the no stacking rule applies to both teams. outside of gold however, it's not really a debate; picking second is absolutely the better option.

i haven't noticed any significant difference in winrate based on whether or not i went first, but i also tend to run pretty much the same team in every match. how much do you vary your comp based on your opponents' champions?

I think the key is to have a well-balanced core team you can rely on, so you don't end up having to throw in weaker champs in an attempt to counter the other player.

However, it's also worth remembering that at this stage you don't lose anything for losing, other than time, so it's a good opporunity to experiment. And also remember that a particular team might lose mainly on differences in gear rather than because the team itself is bad.

Just thinking aloud. :)

I really like picking second, since I am not in Gold. Seems like a huge advantage to know whether my opponent opens with Duchess, Siphi, Marichka or Arbiter.

I prefer the 2nd pick myself, picking last means you can sneak in that final champ that they can't counter.  

Of course that opinion may change entirely with Gold.

My roster is not big but i cycle between 12-15 champs when i go second. When i go first, i use a more solid team but frequently get counteres because of my lack of good revivers

Certainly, but second picking feels like where you can actually understand the game and first picking feels like where you get your gear stats tested

Basically. Second Pick = Attack and First Pick = Defense in classic arena

Yes, i won matches i defnitely shouldnt have because i could last pick Inithwe against a heavy defensive team and ban their biggest dps; The counter balance literally compensating for the lack of stats;

But, is there a way to make it better? What if both teams picked simultaneously ? Like, instead of being 1a -2b -2a -2b -2a -1b, in turn order. It could be 1ab-2ab-2ab simultaneously and you can still build a strategy as the full team isnt picked at once but you can only see what your oppononent picked after you picked yourself. Also, no one gets last pick

Of course, this is just an idea

I think this will completely change for those of us who rely heavily on our few busted champs versus a pool full of Tarichkas and other assorted nonsense

I think it will require a lot of front loading and having alternative well built champs to plop down at the end of selection 

How lucky one must be to have a pool full of tarichkas, i wouldnt ever know. 

I aint lucky enough to draw the 10x legendary champ of the sacred shards now, Teodor. I drew wythir..

oh sorry, I meant a deep pool on top of having Taras and Marichka. It will make it a lot easier on them when they get to Gold and dupes aren't allowed. 

also Wythir is a very nice champion. :)

Yeah, its terrific for FW, i'd been lacking a support for demon faction. But i fear i lack a strong CB dps. Teodor would help with that.

try fahrakin. not as good as teodor perhaps, but he's excellent for cb.

Yeah the fatman is pretty good i heard. I have him but i don't know if i can fit him in my roster, i play with ruella (only cuz i lucked out and managed to pull a 6stars soul on her) + venus + elva + shemnath + valkyrie

I'm gearing up a maneater and pain keeper for a budged unkilliable team, but with them, i don't know which dps i should take together. Perhaps then i could fit fatguy but i think perhaps venus is better cuz of the debuffs

Yes, I also like being the second one to pick....

I like second pick. It gives me a flex for that last spot.  My strat is constantly changing. But first or second, I'm currunfly showing 2 revivers, then two hitters, then...

Agreed.  I'm actually looking forward to the variety and more intellectual aspect though versus just picking from 5 or 6 busted champs.