T7 Semifinals M2 Jojolity Delib

Judge Britney (Logic)

“Practice self-care” is something we all need to do more of, and it starts with how we define self-care.

Dawn’s definition is “to humiliate Apollo (and Binay, tangentially) as thoroughly as possible” and while I think that shows, it doesn’t quite rise above that. That isn’t to say the Jojolity isn’t well integrated—the twin emphasis on aggro and frustrating her opponents’ offensive options is well met—but that it’s implemented in the most straightforward way possible.

I’ve often asked the Jojolity counterfactual, whether the strat would be different with a different Jojolity. There are issues with this framework, but I was too immediately reminded of another strat: Dawn vs Helena R3M5. There are very similar ludonarrative beats in both strats, but there isn’t as much of a narrative arc here. I do not bring up that strat as a matter of a comparison, but to highlight how I could have had more: for now a [7/10] seems fair.

I was initially underwhelmed with Angelinoo’s Jojolity, partially because of the utilitarian nature of the mechanics themselves, partially because the most direct addressings of the Jojolity book end each section as flavor text.

However, I’ve given Narrative/Jojolity points for considering the strat in the broader narrative context. While I think its mechanical integration is somewhat thin, Angelino’s “selfishness” in not burning himself to keep Dawn warm (literally and metaphorically) is well met. There is an Angelino who would support Dawn by drawing all of Binay’s aggro and directing all fire to himself, but simple parries and feints show that sometimes self-care is knowing when to step back and breath. A low [8/10], but an [8/10] nonetheless.

Good job by both teams, and, Angelino, why *are* you on a first name basis with Dr. Apollo?

Judge Cherry (CPU)

Jojolity

Starting with Dawn here. I understand the throughline of her strategy is all about finally getting her comeuppance on Apollo and stunting on Binay, and everything here coheres to that end. It reads as a victory lap; Dawn does not feel hindered or indeed especially threatened by these women in contrast to how she was at the beginning of the tournament. That said, I have to compare this to her showings vs Tachibana and vs Helena; there was a greater sense of ‘progression’ and better integration in those two matches, though the actual writing quality is about the same. I think a (still very solid) 7/10 is earned here.

Moving onto Angelino, and there is a significant focus on him staying back, not milling himself, and actually learning something from his long, long tourney path. It’s really easy to see just how different this strategy could have been if he had been if it had happened in R1 or R2. There’s a sense to it that he really has learned something; if Dawn’s is a victory lap, Angelino’s strategy is a capstone to a great run. All in all, I feel that an 8/10 is earned here for a great job!

Judge Jenny (Alphamon)

JoJolity

Alright baby, it’s time for that JoJolity: Practice self c-

Damn, is this a callout post for me? No? Really? Cuz I don’t do a lot of that sort of thing and people are concerned-

Right, yeah, match!

I’ll start once again with our break-taking, rice-cake-eating, gasoline-drinking boy in the purple corner, Angelino!

I’ll come out of the gate and say that the story bits were nice touches, but the inclusion of breaks in the greater narrative and greater mechanical context sold me on your overall score, but we’ll get to that in a bit.

Between opening with picking up a shield that cuts (to spend more time defending oneself with deflections and parries instead of attacking), taking much-needed breaks to just grab a quick bite, breaking stuff for catharsis (and later eating that stuff for a quick break, catharsis, and fuel all rolled up into a nice ball), and the myriad other plays where we touch grass and smell the flowers, I can taste the story’s backbone living in here!

Of course, you want your score- it’s an **8**. Take it and run, and have this oreo I found!

Now that I’m free of that Oreo, let’s get to the yin-yang bouncer bouncing, bumper-ball hitting, leash-snap-backing, car-tipping, marble-shooting hero, Dawn!

Once again, the story bits were nice touches, and the overall insert-theming of ‘humiliation of the opponents’ being Dawn’s catharsis was definitely seen and felt throughout!

She starts by absolutely throwing herself into the fray and dismantling Binay’s initial combat encounter, then chases him like a mad dog through the clinic before ending up at the final confrontation set, capturing [Friday Night Guru], and squeezing it like a chew toy to let off aggression.

So, while I do feel the overall strength of the thesis and its presence in the narrative, it doesn’t grow too much outside of those displays. Yes, they are mechanically sound, tactically viable, and relate back into those story sections, and they are good!

With that said, I feel like this deserves a **7** for effort!