This stage also favoured mid to long range combatants due to the offensive/defensive nature of the test. That said, close range combatants weren't exactly ruled of it. The distance between the pillars wasn't massive, and they could comfortably attack pillars and return to defend theirs.
To remain, the close combatants needed to play it smart, taking the least amount of damage, whilst eliminating the closest combatants to give them more freedom later on in the round.
'Who designed this examination knowing the tournament was a target? You couldn't have created a better assist for the dark organization if you tried. Every elite young Evolver in the kingdom, stationed in fixed locations, separated from each other, forbidden from cooperating. If a strike force teleports into this arena right now, the bracket is sitting ducks. They will be attacked before they knew it.'
The thought sent a chill through his chest. The format wasn't an accident. It couldn't be.
