R1M10 Jojolity Delibs

Judge Flynn (Coop)

These are some excellent Jojolities from both teams here. I was pretty well sold on all present characters “being or becoming monsters” through both the narrative bits and the individual tactics at play (notably, Konan’s fire arrow rain to decimate everything and Marion/Mithra basically fusing into one super monster at the end). Konan and Marion are also crucial to both of their partners in this battle and both certainly leave their marks on both the battlefield and the other characters’ psyches. Gonna give both teams **9’s** here.

Judge Leo (Flame)

We got a split team Jojolity this time around! Both teams in general have “Embody a monster!” —as opposed to being character specific, such as what Konan and Marion have: “Prove to your partner your use, and make your mark on the battle!”

Let’s start with bosses, because hoo boy just the strategy of coating Mithra with Marion and making that an important part of the strat alone made me consider the highest scores as an incredibly solid and creative Jojolity play for both, and add onto that flavor on each section discussing their nature? After debating on the higher two numbers, I’ve decided upon a **10**: I am undeniably blown away, and even knowing the two builds beforehand would never have expected something like this to be pulled.

This is not to suggest players did terribly: at the very least Konan’s Jojolity is performed well enough, finding a wide array of use of his kit in the strategy in various uses of his plants and archery, as well as showing a ‘monstrous’ side to his character. The same can’t really be said for Pico, but I don’t think the lack of Pico embodying a monster severely impacts what has been done. A solid **8**.

Judge TJ (Snek)

Onto Jojolity! These were both great in their own right, building off the tension of the writeup and delivering a strong tone coupled with its gameplay.

First I will address the players. Konan in particular has a very strong presence here, wrestling with his father’s impact on him, his internalized homophobia, and his own fucked up little vibes. I think he achieves both the monster and the usefulness jojolities quite well. I think the narrative sections are striking, and they tie in well to the tech that is used. There is a solid amount of teamwork here, as well as each party building on their own options, and all this ties into the Jojolity. Your brutal, oppressive strategy is itself a strong case for what makes you monsters, and what makes Konan useful.

It is Pico’s part in all this that starts giving me mild but notable issues. To start, I think you could have sold a stronger thesis statement in the intro, especially for a philosophy jojolity. I start learning what a monster is to Konan, and why he needs to be useful fairly early on. But for Pico, while I really do like the setup and reveal of the red flowers, still felt like he was missing that thesis. He’s angry and unpleasant for sure, and he genuinely does start coming into his own as the battle progresses. Pico mauling Marion is probably his strongest section in this strat, and it is an awesome example of gameplay showing narrative. I just found myself wanting more of his presence in this story alongside Konan, maybe a deeper exploration of that rage, or his queerness and how it relates to the others. Again, this isn’t *major,* but it is notable. Just as BOSS qual was a truly great show hindered by a few slip-ups, I am going to give you an [8].

Now, for my Tigers. This is a really impressive showing. Glad to see you guys showing this tournament how philosophy jojolities are done. You set up your narrative thesis and how it relates to Mithra and Marion as people (or rather, Monsters), by tying it into their techniques in battle. As a Narasimha, Mithra gets into position, spies on and stalks his opponent, and then strikes. In battle, all his effort to smash himself into human shape falls to the wayside. Marion, of course, is here to help. The way you structured your strategy, with the beast Marion literally at Mithra’s heart, every action in service of letting Mithra pull off this Narasimha Strategy, while modifying his body all the while, is genius. You really sell the relationship between these two and how they work together, both in gameplay and in narrative. Despite the discrete flavour sections, the two end up as linked as the Tigers themselves. Then at the end, as the vindication of Marion’s point completes both Jojolities, I felt myself chilled and excited. I expect this writing from you both, and you did not fail. I don’t think I can give this anything other than a [10].