We had five players in the foyer, so Tosa watched the first game (Mizu 15 according to the log file I have), and I watched one (Saigawa).

Victor kills are logged and defeated kills are not?

I'm fine with whatever in regard to rankings. Personally, I will try not to get caught up in pursuit of routing enemies in order to get my kills up. It's easy to get dispersed all over the map doing this, and to end up too spread out to effectively support teammate(s). By the time you regroup your army, troops are exhausted, and it takes a very long time to rendezvous with teammates and close the contest. My focus will be to systematically drive the enemy from the field in tandem with my team.

My goals are to enjoy the games and company, improve my personal game, and to improve my ability as a team player. If I only kill 200-300, but am instrumental in providing morale support to a frontline team mate by protecting flanks or rear and ensuring that his troops don't rout at a crucial moment, then I will be happy. If I get 1000+ kills and sqeak out a victory, but my team mate is decimated and routed early, I wouldn't feel very good about my game.

No criticism intended, just sharing my point of view. Is this modeled after belt colors in western martial arts? Interesting, the parallel in potential effect on strategy.

Looking forward to tomorrow. Drisos has obtained MTW Gold Edition and will be on today hopefully. I will work with him. If anyone who can host SW can come on before it gets too late in Europe, you might find us around, ready (hopefully) and willing to play. My IM addy is in my profile now, so contact me that way if you can't find us in the foyer. I have Drisos on MSN.