descentchampions.org

In the vein (lol) of Vainiac and Lee, here is a list of maps I will suggest for playing with me:

Killzone
Rainman
Ethylene
Cenote
I Don't Care
I Don't Know
Anon
Vort Wakum
Boot
Crutches
Nononymous
Fastest
Hybrids of Steel
Barathrum
RD\SQVx6
Torment
Vacuum
No Rest
Raziel
Three Sisters
Skootch
Stormtrooper
Rie2mann
Fourier
Hilbert
Laplace

These are maps I find interesting. If you don't have one of them, let me know, and I'll put up a link. Many are on the DMDB. I don't ever want to "force" people to play blind if they don't want to, so I'm happy to "warm up" or whatever (I'm not "forcing" anyone to play anything, please see below).

This list will certainly change with time; I will update this OP in that case.

Obviously, these are just suggestions. I'm happy to play literally any other level reasonable for 1v1, though (including former core or extended core), so if you'd like to suggest something not on this list, please do! (I only made this list as a starting point, and am hungry for more levels to try and add - classic, "forgotten" levels, brand new levels, you have it). One thing: I would prefer to not play core. I think this small, limited set of eight levels, all by one author, is but a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands of levels out there, by hundreds of authors.

Also, I really like "taking turns" arrangements in which each player takes turns offering suggestions of levels to play.

Until we can fix the issues with core, I would prefer for it to not define (or even graze) my DCL experience.

Looking forward to the interesting, varied games with everyone!

Cenote?! I LOVE CENOTE

It's a brilliant level.

"Until we can fix the issues with core"

Seeing as how core exists to prevent someone from forcing someone else to play levels that are angled/uncommon/unpopular it isn't broken. Tetrafusion isn't in core. Ugh isn't in core. Wrath x5 isn't in core. Mega Nysa x5 isn't in core.

No one, absolutely no one, has been successful at rank sitting and/or match dodging or angling.

Since core is based on what the majority of pilots are actually playing as opposed to what they are voting for or promoting in forums and chat rooms I see no issue.

I also see no issue with you wanting to play levels other than core. That is a conscious choice you are making that can both help and hurt you in the competitive scene.

However, knowing that you will avoid core unless officially challenged.....I'd expect to play some core if you see an official challenge dropped your way. I also think that even if people choose to take that route with you it will not force you to play core by any significant percentage but it is also a perfectly fair means of requiring you to test your skills in what is currently the most commonly played levels aka the measuring stick for the current season.

I'm all for some variety, I play megas. I play Xs. I FORCE neither upon anyone. I don't withhold playing what the majority has deemed as common ground in order to get more opponents to play what I prefer.

To each their own though.

Agreed with Jeds that Core is doing what it's supposed to do -- preventing angling, rank-sitting, and match-dodging that spills over into forum drama that I have to deal with. It's not meant to define or significantly affect your experience unless you like to angle, rank-sit, or match-dodge, in which case it's meant to cramp your style by forcing you to play common/average levels.

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here's my level list for levels I'm interesting in playing, by category:

ordinary (2x full primaries, some missiles, no funky geometry, mix of dog/rat): Logic, Lurk, Fuzed, Mindtrix, Salute, Nocturnal, Audacity, I don't Know, Perplex 2, Athena MC2 LV, Agile, RIP, Godspeed, The Duellists 1 and 2, Valor, Flashpoint, Martyr, Droids, Awakened, Boot, Antics, Mini-Nerva, Fable, Rickets, Adept, Rie2mann

power (no vulcan/spread, no homers, respawn concs): Forte, Power Pro, Ezra, Ctrl

more dogfighty: Anarctic, Untitled, Crypts of Eternity

disorientation/weird geometry: Octave Pro, June Bug, Monkey Bars, Three Sisters, Fishbarrel, Antbend

heavy missiles or unbalanced weapons: Wrath x any, Zora (power + 1 vulcan), Mega Nysa

additional game styles: I will play both-of-us-blind levels as long as they're not single-weapon (like fusion only), absurdly large/slow, or have significant secrets that affect gameplay. I am also willing to pick up new levels but would generally like to look at them and maybe get a fun game in if my opponent has already played them.

Crypts of Eternity... now there's a level that deserved more airtime than it got.

Jedi, I appreciate our Mumble discussion about this last night.

Lothar and Sirius, I look forward to trying out these levels. Some I've never played before.

Specialist:
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These are the levels that I particularly excel in, that have been part of, or are closely related to recent competitive canon. I am very dangerous here.
Lurk
RIP
Salute
Take2
Flea (When I'm "on." And not playing PFunk. Or LS. Or caniplay. Or RETHINK. Or....)

Delights:
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These are levels that I enjoy particularly, and which I feel have competitive merit, but are not necessarily tailored to my style.
Some of these levels have been part of the competitive canon before.
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Actaurus
Godspeed
I Don't Know
Io
June Bug
Martyr
Niknak
Nocturnal
Satan's Hell Hole
Shogun Tournament '99

Eccentrics
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These are levels that I enjoy, that I believe will always be outside the competitive canon.
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Cenote
Dukebox (YES, RONCLI, I SAID DUKEBOX)
Hah (AKA Lee's Cube of H8)
Monkey Bars
Nofer
Rat Hunt

Respected:
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These are levels that I respect as having competitive merit, but don't otherwise fall into Core or the above.
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Anarctic
Athena / NH
Atropos
Barathrum
Black Rose
Blubird
Droids
Eris
Forte
Fuzed
Godspeed
Hallowed
Savage
Skunked
Swiss Cheese Sorrow
Wrath
Wyndham
Ugh
Vamped / NYDP
Viral 3
Xtasy

Levels I will absolutely not play:
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Any 4D level. I love these levels, but they are incorrectly rendered in Rebirth, and it severely ruins the experience for me.