DPL7 Team Formation Discussion - DPChallenge Forums

12/03/2025 10:53:31 AM · #1

There's been some discussion about possibly changing the format for the next running of DPL.

After reviewing the public discussion, and having an internal one at the SC level, it seems to have boiled down to two choices.

1) Team Captains and individual invites via Free Agent Pool (same as DPL6).
2) Automated Random Team formation and select Team Captain after Team is formed.

Please participate in the DPL7 Team Formation Poll on the front page of DPChallenge. Thanks!

Also, discussions here in this thread are quite welcome.

12/03/2025 10:59:23 AM · #2

Personally, I think choice #2 would be a refreshing change. Meet new people, eliminate the need for team percentage caps, set the number of teams as needed (no 13th team elimination like last time). That's my personal opinion, not necessarily that of SC in general.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/03/2025 11:11:41 AM · #3

What if all ribbon hogs finish on the same team and the result of DPL7 is known before it starts?

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/03/2025 11:56:58 AM · #4

Originally posted by MargaretNet:

What if all ribbon hogs finish on the same team and the result of DPL7 is known before it starts?

The idea behind (and major advantage of) random assignment to teams to prevent self-agglomeration of such teams. If a bunch of ribbon hogs end up on the same team it's literally just bad luck for the rest of us.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/03/2025 10:02:31 PM · #5

Could you send out a formal email to all of DPL6’s captains - so everyone gets informed equally. Thank you

12/03/2025 10:14:07 PM · #6

Originally posted by Ja-9:

Could you send out a formal email to all of DPL6’s captains - so everyone gets informed equally. Thank you

Are you saying that now DPL6 is over some may have abandoned the DPChallenge ship and moved on already?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/03/2025 11:22:44 PM · #7

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by Ja-9:
Could you send out a formal email to all of DPL6’s captains - so everyone gets informed equally. Thank you

Are you saying that now DPL6 is over some may have abandoned the DPChallenge ship and moved on already?

What about sending email to all DPCers? Some may have missed out on DPL6 and aren't interested in entering regular challenges.

mitalapo

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

12/04/2025 06:06:35 AM · #8

My elevator pitch would be:

The main advantage of the random draw system is to level up the field to make it more competitive.

The main advantage of the current system is the opportunity to work and interact with people you know and like, while allowing others to team up with new faces.

Obviously, people can be very emotional if you don't let them play with the people they like. They will just not play. The cap system gives a partial solution to the competitiveness requirement. Good enough for me.

Message edited by author 2025-12-04 06:07:46.

12/04/2025 06:18:35 AM · #9

Looking at the results so far toss a coin.

12/04/2025 09:49:21 AM · #10

I love the sense of adventure that the random team makeup would bring to this event!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/04/2025 12:37:29 PM · #11

Random is winning at the moment, I hope the final result will be honored.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

12/04/2025 02:04:51 PM · #12

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Hmmmm

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

12/05/2025 12:26:07 AM · #13

Originally posted by MargaretNet:

Looking at the results so far toss a coin.

And again, 23 to 23, definitely no consensus.

vawendy

Sony Alpha a1 II

12/05/2025 09:54:22 AM · #14

One problem I have is that there are a number of "Ribbon Hogs" from which I would love to learn. But I understand not wanting to stack the deck. Maybe it would be possible for someone to be part of a team, but not have their score count? Or maybe drop the highest and the lowest scores from the team instead of keeping the top 4?

I had Ursula one one of my teams once, and I learned so much from her. I would love to learn from Roz, Grahamgator, IreneM, etc. But people, understandably, don't want this. But I'd be happy to be on a team and not have my score count.