Silph Arena Factions Postseason, Season 2

I actually had a topic lined up for today to be discussed in today's post, but at the last moment, I decided that it's better to wait a little bit more before discussing it to gain some further perspective. Instead, I've opted to discuss something that is mostly ready to be discussed, which would be the Season 2 postseason for Silph Arena Factions, which also happens to be the last due to the impending closure. It's all the same as the postseason for Season 1, but it's also starkly different from that. One way or another, that is still a prompt for discussion, and that can be done even now.

As with last year, there are two concluding tournaments: a top-flight global tournament and a second-level global tournament. For the former, this time it's called the Worlds Championship. The best of the best Factions from around the world (the usual four conferences - NA, LATAM, EMEA, APAC) and the highest tier (Emerald according to the new structure) are invited to compete in a two-stage tournament comprising a group stage and a "knockout" single elimination stage, much like that of the World Cup for soccer. Originally, this was only to involve 20 teams (five per conference), but with the closure imminent, the decision was made to expand it to 32 teams and even include a best-performing Diamond Tier team. This will play out over seven Bouts, three for the group stage and four for the "knockout round".

For the latter, instead of separate tournaments for each tier like last year, there is only one tournament, called the King of the Hill tournament, which takes the form of a grand single elimination tournament with many contenders. Factions that don't qualify to enter the above top-flight tournament can enter this second-level tournament, with priority given to Factions in non-Open tiers followed by Open tier champions and all other Factions therein on a first-come-first-serve basis by RSVP. Only 256 slots are available, so Factions need to act (get it together) fast in order to participate in this "last dance" - and it truly is that, as with one loss, the journey here ends immediately. Eight Bouts are needed to bring this tournament to its ultimate conclusion.

Meanwhile, in the meta or format realm, no highly specific details have been announced yet for either tournament, although Great League and Ultra League will have an open format, Master League stands to keep its current format (but with further adjustments), a novelty changing format will be instituted, and the "bring 8, ban 2" system will be in play. It stands to be more complex than what was faced in the regular season, but that's just another challenge. Teams are given leeway to face that challenge by being able to bring in a completely new Trainer for their teams and/or two former Trainers that have played before; it is as much a "second chance" for some as it is a true "last dance" for many.

While it will still take a little time before things are all ready for the teams of Factions to have their respective "last dances", much of the details are already ready and out in the open that it can still serve to make a good discussion and a preview of the ordeal or the task to come. And that's something that Trainers will have to prepare and get ready for at this very moment, now that the moment of Silph Arena's conclusion is at hand. This is the currently prevailing perspective for Factions as it and the Arena approaches their end, and one that at this point needs to be disclosed any day, even today.

One year ago: The Advancement of TMs

Two years ago: Road of 25th Anniversary: On with the Show

Three years ago: Friendship and Community

Four years ago: Gatherings for Blessings and Success

Five years ago: Reconsidering Trade Evolutions

Six years ago: What's Appenin' (Mobile Games)