Test of the new Demi-Pharaoh

For sometime now various critiques have been levied against the dynamic of the Demi-Pharaoh. One major issue has focused on the disadvantage on facing veteran players that tend to be better known but not necessarily better qualified than newer ones. Another has been the scarce interest in debates during selection rounds. A new set of rules is here proposed to alter the above dynamics of the test and hopefully have more fun and stimulate interest in participation. The general outline of the test would still envision the enrollment in the test and the formation of selections groups but instead of casting a single vote each participant will be able to cast up to 4 ballots. Each ballot would have different point values:

A ballot good for 1 point;

A ballot good for 3 points;

A ballot good for 7 points;

A poison ballot

Not all ballots need to be used but each player can only use a ballot for each candidate up to a maximum of 4 candidates

If 1 poison ballot is cast for a given candidate that candidate will lose 1 point

If 2 poison ballots are cast for a given candidate that candidate will lose 7 point

If 3 poison ballots for a given candidate that candidacy is 'Vetoed' even if the candidate has the overall higher point score in the group (this limits the number of possible candidates eliminated to 2)

the arithmetical sum of points will determine the ranking of candidates. In the case the the highest or 2 highest point rankings have been Vetoed the third ranking candidate will advance

In case of a point ranking tie the tie is resolved as follows: A) the player that has received the lowest number of Poison ballots advances, B) If players are still tie after evaluating the number of Poison ballots the player with the highest number of 7 points ballots will advance C) If players are still tie after evaluating the number of 7 points ballots the player with the most 3 points ballot will advance D) If the tie is not resolved at the step C a random selection generated by code will determine the candidate elevated to the subsequent round.

The above idea was used in the 2010 Player Meeting in Pittsburgh and was borne out of ideas Balthazarr, Pyx, Asheara and Zildjan discussed.