I agree that the WCoP format should probably change. All SS OU is cool when the tier is new, but after that it gets very stale for all parties involved.
However, I disagree with the proposal to simply revert it back to the previous format (or an stour format) Instead, I propose a rotating format for the tour: "SPL format" -> "SCL format." Not sure on if it should be 8 or 10 slots though, that's another debacle.
Team tours have inherent imbalances, but for the bottom of the barrel teams in WCoP, these issues are exacerbated. This isn't to say we should totally cater to giving these teams their best shot, but given the general downward trend in activity on Smogon, it is harder than ever for these guys to assemble a competent squad. This really sucks for the good players in these regions.
A rotating format can help to mitigate this issue. For whatever reasons, different regions have different player strengths. Some regions have killer old gens, others have killer SS OU, others have great lower tiers, and some have all 3 (pretty much all the consistent playoff teams). By going to a rotating format, you give everyone something to look forward to, and you keep the format fresh and exciting. This also ensures fair tier balance across the 3 tours (in the long run).
For the lower tier haters:
All SS OU WCoP is (probably) the most competitive format we can get for this tournament. If we are arguing to change it because it is stale and boring, it is foolish and hypocritical to try and gatekeep lower tiers due to being "less competitive." They are easy to pick up, they have lively communities with tons of resources, and they are able to field competitive rosters for their own WCoP tournaments in each individual tier. They do a great job of playing to the strengths of WCoP.
However, I disagree with the proposal to simply revert it back to the previous format (or an stour format) Instead, I propose a rotating format for the tour: "SPL format" -> "SCL format." Not sure on if it should be 8 or 10 slots though, that's another debacle.
Team tours have inherent imbalances, but for the bottom of the barrel teams in WCoP, these issues are exacerbated. This isn't to say we should totally cater to giving these teams their best shot, but given the general downward trend in activity on Smogon, it is harder than ever for these guys to assemble a competent squad. This really sucks for the good players in these regions.
A rotating format can help to mitigate this issue. For whatever reasons, different regions have different player strengths. Some regions have killer old gens, others have killer SS OU, others have great lower tiers, and some have all 3 (pretty much all the consistent playoff teams). By going to a rotating format, you give everyone something to look forward to, and you keep the format fresh and exciting. This also ensures fair tier balance across the 3 tours (in the long run).
For the lower tier haters:
All SS OU WCoP is (probably) the most competitive format we can get for this tournament. If we are arguing to change it because it is stale and boring, it is foolish and hypocritical to try and gatekeep lower tiers due to being "less competitive." They are easy to pick up, they have lively communities with tons of resources, and they are able to field competitive rosters for their own WCoP tournaments in each individual tier. They do a great job of playing to the strengths of WCoP.