Being brought to the end as a goat doesn't mean you can't fight in the FTC. If you don't present your game the way you feel you played (and hopefully you're proud of yourself/can present it positively), what's the point?

The first time you do it is a bit shocking because the power imbalance swing is so harsh. You have literally no power and the jury can do whatever they want to you, when most will likely have reason to be upset at you. nopony plays perfect games so there will be negatives that can be picked at.

I think the key is you have to get in the headspace that it's a game, and this is the final hurdle to get over. The final boss.
If you take it personally, then the people you voted out will take it more personally as well.

This. So, so much this.

Pear is doing a good job of presenting himself as the inoffensive social nice guy to contrast Coco's strategic control.

Yeah I'm enjoying Pear's FTC more than I thought I would but as much as I hoped I would. He's more of an option than I think people have given him credit for.

Man though Coco would be tough to beat. She's so cool and collected yet so charming.

When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east,
When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves.
Then I will vote for you to win, and not before.

Nice ref DuurJ


Man Rarity is taking this hard. She hasn't handled the jury well at all, though. Soarin asked some pretty pointed questions, and given she's proud of her game I think she may have benefited from taking a little longer to reflect on how to project that, so to speak. I felt like she was on the defensive the whole time, rather than saying anything all that convincing.

DJ's post was rough; but if you can't win every juror's vote, focus on the ones you can. If you handle a situation like that with a bit of of grace (ignore it or just try to empathise), I think you can really elevate your position in the jury's eyes.

Why am I typing this.... idk I guess I feel for her and think the situation she's in is really rough and hopefully some random newbie outsider input helps with post-game reflections or something ().

Rarity I would give you the hug you asked for in your confessional 100%. Hope you get a chance to step back and process this soon.

Celestia's write-up is great and I agree with a lot of it, too. Both formats are neat in different ways, I think. Just going to be interesting to see how the flow is here

That got super waffly waaa
like for example we might hit the end and go "wow Rarity played an impressive strategic game, pear played well structurally and coco was great socially. Which one do I value here and who is stronger in their weaker categories?"

I know it's not really like that since the contestants have played pretty nonlinear games. but you know. we /could/ theoretically be asking ourselves those kinds of questions.

I am yet to see it! I'm intrigued and see pros and cons.
Can't wait to see how this goes down. I think Rarity and Pear have a lot to say for themselves, in particular. So seeing e.g. Pear defending his strategic game at length while the other finalists are in the thread is going to be fascinating.

Great dead avatars. <3 keen to see Granny's too.
This is gonna be hype!! I definitely think Coco has this but can't wait to see how Pear and Rarity turn their games around for the finale.


Really interesting format for FTC jury questions, by the way. Is it common to just split it into the three categories?--it feels slightly restrictive from the perspective of giving nuanced answers. But on the flipside, it also feels like a really sound way for jurors to weigh up the respective strengths and weaknesses of the finalists.

Thaaaat was spicy. Gg Coco, beautifully played.

Looks like we get our Coco vs. Granny duel!

Mmm love me a good spite move.

I just read Coco's torchwalks and now I love her too. Yikes she's dangerous

edit: Done with all the torchwalks now and Granny Smith remains my fav tho tbh<3

edit again: ugghh Granny begging Rarity to let her 1v1 Coco is so spicy. If Rarity does take Coco and it's just Pear vs. Granny in the elimination I'd feel sad.

That's a shame but not a surprise.. rest in pony Soarin. You were one of my favourite confessionals to secretly lurk.

In other news Rarity's torchwalks are iiinteresting
Reading between the lines I'm concerned she's playing too much into the negative image she's concerned about having. I hope she can turn that frown upside down for FTC if she makes it!

Still feel like Granny stands the second strongest chance behind Coco. That being said Coco has kicked so much butt I wonder if her not winning would feel weird.

It's fascinating the way people seem so hesitant to commit to taking out Coco. I don't have a confident jury read but going by confessional writing at least she seems like a pretty big threat at the moment.

I'd want her out for sure!

yeah ditto, I didn't warm to Team Fl_m at the start but have loved reading about them over the last few days

Let's go Sunburst

let's go Thorax

Let's go Derpy

I'm totally keen but if somepony more Survivor experienced wants in I'll out

Granny Smith all the way!

I've got strong energy from Granny Smith.