[JunkenMetel]

@walterwhite,@vic-the-hun: I just did a little poking around based on your comments, because the whole league ranking thing is a mystery to me, also. Looking at my “League Profile”, it shows that I’m in the Stone league, and my “League Rating” is 284.

It just dawned on me that the League Rating is probably cumulative, based on my overall history of league rankings each week. How exactly that is calculated, I don’t know. I think if we knew the algorithm for determining an individual player’s league rating each week, then it might make more sense.

The other thing that confused me is the progress bar at the bottom of your profile that tells you how close to the threshold you are for the next league. In my case, it shows a range between 200 and 300, with my current progress near 300. I thought that meant how many more points I needed to earn to get to the next league, but now I realize it means that I have to increase my League Rating from the current 284 to something over 300. Kind of obvious now…duh.

If our League Ratings are determined by some sort of cumulative rating, compared with every other player’s cumulative rating, that could explain the unexpected results we’re seeing.

Does that make sense? I’m just guessing here…

I absolutely agree with you @walterwhite that some sort of FAQ or at least some kind of outline of how league ratings are determined would make the Leagues much less confusing, and more people would enjoy them. Personally, I’d like to be able to see a history of my League Rating, with enough information to understand why my current rating is what it is. Maybe for each week it could show my ranking for that week’s tournament, my previous league rating, my new rating, and some kind of indication how I earned the rating change, although I don’t know what that would be.

But I do think one of the key concepts is that your League Rating is influenced by your League Ranking each week, but the Rating is based on more than just that week’s tournament results.

Sorry if this is already obvious to everyone else. Would love to know if any other members have insight into how the League Ratings are determined each week.

[JunkenMetel]

Very interesting to read everyone’s reactions to the new leagues; thanks to everyone for sharing your opinions and experiences.

At first, I didn’t really pay any attention to the Leagues, because I’m an average player at best. But now that the leagues have been there a while, at least at the lower levels, things seem to have settled down a bit. It seems like you end up in the league group where you “belong” – with other players who are at roughly your skill level, and therefore fun to compete against.

Somehow – apparently miracles ARE possible – I managed to win first place in the Wood league last week! Yes I know…very low on the totem pole, but I was still quite proud of my achievement…not to mention stunned!

I’m still in the Wood level – there was some display about how many more “points” I needed to move up to the Stone league, along with a nice little progress bar. Except I had no idea what the heck it all meant. Well, probably because I haven’t bothered to read up about it. :)

Like some other members mentioned, I like having an expanded group to play against every week; it’s like a bonus challenge.

I do use power-ups sparingly. Once the ABN leader board for ABF allowed scores with PUs, my regular weekly tournament friends and I decided that PUs were “legal” in this situation, and we might as well play with our hoards after months and months of sending each other gifts, and accumulating points. I always play w/o PUs first, but there are some levels where I can’t get anywhere near a decent score without using them. Or even 3-star the level, sometimes.

Also as a few people mentioned, I went through my giant stock of PUs and points with alarming speed – but I think that had more to do with the difficulty level in some weeks recently. I won’t actually purchase PUs, so last week’s wins — in my own little group of friends, and in the league level — was a very welcome addition of points.

I don’t know about “cheaters” – there may indeed be some in the higher leagues, but at the level I play…if I can win the league level, then there is definitely no cheating going on. :)

Bottom line: I certainly understand why people have concerns, and the Leagues are probably going to be problematic for high-scorers and non-PU users. Me personally, I find it a surprisingly nice addition, and a way to maybe get some extra points. I suspect it’s most enjoyable for those of us who are only average players, as it gives us a shot at fame and glory – at least within whatever League we happen to play in.

Of course, the tournament scores of one’s own friends are kept separate, so anyone can just ignore the leagues if you don’t like them.

Regardless, I still rely on the ABN Walkthroughs and the generosity of ABN members who share strategies to get me through the levels every week! That will always be true; Leagues or not, it just wouldn’t be any fun playing every week without ABN. :)

[JunkenMetel]

Hi @e-star! And hello @mvnla2! :)

No, I haven’t fallen off the planet; I’ve just been too busy flinging to keep up with my ABN friends. Hugs to you both, and everyone else, plus holiday cheer!

I can’t believe I’m going to be the one to cast the second vote…I have a cold today, so I am indulging myself with some time on the nest, and happened to see 2014 voting announcement in my feed. Yay!

Boy, what a lot of great options this year; everyone is so creative. But my votes are going to be purely sentimental. Getting soppy in my old age.

So, in no particular order (since it doesn’t matter), here are my 2014 Avatar Contest votes:

• @kimmiecv – Because the bird snails! How can one resist, knowing the years-long epic saga? Beautifully drawn, and very funny.
• @mcc8206 – I love my backyard birds, and cardinals are among my favorites – especially this time of year, when they add such festive color to the backyard feeder. And this just seems like such an appropriate avatar for the season.
• @hunnybunny – HunnyBunny has always been dear friend, her bunny photo is one of my favorite avatars of all time! (I notice she’s updated her avatar since…glad I got to vote for the bunny before it was too late).

My vote for HunnyBunny is very special and a sort of memorial (not for HunnyBunny!). This year we said goodbye to the last two of our beloved house rabbits, the “babies” – brothers Chaplin and Houdini. They were both aged 13.

20 years, six house rabbits (5 at one time!) – that’s a lot of adorableness and love. Each of them had distinct and strong personalities, and they all knew they were in charge in our household. :)

Sorry (as always!) for the long post; but I just HAD to share the meaning that each choice holds for me. Avatars are so personal, after all, and I think they’re a really important symbol of the warm and friendly community that is the Nest. So many people – most of whom have never met and never will meet in person – from all around the world, gather here because of a shared interest, and are NICE to each other!

I think that’s a wonderful thing to treasure and be grateful for, as another year comes to a close.

And of course, @e-star, I have to give you an extra-special bonus vote, for hosting the Avatar nominations and awards. Your tireless, generous, friendly, creative commitment to all Nesters makes such an enormous contribution to the welcoming and fun atmosphere here at the Nest.

Same goes for you @mvnla2 — I’ll never forget that when I first became a member years ago, that you were the first member who reached out and welcomed me. Hugs always for your kindness and friendship.

And I think, @e-star, you might have been the second person to connect with me!

I am so grateful for all the wonderful people I’ve met here; EVERY avatar represents a person who is kind and generous enough to share with others.

I did warn you I was feeling sentimental… :)

– Laura (JunkenMetel)