AC Match 4 UTB vs FDH

I had finally made it to my 2nd Alliance Conquest match, UTB’s 4th. We had built up a small 3 win streak so we all knew the potential for an icky match loomed in the distance. It could be any match, but as Alliance Conquest is half over, we can't afford to lose if we want to make the playoffs. We were still working on finding our footing with all the offseason changes. I was already somewhat over the season because I just don’t like this event lol. So it could be my own mood is coloring how I view things. That is my bias.  Sometimes I am the problem too lol. When our opponent was finally announced, there were many differing reactions. 

Some thought it would be a fun close match that we would win. Others felt this was the match we had hoped to avoid. Word on the Westeros streets was FDH had BDR pop up in their normal timeslot and got a loss, since BDR wanted to dodge Nbe to prevent a loss. This caused FDH to dodge to our slot for this match, hoping to avoid a repeat performance. I suppose unless you are on the literal top we all just are trying to find the path of least resistance to the playoffs. It does make me wonder, what would playoff brackets look like if the Old Gods eliminated dodging. Don’t get me wrong, we all dodge for the same reasons, it is just weird to see bonafide whale teams do it so early in the season. Leadership wanted our focus on first capture points and quickly reinforcing. FDH has a really nice team and should be considered a playoff contender this season. Several players that could solo buildings or hold them with ease, whatever was called for in the moment. They had the knowledge and strength to capitalize on any mistakes we would make. This would require our best, if we wanted to win. I kinda felt like leadership was being maybe too optimistic based on what I had noticed so far this season. Yet I couldn’t fault them, part of being a leader is making the impossible seem possible and motivating people.

As the event began our attention shifted to the first captures. To be honest we didnt do that bad taking 3 of the 4 available buildings for ourselves. 

The first capture was good, but holding them is a whole different ballgame. Leadership began to work on swaps. They wanted to get the right people in the buildings, so it makes sense, but GAWD I hate swaps. When they go well, they are great, but they don’t always go great… Luckily this one did.

While we were working on the swaps, FDH was working on acquiring more territory. 

We managed to get it back, and lost an important one in the process..

We started ahead, heck we were still ahead, yet the tension was buzzing through the air. We still were not operating as a unit. I don’t think it was for lack of trying. We have people all over the world, varying levels of good internet, and good ole fashion lag, the nemesis of any gamer. We were trying but it was not clicking. As the ports opened we split them with FDH, each of us taking one. We did a good swap and got Mandy into our port. They are strong, if we reinforced them quickly enough, they could hold it.

This match was draining, and FDH was relentless. Every time we managed to get a territory we seemed to lose one. It is funny how I imagine FDH calm, excited, meanwhile we were starting to crumble. Leadership was panicking a bit, there was yelling. We were trying but it all still felt off. The castle went back and forth before we settled in and held for a bit. Maybe things were starting to look up. No sooner had the thought finished then FDH took the castle.

Technically we were still ahead, but something happened when we lost that castle. Collectively our mood dropped a bit lower than it already was. While technically winning, FDH was generating way more points. We all knew that meant this game would come down to the mines. We pretty much tried playing more defensively, while waiting for our last shot at Victory. We needed a minimum of 1, two would be ideal. It was our last hope…

When the mines opened, once again FDH and UTB split, each taking one.  Leadership was feeling the pressure and decided to swap in a stronger account. The problem is FDH had a few slow marches that were almost there. Now yall, I don’t know why. I assume extenuating circumstances, management called for the swap right as FDH was closing in, I yelled nooooo but we were all muted so no one could hear me. Just what I had feared manifested. FDH took the other mine now holding both…

That broke us, we knew it was truly the end. All we could do was mitigate damage and get as many points as we could. We were all in our feelings. As expected we took the loss.

At any other time, this would have been such a fun match. A close score against an excellent team? Yet, this felt like we had beaten ourselves. Now this could be my bias against the event talking. The once happy alliance that could occasionally punch above their paygrade  and always have a good time. Is now facing a culture shift. They are wanting to be more competitive. Heck who doesn't? With that push comes the loss of the laid back yet fun alliance we were. I find it challenging as someone who left the world of the big alliances to be able to enjoy some fun with friends. I already have a real job to stress me out, I dont need a game to do that too lol. I still hope that things will get back to “normal”, yet my fear is this IS becoming the new normal. Only time will tell…