How practical would the Metal Spin be after the Backstream?

[sasukewarrior333]

I was thinking about this, and I think it's an interesting thought experiment. The Metal Spin was a well liked iconic obstacle and most people agree the Backstream is getting boring due to the latter half of the current Stage 2 being unfailable unless you time out aside from the extremely rare event of someone running out of stamina on the Reverse Conveyor.

Having the Metal Spin back would not only be a pleasant surprise but could also spice up the Backstream if added. The only issue is how difficult it would be, which I have heard varied answers on. Would it be too slipperly to be practical, could sheer grip strength carry stronger competitors through? I'd like to have a discussion on this as a thought experiment, any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[subtleagent]

A lot of people have had this thought for a while. I would say the Metal Spin was already hard enough with dry hands. So with wet hands it would be impossible and it'd be liable to create an immersion breaker akin to the UCCH + VL combo from 32 ~ 34. So I vote impossible.

[lhii789]

If it was opposite (Metal Spin -> Backstream), then it would've made lot more sense and reasonable, but as it stands, it's impossible to do so with wet hands; still, I miss that obstacle, and I want Morimoto to challenge again, after his defeat in 27.

[m4tt3r0x]

I think one of the two reasons I would have wanted to see the Metal Spin after the Backstream would be to have competitors weighed down by the water in their shorts and shoes, and on their person overall. I'm not even sure how much weight that would even be. The second reason would be that competitors surely would be spent after having faced the Backstream right before, and it'd just be cool to see those two obstacles in succession. I don't think it ever even crossed my mind (well possibly when I was younger) to expect them to have to grab the "chain" (which correct me if I'm wrong, was a chain engulfed by rubber as to protect the hands of competitors) with wet hands not dried off with a towel on the ground.

It would seem inconsistent that you get access to chalk and sticky spray on Stage 3 and not to a towel before a serious grip obstacle on the stage before. If it were the case that you couldn't dry off your hands before the Metal Spin, assuming the jump was the same as 27's, I'd say it'd *may* still be possible to do, but you'd need some Crazy Cliffhangable grip to do so. But yeah, it'd at the very least be an outrageously difficult ask, if not an impossible one, on the second stage no less. After seeing guys get up the wet warped wall in 39 I'm not calling most things impossible anymore.

I don't see what'd be stopping you from at least wiping your hands off on the ground somewhat at least. :=P

[dakohosu]

I think an obstacle where you have to grab a bar rather than a rope MIGHT be more reasonable, as a lot of people have done calisthenics moves in the rain and it's not as grip intensive.

But anything which requires a tougher grip like a chain or a ledge in the wet would be nigh on impossible (as kinda proven by Yoshiyuki's fail in 38). Besides, even if it was somewhat possible then most would probably still fail it, and don't you think it be a bit underwhelming seeing 70-80% of the remaining field get eliminated purely because of wet hands not gripping on a chain properly? Also, as someone who uses chalk really frequently, chalk is designed to be easily washed off with water, so unless you dry your hands fully which would take up too much time, chalk won't do anything for soaked hands. Liquid chalk is more water resistant, but it takes about 20-30 seconds to apply and for it to dry fully.

Maybe if the chains were changed to ropes then it COULD be ok, given that Morimoto completed the final climb in the pouring rain, but that's Yusuke and that was a rope climb, not lunging at full speed for a rope where your entire body weight is going to come down on you, which will still cause a load of people to slip off at that point. Besides, the obstacle was damaging enough as it was, with that additional handicap it's going to cause an absolute bloodbath, which isn't necessarily a bad thing in itself, but seeing several fails on the same obstacle and due to something as simple as wet hands rather than overall difficulty could come across as a bit meh imo.

Something like a Salmon Ladder could work as I feel like it's hard enough to take out the unsuspecting while still possible for experienced competitors, but that obstacle is already placed before the Backstream so idk really.

[m4tt3r0x]

Just to clarify I wasn't saying to put chalk before the Metal Spin, but a towel because the standard has been to give competitors the best chance as not slipping possible before intensive grip obstacles. But yeah, like I said the obstacle would be outrageous, but I wonder if it'd be truly impossible without a towel. I think it'd at least partially depend on what material coats the chain on the Metal Spin.

[subtleagent]

The "chains" were always elasticated ropes (except in 14).

[sasukewarrior333]

Okay, I'm satisfied by those answers but I'll still keep the poll open so people can vote if they want.

My apologies if it was a stupid question, I've been experimenting with designing stages in my free time so I just wanted some opinions. Once again I'm sorry if it felt like a waste of time.

[azn]

Feb 26, 2022 4:28:14 GMT -5 dakohosu said:

I think an obstacle where you have to grab a bar rather than a rope MIGHT be more reasonable, as a lot of people have done calisthenics moves in the rain and it's not as grip intensive.

I mean, there is a really good bar obstacle in the first stage, sure it might be a tad unreasonable due to it's size but I could totally see the Dragon Glider after the backstream as the bar obstacle.

I think unless a towel is implemented or something though, it's close to impossible. Maybe someone will be insane enough to clear it but I think a lot more SK19 esque tournaments would occur.

I was thinking though, maybe instead of the Metal Spin, maybe the Chain See-Saw after the Backstream? 

[dakohosu]

I think a good alternative could be something like Roulette Row which has the same ethos as the Dragon Glider where you jump on a trampoline, grab a bar, then reach for another bar using momentum, except its a different obstacle hence could be an option for Stage 2.

Could even have a Balance Tank provided the tank is made out of wood or a non-slip material.

It might also be worth having both a towel and a heater after the Backstream just so the competitors don’t spend potentially upwards of 15-20 seconds drying their hands.