The 4 numerical values assigned to a selected disc mannequin signify its anticipated flight traits. These values, usually introduced so as as pace, glide, flip, and fade, present a standardized framework for understanding how a disc is more likely to carry out within the air. For instance, a high-speed driver with important glide may need values like 13, 5, -1, 3. This implies a disc designed for long-distance throws with a bent to show barely proper (for a right-handed backhand throw) earlier than a dependable fade again to the left on the finish of its flight.
This technique permits gamers to pick discs acceptable for his or her talent degree and the calls for of a specific course or shot. Understanding these traits can considerably enhance a participant’s means to strategize and execute profitable throws. Traditionally, variations and inconsistencies existed in how producers described disc flight. The standardization of this numerical system has enabled better readability and facilitated comparability throughout completely different manufacturers and fashions.
This text will delve deeper into every of the 4 flight traits and discover how these values translate to on-course efficiency for the Discraft Predator. It is going to additionally study how variations in plastic sort and put on can affect flight, providing a complete understanding of this highly effective and standard driver.
1. Velocity
Velocity, the primary quantity within the flight ranking system, signifies how briskly a disc have to be thrown to attain its supposed flight path. This attribute immediately impacts distance potential and dictates the arm pace required for efficient use. A disc with a better pace ranking requires better energy to unlock its full capabilities.
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Distance Potential
Greater pace scores usually correlate with better distance potential. The Discraft Predator, usually rated with a pace of 12, falls into the high-speed driver class. This implies its suitability for long-range throws, assuming adequate arm pace is utilized.
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Required Arm Velocity
Throwing a high-speed disc just like the Predator successfully necessitates a considerable quantity of arm pace and energy. Gamers with decrease arm speeds would possibly discover it difficult to attain the disc’s supposed flight traits, leading to diminished distance or unpredictable conduct. Selecting a disc with a decrease pace ranking would possibly show extra useful for much less skilled or lower-powered throwers.
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Impression on Stability
Whereas not a direct part of stability, pace influences how stability manifests in flight. A high-speed disc thrown with insufficient energy might exhibit elevated flip, even when inherently overstable. Conversely, exceeding the mandatory arm pace can exacerbate a disc’s inherent stability traits.
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Comparability with Different Discs
Evaluating the Predator’s pace ranking of 12 with different drivers supplies context for its supposed use. Decrease pace drivers, comparable to fairway drivers within the 7-9 vary, require much less energy and supply better management, whereas ultra-high-speed distance drivers, exceeding 13, demand distinctive arm pace for optimum efficiency. The Predator occupies a center floor, requiring important energy whereas remaining accessible to a wider vary of gamers than the quickest distance drivers.
Understanding the Predator’s pace ranking is prime for choosing acceptable throwing strains, adjusting energy necessities, and anticipating its flight path. Deciding on a disc with a pace ranking matched to 1’s throwing means is crucial for maximizing distance and accuracy.
2. Glide
Glide, represented by the second quantity within the flight ranking system, signifies a disc’s means to keep up raise and keep aloft. This attribute considerably influences distance potential, particularly when mixed with pace, and impacts the general flight path. A disc with larger glide will have a tendency to remain within the air longer, overlaying extra floor, whereas a disc with decrease glide will descend extra shortly. Understanding glide is essential for maximizing distance and shaping pictures successfully.
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Distance Optimization
Glide performs a vital function in attaining most distance. A disc with excessive glide can considerably prolong flight instances, permitting it to cowl extra floor even with reasonable energy. The Predator, usually possessing a glide ranking of 5, provides appreciable glide, contributing to its long-distance capabilities. Maximizing glide requires correct throwing method and angle management.
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Affect on Flight Path
Glide impacts not solely distance but in addition the form of a disc’s flight. Excessive-glide discs are inclined to exhibit a flatter trajectory, whereas low-glide discs descend extra quickly. This influences shot choice, particularly for navigating obstacles or shaping particular flight paths. For the Predator, its substantial glide permits for straighter pictures with much less pronounced hyzer angles (downward angles) in comparison with lower-glide discs.
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Impression of Wind Situations
Wind situations considerably work together with glide. Headwinds can dramatically scale back the efficient glide of a disc, shortening its flight. Conversely, tailwinds can improve glide, resulting in considerably longer flights. Understanding the Predator’s glide ranking helps anticipate its conduct in various wind situations and modify throwing methods accordingly. For example, in headwinds, a decrease trajectory or elevated energy could also be essential to compensate for diminished glide.
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Interaction with Stability
Glide interacts with stability to form the general flight path. A high-glide overstable disc, just like the Predator, can preserve a secure flight for an prolonged interval earlier than its eventual fade. This predictability is effective for managed distance pictures. Nonetheless, in much less secure plastics or with put on, elevated glide can amplify flip, resulting in a extra pronounced S-curve flight path. Recognizing this interaction is essential for shot choice and energy adjustment.
Glide is a vital think about understanding the Predator’s flight traits and maximizing its potential. By contemplating its glide along with pace, flip, and fade, gamers can successfully form pictures, optimize distance, and adapt to various wind situations. This complete understanding of glide is prime for strategic disc golf play.
3. Flip
Flip, denoted by the third quantity within the Discraft Predator’s flight scores, quantifies the disc’s tendency to show to the appropriate throughout its preliminary flight part (for a right-handed backhand throw). This worth, usually represented as a damaging quantity, signifies the diploma of high-speed flip. A extra damaging quantity signifies a better tendency to show proper. Understanding flip is essential for predicting the disc’s flight path and adjusting throwing angles accordingly. Elements comparable to plastic sort, put on, and throwing energy considerably affect the diploma of flip a Predator reveals. For example, a Predator in a much less secure plastic, like D-plastic, would possibly exhibit a flip ranking of -2, indicating a extra pronounced rightward flip in comparison with a extra overstable Z-plastic Predator, which could have a -1 and even 0 flip ranking. This variance underscores the significance of contemplating plastic sort when evaluating a disc’s flight traits. Throwing energy additionally performs a vital function. Inadequate energy utilized to a high-speed driver just like the Predator typically leads to elevated flip, even when the disc is inherently overstable. Conversely, extreme energy can diminish the disc’s supposed flip, doubtlessly inflicting it to fly straighter than anticipated.
Take into account a situation the place a participant intends to throw a hyzer flip shot utilizing a Predator. This shot requires the disc to flip from a hyzer angle (angled all the way down to the appropriate) to a flat or barely anhyzer (angled as much as the appropriate) angle throughout flight. Understanding the disc’s flip ranking is crucial for executing this shot successfully. A Predator with a -1 flip ranking would possibly require much less hyzer angle than one with a -2 ranking to attain the specified flip. Moreover, the participant should modify their throwing energy accordingly, guaranteeing adequate pace to provoke the flip with out overpowering the disc and inflicting it to show excessively proper. Conversely, when throwing a managed distance shot with minimal flip, a participant wants to pick a extra overstable Predator and modify throwing angles and energy to keep up a straight flight path, counteracting the disc’s pure tendency to show.
Precisely assessing and using the flip ranking of a Discraft Predator empowers gamers to execute a wider vary of pictures and navigate numerous course challenges. This understanding, mixed with data of pace, glide, and fade, types a complete basis for predicting and manipulating a disc’s flight path. Overlooking or misinterpreting the flip ranking can result in unpredictable outcomes and diminished accuracy. Due to this fact, recognizing the intricate relationship between flip and the opposite flight traits is crucial for maximizing efficiency and attaining strategic throwing targets.
4. Fade
Fade, the fourth and ultimate quantity within the Discraft Predator flight scores, quantifies the disc’s tendency to hook left on the finish of its flight (for a right-handed backhand throw). Represented by a optimistic quantity, a better worth signifies a extra aggressive leftward hook. This attribute is essential for shaping managed pictures, notably for navigating obstacles or attaining particular touchdown angles. The Predator, identified for its overstable nature, usually reveals a noticeable fade, making it a dependable alternative for pictures requiring a predictable ending curve. Numerous components affect a Predator’s fade, together with plastic sort, put on, and throwing energy. A Predator in premium, sturdy plastics like Z-Plastic tends to have a extra pronounced fade in comparison with these in much less secure plastics. Equally, a worn-in Predator will usually exhibit much less fade than a brand new one attributable to decreased stability over time. Throwing energy additionally impacts fade; larger speeds can initially masks fade, however the disc will nonetheless end left, doubtlessly extra abruptly. Conversely, decrease speeds would possibly intensify the fade, leading to an earlier and sharper hook.
Understanding the interaction between fade and the opposite flight numbers is essential for strategic shot choice. For instance, a participant would possibly make the most of a Predator’s overstability and fade to execute a managed hyzer shot round a gaggle of bushes, counting on the disc’s predictable end to curve left and keep away from the impediment. Conversely, a participant would possibly use a much less secure Predator or modify their throwing angle to reduce fade for a straighter flight path, notably in open fairways. Take into account a situation on a wooded gap with a pointy left flip. A participant may throw a Predator with a excessive fade ranking on a hyzer angle, leveraging the disc’s overstability to create a pointy, managed curve across the impediment. Alternatively, on a protracted, open fairway, the identical participant would possibly use a much less overstable Predator or throw with an anhyzer angle to cut back fade and maximize distance. Incorrectly estimating the fade can result in off-target pictures, highlighting the significance of understanding this attribute. A participant anticipating a powerful fade would possibly overcompensate of their preliminary angle, leading to a shot that curves too far left. Conversely, underestimating the fade may result in a shot ending additional proper than supposed.
Fade represents a vital component throughout the Discraft Predator’s flight traits. An intensive understanding of fade, along with the disc’s pace, glide, and switch, permits for exact shot shaping and management. This understanding is important for adapting to various course situations and executing strategic throws, considerably impacting total efficiency and success in disc golf. Failing to account for fade, notably in difficult conditions, can result in missed alternatives and elevated scores. Mastering the idea of fade and its sensible implications empowers gamers to make the most of the Predator successfully, enhancing their means to navigate advanced programs and obtain desired outcomes.
5. Stability
Stability, a vital attribute circuitously represented throughout the 4 flight numbers, considerably influences how the Discraft Predator behaves in flight. It represents a disc’s resistance to turning over (turning proper for a right-handed backhand throw). A extra secure disc will preserve a straighter flight path, whereas a much less secure disc will exhibit extra flip. Stability is intrinsically linked to the Predator’s flight numbers, notably flip and fade. A extra overstable Predator, exhibiting minimal flip and important fade, will maintain its line in opposition to headwinds and supply predictable flight paths. Conversely, an understable Predator will exhibit better flip, providing versatility for hyzer-flip pictures and anhyzer strains, however sacrificing some predictability in windy situations. The Predator’s inherent stability, usually categorized as overstable, arises from its design and plastic sort. The rim configuration and wing form contribute to its resistance to turning, whereas premium plastics, comparable to Z plastic, improve this overstability. Much less sturdy plastics, like D plastic, have a tendency to supply much less overstable Predators. This variability permits gamers to decide on a Predator with a stability profile that fits their throwing model and the particular shot necessities.
Take into account a powerful headwind situation. An overstable Predator, attributable to its resistance to turning, will penetrate the wind extra successfully and preserve a comparatively straight flight path, even with appreciable headwind stress. A much less secure disc, in the identical situations, would probably flip over excessively, leading to a major lack of distance and management. Conversely, in calmer situations, a much less overstable Predator may be preferable for attaining most distance by way of managed turning flight, leveraging the glide to increase flight time. In sensible phrases, understanding stability permits a participant to pick the suitable Predator for particular course situations and desired shot shapes. For instance, a participant navigating a decent fairway lined with obstacles would possibly select a extremely overstable Predator to make sure a predictable flight path and keep away from turning into hazards. One other participant looking for most distance on an open gap would possibly go for a much less overstable Predator to capitalize on its potential for turning and maximizing glide. Plastic sort choice additionally turns into a strategic consideration. A seasoned participant would possibly select a extra sturdy, overstable Z-plastic Predator for managed pictures in difficult situations, whereas a more moderen participant would possibly profit from a much less secure DX-plastic Predator that provides better forgiveness and ease of throwing.
Stability profoundly influences how a Discraft Predator interprets its flight numbers into on-course efficiency. Recognizing this connection permits gamers to make knowledgeable choices about disc choice, throwing angles, and energy utility. Failure to account for stability can result in unpredictable flight paths and missed alternatives. Mastering the idea of stability, along with the 4 flight numbers, considerably elevates a participant’s means to execute exact pictures, navigate numerous course layouts, and obtain their strategic targets in disc golf. The Predator, with its vary of stability choices, provides a beneficial instrument for gamers of all talent ranges, empowering them to adapt to varied situations and refine their throwing recreation. Finally, understanding stability unlocks the complete potential of the Discraft Predator, reworking it from a easy disc into a flexible instrument for attaining success on the course.
6. Plastic Sort
Plastic sort considerably influences the Discraft Predator’s flight traits, successfully modifying its flight numbers over time. Discraft provides the Predator in numerous plastics, every impacting grip, sturdiness, and, most significantly, flight. Understanding these variations is essential for choosing the suitable Predator for particular person throwing kinds and desired flight paths.
For example, Z plastic, a premium, sturdy mix, tends to boost the Predator’s overstability. A Predator in Z plastic will exhibit minimal high-speed flip and a pronounced, dependable fade. This makes it appropriate for gamers looking for constant, predictable flights, notably in windy situations. Conversely, D plastic, a much less sturdy possibility, reduces the Predator’s overstability. A D plastic Predator will display elevated high-speed flip and a much less aggressive fade. This attribute makes it a viable possibility for gamers with decrease arm speeds or these looking for better versatility for shaping pictures like hyzer flips or turnovers. Different plastic sorts, comparable to FLX plastic, introduce additional variations in flight traits, typically enhancing glide and lowering stability. The precise plastic mix interacts with the Predator’s inherent design, modifying its flight profile in predictable methods. This vary of plastic choices permits gamers to fine-tune the Predator’s efficiency, tailoring it to their particular wants and preferences.
Recognizing the correlation between plastic sort and flight traits is crucial for knowledgeable disc choice. Selecting the proper plastic sort empowers gamers to control flight paths successfully. A participant looking for most distance would possibly select a much less secure plastic to capitalize on elevated glide and switch, whereas a participant prioritizing management in difficult situations would possibly go for a extra overstable plastic to make sure predictability. Ignoring the impression of plastic sort can result in sudden flight paths and diminished accuracy. Due to this fact, understanding how completely different plastics modify the Predator’s flight numbers is crucial for maximizing its versatility and attaining constant outcomes on the course.
7. Put on
Put on, an inevitable consequence of utilization, considerably alters a Discraft Predator’s flight traits, successfully modifying its flight numbers over time. Understanding the impression of damage is essential for anticipating adjustments in flight efficiency and adapting throwing methods accordingly. A brand new Predator, notably in premium plastics, usually reveals pronounced overstability. Because the disc wears, this overstability regularly diminishes, resulting in elevated flip and diminished fade. This transformation may be each advantageous and detrimental, relying on the participant’s talent degree and desired shot shapes. Recognizing the progressive nature of damage and its affect on flight permits gamers to adapt their methods and preserve management over their throws.
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Decreased Overstability
Probably the most noticeable impact of damage on a Predator is a discount in overstability. Because the disc accumulates scratches and nicks, its sharp edges soften, diminishing its resistance to turning. This leads to elevated high-speed flip and a much less pronounced low-speed fade. A closely worn Predator would possibly even turn into understable, exhibiting important flip and minimal fade. This gradual shift in stability transforms the disc’s flight path, requiring changes in throwing angles and energy to attain desired outcomes.
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Elevated Glide
Whereas not as dramatic because the change in stability, put on can even subtly improve a Predator’s glide. The smoothing of the disc’s floor reduces drag, permitting it to keep up raise for barely longer intervals. This elevated glide can contribute to better distance potential, but it surely additionally amplifies the consequences of flip and fade, making the disc extra delicate to throwing angles and energy variations. Recognizing this interaction between put on, glide, and stability is crucial for sustaining accuracy and management as a Predator wears in.
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Altering Flight Numbers
The mixed results of diminished overstability and elevated glide translate into tangible adjustments within the Predator’s efficient flight numbers. The flip ranking will turn into extra damaging, indicating better high-speed flip, whereas the fade ranking will lower, signifying a much less aggressive low-speed fade. These adjustments aren’t all the time uniform, and particular person discs would possibly put on in a different way relying on throwing kinds and the surfaces they encounter. Commonly assessing a Predator’s flight traits and adjusting throwing methods accordingly is essential for sustaining constant efficiency because the disc wears.
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Strategic Implications
The evolution of a Predator’s flight traits attributable to put on presents each challenges and alternatives. Gamers can leverage the diminished overstability to form new pictures, comparable to turnovers and hyzer flips, that weren’t attainable with a more moderen, extra overstable disc. Nonetheless, this additionally requires adapting throwing methods and accounting for the elevated sensitivity to wind situations. Understanding how a worn Predator behaves permits gamers to anticipate its flight path and modify their recreation accordingly, reworking a worn disc from a legal responsibility into a flexible instrument for attaining particular shot shapes.
The impression of damage on a Discraft Predator’s flight traits is a steady course of, regularly reworking the disc’s flight profile over time. Recognizing this evolution and understanding how put on modifies the Predator’s efficient flight numbers is essential for sustaining management, adapting throwing methods, and maximizing efficiency all through the disc’s lifespan. By recognizing and adapting to those adjustments, gamers can proceed to make the most of their Predators successfully, reworking put on from a detriment into a chance for increasing their shot-shaping repertoire.
Continuously Requested Questions
This part addresses frequent inquiries concerning Discraft Predator flight traits and their sensible implications.
Query 1: How does the Discraft Predator’s flight differ from different standard distance drivers?
The Predator occupies a singular area within the distance driver class. In comparison with quicker drivers, it requires much less arm pace whereas nonetheless providing substantial distance potential. Its overstable nature supplies predictable fade, making it dependable in windy situations, not like much less secure drivers that may flip over excessively. In comparison with slower drivers, the Predator provides better distance potential however calls for extra energy and management.
Query 2: How does plastic sort have an effect on the Predator’s flight numbers?
Plastic sort considerably influences Predator flight traits. Premium, sturdy plastics like Z plastic improve overstability, leading to much less flip and extra fade. Much less sturdy plastics like D plastic scale back overstability, rising flip and lowering fade. This permits gamers to pick a Predator with a stability profile suited to their throwing model and desired shot shapes.
Query 3: How does a worn Predator’s flight change?
Put on regularly diminishes a Predator’s overstability, resulting in elevated flip and diminished fade. A closely worn Predator would possibly even turn into understable. This evolution requires changes in throwing angles and energy to keep up management and obtain desired outcomes. Recognizing these adjustments permits gamers to adapt their methods and proceed using worn Predators successfully.
Query 4: What throwing kinds greatest swimsuit the Discraft Predator?
The Predator fits gamers with reasonable to excessive arm speeds looking for a controllable, overstable distance driver. It excels for hyzer pictures, managed drives, and pictures requiring predictable fade. Gamers with decrease arm speeds would possibly discover much less secure plastics or different disc fashions extra appropriate. Superior gamers make the most of the Predator for numerous shot shapes, leveraging its overstability for strategic benefits.
Query 5: How does wind have an effect on the Predator’s flight?
The Predator’s overstability makes it comparatively immune to turning over in headwinds, sustaining a straighter flight path than much less secure drivers. Nonetheless, robust headwinds will nonetheless have an effect on distance. Tailwinds can improve distance potential, however care is required to keep away from turning the disc over. Understanding these results permits for changes in throwing angles and energy to compensate for wind situations.
Query 6: How can understanding flight numbers enhance efficiency with the Discraft Predator?
Understanding the Predator’s flight numbers permits gamers to foretell its flight path, choose acceptable throwing angles, and modify energy accordingly. This information facilitates strategic decision-making, shot shaping, and adapting to varied course situations, in the end resulting in improved accuracy, consistency, and total efficiency.
Understanding these key facets of the Discraft Predators flight traits is essential for maximizing its potential and integrating it successfully right into a gamers disc golf recreation.
Additional sections of this text will discover particular throwing methods and strategic purposes of the Discraft Predator in numerous on-course eventualities.
Suggestions for Using Discraft Predator Flight Traits
The next suggestions present sensible steerage for leveraging the Discraft Predator’s flight traits to enhance on-course efficiency. These insights facilitate strategic disc choice and improve throwing accuracy and management.
Tip 1: Disc Choice Based mostly on Plastic Sort:
Plastic sort considerably impacts Predator stability. Deciding on the suitable plastic permits tailoring flight traits to particular wants. Z plastic enhances overstability for managed pictures in windy situations, whereas D plastic reduces overstability for elevated flip and glide, benefiting gamers with decrease arm speeds or these looking for turnover pictures.
Tip 2: Adjusting for Put on:
Acknowledge that put on alters flight traits, regularly lowering overstability and rising flip. Compensate by adjusting throwing angles and energy. Make the most of worn Predators for pictures requiring much less overstability, comparable to turnovers or hyzer flips, whereas reserving newer, extra overstable Predators for managed hyzers and headwind pictures.
Tip 3: Energy Management for Optimum Flight:
Throwing a Predator with inadequate energy leads to elevated flip, even with overstable plastics. Conversely, extreme energy can masks supposed flight traits. Follow managed energy utility to attain desired distances and shot shapes. Matching energy to the chosen plastic sort and desired flight path is essential for consistency.
Tip 4: Using Headwind and Tailwind:
Leverage the Predator’s overstability in headwinds to keep up a straighter flight path. Alter throwing angles and energy to compensate for elevated wind resistance. In tailwinds, train warning to keep away from turning the disc over excessively. Make the most of smoother throws with much less hyzer to capitalize on tailwind help.
Tip 5: Hyzer and Anhyzer Angles:
Experiment with hyzer and anhyzer angles to control the Predator’s flight path. A hyzer launch creates a extra overstable flight, superb for managed fades and navigating obstacles. An anhyzer launch reduces stability, selling flip and increasing flight distance. Understanding these angles and their interplay with stability is crucial for shaping numerous pictures.
Tip 6: Subject Follow for Flight Understanding:
Dedicate time to subject follow particularly specializing in understanding Predator flight traits. Experiment with completely different plastics, throwing angles, and energy ranges. Observe flight paths carefully and analyze the impression of changes. This sensible expertise enhances understanding and interprets to improved on-course efficiency.
Tip 7: Take into account Course Situations:
Think about course situations, together with wind, obstacles, and fairway shapes, when deciding on and throwing a Predator. Adapt disc choice, throwing angles, and energy to the particular calls for of every gap. Strategic decision-making primarily based heading in the right direction situations optimizes shot choice and improves scoring potential.
By integrating the following tips, disc golfers can improve their understanding of Predator flight traits and unlock the disc’s full potential. This sensible data interprets to improved accuracy, management, and strategic decision-making on the course.
The following conclusion will synthesize key takeaways and supply ultimate suggestions for maximizing Predator efficiency.
Conclusion
This exploration of Discraft Predator flight numbers has illuminated their significance in disc golf. Velocity, glide, flip, and fade, mixed with the essential component of stability, dictate the disc’s flight path and affect strategic decision-making. Plastic sort and put on additional modify these traits, including layers of complexity and flexibility to Predator efficiency. Understanding these components empowers gamers to pick acceptable discs, modify throwing methods, and adapt to numerous course situations.
Mastery of Predator flight dynamics requires steady studying and sensible utility. Via diligent follow, remark, and adaptation, gamers can unlock the disc’s full potential, reworking it from a mere throwing instrument right into a strategic asset. The Predator’s versatility permits adaptation to various enjoying kinds and course calls for, solidifying its place as a staple in disc golf baggage worldwide. Continued exploration of those flight rules elevates total disc golf efficiency and fosters a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of the game.
