Star Cap
There will be a star cap.
Short answer: expect a star cap around 45* for WB Cup, 45* for Jav Cup, and 73* for Basing Cup.
Long answer: more accurately, the star cap will be:
1) The star* sum of the strongest core + 8* per starting draft spot
So if the strongest core in Jav Cup is 10*/10*/9* = 29*
They have two open starting spots, so 2x8* = 16*
The star cap will be 29* + 16* = 45*
2) That will hold true unless it's unrealistic for other cores to get within 2* of the top core (or 3* for base).
I will mock draft the finalized cores and see if it's realistic for other cores to get close to that * cap. If not, the cap will be lowered until the difference is realistically 2* in wb/jav and 3* in base
2-3* should be within the threshold of keeping the league competitive.
Why 2* to 3* difference?
Because I believe this to be the best balance between allowing players to group up with who they want. 0* is too restrictive and lacks flexibility, while anything in excess of 3* in base and (likely) 2* in wb/jav becomes uncompetitive.
I did extensive statistical analysis covering this subject years ago for basing, and will publish the data here:

As you can see, the line is at 3*.
Teams with a 1*, 2*, or 3* advantage have about a 60/40 advantage and a margin of victory of 15-13.
At 4*, however, this explodes to a 77% winrate. So it's important to keep Basing Cup star differences to 3* or below.
I have not done any analysis on WB/Jav, but I'm guessing the line is at 2*.
I played on a 40.5* team this season in warbird, 1.5* below the line, against the eventual TWDT-D champs in the playoffs, and we lost 50-49 Round 3, and felt competitive with every team. We've seen teams with good chemistry excel down 1*-2* against full lines in TWDT-J and TWDT-D. I think if it's 3* for base, 2* seems logical for dueling.
It's a good balance between flexibility of letting friends and teammates play together, while keeping the league competitive.
There will be a star cap.
Short answer: expect a star cap around 45* for WB Cup, 45* for Jav Cup, and 73* for Basing Cup.
Long answer: more accurately, the star cap will be:
1) The star* sum of the strongest core + 8* per starting draft spot
So if the strongest core in Jav Cup is 10*/10*/9* = 29*
They have two open starting spots, so 2x8* = 16*
The star cap will be 29* + 16* = 45*
2) That will hold true unless it's unrealistic for other cores to get within 2* of the top core (or 3* for base).
I will mock draft the finalized cores and see if it's realistic for other cores to get close to that * cap. If not, the cap will be lowered until the difference is realistically 2* in wb/jav and 3* in base
2-3* should be within the threshold of keeping the league competitive.
Why 2* to 3* difference?
Because I believe this to be the best balance between allowing players to group up with who they want. 0* is too restrictive and lacks flexibility, while anything in excess of 3* in base and (likely) 2* in wb/jav becomes uncompetitive.
I did extensive statistical analysis covering this subject years ago for basing, and will publish the data here:

As you can see, the line is at 3*.
Teams with a 1*, 2*, or 3* advantage have about a 60/40 advantage and a margin of victory of 15-13.
At 4*, however, this explodes to a 77% winrate. So it's important to keep Basing Cup star differences to 3* or below.
I have not done any analysis on WB/Jav, but I'm guessing the line is at 2*.
I played on a 40.5* team this season in warbird, 1.5* below the line, against the eventual TWDT-D champs in the playoffs, and we lost 50-49 Round 3, and felt competitive with every team. We've seen teams with good chemistry excel down 1*-2* against full lines in TWDT-J and TWDT-D. I think if it's 3* for base, 2* seems logical for dueling.
It's a good balance between flexibility of letting friends and teammates play together, while keeping the league competitive.
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