And the immortal response was that battle leaders set the induction requirments, so if you have a problem, make commander and change them. As you your other point, I think a lot of that is true... With the proliferation of preps I feel as though it's become an arms race much like the old defense practicing ways, only now it isn't a one time per character investment. You have to find preps (takes considerably longer than practicing defenses) and gather them over and over and over. I dunno, but it feels like trying to compete without having preps is just asking to get your ass kicked. Sure you can win some, especially if you are super patient like Nreisshe, but you can just throw down with people in general unless you've got the preps, because otherwise you'll hit one of the prep'd people and get steamrolled...

I have no solution.