After so many successful editions of the Fantasy Draft, I was playing with the thought that next edition might be slightly different to be brand new.

I don't have a strong view about what changes could be made, besides final word should be said by Shadowood only. So I just humbly share my thoughts.

A different picking method than the serpentine? Maybe a rule that may include difficult decisions to Captains, like if you draft someone never picked you can immediately draft another player. Or if you draft one old scarred veteran you have to wait, This way Captains would have to decide to draft a sea lion, possibily allowing the other Captains to steal your next targeted player, or to choose someone (relatively) new and have the option to quickly complete the team.

Smaller teams?
Eleven is a good number, Captains plus ten. But I think that a smaller squadron could be interesting as well. For example six, Captain plus five people.
This would stress more the "could the teammates really work together in synchrony as if they were a Guild?" part of the fun.

National teams?
Maybe the teams could be made by only people from certain Nations? Nations and friendly Nations?

Draftable players only among those never drafted before?
This would help increasing the number of players involved, but I guess it would lead to hard times for the Captains. Maybe there could be a rule like: half the team must be "new" players (new = never drafted before).

Restrictions to the drafting pool? But which restrictions?
Maybe Captains could be allowed to draft people only among those flying a certain flag (which flag? Could be the flag of a friendly Nation to Captain's Nation, maybe?)
Or dratfed players may be allowed to kindly say "no, I'm honored but I'd prefer to stay out/be drafted in another team".

Or for every drafted player, Captains may add a prize to the pool. Like: I want you in my team and I swear that if we win I'll give am Extra Cargo Cutter to all of you (or I'll cast this and that voodoo on you, etc.)

Pick me?
Not yet drafted players could maybe be allowed to sponsor themselves? Like: pick me and I'll give my team 1 shiny gold coin each

I'm not sure about what changes. I'm just posting to share.

While I like the current system, I think that a shake up is in order, even if it is just a single Draft. It takes a break from the monotony.

DezNutz wrote:While I like the current system, I think that a shake up is in order, even if it is just a single Draft. It takes a break from the monotony.

Several possible ways we could go here.

#1 Hold a nomination/vote for Captains.
#2 Make it interesting and anyone who has been a captain in the past can not be drafted. This would require much more thought and strategy.
#3 Randomized pick order, Every round order is drawn using a number randomizer.
#4 Top 2 teams in the final draft go head to head in 1 week contests.
-Maybe a capture the flag type contest. I am sure IoM or some other nation would be willing to put a port up for use for a week. (would require
planning and guidelines to make it fair).
- MoW Capture. ! random player on each side sails a MoW and the first team tro capture the others, win. to make it more interesting, Spy report
cards would not be allowed.
-Could actually incorporate several different contests and give point values for each. Total points win
#5 Reverse draft. Every Captiain picks a player for another captain. Again would require some guidleines.
#6 Incorporate a "Steal" system. Each captain is allowed to steal a drafted player from another team.

Any or all of the above could make the draft completely different and add both strategy and more planning.

I like the idea of the players actually fighting in a contest maybe only have two teams to start with and have them compete in it and the winner is decided that way

Like the team vs. team heads up format. Here are some thoughts:
Different objectives to win:
1) Holding / Capturing a port - Each team has one port to defend, tries to capture the opponents port.
2) MoW Plunder - Each team gets a certain number of MoWs (say 3) - Team with most MoWs at end of contest wins
3) Most gold plundered - PvP only
4) Most ships plundered with point values for different ships (example: SotL = 10pts - Frigate = 7pts. Cutter = 1pt. etc.)
Just some ideas

A suggestion from me is that someone be able to decline being chosen if we do actual combat