Quarterfinals Discussion & Predictions

[PancakeBrah]

The Winter Topical
Discussion & Predictions

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QUARTERFINALS
(1)dead man vs. (9)big baby
(R)Nigma vs. (21)oXus
(2)Pent uP vs. (7)Lars
(3)Vulgar vs. (R)oats

One of the best quarterfinals in recent memory Congratulations to everyone who's made it this far and to everyone who's helped us get here. Mag will be up either 1/28 or 1/29.

Any discussion, shit talking, bitching, and predictions go here.

[Witty]

Am I the only person who can't make a prediction on any of these battles?

I really dunno, all of them could go either way.

[oats]

1)dead man vs. (9)big baby - this will be an interesting matchup. Baby is capable of the upset if Black doesn't bring his A game.

(R)Nigma vs. (21)oXus - Only question for me with Eng is his consistency, if he's gonna show up or not. If he does, he's one of the top writers here. Nigma is an enigma to me, not sure what he's capable of.

(2)Pent uP vs. (7)Lars - tossup, can't call it. Probably BOTW.

[Certain]

These are some interesting pictures (so I made up bland names).

(1)dead man vs. (9)big baby | "Dead People Around a Rock Hole"
The topic favors storytelling, which neither quite excels at but dead man is more experienced with. big baby, though, has been on his game with arguably the best verses of the first two rounds. I think he can come up with something dark and demented. But dead man loves writing to grim topics. I could see him turning this into a dissertation on religion. Hopefully he finds himself inspired again.
Prediction: big baby 52-48

(21)oXus vs. (R)Nigma | "Strange Stuctures in the Desert"
The dark horse matchup features two interesting writers. Nigma has a fantastic imagination and should be able to run with this topic. oXus will have to step out of his comfort zone, but his writing is more polished and interesting. I think there are quite a few good ways to approach this picture, and I am guessing Nigma will go large-scale storytelling while oXus might develop what these structures are and why they reflect on humanity.
Prediction: Nigma 54-46

(2)Pent uP vs. (7)Lars | "Underwater City Also Has Whales"
I don't know what to think of this topic, which seems to my eyes to be by far the hardest to write for. Pent uP has the better style to approach something fantastical like this, but Baron Mynd is a pro's pro. I think Pent uP will spend more time developing his concept and write something enormous and showy, while Baron Mynd will shoot straight and crisp with a more minimalist bent on underwater living or something like that. The former approach works better here.
Prediction: Pent uP 53-47

(3)Vulgar vs. (R)oats | "Man Looks at City from Cliff"
This is the best, boldest topic of the round. It suits Vulgar particularly well. My guess is he will go with a bold return to his more abstract bent and give us a fundamental deconstruction on city life. oats will counter with the story of the man. This battle is going to come down to which writer goes all-in on his approach, and it's my clear-cut battle of the week.
Prediction: oats 51-49

[PancakeBrah]

Some credit goes to Vulgar for the topics. I picked them out from the EOW(?) Art topic he made awhile back.

[Certain]

Originally Posted by oats

(2)Pent uP vs. (7)Lars - tossup, can't call it. Probably BOTW.

Coward.

[Vulgar]

Nice topics.

[PancakeBrah]

Originally Posted by Vulgar

Nice topics.

Always thought those eow pics you posted would be good for writing. Should've used them in an earlier round tbh.

[Certain]

Today, I finally came up with an ideal approach to my topic vs. Lars. It was right under my nose the whole fucking time.

[dead man]

Originally Posted by Certain

Today, I finally came up with an ideal approach to my topic vs. Lars. It was right under my nose the whole fucking time.

do tell

[Split]

SUPER DOPE TOPICS THIS WEEK HUH

[PancakeBrah]

Originally Posted by Split Eight

SUPER DOPE TOPICS THIS WEEK HUH

I though you were died.

You went complete Wild Turkey Split mode for a few posts then nothing.

[Certain]

What's up, Pancake?

[Split]

yeah, i stepped out of my office to smoke with this womanfolk.

[PancakeBrah]

Originally Posted by Certain

What's up, Pancake?

I'm tired. Going to run, go to the gym, and watch a few episodes of HIMYM after work. Then go to sleep. THEN BANG OUT THE MAG ON THE MORROW.

[Certain]

How far along are you?

[Split]

Barney dies.

[PancakeBrah]

Opening section, bracket breakdown, previews. Have to do reviews, interviews, and get Bags' video mag.

[Certain]

No, I meant in How I Met Your Mother.

[PancakeBrah]

Season 7 episode 12(?) I think. Last episode was when Marshall and lilly actually move to their suburban house