H2H9 / H2H9 Pre-Draft Breakdown

So I know that Milo is usually the one that does these, but with sign ups soon coming to a close and the draft ever approaching, we haven't yet seen Milo's usual post. 

 

So in order to create some hype, and perhaps give the captains some potential insight into my own opinion on the sign ups and where I think they'll land, here is my pre-draft breakdown.

 

**Players, please don't take offence to where I rate you, it's my personal opinion based on my own values & mock drafts (public perception)**

 

Milo, or anyone, please feel free to add your own to this topic, or not, its up to you.

 

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Captains

 

Dr dirt - NE’s resident concept artist is taking the reins of a team for the first time. I’m sure his incredible knowledge and macro wisdom will seep into the parks his team will create

 

Tolsimir - An NE contest veteran, Tolsimir is a first time captain. One of H2H’s most successful players, can he translate that success to lead his team to win a H2H championship?

 

In:Cities/Josh - An RCT career that has evolved from humble beginnings into Spotlight and Grand Tour stardom. With the ability to inspire his team with photos of NE’s best dressed dogs, can he take them to the high levels of RCT he himself achieved last year?

 

Inthemanual- H2H7’s rookie captain has returned for another shot. With greater experience this time around, will he be able go one better and win the finals he managed to reach last time?

 

Steve - With enough RCT history to share amongst all of us, NE’s much loved old man is finally giving captaincy a go. It’s hard to guess what style of captain he’ll be, but one thing is for sure, we can expect plenty of his signature trees throughout.

 

Liam - The 2 times champion is looking to make history by winning a 3rd. After dropping the Heaven’s brand last season, everyone’s eyes are on what Liam will do next, especially after making his R1 & R2 picks, Tolsimir & Steve, captains.

 

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Sign Ups

 

Alex - Whatever Alex touches turns to Gold, or Spotlight. The legendary Parkmaker is a clear triple threat. LL, CSO, NCSO, whatever he builds it’s gonna be great. Prediction: R1

 

FK - The most recent NE contest winner. FK’s Grand Tour experience was a joy to behold and his stock has only gone up and up since the last H2H. Top pick for sure. Prediction: R1

 

AvanineCommuter - When you look at AVC's profile you can clearly see what he's all about: creative ideas & high quality parkmaking. A clear contender for top spot in the draft. Prediction: R1

 

Robbie - Late to the sign ups, claiming he can’t lead a park this season, but we all know once Robbie gets going, he can’t stop. Whether he is true to his word, or brings us another Tubaio, one thing is for certain, he’ll be gone quick. Prediction: R1 - R2

 

Leon - A key builder in the recent NCSO masterpiece Storybrook Glen, Leon has proved his worth to the masses in both CSO & NCSO. A must have for any captain. Prediction: R1 - R2

 

Nin - Offering himself up as a potential VC, nin brings with him a revolutionary “scrap this work” mentality, which has clearly brought success in abundance. Is pissing off potential team members a risk captains are willing take? Yes, yes it is. Prediction: R1 - R2

 

Xtreme97 - An outstanding micro builder with a solid Grand Tour showing, Xtreme is conceptually strong and can create objects aplenty. Will this be another successful competition for him? Prediction: R1 - R2

 

Hydroportal - Cruising through Grand Tour with his partner in tow, Hydro is ready to hit the big leagues. Quantity and quality, Hydro often builds for hours on end, a dream for any team. Prediction: R1 - R2

 

Cocoa - Another usual top spot candidate claiming they won’t have much time to build this season. But we all know, whatever cocoa provides, he’ll be a high pick, even if its just to stop other captains snapping him up. Prediction: R2 - R3

 

Bubbsy - No longer just a Robbie clone, Bubbsy is rising up and up, and if his recent screen is anything to go by, he will provide spotlight quality work to drool over. Get him whilst you can captains! Prediction: R2 - R3

 

BelgianGuy - Another production powerhouse, BG will be invaluable to any team, and recently scoring one of NE’s highest designs will only elevate his ranking. Prediction: R2 - R3

 

Trav - Forever coming and going, trav is a well known member who has improved his game ten fold. Always a reliable builder, and quality in abundance too. Question is, when will he disappear again? Prediction: R2 - R4

 

Louis - If you get Louis on a good run, he’s one of the best in the business. Will he shine in H2H9 like he has done in the past, or build practically nothing like in H2H8. He claims to be motivated, but is he worth the risk? Prediction: R2 - R6

 

BSG - Claims to not do so well in the H2H contests but BSG is sure to be picked high. If you want a fantastical setting, BSG is your guy. Prediction: R3 - R4

 

Ziscor - If you want a Mediterranean RCT project, then there’s 3 people you turn to, and Ziscor is one of them. Of course, if you don’t want a Mediterranean RCT project, Ziscor is still a brilliant player to hit up. Prediction: R3 - R4

 

Hoobaroo - Showed his skill off with a successful Micro Madness. We know he has ideas, creativity and detailing in abundance, we just need to see it on a larger scale. Prediction: R3 - R4

 

StormRunnerFan - Releasing a full size solo park out of nowhere, 7 years after his last release, SRF appears in his first H2H since H2H5. 4 seasons later, can he repeat the success his first H2H park had? Prediction: R3 - R5

 

Mamarillas - The first DKMP player in the list, Mamarillas has shown amazing skill at NE too. Plenty of quality submissions, and making it to the Grand Tour finals in his first NE contest. Can he repeat this rookie feat in H2H? Prediction: R3 - R5

 

Jappy - Continually pushing himself to be better with every park, he finally hit his Parkmaker goal in 2020. How high will he get picked? Probably not as high as he would if Fred was a captain, but still a solid draft placement. Prediction: R3 - R5

 

Recurious - Showed immense talent in the last H2H, albeit much forgotten about due to no fault of his own. Will he be picked as high as he was last time? Possibly not, but he’ll be in a very similar position. Prediction: R3 - R5

 

Maverix - Is there any other player at the site with this many accolades but no Parkmaker status? Can he finally hit that goal in H2H? It would be an amazing feat, but not necessarily unthinkable if he really steps up to the plate. A solid choice and a great all rounder. Prediction: R4 - R5

 

Fred - Unfortunate to not be picked to captain, Fred is ever increasing his RCT skill, a fantastic thing to be doing going into a H2H season. Prediction: R4 - R5

 

RWE - Another season, another captaincy overlooked. RWE would have made a decent go of it, but I'm sure he'll take advantage of another opportunity to learn under a new captain after a few rocky seasons. Prediction: R4 - R5

 

CC9 - Mr boat man himself. With a decent showing last season, a top 3 NEDC & highly scored GT entry, CC9 is sure to go in a higher round, whether you need a boat or not. Prediction: R4 - R5

 

G Force - After much deliberation, G has finally caved in a signed up. But can he produce his usual high quality and high quantity by using a trackpad? Is it a gamble worth betting on? Prediction: R4 - R5

 

Jaguar - Gone are the jagged rocks of the past, and in their place is a member who thinks outside the box. Strong ideas and concepts are Jag's speciality, but he mentions he wants to do his own thing. Will he be a team player? Prediction: R4 - R5

 

][22 - Last season's championship winning captain has joined the ranks of the players again. Always a fantastic option if just for drawings and feedback alone. Can he now win again as a player? Prediction: R4 - R6

 

RaunchyRussell - Taking NE by storm in 2020, Russell has shown skill in all areas of the game, particularly in the way he tackles more obscure coasters. A guy on a quest for Rookie of the Season.  Prediction: R4 - R6

 

Sulakke - It always feels weird to call certain members 'NE Veterans' but Sulakke is just that. Playing in every season since H2H5, he's guaranteed to bring success to any team in H2H9.  Prediction: R5

 

Cam22 - Another member who shines in contest formats. C22 has shown countless times that she is a key player to have. Conceptually strong, with the ability to build high quality, C22 is a fantastic prospect for any captain. Prediction: R5 - R6

 

Walto - After taking a break in H2H8, Walto is back to show his skills once again. H2H7 gave him the opportunity to flex his muscle with Geewhzz and create one of the best parks of the season (in R1). Can he do it again? Prediction: R5 - R6

 

Splitvision - Split has been on a steady rise since he released his first solo back in 2009. His Slice of Hong Kong was a delight, and showed that he can produce realism as well as his usual, more fantasy creations. Prediction: R5 - R6

 

BarnNID - Showing promise from day 1, BarnNID is taking the dive into an NE contest for the first time (discounting NEFC). His recent screens show a development in his style that will place him as one of the higher rookie picks. Prediction: R5 - R6

 

Coasterbill - Often a meme for the objects he creates, the fact he can create objects won't go unnoticed. A not so great last season dulls his stardom slightly, but in the right setting, he will recover easily. Prediction: R5 - R6

 

Swag - A name known at NE for his incredible NCSO skills, with 2 designs, 1 bronze, 2 silvers & 1 gold, he's only a spotlight away from an NCSO Yahtzee, quite incredible to say he's only been at NE since 2019. Another H2H rookie, destined for H2H greatness. Prediction: R6

 

Kumba - Kumba is a tricky one to predict and he will always be seen as one of the great H2H captains. The trouble is, when he can bring you the dizzying heights of his namesake, he can easily follow it up with the Son of. What you will get though is passion in abundance. Prediction: R6 

 

Disneylandian - With no screens since 2018 and only a micro since H2H8, disneylandian is a bit of an unknown. But you can’t deny his usefulness after good stints in H2H6, 7 & 8. Prediction: R6 - R7

 

Jene - A talented H2H rookie that’s a multi-genre threat. His screens show he doesn’t favour realism or fantasy, providing multiple options for a team. He’ll be shooting for the moon & the stars. Prediction: R6 - R7

 

Rene - Falling into the tightly packed mid-tier players, Rene reminds me of several Parkmakers mixed into one. Whilst some may not find his style distinctive enough, in a team game, he may just be the perfect blend. Prediction: R6 - R7

 

Six Frags - Concerned he won’t get drafted due to only ever being around for H2H, Six Frags is a H2H staple. Easily able to fit into any team, where will he end up this season? Prediction: R6 - R7

 

Geoff - Following on from an incredible Grand Tour contest, Geoff has already gone from nobody to somebody in a short amount of time. H2H will no doubt increase his ability even more. Prediction: R7

 

Suormot - Fantastic NCSO screens to rival those other DKMP players in the draft, but with less obvious signs of creative genius and no evidence of CSO, I can’t see him going as high as the likes of mamarillas. Prediction: R7

 

RCTFan - The man, the myth, the legend. H2H5 was the last time he made an appearance, and as underwhelming it was, Vampyre has been forever regarded as an unfinished masterpiece. Prediction: R7

 

AJ - A wonderous newcomer to NE that has found himself often in the company of NE legends. With creativity and an attention to detail, AJ will go far, and another potential to scoop the coveted Rookie of the Season award. Prediction: R7 - R8

 

Terry - With recent outbursts regarding the origin of NCSO ideas, Terry clearly has tons of passion, something you cannot deny is a quality in competitions. He’ll want to show off both his brilliant NCSO & CSO skills if given the opportunity to. Prediction: R7 - R8

 

Jens - Hitting NE with design in his first release, Jens made a mark with his DKMP NCSO style. But with recent showings of CSO too, Jens shows he’s yet another double threat. Prediction: R8

 

Zara - Teaming up with FK in the Grand Tour finals was a brilliant idea. Zara’s stock is now sky high and with this proven teamwork track record, Zara is one the captains won’t want to miss. Prediction: R8

 

Mk98 - A name that’s been floating around NE for a few years now, MK has proven he can create solid RCT. Recent releases throughout 2020 show a high teamwork value that solidifies his rank in the mid tiers. Prediction: R8

 

Scoop - Always seemingly forgotten about in mock drafts and real ones, he tried for a shot at captaining himself. Rejected and now in the pool of players, will he be remembered this time, or become another low round steal? Prediction: R8

 

Poke - Mainly known for his LL work, Poke has shown he can play more than just this in the past. A heavy focus on landscape and atmosphere, if you’re looking for LL or not, poke is an easy pick to make. Prediction: R8 - R9

 

SSSammy - Philosophical and wise, Sammy has come a long way since his H2H5 debut. Skilled in RCT, but even more skilled in giving feedback, Sammy will be an asset to even the most experienced of players. Prediction: R9

 

Shen - No screens on NE, but the few posted in the ad topic have shown promise. People rate him highly, and thus he’s lifted off the bottom, but how much do the captains know about his DKMP origins? Prediction: R9 - R10

 

Spacek - Proved to be a successful member of the winning team last season, if you’re going to pick a ride maker for your team, Spacek is your first port of call. A legend in the game for this alone. Prediction: R9 - R10

 

Version1 - A floater last season working on all 5 RR parks. Will his 2020 Gold & recent 2021 release be enough to lift him out of the bottom rounds, or will his abrupt nature cause him to float round more? Prediction: R9 - R10

 

Lotte - Her recent design was good, but slightly dated as she battled with a project started several years prior. Will she dust that rustiness off and emerge victorious, lets hope so because she is clearly talented.  Prediction: R9 - R10

 

CHE - Having a hand in a handful of parks in H2H8, CHE was a brilliant floater, second time around, will CHE be floating again, or will captains have taken note? Prediction: R9 - R10

 

Ultro - We haven't seen much of Ultro recently, but the parts we saw in H2H8 showed that they could hold their own against the very best. A fantastic later round pick. Prediction: R9 - R10

 

MrBrightside - MrB is realism focused builder, more well known for his mammoth SFMM project. He's shown his potential last season and has clearly evolved since then, even if he is still doing the same idea! Prediction: R10

 

Ottersalad - The NCSO wonder has been wowing with his recent screens. His CSO is top notch too. Another ex-floater to lose their floater status? Easily. Prediction: R10

 

IonZero - There has to be a H2H record being broken with the amount of dual threat players in the contest, and Ion is one of them. His NCSO is clean and well thought out, ad his CSO is strong too. Prediction: R10

 

BioHazard - Another player, another floater. Bio was used to great effect last season, we unfortunately haven't seen a great deal recently, but his performance in H2H8 should be enough to place him in a similar round. Prediction: R10

 

KaiBueno - Colourful and slightly abstract, Kai is an old hand when it comes to RCT. Clearly passionate, his return in 2019 was wonderful. Can't wait to see where Kai ends up, if it is down in the floating rounds, he'll contribute massively to his team, I'm sure. Prediction: R10 - R11

 

RobDeDeDe - This ex-DKMP player, now running his own RCT club has shown ability in both NCSO & CSO, a talent in the works? Prediction: R10 - R11

 

SuicideCarz/Hex - There's more NCSO in this season than you can shake a stick at, and SC/Hex is another of these players. His recent release only narrowly missed out on design, can he pick up any accolades in H2H? Prediction: R11

 

Iretont - Iretont has had a couple of decent releases in the form of duos with other more NE established DKMP players, besides those, he's relatively unknown, but you can't deny his talent. Prediction: R11

 

Sens - Another returning member, Sens has always shown promise in screens, even if we haven't had a substantial release. A definitely prospect for floater, and a useful player to pick. Prediction: R11

 

Kenos - Another ride designer that can also build NCSO. If Spacek has gone, and you're in need of a ride maker, Kenos is the guy for you. He even made those Schiff Mice at the drop of a hat, even though no one really needed them. Prediction: R11

 

Thethrillman - The screens show promise, but there aren't many of them, a gamble for sure, but one that could pay off, particular in the bottom choices that are so full of NCSO, and not so many CSO players left. Prediction: R11

 

Left Handed Coffee Mug - A mass influx of screens hit the front page a few days ago as LHCM started his quest to be drafted. All show great skill and having another DKMP member in our mist can only be a good thing. Prediction: R11 - 12

 

Risiko - Look at Risiko's profile page and the first thing you see is Spongebob. If that is not reason alone to draft him, I don't know what is. Prediction: R11 - 12

 

Lightkeeper - Was on my team in H2H7, yet, I can't actually remember much, not sucha  good thing, but something that is clear, the talent is there, just needs another opportunity in the limelight. Prediction: R11 - 12

 

Marino - Possibly the most unknown sign up, but still likely to get picked. Only 1 park on NE and only 1 screen, but knowing Faas gets you places at NE, last round pick. Prediction: R12

 

Sheeple - No posted screens or parks on NE, but has advertised some decent work, and is known in the community from RC&F. Would be a shame to not see Sheeple in H2H, would be a great opportunity to bridge the gap between NE and other servers. Prediction: R12

 

MCI - According to V1, I am one of MCI's biggest fans, and you know, to a certain extent, I am, partly just down to his determination to play in H2H. There has to be a record for the number of times someone has signed up and not been drafted. Can MCI finally get a chance to play? Prediction: R12 - undrafted

 

Merzbow - It pains me to put Merzbow down so low on this list. The reason - LL is the main game on offer. We have seen glimpses of RCT2, but its not on the same level. Still, worth a shot in the late rounds if you ask my opinion, especially if you've picked anyone else that could potentially join up to build an LL masterpiece. Prediction: R12 - undrafted

 

Dark_Horse - Could be really good, but unfortunately just doubts his own ability, and deletes everything, and the cycle continues. There is nothing wrong with starting over, but a key way to get better whilst you're looking to improve is to just finish things off. Will this harm DH's chances? Prediction: R12 - undrafted

 

psi - 2011 - 2015 - 2021? psi has been inactive for long periods of time, however seems to always be in the shadows lurking. There is enough there to be picked up in the last round, but its anyone's game come Round 12. Prediction: R12 - undrafted

 

PhoenixWing - Another sign up with no previous NE history, but that doesn't matter. She's shown leadership qualities at RCT Club, has showcased her work in the Ad topic, and has briefly shown that she can create custom rides. Is that worth the punt alone? Prediction: R12 - undrafted

 

Gustav Goblin - Like with some other last round options, Gustav can play CSO, which holds him in good stead against the other NCSO players. He has played in Grand Tour, which probably elevates him higher than other options. Prediction: R12 - undrafted

 

Paeve - Claiming that their lack of CSO experience won't stop them from learning, you have to admire the dedication to fit into the world of NE & H2H. The NCSO is decent enough, and they can clearly hack. Prediction: R12 - undrafted

 

Mulder - The only piece of work on NE is the screen of Mamarilla's. The central tower & palette is good, is it good enough to take a chance? Probably. Prediction: R12 - undrafted

 

Corky The Cactus - Always unfortunate to not get picked, but Corky's only work hails back to scenario play. Its just not going to work out in the cut throat world of NE. Prediction: Undrafted

 

Rob Tonto - No screens, no advertisment. Nothing to talk about besides a returning member from the way way back, RCTStation. Just not enough background. Prediction: Undrafted

 

DreamMachine - Cries of an alt account caught up in the Grand Tour scandal. No one will take this on. Prediction: Undrafted

 

Loderall - The shutterstock image is nice, but the alt account is strong with this one. Can't always be 100% sure, but its a no brainer here. Prediction: Undrafted

 

BOTTOM OF THE LIST CAUSE THEY SUCK FOR SIGNING UP LAST MINUTE:

 

CP6 - This guy designs theme parks for a living. Literally. But, will he be a #1 pick after signing up late saying he might not be able to build as much as he'd want to? Prediction: R2 - R4

 

Pacificoaster - Always a R1 pick, never a floater. But times change don't they? The legendary parkmaker is finally on board after making sign up pacts with several players. He doesn't deserve a R1 pick after all that, but he most likely will get one. Prediction: R1 - R3

 

Roomie - A H2H without Roomie just isn't H2H. Roomie has only missed 1 or 2 seasons, so it was inevitable he'd be back for another. No longer just an LL player, he has shown in the last few seasons that he can play RCT2 just as well. Prediction: R4 - R6

EMIEL'S THOUGHTS:

 

Hey all, here is a quick introductive summary for all (ex-)DKMP players that signed up for H2H. It’s purely based off my own observations and opinions. I’ll leave the ranking to the captains!

 

AJ – Does a lot of unique and new stuff in all kinds of themes and styles, both with coasters and theming.  

 

Coaster-Geoff – True team player. After some NCSO he got into the GT. Learns and grows quickly. Most importantly: can cook. 

 

DededeRob – Open for multiple themes and styles. Has a large repertoire of builds in both NCSO and CSO. Can also hack.

 

Iretont – A true all-rounder. Excellent in lots of categories within a map and can build in different styles.

  

Jens J. – Creative mastermind. Can do both great buildings, epic landscaping and stunning sculptures. 

 

Kenos (Realsteel) – Able to make custom vehicles. Creative with object-usage and very able to replicate irl stuff.

 

left_handed_coffee_mug – Buildings, foliage and landscaping are the biggest pro’s. Very creative.

 

mamarillas – Fantasy, realism, epic sculpturing, he has done it all. True wide-ranging player.

 

Mulder – Refreshing fantasy. Does all kinds of cool and new things with shapes and structures.

 

Paeve – Can do cool hacking and nice coasters. Has pioneered a big NCSO trick to make fishes. 

 

PhoenixWing101 – Coaster queen. Makes great and realistic layouts. Can also hack and put down fantastic foliage. 

 

Risiko – Really commits to a theme in the entire park. Can make great coasters and buildings. 

 

Shen Kitchen – Versatile player. Can do both fantasy and realism. Also, advanced hacked rides and epic palettes.

 

soap and butter sandwich – Has done different stuff. A park on a volcano, in the snow or a full-size realistic park.

 

SuicideCarz (Hex) – Very good at layouts. Also does great architecture. 

 

Suormot – Makes incredible buildings and townscapes. Truly dives into a theme.

 

Swagtitties – The realism guy. Makes sharp entries and really has an eye for detail.

 

Zarathustra – Hackerman. Can make advanced shoestrings like nobody else. 

 

As a bonus I’ve made a Google Drive folder containing overviews of 3/4 DKMP contest entries by the players, make sure to check those out

 

 

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MILO'S THOUGHTS:

 

Captains:

 

Dr dirt - In the last few years dirt has made his presence felt in the community considerably more than before previous H2H seasons.  Although his activity is still primarily contest-centric,  dirt has been active around the community Discord and had good showings in contests since H2H8.  This will be his 5th consecutive H2H season and although he’s had some highs and lows,  H2H8 was a significant upswing for him.  Now he hopes to use this enthusiasm and project planning skill as a first time captain.  I have confidence that he knows what it takes for a team to make it to the finals.

 

Tolsimir -  Quite similar to dr dirt in community presence and H2H experience (even down to being on many of the same teams),  Tolsimir also blossomed in H2H8 and has remained active since.  One of the best parts of doing these writeups over the years is tracking people’s improvement and Tolsimir might have one of the most consistent trajectories for improvement I have ever seen.  His work has developed from solid fantasy and semi-realism to mind bendingly awesome and creative contest entries.  Even his more grounded solo work has been breaking RCT’s isometric grid and introducing useful new scenery objects.  With his activity at an all-time high and having been an integral good-luck charm for many championship runs,  Tolsimir is a first time captain to watch.

 

In:Cities – I promise this isn’t intentional but In:Cities is quite similar to dirt and Tolsimir in H2H experience and in the fact that he has come into his own since H2H8 both in activity and RCT.  In:Cities has flexed his newfound skills in excellent micros,  a Design Challenge entry,  multiple Grand Tour rounds and his very first Spotlight.  Tolsimir knocked out In:Cities in the H2H8 Semifinals so there is a lot of history between the first time captains that should make for some good Season 9 narratives.

 

Inthemanual – ITM is once again in the captain’s chair after stepping down for H2H8.  In H2H7 he had a solid run as a first time captain and I fully expect good things from the second iteration of the Manual Laborers.  Although he stepped back from the community a bit,  his RCT work has remained of consistent quality and frequency:  from his creative micros,  Grand Tour entries and a spaghetti bowl Design.  With his experience and activity resurgence,  ITM has clearly demonstrated the skills to put together a quality team again for this season.  I think only a possible time crunch here or there could derail things.

 

Steve – I’ll be honest,  it’s a little surprising he wants to be a captain.  Steve has been around the community so long that he belongs in a museum and seemed to his relish his role as a stalwart old timer.  Although he signed up for the job in his usual pithy,  semi-detached way,  he has a bottomless well of contest experience and community engagement to draw from.  The years where I lightly joked about his sporadic productiveness are far behind us and he’s even picked up some contemporary NCSO knowledge,  something all the kids seem to like these days.  Underestimate him at your peril.  What kind of leadership does he bring to the table?  We’re going to find out.

 

Liampie- The admin and captain that really needs no introduction.  Liampie IS New Element at this point and can tackle or coach any style or variant of RCT you care to name.  He seemed poised to make a historical three-peat championship run and came up just short against ][ntamin22’s Spacecrabs last season.  Although the [Heaven’s] brand may be coming to close,  Liampie is sure to have plenty of ideas left in the tank to lead his team to yet another finals unless his former teammates-turned-captains have learned enough to outmaneuver him in the draft and new schedule format.

 

Sign Ups:

 

Version1 – after being coy about caring about H2H or not, this is the second season V1 instantly signed up as the topic dropped so I think we have our answer.  Although he doesn’t have a lot of positive things to say about his stint as a very active and engaged floater in H2H8, this is nothing new.  He has absolutely progressed since then,  with a Gold under his belt,  and V1 will be a solid mid-late round pick.

 

Xtreme97 – after an active period in the early 2010s,  Xtreme went quiet and then bounced back in 2018 with a Bronze accolade.  He then demonstrated flexibility with an LL solo in H2H8/8 and some exciting micros in Micro Madness.  More recently he has collaborative work with both inthemanual and Steve in the Grand Tour as well as recent accolades.  I believe Xtreme will factor into someone’s gameplan as a mid round utility player.

 

FredD – although he has not been selected for a captain spot,  his activity and community engagement are not to be underestimated.  He has yet to have a breakout H2H season but recent Gold accolades and Grand Tour appearances confirm FredD might be gaining momentum towards a groundbreaking season.  At his current activity level I expect him to be a mid round pick.

 

RobDedede – the Rob who is not Robbie but RobDedede has exploded onto the scene.  He is one of the members who is part of the ongoing DKMP invasion.  With some confidence boosting NCSO accolades and jumping into the deep end with solid Grand Tour appearances,  he is absolutely a potential sleeper rookie.

 

RWE – although his second captain bid was unsuccessful,  RWE has developed into a very flexible player with a variety of styles demonstrated in both contest appearances and accolades.  Although RWE’s H2H experiences haven’t always been positive,  it is admirable that he is giving another season a shot,  even vying for a leadership position.  RWE is not someone to overlook and I hope he gets a stable and positive H2H experience this season.

 

AvanineCommuter- ever the wildcard,  AVC has had hit or miss H2H seasons.  H2H8 seemed overall positive and with a fun, creative style plus good to great execution I think he will be drafted as an early round pick.  Time constraints are possible but AVC has pushed through that in the past and I hope to see at least a portion of a map full of high concept ideas from him.

 

Scoop – after an optimistic rookie captain bid was unsuccessful,  Scoop had a damn fine rookie season despite being bogged down in controversy.  Although his second captain’s bid was also unsuccessful,  Scoop went toe to toe against tough competition in Season 8 and came close to a win with a rookie-led park alongside MrBrightside711.  Scoop has shown versatility in competition play and adaptability in his first H2H season and should be a strong mid round pick with potential enthusiasm and experience to take the helm on a map.

 

CoasterCreator9 – [insert boat joke here] a current member of the admin team,  CC9 had a successful rookie season with a map featuring,  you guessed it,  a giant boat.  Since then CC9 has stayed active and engaged after his comeback and continued developing his signature macro heavy style.  He has worked in some fantasy and semi-realistic elements and although his best work hinges on having sufficient breathing room,  with the right build partner and idea CC9 can absolutely contribute heavily to a winning map as a mid-early rounder.

 

Jappy – he has only improved since a solid 2 map showing in his rookie season.  In the years since Jappy has racked up a slew of creative contest appearances and Gold accolades,  highlighted in his upscale classic scenario reimaginings.  His style is a somewhat signature micro-heavy in a macro-setting that should strike a good balance of density in H2H.  His productivity plus fresh Parkmaker status sets him up as an early round pick.

 

Kenos – has all the makings of a quality late round utility/floater pick that any captain should want.  Has a large amount of quality NCSO work and jumped into the deep end here at NE with custom scenery in 2 Grand Tour entries that showed real promise.  Also brings ride creation skills to the table.

 

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Lotte – she fell off the map a little bit after a solid rookie season in H2H7 and appearances in the NE Olympics.  Was drafted in H2H8 but dropped out and then came back strong starting in 2019 Micro Madness and group parks.  A finished older project Design rounds out enough activity for her to be a later round pick.

 

Ottersalad – had a good rookie season in H2H7 where he showed he could hang with AVC and high concept fantasy.  He has since shed his habit of disappearing between H2Hs and had a great second season as an active floater.  Since H2H8 he has stayed active,  pivoting from fantasy CSO micros to NCSO solos,  then back to CSO in the Grand Tour and now back to NCSO.  Otter is able to reliably execute all of this at a Silver and Gold level.  His stock is on the rise as a rock solid mid-late round dark horse who can punch above his weight.

 

MK98 – went undrafted in H2H8 and was then called up from the replacements list and had a small role on one map.  MK98’s activity before and after Season 8 is night and day; not much before and after H2H8 we’ve seen LL, fantasy micros, realistic Designs, wacky and fun semi-realism and, most recently,  a major step up with collaborative efforts in the Grand Tour.  MK98 is quietly developing work that speaks for itself and shows massive improvement in the last few years.  He has expressed a desire to leverage that into a good H2H performance.  Someone is getting a mid-late round steal here.  I also submit MK98 had a redshirt year in H2H8 and qualifies as a rookie this season.

 

Bubbsy41 – I like to think I do reasonably well in my predictions but I completely botched my call on Bubbsy last season as nin clearly saw the potential and drafted him right after Pacificoaster.  Bubbsy didn’t wither under the pressure either,  contributing to 3 maps in the round robin.  His crown jewel unfortunately won by DQ but absolutely would have been competitive.  Bubbsy is not shy about wearing is inspirations on his sleeve but is not just clone,  he uses his inspirations to help execute his own ideas at a high level and as a bonus he seems to take to collaborative work outside of H2H.  You won’t catch me sleeping this time,  Bubbsy gets snagged early and used as often as possible.

 

Trav – I’m sure he entered into H2H8 with the best of intentions as a ref but as the season played out emotions ran high and things reached a boiling point.  It did not pan out well and the less said about it the better.  I’m glad trav has returned to the community and in the last year has seemingly shaken off the rust so he can provide a contribution to one map at a level we all know he’s capable of.

 

Jene – a newer member who is improving at a methodical pace in the last couple of years.  Has a Bronze,  Silver,  Gold and a narrowly missed Design.  Jene seems poised to add a Spotlight contender to the mix with an unreleased Disney project and has executed this variety of projects with a serene semi-realistic style that I think could work really well with the right pairing.  Build speed and a lack of H2H experience are the unknown factors but I predict someone takes a chance on Jene as a mid round pick.

 

Hydroportal – has absolutely blown up here on NE in under a year.  Bookended the Grand Tour with entries built at a high level and ultimately ended up narrowly missing out on a win due to some voting…. ah… irregularities.  Hydro seemingly has taken this reversal in stride and his draft stock and ambition seems to be very high after an impressive Grand Tour and some collaborative accolade work.  His rookie season might be one for the history books if he stays motivated.  Early round pick.

 

Rene – this will be his third consecutive H2H season.  Certainly not the most prolific player ever with no releases since a solid 1 map performance in H2H8 but he has shown 2 stellar screens in the last year.  If Rene stays consistent to previous appearances we can hopefully expect a good chunk of work on 1 map executed at a high level which makes him a solid,  if slightly risky,  mid to later round pick.  Not much different from last season but not in a bad place either.

 

Dark Horse - I'm not sure what to expect from DH here,  I can barely tell if he's signed up or not.  We got a small entry in Grand Tour but a lack of productivity hurts him in a strong year for sign ups.

 

Loderall – scenario style player,  possible alt rounding out the numbers.  It looks like we’ll have a full roster anyway...

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AJ- - another newcomer from the DKMP community who is now making waves here on NE.  He has delved into all styles of NCSO including some well-crafted surreal and abstract maps.  He has also shown a willingness to try out custom objects and with the right partner is likely to do well in H2H.  An exciting rookie prospect who I see being drafted in a mid-late round with utility/floater versatility.

 

Coaster-GEOFF – Another member from the DKMP invasion and someone who used the Grand Tour as an opportunity to develop custom scenery skills.  Geoff participated in every round of the Grand Tour,  both solo and collaborating,  and progressed to the point where his solo in the finals was not out of place amongst tough competition from more established players.  If what he accomplished this past year is any indication,  Geoff is poised to stun us all this H2H and make his teammates proud.  A mid round pick who will pay dividends if he stays active.

 

Merzbow666 – primarily an up and coming LL player whose activity has dropped off in the last couple years.  Participated in H2H8 as a replacement,  this experience might push captains to consider them a late round/floater pick.

 

Six Frags – an absolute institution when it comes to H2H.  After a disappointing drop out in Season 7,  SF came back and turned things around for Season 8.  Although Team Spacecrab had his number in the finals,  SF proved he’s still got it in the round robin.  He’ll bring with him a wealth of experience and wisdom that only comes from being around basically forever in one capacity or another.  Someone will grab him in a mid-early round and it may just be Liampie or a Liampie acolyte.

 

Bigshootergill – simply put,  BSG has a fun style and is not afraid to tackle off the wall ideas.  He can pull from IPs or create his own fantastical settings.  He flexed some LL skills after a solid H2H8 showing although after Micro Madness he has gone a little quiet.  Recent screens show his skills should be up to par and Liampie seemed to consider him an integral part of his Heaven’s gameplan.  Will that be true again this year?  Either way,  BSG gets picked early.

 

Recurious – Another member whose pick I botched last season,  Lew picked him way earlier than I anticipated.  And unfortunately the match that blew up H2H8 also swept his excellent map under the rug in a dust cloud of infamy and outrage.  Thankfully he stayed active and engaged in the community and has a small string of releases since last season that show some ingenuity and flexibility.  Although he may not be drafted quite as early,  Recurious has the makings of a solid mid-early round pick who can pay off if he stays active and produces the type of map he did last time around.

 

Splitvision – A member who has been in and out of the community since the 2000s and had a decent development in the early 2010s.  After an extended break Split returned and wrapped up his spaceship project,  showcases some fun semi-realism and realism in a couple Golds and then upped his game again in the Grand Tour.  He has shown great flexibility and can tackle IPs as well as sculpture and sci-fi.  He’s a solid mid-round pick and will be a rookie to watch if he can stay active in the H2H format.

 

Camcorder22 – Cam has always been a contest centric player and she has gotten good results in the past,  both in Micro Madness and previous H2Hs.  In H2H8 her productivity and quality took a big stride forward and since last season the trend has continued upward.  Cam once again produced some stellar micros as well as some contest work with Cocoa in NEFC and then dr dirt in the Grand Tour.  As an absolute steal of a last round pick for the Spacecrabs last season,  I fully expect Cam to be a mid-round pick this time around and will hopefully be able to execute some big ideas up to her new standards.

 

Hoobaroo – Who baroo are you?  Well, from what I’m seeing,  hoobaroo is the new dark horse Wicksteed or That Guy.  Productivity is a concern but hoobaroo was a complete unknown who signed up for Micro Madness 2019 and busted everyone’s bracket by getting into the finals.  And he didn’t just squeak by,  but instead crushed the competition with excellent high-quality,  high-concept micros that got him all the way to third place against some of NE’s most established members.  Execution on a larger scale is the big question mark here.  We have seen a beautiful screen that almost looks like a fucking painting.  If these big ideas can be expanded to big maps then expect big things and a mid-late round pick.

 

Terry Inferno – a middle of the pack draft that had a solid round 1 showing last time around but not a particularly remarkable rookie season.  Since H2H8 Terry has quickly shed his humble old school NCSO style if favor of a more contemporary NCSO and scored a Design and then a Gold and another Design.  Terry has also beefed up his custom scenery skills with a fun micro and a recent CSO Design accolade.  Terry should be a solid mid-late round pick and if he plays at his current level or better he could produce something that really shines.

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KaiBueno – 2019 saw the return of Kai,  a member who was primarily active in the early 2000s aka ‘the ancient times’.  To put it into perspective,  Kai is responsible for one of the first times RCT2 won a match in H2H,  all the way back in Season 2.  Thankfully Kai has decided to stick around and enjoy all the benefits of OpenRCT and has participated the in the majority of contests in the last 2 years.  Kai’s primary style is understandably dated but is just as colorful and fun as it was back in 2003.  His current work is hovering around a Bronze and Silver range.  Kai is quickly adopting modern techniques though and seems poised to be a strong late round pick with enough enthusiasm to back it up.

 

MrBrightside711 – alongside Scoop and V1 he contributed to one of the better stories from H2H8 when the bottom 3 drafted on the Icons put together a competitive map that ultimately was scored a Gold.  It was a contentious match and narrowly lost but hopefully this is the type of thing that motivates him this season.  Although he doesn’t have any solo releases since H2H8,  recent screens show a continuation of a realistic,  refreshing style that incorporates a lot of bold and fun ride interactions.  A late round pick that hopefully outperforms once again.

 

Cocoa – he had a lot to live up to following a breakout H2H7 season and although he only worked on one map,  it was one of the more memorable of H2H8.  Cocoa is one of the first of an increasingly long list of prominent members who are signing up with a list of caveats,  usually time or motivation related.  This is not a  problem but it does complicate things for captains because of the risks of letting too many picks like Cocoa slip through your fingers.  A finished map from him is one of the closest things to a sure bet in H2H,  no matter what you ask him to make,  so it will be interesting to see who bites first.  My guess is probably one of the first 3 rounds.

 

Poke – between 2015-2018 he was a very exciting up and comer who was leaning heavily into developing a throwback LL style and also an early RCT2 style using a limited palette of objects.  He was pumping out accolades left and right and was looking to move up to the next level.  Sadly after a restrained presence in H2H8 and a solid LL park in H2H8/8,  Poke’s activity level plummeted.  We have seen some fun LL screens and it seems Poke is still somewhat enthused about RCT but a lack of completed work in the past few years really hurts his draft chances.  If Poke does go undrafted I hope to see him sign up for 9/9 as that contest is much more suited to throwback content.

 

SWAGTITTIES – another newer member from DKMP with an extensive knowledge of NCSO.  Swag seems to be a separated from his peers with his inventive but clean and grounded style that most closely matches someone like Cocoa or nin.  He instantly started winning accolades here at NE around 2 years ago and it seems unlikely he’ll be stopping any time soon.  His availability and flexibility is somewhat limited for H2H but if there is anyone who can produce NCSO that does well in this format it’s this guy.  Mid-low pickup with potential to blow us away with the right pairing and idea.

 

Kumba – there is no question that Kumba’s H2H legacy is secure and the stuff of legend.  It’s also no secret his productivity has slowed way down in the past few years,  resulting in a low volume of releases and a small role in H2H8 as a whole.  I think this is what ultimately prevented him from resurrecting the Hurricanes for another season this time around.  He says he’s motivated to outdo his H2H8 run while possibly fulfilling a vice-captain role on a team.  If he can find a balance of activity from last season to times when he was a captain we should see an above average performance.  He will need to set aside any disappointment at not getting a captain’s spot this season and have the discipline to work with,  and not against,  his prospective captain.  A mid-early round pick.

 

DreamMachine – possibly an alt or low motivated passerby.

 

Maverix – after slowing down in productivity,  H2H8 was a bit of a bounceback for Mav.  He had a good showing on one of the more memorable concept parks of the season.  Although he may never replicate his most active period in the 2010s,  Mav is building at consistent Gold quality nowadays.  His style is a little rigid but with the right pairing and idea he is more than capable of executing at a high level with a nice,  readable density.  A solid mid-late round pick who could do exactly what you expect or outperform expectations.

 

Jaguar – was a player I was looking forward to in H2H8 but it was not to be as Jaguar dropped out mid-season.  Since then Jag has remained active,  participating in everything from H2H8/8 to the Grand Tour with out of the box ideas and a style that is inconsistent but consistently fun and creative.  Releases like Ekumenopolis or Phototrophian show us that with the right idea Jaguar can produce readable high concept fantasy that could do excellent in H2H.  Or he could insist on building solo or drop out for the second season in a row…  I’d take a chance though,  in a mid to late round.

 

Jens J. – one of the more recent players to pop up on NE from DKMP.  Some very strong NCSO work and seems to gravitate towards high concept trackitecture sculptures.  It is a style that is a tough sell here at NE unless it’s in the right context but Jens is also expressing a desire to improve on some already solid custom scenery fundamentals.  A solid mid-late rounder.

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[font="Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif]Mamarillas – has been around NE since Micro Madness 2019 and has rapidly improved his custom scenery skillset and showcased his DKMP NCSO roots at the same time.  Persistence paid off in his Grand Tour run,  culminating is a very respectable finals appearance.  He’s as innovate and flexible as you could hope for and I think has all the tools needed to succeed in H2H,  including the all-important enthusiasm and time.  A mid-early round pick that has massive potential to have a standout rookie year.[/font]

 

RaunchyRussell – he came in hot in late 2020 with a standout Gold solo.  Along the same lines as someone like Bubbsy,  he has some clear inspiration from realistic builders and despite getting a Gold,  there are some definite areas of improvement in his macro.  Along with a grounded style,  Raunchy sprinkles in some fun elements such as fun ride interactions,  unique coaster types and the ever popular backstage and infrastructure detailing.  Raunchy should be able to hang with a lot of potential build partners and seems to be motivated to push his already high skillset to the next level.  Another mid-early round pick with potential to have a great rookie season.

 

Ultro – in the same vein as hoobaroo and dark horses of the past,  ultro had a solid showing in his rookie season.  He seems to work well in a collaborative environment but struggles finishing solo work.  His unfinished recent projects showed lots of promise and unique,  refreshing atmospheres but it was a bit of a missed opportunity.  Ultro’s draft stock hasn’t really risen but he got into H2H8 and could do so again this time around as a late,  possibly bottom,  pick.  I’d like to see him progress to the next level and contribute a significant amount on a specific map with some unique ideas we know he’s capable of.

 

BelgianGuy – work from BG is rarely below Gold standard,  and his H2H8 contributions were no exception.  It appears that dr dirt and BG is a H2H pairing everyone should be afraid of as it bookended and dominated last season.  Since H2H8 he has stayed busy with 2 Gold solos and an extremely high scoring Design.  BG’s already high bar for his releases keeps creeping up and up and he is nearing Elite or Legendary scores.  With more hits than misses in the last 3 H2H seasons,  BG is sure to be an early round pickup.

 

barnNID – from Micro Madness 2019 onward he has shown potential.  He got unlucky with his micro due to being in a hell bracket but he moved onward quickly with 2 Silver solos,  a lackluster NEDC,  then another Silver borderline Gold solo.  For NEFC barnNID pulled a page out of Jaguar’s book and attempted some surreal fantasy.  His elusive first Design is a rare watercoaster Design and showed a step up in ingenuity and in his execution.  His style can work well with a slew of up and comers like hydroportal or established members like inthemanual or even Jaguar with the right idea.  This flexibility and recent activity means this guys will be a mid-early round rookie pick and someone to watch.

 

Suormot – although his screens and releases on NE have been few and far between,  Suormot shows a lot of potential to be a must-have for any captain looking to have an NCSO component to their team.  With his fundamentals I believe he could follow some of his peers and do just fine with custom objects if he’s willing.  Mid-late round pick but seemingly limited utility hurts a bit.

 

Left_Handed_Coffee_Mug – although his NE output is pretty consistent with DKMP players coming over,  a recent burst of screens shows an aptitude for creating a somewhat unique atmosphere.  Although he has the issue of a lack of utility,  there is a certain x factor quality to the atmosphere that I can’t quite put my finger on but I like it.  If a captain agrees then I see a potential late round draft spot.

 

Gustav Goblin – seems to be around the same level of skill on both NCSO and CSO.  His Micro Madness and Grand Tour efforts showed promise but lacked a certain amount of passion and diligence.  Not everyone has to be a hardcore player though and had the sign up list not been so competitive I think Gustav could definitely be a viable late round floater pick with his versatility.  As of now I think it’s a bit of a long shot but I hope he sticks around for future contests and shows off more solo work.

 

WhosLeon – is on a similar trajectory as BelgianGuy where he effortlessly produces almost exclusively Gold level work that keeps getting incrementally better.  Leon had a fantastic H2H8 season and has since gone on to produce high quality micros,  an insane Design,  and worked closely with Tolsimir and AVC during the Grand Tour leading to a close third place finish. Not to mention an entry into NCSO with his former H2H teammates in Storybrook Glen.  It is only the declaration that his time will be limited that pours cold water on another Round 1 selection but it is likely he’ll still be selected early as the one map he claims to be capable of producing is almost sure to be at a high level.

 

Alex – was featured prominently in my H2H8 writeup as the perfect example of someone who can finish one H2H season as a relative unknown and then completely dominate the community with high quality solo work and return for the next season in a much better position.  Alex opted to be a captain in H2H8 where his team faced tough competition and came out on the wrong end of close matches.  Alex’s productivity may have peaked but his quality absolutely has not.  His NCSO Spotlight and recent CSO reimagining of a classic scenario coaster are more than enough to show alex will be someone to draft as early as possible.

 

Zarathustra – is an exciting DKMP member who has been around NE for under a year but has already achieved a lot in that small amount of time.  He has worked closely with other DKMP members and FK on accolade winning NCSO as well as CSO for the Grand Tour where he contributed to a map good enough to earn a finals spot as well as the map that ultimately won GT.  He has the versatility,  collaborative experience and confidence in his OpenRCT hacking abilities that I believe he will be drafted in an early-mid round.  If his enthusiasm stays strong he’s the type of rookie to have a great season and can be paired with just about anyone,  from his DKMP peers to a Legendary Parkmaker.

 

SSSammy – was candid last season about his availability and contributed a small portion to one map.  This seems to be the case again this year and I believe captains are going to have to play chicken with each other in the last few rounds to see who can grab him for a utility spot.  His most recent NCSO Silver from late 2020 showed his natural,  easygoing style still has a lot of appeal and his focus in the game involves macro elements like landscaping and foliage that can be invaluable assets as a mid-late round pick.

 

Ziscor – in H2H8 I claimed Ziscor could be overlooked and it turned out he was drafted quite early.  He made a solid contribution to 2 maps but his limited availability,  lack of solo work and somewhat limited skillset will probably result in him being drafted in a low round as a good pairing with earlier picks.  What he likes to do,  he does well,  and his style is flexible enough to elevate a variety of semi-realistic maps.

 

Iretont – compared to some of his DKMP peers he has a somewhat limited presence on NE.  He has made contributions to a couple of accolades and his NCSO experience appears to be extensive and versatile.  He has made a late advertising push that shows enough enthusiasm and fun little ideas to earn a late round selection and could outperform expectations.

 

FK+Coastermind – although his H2H8 performance was lackluster,  FK has a wide range of H2H experience to draw from and it is his work after Season 8 that makes him as the alex of this season.  He was forever an up and comer with a lot of utility who dipped in and out of the community.  Since H2H8 FK has broken that pattern and flourished.  It started with Seasons,  a former H2H8 park that FK elevated and converted into a high-concept Gold.  He then went on to dominate the Grand Tour with consistent Gold level work and a finals winner that topped Seasons.  FK then returned to his trademark abstract fantasy with his GT build partner Zarathustra and once again showcased his versatility at an even higher level of execution.  Even after an extensive RCT career it feels like FK is just getting started and will likely be a first round pick.

 

IonZer0 – got a major endorsement last season when Liampie drafted him.  Ion made contributions to 3 maps and got quite a lot of postseason experience in his rookie year.  He has a solo Bronze after Season 8 and some recent screens show further improvement.  With a high volume of signups this season,  Ion’s solid H2H8 showing and desire to learn from that experience should make the case for a low round selection over less established members.

 

SuicideCarz/Hex – had an active period in the early 2010s where he was developing his NCSO in the style of the time.  After pivoting to DKMP he has collaborated with many of the members over there and has returned to NE with a refined NCSO style that is very close to earning him solo accolades.  Recent screens have shown a fondness for bold ideas and although he’s on the bubble,  I think a captain picks him up in a later round as a viable rookie.

 

Nin – both as a captain and a player nin always faces tough competition and H2H8 was no exception.  He has kept both his NCSO and CSO skills sharp since last season and seems to be pivoting into a focus on collaborative projects that don’t stall out but are completed at a high quality.  Nin has the expertise to help coach anyone into producing more competitive quality RCT and although some may bristle at his “bulldoze and try again” methodology,  you can’t argue with the results.  With the right captain and teammates he will be a valuable early round pick (despite limited time as a player) and brings captain level experience to a possible vice captain slot.

 

Louis – his H2H8 exit was contentious to say the least and resulted in an extended break from the community.  Louis has kept his rct skills on point though and is able to build in a wide variety of styles and favors a utility position for ride design and macro details.  When motivated,  Louis can also execute everything else at a high level but his motivation levels can vary wildly.  With his experience,  an excellent recent Design and current enthusiasm I believe Louis will be a strong mid round pick.

 

Spacek531 – with a focus on custom ride design and hacking prowess,  he has a niche skillset that was apparently a secret ingredient in the Spacecrabs’ championship run last season.  In H2H innovation can elevate a good map into a winner so spacek will definitely be a hot commodity in the later rounds of drafting.

 

Zxbiohazardzx – although his sign up felt lukewarm,  he was a very active floater last season which has given him valuable H2H experience.  Much like IonZer0 this may be enough to elevate him above lesser known players but his lack of activity on NE is a little concerning.  It is possible he will be a bottom round floater again or on the replacements list this season.  Perhaps he is active elsewhere and a lucky captain has a secret weapon...

 

Sulakke – has an extensive H2H history as this will be his 5th consecutive season.  Although he’s never shown an interest in solo work,  Sulakke is about as consistent of a contest-centric player you could hope for.  He diligently makes positive contributions to competitive maps each season and most recently in the Grand Tour with Liampie.  He could easily factor into Liampie’s plans again or work well on any other team that grabs him in a mid-early round.

 

Coasterbill – doesn’t have the greatest H2H track record,  not due to lack of effort but more lack of execution.  That and a possible time limitation lower his draft stock a little but at his best he can build at a very high level and in a fun style that on paper should translate better in H2H.  His most recent work is a Spotlight that almost cracked 90% so the skillset is there and if he finds the time then he just might have that breakout season everyone knows he is capable of.  Likely a mid-round pick.

 

Disneylandian192 – although his solo releases are few and far between,  they are usually of a high quality and he’s always been more of a contest focused player.  This will be his 4th consecutive H2H appearance (5th overall) and he has made a positive contribution more times than not.  H2H8 was not quite up to his usual performance but he has expressed enthusiasm as well as availability and with his history he’s a good mid-late round pick that could punch above his weight.

 

Soap and butter sandwich – not around the forums much but is active on Discord and has shown screens that show some solid execution of ride design and support work (something needed in H2H).  Has a danger of being overshadowed by his DKMP peers for what is likely to be a tough final few rounds of drafting.  A bit of a long shot I’m afraid.

 

Risikio – although Risikio blends into the pack of DKMP players and runs the risk of being overlooked,  his recent advertising push with screenshots shows a lot of versatility and a unique approach to the game.  He seems able to consistently execute on bold ride design and architecture ideas and I think someone grabs him in a late round.  A potential rookie to watch in H2H with guidance from experienced teammates,  might break out of his shell.

 

Wheres_walto – it isn’t H2H if someone doesn’t pop back up out of the woodwork and for this season one of those people is walto.  After an extended 6 year break he has returned and can hopefully pick right up where he left off after Season 7.  He was a major up and coming player with a solid showing in both Seasons 6 and 7 so it will be interesting to see how rusty he is.  With OpenRCT walto should quickly find his stride and I see someone picking him in a mid-early round based on his experience and with his realism focus there are number of good pairings.

 

TheThrillman – a relative newcomer who doesn’t seem to be part of the DKMP invasion.  With his small CSO release and a handful of screens it may be tough for him to stand out in a crowded late round rush,  but if a captain is wanting a less experienced CSO focused player I could see him selected for a floater position.

 

StormRunnerFan – as a less polished player he had a respectable rookie season back in H2H5.  His releases are few and far between,  with a 7 year gap between his Design and his extremely polished Disney’s Glacier Cove Water Park which was an impressive 2020 release and a major step up in quality for SRF.  He will likely be picked in an early round and if he can execute up to the standard that Glacier Cove set, he will do extremely well.  His productivity potential is the only concern but we’ll see what he can do and hopefully he can contribute to one amazing map.

 

Sheeple – has not been seen around the forums but is active in Discord and other communities.  Has some good NCSO and CSO fundamentals and experience in other coaster sims.  By making a post in the Advertise Yourself topic sheeple makes a strong case for a late round floater pick.

 

Marino – a name that was familiar but hasn’t been active in a while,  this is the type of player that is always cool to see return.  I believe he may have been more active outside of NE in the past but he seems to have the skills and some experience from H2H5 to earn himself a late round pick.

 

PhoenixWing101 – not active around NE but she did take the time to make a post in the Advertise Yourself topic.  The quality varies wildly but amongst DKMP and RCTClub NCSO,  the better stuff is quite good.  Phoenix and could earn a late round pick due to some utility such as ride and object creation and enthusiasm to work with custom scenery.  On the bubble.

 

SensualEthiopianPolice – although Sens went undrafted last season,  he did get picked up as a replacement and made a small contribution to a late round park before stepping away.  With this experience and some great screens he may stand out enough to get a late round draft selection as a CSO wildcard.  It is just a shame we haven’t seen any releases from him since last season as that would have ensured his draft potential.

 

Shen Kitchen – thanks to the Advertise Yourself topic,  Shen has been able to showcase high concept sculpture work from DKMP.  Shen’s creativity stands out a bit from his DKMP peers but with one release and some screens he’s still on the bubble for a late round selection.

 

CorkyTheCactus – scenario style builder who is not heavily into custom scenery.  Unlikely draft pick in a stacked season.

 

][ntamin22 – in the last few years ][22 has transformed himself from an innovative LL player into a full dual game threat who can hang with the best and produce Gold level RCT2,  most recently in the Grand Tour.  He also brings graphic design and project planning skills to the table.  In H2H8 he led his team to victory with some nifty drafting plus solid execution and spoiled Liampie’s three-peat bid.  As a first time captain you really couldn’t hope for more and ][22 has settled on not defending his championship this season.  Always leave them wanting more…

 

RCTFAN – the least shocking shock of the sign ups,  RCTFAN has returned.  But he gave us all a tease in 2019 with a quality micro after 8 years and then a no show the second round.  His H2H experience ranges from legendary (Kukuana in Season 4) to tragic (Vampyre in Season 5).  Productivity and build speed are the main concerns but his potential is tantalizing so my bet would be someone taking a chance on him in a mid-late pick.  This season’s boom or bust!

 

MCI – an OG NCSO player before all the other communities popped up.  Recent screens how a continuation of the classic NCSO style and he pulls it off well.  Has gone undrafted in the past and limited availability may hurt his chances again this time.

 

Mulder – a fantasy oriented DKMP player whose intricate NCSO sculpture and architecture are quite impressive.  One of my personal favorites of the DKMP invasion,  it will be interesting to see where he ends up.  My prediction is a late round pick on a fantasy oriented team who can leverage his sculptures into a high concept map.

 

Rob Tonto – an old name from RCTStation makes a return.  No publicly shown work but seems to favor ride design and probably NCSO.  A long shot unless a captain doing a deep dive sees something they like.

 

Paeve – seems to be an innovator in the DKMP community and has a very clean,  mechanical style.  He clearly has some hacking chops as well and put up a good set of screens in the Advertise Yourself topic.  The screens also showcase an aptitude for natural styles,  with landscaping and gardens featured.  This type of work stands out to me from other NCSO work and could easily blend into a lot of styles here on NE.  Someone to watch for sure and I believe a captain might take a chance in a later round/floater pick.

 

Robbie92 – he wavered last season before finally signing up.  We got one great park then and although Robbie has the same misgivings and caveats this time around,  if he takes the reins on just one map it is almost sure to be great.  Robbie is due for another release so we will likely see him drafted in the first or second round,  despite the risks.

 

Lightkeeper – a name that pops up every once in a while due to objects and he has some H2H experience from Season 7.  His most recent screens show a refreshing oldschool style and he could work as a floater pick in a late round.

 

G Force – captained in H2H8 and had a good run both for his team and as a player.  He adapted his realistic style into some fun and unique ideas that worked well in the format and it paid off.  After H2H he focused on winning his second Spotlight with Southwinds and then took a break for the last year or so.  Limited availability moves him down from a first round pick but he’ll likely be selected pretty early.  If he can contribute to one map it will be a treat for all the realism fans.

 

CHE – proved himself in Season 8 as a floater,  it’s always great to see someone like him return.  CHE has shown off his macro heavy and natural style in a Silver accolade,  some solid micros and s a unique Design that features a dramatic but realistic landscape.  His draft stock may not have risen much since H2H8 but he is a strong contender for a late round pick or another season as a floater as a worst case scenario.

 

Psi – with a single screenshot showing some CSO skills,  he might not have enough to earn a spot this time around.  On the bubble due to the strength of the sign ups list.

 

Pacificoaster – although time was a factor last season and he still worked on 2 excellent maps,  this season may not quite be the same.  I expect an early round draft but Pac may not quite live up to those expectations.  Although his availability is a question mark,  if he chooses to step up and lead a map or at the very least contribute heavily to one,  it will very likely be at a high level of execution and possibly another H2H classic.

 

CedarPoint6 – had a solid run in H2H8 and his Semifinals contribution was definitely competitive even though it won by forfeit.  He may not be able to match that activity level this time around but after taking a break he has recently returned with another Spotlight.  CP6 is known for using his real life industry knowledge to take his realistic creations to the next level.  He has worked on his hacking and a crisp, clean style to not just attempt photorealism,  but also tell a story.  His availability is limited but his real word experience,  as well as his most recent quality bump,  should hopefully make him an early round pick that can contribute to at least one map and provide valuable feedback to his teammates.

 

Roomie – much like ][22,  he has pivoted from being an LL centric player to a dual game threat and had a good showing last season.  Although he doesn’t always get wins he has creativity to spare,  is always full of innovative ideas and is very flexible.  He had a ton of community and H2H experience and should fit in just about anywhere as a strong mid round pick.  Sometimes his job can get in the way of his availability but Roomie can also build high quality work relatively quickly so that is usually not a problem for him.

 

Coupon – one of those players that could never quite manage to have a good H2H run,  he turned that around last season as a lower draft pick by making a contribution on one of the more surprising maps of the season.  This time around he is asking for more of the same and with the strength of the draft list I see him going in a mid-late round and can hopefully contribute on one or two maps up to the standard shown on his recent screens.

 

Saxman1089 – he was a relative unknown going into last season and ended being a floater pick and an integral part of the Spacecrabs’ championship run.  He was very active and made significant contributions to every map he could up through the Semifinals.  He was an absolute steal of a floater and more than proved he should be a solid mid-early round pick this season.  He has taken a break from the game due to availability and lack of motivation,  but if he can find his footing again he should be able to make great contributions to a map or two.

 

Fisch – a last minute signup of a legendary player is sure to send the captains through a loop.  He has not been nearly as active as in the past and it is difficult to know what to expect following such a quiet period after a fantastic Season 8 run.  I expect Fisch to go in a middle round by request and will make his best effort to contribute to a map.

 

Sophocles - a newcomer with no shown work

CAM22's THOUGHTS:

 

Captains:



Dr dirt - One of 4 rookie captains this season, dr dirt is a long-time veteran of the site who wil be in his 5th H2H. He proved to be one of the MVPs on Team Spacecrab last season as a breakthrough builder on season favorites Dig Site 4 and Zerzura. His focus on planning, macro, and sketch art should be a huge strength as a captain. He also seems to have strong intuition of which players are talented even before they have had breakouts. In a crowded field of talented captains and players, his success may come down to luck of the draft and matchups, as he certainly has what it takes as a captain for a high quality season.



Tolsimir - Another Team Spacecrab and Heaven’s alumni who has stepped up to captain this season. One of the most creative members on the site, I can see him using his talents to drive ambitious parks and possibly draft a fantasy-oriented team. As seen with the Ultrarealists in H2H8, this could have mixed contest success, even with high quality parks. His drafting and leadership abilities are a bit more of an unknown as he is a bit more subdued, perhaps he could have a laid back captaining style which ended up being successful for ][ntamin last season.



Josh - Since H2H8, Josh has surged from a talented yet unproven builder to easily one of the top active parkmakers on the site. Another graphic designer, both his concept art and logos should be an asset to his team. Seen as an outgoing and friendly member, he seems poised to be a natural captain.



Itm - I was somewhat surprised to see him captain after he seemed to indicate he wouldn’t have time to participate at all, but perhaps he was bluffing. His H2H7 stint as captain saw him draft a cohesive team with a strong season that saw him make the playoffs. If he builds on his first captaining experience, he could be in for an even more successful season.



Steve - NE’s resident Logan Dad, Dunkin aficionado, and former Steve reviewer is finally returning as an H2H captain. Few people, including Steve, have talked about this, but he actually has captained before, leading the H2H5 Minutemen. Steve’s past captaining experience and strong presence on NE in recent years should make him a strong drafter, and I am interested to see what his captaining style will be.



Liam - After two championships and a second place finish, Liam’s brand shift signals he may be trying to change his style and draft strategy. Part of the work has been done for him as many of his longtime draft picks have now become captains. I am interested to see if he will continue to go after past Heaven’s favorites such as Sullakke and Six Frags, or to deliberately pass them up in an effort to try out a new style. Either way, his experience makes him an early favorite and the captain to beat.



Players:



Alex - As a 2 time member of the 90+ club, fresh off a design release, and with plenty of time to build, there is no reason alex wont be a first pick. His CSO H2H parks, although brilliant, have not quite risen to the legendary status of his spotlights. It will be interesting to see whether in his second year he can deliver the overwhelming wins expected from a first pick. R1



AVC - Since H2H8, he’s had brilliant showings in both MM and Grand Tour, delivering the ambition and creativity you would expect from him. Having built with Tolsimir in GT, I could see him building a team around AVC as a first pick. It will be interesting to see whether time is a factor for him in this competition, but we should expect to see him contribute to at least one incredible park. R1



FK - For a long time he was an up and coming builder that hadn’t quite released that full scale park, and finally he did so in the last year not just with Seasons, but with his mind blowing Grand Tour output as well, including a competition win. A no brainer first pick, I think we can expect to see him lead multiple parks if he continues to have as much free time as he has had in the last year. R1



Xtreme97 - For a long time known for his benches, Xtreme has had a major breakout in both MM and Grand Tour. He has the skills, planning, and activity level to be a number one pick and I know multiple captains may not want to take a chance on letting him slip past R1. Although he lacks H2H experience, I doubt this will hold him back much from success in this competition. R1



Hydroportal - He has quickly risen to become one of the most talented realistic parkmakers at the site in the last year, and his level of activity would be a huge draw to a potential captain. While he will surely not slip beyond round 2, the question is whether a captain will take a risk on such a new member for round 1? Doing so would probably require a more experienced member as an R2 pick for leadership and feedback. His highly detailed but not overly conceptual style has scored well with the panel, but is not always the fan favorite in H2H, which often rewards conceptual parks. He may need to be paired with a more conceptual, out of the box builder to deliver his team wins. R1-2



Nin - A former captain and frequent group park leader, nin’s leadership and planning would be a huge plus to any captain. I expect to see him lead multiple parks this time around. With the rise of NCSO, which he helped to pioneer at NE, I would not be surprised to see him lead an NCSO park this H2H, and also would not be surprised if it won its match. R1-2



Pacificoaster - One of the legendaries dropping in at the last second to fuck up my predictions. Despite his time issues, I doubt any captain will let him slip past second round. Just his presence and small contributions could make a big difference for a team. R1-2



Cocoa - Although he has made it clear he can’t lead more than one park and is advising captains against drafting him early, it seems captains rarely heed such advice and are unwilling to let big name builders slip. With his H2H record and potential mentoring, even one majority share park could be worth a high pick. R2



Robbie - Another big name who has an uncertain schedule, yet its hard to believe a captain will let him go past round 2. Any contributions and feedback from him would be extremely valuable to his team. R2



WhosLeon - Once again, a prominent builder who is not sure of how much time he will have to build. He has said he can build at least one park, and seems to be a fairly quick and natural builder, so I’m sure a captain would like to pick him up in R2. R2



CP6 - Another legendary builder with a limited schedule. He has said he won’t be as active as H2H8, but hopefully we will see him able to lead at least one park. R2-3



BelgianGuy - He’s kept very busy since last H2H, with two full scale solos and a design. This, in addition to his strong H2H track record will make him a highly sought after pick, perhaps providing an experienced counterpart to an R1 rookie. Curious to see if dr dirt will try grabbing him to continue the Dig Site/Zerzura saga. R2-R3



G Force - After a bit of a break from rct, last edition’s third-place captain is returning as a player. His track record last season shows that he is able to build large shares of match-winning, if not mindblowing parks. His time away along with his apparent technological incapacitations at the moment may make captains hesitant to pick him early, but at full strength he can be a force in the competition. R2-R4



Bubbsy - He is constantly improving and developing his own style, and looks to have plenty of free time, offering up high shares on multiple parks. This and his experience leading an H2H park last competition make him an ideal second/third pick. R2-R3



BSG - One of the leading fantasy/highly conceptual builders on the site, he has had mixed H2H experience, with a strong finals showing as a last-round pick in H2H7, but a slightly disappointing showing as a third round pick in H2H8. I could see him thriving on a Tolsimir or dr dirt team, and they may draft him early if they have builder pairings in mind. R3



Mamarillas - First emerging in MM, he has had impressive showings not just in MM, but also NEDC, and a wild card showing in the Grand Tour finals. His style has seamlessly blended the trackitecture heavy DKMP style with the NE CSO meta. While he has yet to break into the 70s/80s range, it seems inevitable he will with his level of activity and unique style. With the guidance of more experienced members, he appears poised for a potentially incredible H2H season, and I think captains are aware of that. R3-R4



StormRunnerFan - After building one of the years highest scoring and most popular realism parks last year, there is no question StormRunnerFan is one of the most talented realistic builders on the site. The real question is how he will perform in the H2H setting. He is actually not an H2H rookie, with a small share on the Whzzkids in H2H5. This time around, it will be interesting whether to see whether he is active enough to lead a winning park. R3-R4



Louis - After some time away from NE after H2H8, Louis appears more active and motivated than he has in a long time. My guess is that he will want to prove the “only building layouts” meme wrong, and maybe we could even see him contributing significantly like in H2H7. Even if doesn’t (he seems unsure of the extent of his own motivation), layout masters are few and far between and having one on your team can be a huge boost. Because of this, I expect he will be picked fairly high. R3-R5



Recurious - One of H2H8’s most hyped picks, who may have fallen back a bit due to not having any huge releases since H2H8. His share on The Apprentice perfectly highlighted both his strengths and weaknesses, highly detailed and intricate micro that may verge on chaotic and hard to read. Under a macro-driven captain such as dr dirt, he could be a deadly force, and I expect he will still be a medium-high pick this time around. R3-R4



Hoobaroo - So far every edition of Micro Madness has an upset top 4 finisher, and this time around was hoobaroo, an essentially unknown builder before the competition. His ambitious, fantastical, and floaty style brings to mind builders such as AVC, Tolsimir, and Cam22, but by the later rounds he proved he could develop his own unique style too. He has been mostly quiet since then, which I think might make a captain hesitant to pick him too early. I’m hoping another competition brings out his motivation as he is one of the builders I am most excited to see. R4



CoasterCreator9 - Once known as NE’s resident boat builder, he has displayed his range in the time since H2H8, with his brilliant design Nokken, an impressive Grand Tour collab with Josh, and becoming admin. I think we can expect a consistent, reliable showing, with strong contributions on a couple parks. At best, this H2H could elevate him to parkmaker if he is able to stay active enough and build upon his recent works. R4



Trav - An NE veteran who has contributed to many excellent H2H parks, along with some solo releases in recent years, there is no question about trav’s parkmaking skills. As a former captain, he could be a valuable leader on a team as well. His reliability may be his biggest question. Like Louis, after some time off and motivation to prove himself, I think we may be more likely than not to see the H2H6 and 7 trav than the H2H8 one. R4-R5



Maverix - A long time member who has long gone under the radar despite his consistent output and coming very close to the 80 percent parkmaker threshold multiple times. Personally I think he would be a great R4 pick but will he continue to be overlooked? He may also fall under the category of people whose styles aren’t particularly suited to H2H voters, and may need to work with a more conceptual builder to really shine in this format. R4-R6



Wheres walto - walto has proven himself as a brilliant H2H builder during both H2H6 and 7, and had he not taken an extended break, he could’ve easily been an R2 pick this time. This time, there may be questions over whether he is here to stay, and if he can get up to speed with the new NE meta and building tools. If he makes a showing similar to H2H6 and 7 he could be a huge steal. R4-R6



Ziscor - An R3 pick last time, he may have slipped a little bit due to his inactivity in recent years. However, his strengths remain strong, although he himself has admitted they are narrow in range. He is one of the best architectural builders on the site, especially if you are building a southern European park. Since he might not be expected to lead a park, I don’t think he will be drafted as a 3rd pick again, but I can still expect a fairly high pick. R4-5



Jappy - One of NE’s most active, enthusiastic, and talented members has now become a parkmaker since last H2H. His recent screens already appear to be a step up from his parkmaker-making Canary Mines, and he is sure to be active and eager to lead parks in H2H9. If we see the striking ambition of parks like his MM release Club Psyche (one of my favorites from the competition), we could see him leading winning parks this time. R4-R5



FredD - Having volunteered for captain, its obvious FredD is as enthusiastic and active as always. Fresh off his parkmaker-worthy release Erlebnispark Obsenbach, he has improved much since H2H8. I assume he will be eager to shake off the curse of Motherland, and prove himself as an H2H force this time. R5



RWE - Another architecturally heavy builder, his recent achievements include a solo park and an atmospheric Cuba entry in GT. He will likely be drafted high/middle, but may need to prove he can conceptually step outside the box to lead a winning H2H park. R5



RaunchyRussel - his NE debut established him as one of NE's top tier realism builders, although it was a bit derivative. With the guidance of more experienced members and some good planning, he is one of the members I am watching to have a huge breakthrough in this competition. R5-6



][ntamin - H2H8's champion captain has decided not to defend his title. While his slow building might be a bit of a meme, his talents, veteran status, and planning strengths (everyone loves drawings) will be a huge benefit to whatever team he is on even if he doesn't contribute huge shares. R5



Sulakke - An H2H8 veteran/former captain who has built on many H2H favorites Lijiang, Carreira de India, and Forum Caeleste. With this track record we could expect a respectable share on another high quality park or two, and a high/middle draft. The real question may be if Liam will draft him again, or if someone else will snag him first. R5



Zara - His success in GT including shares on the finals winning park has made him one of the most hyped newcomers. He is clearly a top tier hacker and his coaster he and FK’s GT Finals park will be an easy favorite for coaster of the year. His style and activity in other areas of the game may be a bit more of an unknown, but I still think he could be drafted fairly high. R5-6



Jaguar - there is no question he is one of the most creative and out of the box builders at NE, and works such as Ekumenopolis and Phototropian seem suited for the H2H format. Dropping in H2H8 and stating he wants to do his own thing this time may make him a bit of a risky pick, but the potential rewards could be high. R5-6



barnNID - A newer member who made his debut in MM3, and has risen through the ranks with some impressive silver releases and a design. His activity level, improvement, and distinctive realism style will make him a sought after pick by the captains. Based on his most recent screens, he is definitely one to watch and I think could be drafted earlier than expected. R5-6



Roomie - Up there with the most H2H’s of any member, including a year captaining. He slipped pretty far in the draft for H2H8, but after a strong performance and a solo release post-H2H8, I doubt he will fall that far again. R5-7



Six Frags - After an impressive and long solo career, Six Frags seems to be re-establishing himself as an H2H only player. Based on a strong H2H8 showing and recent enthusiasm, I doubt he will slip as late as he did last time. If Liam is drafting based on old favorites, I could see him going for Six Frags once again, otherwise he might be drafted slightly later. R6-7



Saxman - After an MVP season that is up there in the all time best H2H seasons of any player, saxman took full advantage of floater rules for an incredible season that propelled Team Spacecrab to the championship. Due to a busy family/work life he has been long thought to not be participating in H2H9. Even with limited availability, his past success is reason enough for captains to not wait too long to draft him. R5-6



Otter - A lower pick for H2H7 and 8, otter has proven himself in the time since, displaying his range in MM, GT, NEDC, and a particular strength in NCSO with a couple solo releases. I believe this will make him a likely middle of the pack pick, and I could see someone like former teammate Josh trying to draft him. R6-8



Swagtitties - The illustrious Mr. Titties has been perhaps one of the most successful DKMP builders on NE. He’s had several gold-quality releases including Destiny of Kalfou with CP6, and his SFOT recreation. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the H2H format, either with NCSO or CSO, but I expect he will be one of the most sought-after DKMP builders. R6-7



Scoop - A consistently talented and productive member, Scoop positioned himself heavily to be a captain for H2H9. After falling short, it will be interesting to see whether he is overlooked in the draft or not. With his strong track record, he should make important contributions to whatever teams he’s on, if not leading a park or two. R6-8



Splitvision - An older member who has recently made a comeback as a highly creative fantasy builder. If a captain is drafting a fantasy-leaning team, there are many potential pairings I am excited to see from him. Regardless of where he ends up, his ambition and ideas will be valuable to the success of his team. R6-8



Coupon - After two less successful H2H seasons, Coupon proved himself as a team builder last H2H with his contributions in H2H8, which may get him potentially drafted earlier. If he can step up and lead a park he could end up being a sleeper pick. R6-7



AJ - A newer member who has only been on NE for the last couple months, AJ has already started to make a name for himself. He has impressive range, with NCSO releases, abstract fantasy in the style of FK, and a strong semirealistic CSO release. He’s already collaborated extensively showing that he is ready to work in a team setting. Because of this I think he could potentially have a big impact this H2H, and there are likely many captains that recognize this. R7-8



Geoff - One of NE’s most improved and most productive members, Geoff impressively built in every round of Grand Tour, each entry stronger than his last, earning him a wildcard spot in the finals. His activity and strength for landscaping will make him a strong mid tier draft pick. I expect building alongside NE’s best builders will only continue to lead him to improve, and he will be one to watch this season. R7-8



Cam22 - With one of the stranger RCT career trajectories, she made a somewhat surprising return for H2H8, particularly with the well-received Mount Haystack which proved she could blend styles and dabble in realism. Yet lack of consistent activity outside competitions has perhaps caused her to fly under the radar a bit. Will she be able to take enough time away from being extremely hot and dropping hit records for a repeat of her H2H8 performance? Only time will tell! R7-9



Coasterbill - Despite his status as an elite parkmaker from his sprawling Emerald Pointe, his lack of availability, slow building, and lack of significant H2H success may make him a slightly lower pick. If he manages to kick his H2H curse he could end up being a steal though. R7-9



Kumba - One of NE’s most legendary H2H builders, he is hoping to make a strong return this season after a weaker showing in H2H8. He seems motivated and focused this time around, but I anticipate captains may still be hesitant to draft him early due to his relative inactivity of the last few years. If he comes through in full form, he could contribute to an absolutely stacked team. R7-9



Disneylandian - A talented builder with a gold under his belt and some incredible screenshots from his Disneyland recreation, he has struggled to have a true breakout in H2H, partially due to his occasional living in a van by the river. He seems to have more free time and Wifi access for now, and if he can be active he could prove to be a steal. R7-9



RCTFAN - A legendary H2H builder who has had a somewhat muted comeback, with a single MM entry before a no show. I don’t have a ton of confidence he will be super active, but he is good enough that a captain with some reliable picks will be bound to take a chance on him. R7-9



Jene - A newer member with a distinctive atmospheric and colorful semi-realism style. He is the type of builder who seems like he will improve rapidly in an H2H setting: active, full of ideas, and slightly rough around the edges which could be refined by other team members. R8-9



Terry Inferno - Primarily known as one of the best NCSO builders on the site, he has displayed his CSO skills, especially for landscaping, through his Oregon design and unfinished GT entry. His only H2H experience is the oft-memed Motherland which may prevent him from being a top pick. Nonetheless, his pairing with a more micro-oriented CSO builder could result in some incredible parks. R8-9



Jens J - Despite only one NE release, his impressive Inwood Springs and some mind blowing screens lands him pretty near the top of the list for DKMP participants. The question, like many other DKMP members, is how well they will make the jump to NE style. Regardless, his creativity and skill for trackitecture is unquestionable. R8-9



Rene - A talented builder with H2H experience, he is a bit reserved and without a super distinct style that may lead him to be overlooked. If he is active, another impressive contribution on a park or two should be expected. R8-9



MK98 - A solid builder who has improved much since last H2H and has a good grasp on European style architecture. He would be a great mid to lower pickup by any captain and it will be interesting to see if he can have a true breakthrough. R8-9



Suormot - We’ve seen some really impressive NCSO screens from him, though not a ton in the way of full scale releases. The strength of what we have seen from him is enough that it is likely a captain will not want him to slip too far. R8-9



RobDedede - Another member originating DKMP who has had some success adapting to the NE meta with a couple strong releases in GT. I think he could be one of the breakthrough players to watch and it will be interesting to see where he lands on a team. R8-10



Spacek - NE’s resident ridemaker has entered the competition again. While he doesn’t have massive amounts of building experience, both his ride design and hacks made him an essential member of Team Spacecrab’s winning season last time. With larger teams, it seems likely captains will be willing to draft someone for rides/hacks alone. I think former teammates Tolsimir and dr dirt especially could be likely to want to grab him before someone else, having seen the value he brings to a team. R8-10



Poke - One of the last active LL mains, his lack of CSO experience and a fairly minimal showing last H2H will probably result in a later draft pick. He seems eager to prove he can make big contributions in CSO, but with little in the way of screens/releases it is hard to tell what this would look like. R9-10



Che - His style is one of my favorites, atmospheric, landscape-heavy and often minimalistic. The lack of flashiness will likely mean he is drafted a bit later, but I am excited that he joined and hope to see more from him. R9-10



SSSammy - Another NE veteran who has participated in H2H5, 7, and 8. He’s proven he knows what he’s doing with his solo releases, but his H2H contributions are usually in the range of 10-15% per park. While still a valuable team member, this may mean he is picked slightly later than more active members. R9-10



SuicideCarz/hex - I believe he has been on NE for quite a while now, but most of his recent activity has been through DKMP. Both his screens and releases have displayed his NCSO talent and I am sure a captain will want to pick him up. R9-10



Lotte - With few releases in recent years, she has recently made a comeback with her design Sozin’s Temple. Despite her obvious skill, she has seemed to have been overlooked in mock drafts, possibly due to her less recent output or departure in H2H8. However, she seems motivated to prove herself this time and could be poised to be a steal of a pick. R9-10



Version1 - With his gold winning Heckengau Park, there is little doubt about Version1’s talents with semi-realism. With the right attitude, he could bring this type of success to his H2H building as well, but may have yet to prove himself in a team setting yet. R9-10



Mr Brightside - With little activity since last H2H, he might be a slightly lower draft pick, but his large share on North Fork, which held its own in H2H8, should be motivation for a captain to pick him. R10-11



Ultro - With some nice contributions on H2H8’s Feira de Flamengo, he has displayed moments of greatness, if also inconsistency. While his MM entry was a bit of a disappointment, his unfinished Cuba GT entry, and screens of a Peru project have both displayed a lot of potential, and were a nice continuation of the building m style he established in H2H8. I think he could do a lot to add atmosphere and grit to a park and think there is a strong chance of him being drafted. R10-11



KaiBueno - Once a member of the prestigious RCT Masters Club, Kai began his comeback two years ago in honor of his late club teammate Mama Bear. As if out of a time machine, he continued faithfully building in his old school, colorful and fantastical style. Since then, he’s slowly adapted his distinct style to a modern meta, including several GT releases last year. I am interested and excited to see how he will perform in his first H2H since H2H3(?), and with the extended draft picks do believe a captain would like to snag him. R10-12



Iretont - His few NCSO releases on NE have done fairly well with the panel, and he displayed a knack for interesting ideas with his most recent screens. It looks likely he will secure a place in the draft and he is another DKMP player to keep an eye on. R11-12



Merzbow666 - Another one of the few remaining LL mains, although they do have some CSO experience from last H2H. Despite their brilliant LL talents, their lack of CSO may place them slightly lower in the draft, but I truly hope to see them build in this competition. R11-12



Left_handed_coffee_mug - Another DKMP member who has posted some really solid NCSO screens, could be a promising lower tier pickup. R11-12



ionZer0 - He’s shown himself to be a talented builder in both CSO and NCSO. With some small shares of winning parks in H2H8, he could be a valuable secondary builder. R11-12



MCI - A prominent NCSO builder since before it was cool, his lack of CSO experience has resulted in him not being drafted in previous H2H’s. With additional rounds and NCSO surging in popularity, it seems likelier than ever that captains will be willing to draft NCSO players. Hopefully MCI finally gets a chance to shine this time. R11-RE



Risiko - Some intriguing screens have shown his talents, including a launched Intamin invert that I find particularly interesting. In a crowded field, including with many other DKMP players, its a toss up whether he will make the cut but he certainly has the talent to get drafted. R11-RE



Zxbiohazardzx - He displayed a knack as a floater for the Ultrarealists last season, quietly getting some decent shares of parks. His less than enthusiastic entry in the competition this time might put off potential captains, but if he can commit he could be successful in the same role once again. R11-RE



Mulder - While he has nothing posted on NE yet, there is some buzz around his work on DKMP. It is definitely possible a captain could pick up on his work and decide to draft him. R11-RE



Shen - Another member who has not shown much on NE but there is buzz around his abilities and he could end up getting drafted. R11-RE



Kenos - A new builder who showed some skill in his NE debut, even snagging a bronze. If drafted, he has a good chance of continuing to improve on the potential he has shown. R12-RE



Thethrillman - His work includes a small Italian mini park and a couple screens that show some CSO abilities. There is a chance he could get drafted based on what he’s shown. R12-RE



Sens - He’s shown some screens that have shown talent and built a bit in H2H8, but has been away for an extended period of time. Another person that has a chance of getting drafted but is up in the air. R12-RE



Phoenixwing - She has shared an extensive overview of her work on DKMP and RCTClub showing her NCSO talent and experience. Still a bit of an unknown name at NE, it is unsure whether captains will have done their research, but I hope someone takes the chance and drafts her. R12-RE



Paeve - Another new member who has shown his skills in the ad topic, it will be a matter of if there is room in the draft for another up and coming NCSO builder. R12-RE



Lightkeeper - A name that may ring some bells due to his object making, he had a medium sized share on the unfinished Costa Del Maya in H2H7. While he also has some promising screens, he might be too much of an unknown to get drafted. R12-RE



Gustav Goblin - He showed some skill with his GT entry, which while unrefined, had some nice potential with archy. His experience finishing a solo park could make him a valuable option towards the bottom of the draft R12-RE



Marino - An old member with a small share on H2H5. I remember him being more active but can’t find any of his screens. Liam seems to know him better so perhaps he will grab him as a last pick. R12-RE



Soap and butter sandwich - Haven’t seen much from him besides a coaster with supports on Discord, draft chances seem low but more than zero. R12-RE



Sheeple - Nothing posted on NE but apparently is active on other servers, so there is a chance he will be picked. R12-RE



Psi - Has one screen from 6 years ago that shows some CSO abilities. Not sure it will be enough to get him drafted, but could be a captain’s last pick. R12-RE



Loderall - Not sure what the alt buzz is about as he just appears as an inexperienced scenario builder. Doubt he will be seen as a compelling pick in such a deep field. RE



DreamMachine - Also an alt apparently? Nothing really to see here. RE



Corky the Cactus - hasn’t shown anything and said he only really does scenario building without scenery. Cool name though! RE



Rob Tonto - Apparently an old member, but can’t find anything about him. Unlikely to be picked unless he posts something last minute. RE

Thank you for doing this. Looking forward to the next episodes. It's helpful

Awesome, always love reading these!

fun. my favourite part is where you 3rd person yourself  : D

^Always fun to do  

First post updated with every sign up.

 

Second post updated with Emiel's thoughts on DKMP/RCT Club players.

 

MCI - According to V1, I am one of MCI's biggest fans, and you know, to a certain extent, I am, partly just down to his determination to play in H2H. There has to be a record for the number of times someone has signed up and not been drafted. Can MCI finally get a chance to play? Prediction: R12 - undrafted

 

 

 

You could add the fact that I'm 0/10 in Design attempts and cant score over 68% to save my life, otherwise it's perfect.

undrafted baby lets go

^R12 to undrafted.

 

If it was me, I'd draft you.

Very well done, Lew. Good read.

<3

Props to Lew,  Cam and Emiel for stepping up and doing their writeups this year.  Everyone who signed up should have a handful of writeups to view this season,  which is awesome.  Please refer to the second post for my thoughts on the complete list of draftees.

This is awesome. Thank you both.

My analysis had been added to Louis's third post. Disclaimer: I didn't update predicted draft round after the singups yesterday, so some draft rounds may have slightly too many people.

Also EDITS:
- Steve was NOT captain of the Minutemen, that was chapelz
- this would actually be Kai's first H2H since H2H2! Even more impressive.

Holy shit thats a lot of work. Kudos to all you

Amazing to see how much time is put into this contest by all in the community. Loved reading these breakdowns!

Wow guys, thank you so much for all these kind words! I'm feeling pretty lucky to be part of this community and can't wait to show you all what I can do with the right partnership! Let's get this thing started!!!

Thanks guys, I've updated those reserved posts so everything sits at the top!