Just remembered I'd meant to make a suggestion. During the last contest, I saw a few times something like the below, in beginning spar rounds:
Bob smotes.
Bob begins to chant.
You guess Bob is casting earth reaver.
Bob utters the words, 'earth reaver'.
Bob makes the earth explode and showers Jack with rock and dirt.
Bob's slash tears open Jack's chest.
Bob's slash minces Jack's right leg.
Bob's slash tears open Jack's chest.
Which is to say, use of offensive spells without engaging first, effectively giving the attacker two full rounds worth of damage. I would suggest either avoiding offensive spells for the spar rounds, or just engaging and then starting to cast your offensive magic. Casters are heavily favored otherwise.
Thoughts on that one?
Edit: By
offensive I mean any spell that starts coded combat. So this applies to things like earth reaver and power words, but not necessarily things like hold person since those don't initiate combat and so don't make any advantage cast outside the spar.
Nascentes morimur, finisque ab origine pendet.
