The Commissioner's Dilemma
Saturday, February 7 at 15:00 - Innestua Gardsbryggeri Taproom
Overview
Purpose
The Commissioner's Dilemma is the first pure strategic exercise in MVP 2026. It tests your ability to read people, assess power, and understand long-term consequences. And to keep your cool!
The Arbiter
One participant is assigned the role of The Arbiter. The Arbiter is selected randomly by the Secretariat (Spin the Wheel). The role cannot be refused.
The Council
All remaining participants form The Council. The Council has no direct decision-making power, but can influence the outcome through their choices.
Core Concept
The exercise consists of one (1) dilemma. The Arbiter chooses which dilemma. The Council influences the strength of the dilemma, not the choice itself.
Council Phase
All Council Members must secretly choose one (1) action before the Arbiter makes their decision:
Net Strength Calculation
Net Strength = SUPPORT - BLOCK
Tokens in Council Phase
Before the dilemma is presented, Council Members may spend tokens:
Your vote counts twice.
Nullify another member's vote.
Token usage is announced after all ballots are submitted, but before the result is revealed.
Arbiter's Choice
The Secretariat counts SUPPORT and BLOCK votes, calculates the net effect, and registers who chose PROTECT (kept secret and announced by the Secretariat). The Arbiter is then presented with the strengthened, weakened, or neutral version of the dilemma and must choose one.
MVP Points (MVP-P)
Dilemma Catalog
All dilemmas exist in three (3) variants: Weakened, Neutral, and Strengthened.
Burn the Rich
Punish those sitting comfortably - force a power shift.
Burn the Rich targets the participants with the highest token balance. The Council must decide whether to press the top now or let the balance of power remain.
- The two participants with the most TOK lose -1 TOK each.
- The two participants with the most TOK lose -2 TOK each.
- Participants below the average token level receive +1 TOK.
- The two participants with the most TOK lose -3 TOK each.
- Participants below the average token level receive +2 TOK.
This dilemma moves tokens significantly, but never directly affects MVP points.
The Equalizer
Stability vs. chaos.
The Equalizer attempts to level the playing field. The Council must decide whether to calm the game or manipulate who becomes the next target.
- Only the participant with the lowest TOK receives +1 TOK.
- The participant with the highest TOK loses -1 TOK.
- The participant with the lowest TOK receives +1 TOK.
- The participant with the highest TOK loses -2 TOK.
- The participant with the lowest TOK receives +2 TOK.
More controlled than Burn the Rich, but more predictable.
The Joker
Chaos and unpredictability.
The Joker introduces pure randomness. The Council must decide whether they dare to gamble collectively. All participants roll one die (D6).
- 1-2: -1 TOK | 3-4: 0 | 5-6: +1 TOK
- 1-2: -1 TOK | 3-4: 0 | 5-6: +2 TOK
- 1-2: -2 TOK | 3-4: 0 | 5-6: +2 TOK
High entertainment value and psychological impact, but limited structural damage.
Cold Order
Authoritarian control before the next exercise.
Cold Order restricts everyone's freedom in the next MVP exercise. The Council must decide whether to take collective control or preserve their freedom.
- Max 1 token action per participant in the next exercise.
- Max 1 token action per participant in the next exercise.
- ALL IN is not permitted.
- No token usage allowed in the next exercise.
- ALL IN is blocked.
Cold Order applies to everyone equally. PROTECT grants no immunity.
Blood Price
Pay now - or bleed later.
Blood Price forces each participant into an individual choice between immediate cost or future punishment. Each participant chooses one of the options below.
- Pay 1 TOK. No further consequences.
- Pay 1 TOK, OR receive -1 MVP-P in the next exercise.
- Pay 2 TOK, OR receive -1 MVP-P in the next exercise.
Blood Price can never inflict more than -1 MVP-P.
Step by Step
- 1The Secretariat reads the dilemmas aloud.
- 2The Arbiter is selected.
- 3Council Phase is carried out.
- 4Any token usage is declared.
- 5The Arbiter chooses a dilemma.
- 6The effect is applied immediately.
- 7MVP points and tokens are logged.
Secretariat's Responsibility
The Secretariat manages the token ledger, enforces rules, and resolves all disputes. All decisions are final.
The Commissioner's Dilemma is the exercise where power reveals character. Choices made here can affect the entire rest of the MVP competition. Who is the snake, the eagle, and the mouse?