic Park T-Rex 30
85. Girl Bugs Bunny 5
86. Justin Bailey 20
87. Super Shredder 25
88. Mega Man X 20
89. Super Sonic 20
90. Fiery Mario 14
91. Racoon Tail Luigie 14
92. Tanooki Mario 14
93. Frogsuit Luigie 14
94. Penguinsuit Mario 14
95. Goomba Sock Luigie 13
96. Hammer Bros. Mario 15
97. Hammer Bros. Luigie 15
98. Helicoptersuit Yellow Toad
99. Ice Bros. Blue Toad
100. Magwai Stripe

WHY THIS LEAGUE SUCKS NOW

The other day I thought long and hard about the issues faced by this league, commonly referred to by the losers within as the FFL.  Here are my thoughts as to why this league sucks now:

1.  There are no viable characters to choose from.  All of the relevant and meaningful combatants have been previously chosen and we are now scraping the bottom of the barrel. . . and I mean bottom, to just fill a list.

2.  The Commissioner does not have a viable second-in-command.  Mr. Poteracki, at the very least, with his moist and coifed hair, is an individual who knew his stuff.  Mr. Poteracki cannot be replaced by anyone currently associated with this debacle.  I know that I hate Mr. Poteracki and we have a long-standing grudge between us, but I did respect his abilities with knowing stuff that means absolutely nothing to the real world.

3.  The writing for the first few years was spectacular.  The matches were well thought out and more importantly, bursting with the knowledge of those who "watched" the match.  Now, we have an abhorrent batch of writers who not only cannot spell, but write and have the grammar of no more than a three year old.

4.  It is time to put this league out to pasture.  Like most well celebrated television shows, the producers and/or stars knew when to stop--  five to seven years was the norm.  I believe we are beyond this number of spellbinding years, which means that not only has the league "jumped the shark", but has become a mere shell of what it once was.

5.  Last, but not least- SHAME!  Shame to those who left too soon so there are no true rivalries any more.  Shame to those who stayed because they are too gutless to move on.  Shame to those who perpetuate a league of meaningless drivel to those with no lives.  Shame on you all.  Shame. . .



-Pablo