How to Host a Manual Draft
Introduction
Fantasy Tribes now supports live drafting directly on the app and website! However, if your league prefers to draft manually—via video chat, in person, or using a shared Google Sheet—this guide will walk you through the process.
Once your manual draft is complete, the Commissioner will need to enter the results on the Manual Draft page. On the website, go to your Challenge Hub via the Leagues page and navigate to the Manual Draft page. On the app, go to Challenge Settings via the Challenge tab, and from there you can access the Manual Draft page.
As a Commissioner, you may duplicate and use the shared Google Sheet below if you find it helps to guide your draft!
Step 1: Picking MVPs
Before the draft begins, each coach in the league must select two MVPs from the pool of castaways. Remember:
- MVPs yield double the points for their respective coaches.
- Coaches cannot draft their own MVPs—once chosen, an MVP is locked to that coach.
- MVP picks stay anonymous during the draft unless the coach chooses to reveal them.
- Multiple coaches within the same league can make the same MVP picks. There is no limit to that.
Step 2: Setting the Draft Order
After all MVPs are selected, the league manager needs to randomize or manually set the draft order and announce it to all league members.
Note: The draft follows a snake (serpentine) format. If you pick first in Round 1, you pick last in Round 2, then first in Round 3, and so on.
Step 3: Determining the Number of Castaway Copies Needed
Since each coach drafts 4 castaways, the number of copies of each castaway depends on both the number of coaches in your league and the number of castaways in the season. Survivor has featured casts of 16, 18, 20, and 24 castaways.
You can never have more coaches than castaways in a season. If your league has more coaches than castaways, the league will be unable to live or manually draft for that season. See the note below for an alternative!
Use the table below to find the number of copies needed. The formula is: copies = ⌈(4 × coaches) ÷ castaways⌉ (round up to the nearest whole number).
| Coaches | 16 Castaways | 18 Castaways | 20 Castaways | 24 Castaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 5–6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 7–8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 9–10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 11–12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 13–14 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 15–16 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 17–18 | — | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 19–20 | — | — | 4 | 4 |
| 21–24 | — | — | — | 4 |
— = Not allowed (more coaches than castaways).
Step 4: Starting the Draft
Once the draft order is set, begin the draft: the league manager calls each coach in order to make their selection. Each coach has 1–2 minutes per pick (time limit set by the manager). Ensure all coaches can track how many copies of each castaway remain, either via a shared display or individual tracking.
Too Many Coaches for the Cast?
If your league has more coaches than castaways in a given season, you won't be able to run a live or manual draft—but don't worry! Coaches may always just pick 6 castaways they want on their tribe instead, and their Commissioner will have to enter these picks on the Manual Draft page (see the Introduction above for how to get there).
Conclusion
Hosting a draft is a key part of the Fantasy Tribes experience. With this guide, you're equipped to manage your league's draft efficiently and effectively. Good luck, and may the best coach win!
P.S. Remind coaches to make their Edgic picks the week of the merge (after buffs) and their Finale picks the week of the finale.