With Season 2 of the Arena less than a month away, we're thrilled to introduce a conference system that brings structure to the upcoming battles and future seasons. This new system not only organizes characters into conferences but also introduces a promotion and relegation mechanism that will keep the stakes high for all characters.
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What is the Conference System?
The conference system groups characters from various fantasy universes into specific conferences based on their preliminary rankings. Each conference consists of a set of characters that are guaranteed to compete against each other one time during the season. The initial assignments are based on our existing power rankings, but future adjustments will be determined by their performance in the Arena.
The Conferences and Their Characters
Here's a detailed look at the conference assignments for Season 2:
ASOIAF (A)
- Daenerys Targaryen
- Daemon Targaryen
- Euron Greyjoy
- Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Aemond Targaryen
- Jacaerys Velaryon
- Tyrion Lannister
- Bran Stark
- Arya Stark
- Jon Snow
- Brienne of Tarth
- Stannis Baratheon
ASOIAF (B)
- Robb Stark
- Catelyn Stark
- Jaime Lannister
- Victarion Greyjoy
- Petyr Baelish
- The Hound
- Robert Baratheon
- Ned Stark
- The Mountain
- Sansa Stark
- Cersei Lannister
- Alicent Hightower
- Viserys Targaryen
Diablo (A)
Forgotten Realms (A)
- Lolth (Spider Queen)
- Elminster Aumar
- Mielikki
- Drizzt Do'Urden
- Manshoon
- Valindra Shadowmantle
- Jarlaxle
- Cattie-brie
- Belwar Dissengulp
- Astarion
- Minsc
- Clacker
Malazan (A)
- Shadowthrone
- Draconus
- Anomander Rake
- Quick Ben
- Caladan Brood
- Bugg
- Cotillion
- High King Kallor
- Karsa Orlong
- Coltaine
- Dassem Ultor
- Spite
- Malice
- Silchas Ruin
- Mallick Rel
Malazan (B)
- Lady Envy
- Whiskeyjack
- Ganoes Paran
- Kalam Mekhar
- Hunn Raal
- Vatha Urusander
- Icarium
- Trull Sengar
- Spindle
- Tehol Beddict
- Brys Beddict
- Itkovian
- Fear Sengar
- Hull Beddict
- Rhulad Sengar
Black Company (A)
Black Company (B)
- Mogaba
- Silent
- Croaker
- Narayan Singh
- The Howler
- Harden
- Goblin
- The Faceless Man
- One-Eye
- The Hanged Man
- Raven
- Marron Shed
Elder Scrolls (A)
- Talos
- Boethiah
- Mephala
- Alduin
- Molag Bal
- Jyggalag
- Vivec
- Mannimarco
- Hermaeus Mora
- Mehrunes Dagon
- Azura
- Martin Septim
- Clavicus Vile
- Nocturnal
Elder Scrolls (B)
- Meridia
- Hircine
- Vaermina
- Sanguine
- Malacath
- Sheogorath
- Namira
- Peryite
- Serana
- Mankar Camoran
- Ulfric Stormcloak
- The Grey Fox
- Lucien Lachance
- Jarl Balgruuf
Lord of the Rings (A)
- Morgoth
- Sauron
- Gandalf
- Lúthien
- Galadriel
- Aragorn
- Elrond
- Witch-king of Angmar
- Gil-Galad
- Saruman
- Durin's Bane
- Eärendil
Lord of the Rings (B)
- Smaug
- Faramir
- Ancalagon
- Legolas
- Théoden
- Gimli
- Watcher in the Water
- Samwise Gamgee
- Boromir
- Frodo Baggins
- Shelob
- Gollum
Warcraft (A)
- C'thun
- Arthas Menethil
- Yogg-Saron
- Sylvanas Windrunner
- Thrall
- Illidan Stormrage
- Gul'dan
- Jaina Proudmoore
- Nefarian
- Kel'thuzad
- Tirion Fordring
- Uther the Lightbringer
- Garrosh Hellscream
- Tyrande Whisperwind
Warcraft (B)
- Ragnaros the Firelord
- Onyxia
- Hakkar
- Ossirian
- Renault Mograine
- Gallywix
- Emperor Thaurissan
- Sally Whitemane
- Majordomo Executus
- Baron Rivendare
- Edwin VanCleef
- Alexei Barov
- Mekgineer Thermaplugg
Wheel of Time (A)
- Shai'tan
- Rand al'Thor
- Egwene al'Vere
- Ishamael
- Semirhage
- Demandred
- Moiraine Damodred
- Lanfear
- Padan Fain
- Elayne Trakand
- Matrim Cauthon
- Balthamel
- Aginor
Wheel of Time (B)
- Asmodean
- Be'lal
- Rahvin
- Sammael
- Mesaana
- Graendal
- Moghedien
- Lan Mandragoran
- Perrin Aybara
- Nynaeve al'Meara
- Thom Merrilin
- Min Farshaw
The Promotion and Relegation System
One of the most exciting aspects of this new structure is the introduction of a promotion and relegation system. Each season, the performance of characters will determine their future in their respective conferences:
Promotion: The top five characters in each conference (except for those already in Tier A) will be promoted to the next higher tier.
Relegation: The bottom five characters in each conference will be relegated to a lower tier.
This system means that new characters introduced will start in a non-A tier, but they have the opportunity to climb the ranks based on their performance. Over time, this dynamic will help us maintain competitive balance and allow characters to rise over multiple seasons.
Grand Tournament and Championships
All conferences and tiers in Season 2 will be eligible to compete in the grand tournament. This will include:
Automatic Bids: Conference tournament winners and the regular season champion of all Tier A conferences (if not the same character) will receive automatic bids to the grand championship. This guarantees 16-25 slots in the tournament.
At-Large Bids: The remaining 39-48 spots will be filled by at-large bids, heavily influenced but not solely determined by PPET rankings.
Future Expansion
As the Arena expands, potentially around Season 4 (where we expect to pass 400 characters), not all conferences may be included in the division eligible for grand championship participation. This will make the promotion/relegation system even more critical, adding an extra layer of meaning and excitement to the competition.
Stay tuned for more updates and get ready for an exhilarating season of battles, strategy, and triumphs in the Arena!
