Why does everyone prefer stock?

[Luigalaxy]

Same here. I prefer stamina over stock.

[Koopaslaya]

I play about 50-50 time/stock. I would tend to argue that one is not better than the other, rather they're different. Each requires its own amount of skill in different areas. It' gets monotonous to continue using one style of play over and over again. Switching the game type every other round (or, as my friends and I do every 2 rounds) adds a little bit of spice into a soup that tends to be quite bland.

[Kuromatsu]

Here is a scenario with a timed and a stock match.

In both matches, there are three players. In timed mode, there are 2 minutes, and in stock mode, there are three lives.

in a match for the first minute, player 1 KOs player 2, Player 2 KOs player 1, player 3 does not do anything.

Score for Timed Mode:

Player 1 = 0
Player 2 = 0
Player 3 = 0

Score for Stock Mode:

Player 1 = 2 lives left
Player 2 = 2 lives left
Player 3 = 3 lives left

In the second minute of the match, Player 1 KOs Player 3, Player 3 KOs Player 1 and 2. Player 2 does not do anything.

Score for Timed Mode: (Match is over, Player 3 wins)

Player 1 = 0
Player 2 = -1
Player 3 = 2

Score for Stock Mode: (Match still is in progress, any player could win.)

Player 1 = 1 life left.
Player 2 = 1 life left.
Player 3 = 2 lives left.

Draw your own conclusions from this. Perhaps the timed match was only one minute? What if the stock match was timed? To be honest, being timed on anything just seems to create stress for me.

[Chupperson Weird]

Stock matches are rarely this even, and being forced out early without a chance to regain a good score is totally lame.

[Rao]

I like stamina better than stock also. And Koop has a really good point.

[Fifth]

Ugh, I hate the forceful feeling that timed matches bring.  If I want an intense match, I want it to be so because both myself and my final opponent are in a fierce duel on our last lives, where every movement is important and a single mistake could mean the end, not because the invisible hand of time is cramming me back into a wadded fray.  And I really don't think a normal-length time match is enough to really get past the awkwardness of a round's beginning, get into playing and being the character and stage, and really having a satisfying fight.

And on the matter of opponents running from a fight when there's no time limit incentive, the fray will always manage to drag them back in, one way or another.  It just happens.

...and (though this is a bit of a tangent) speak of "time" vs "stock", what on earth happened to the battle mode in Mario Kart Wii?  What ever happened to the careful tactics and self-preservation of the ol' "three balloons, then you're dead"?

[bobman37]

I heavily prefer stock over time. I like taking my time and killing my opponents while trying to not die.

However, for casual RL matches with 3 or 4 people, I like time. It's more causal, and if you're not playing to win, it's just more fun. Especially if you're playing with n00bs, then no one has to sit out after their stock depletes because they suck so bad.

[MEGAߥTE]

I should also mention that while I prefer timed, I also like 5 minute matches.  2 minutes is far too little time as Fifth articulated.

[bobman37]

I like 4 minutes.

[PaperLuigi]

Time matches are great for 1 vs. 1 battles, but stock battles are better for 4 man battle royals because they eliminate the possibility of a cheep kill with benefits.

[Rao]

Man, the way Fifth puts it, I guess stock is pretty cool. It's more of a real battle. And, I don't play 2 minutes either, I like 3 or 4.

...and (though this is a bit of a tangent) speak of "time" vs "stock", what on earth happened to the battle mode in Mario Kart Wii?  What ever happened to the careful tactics and self-preservation of the ol' "three balloons, then you're dead"?

Yeah! I thought that was lame.

[ShadowBrain]

careful tactics

Non-existent in MKW.

[Turtlekid1]

Button-mashing is the only way for some people to enjoy a good game, so don't judge those who do it.

Kidding.  Sort of.

[ShadowBrain]

There's not really button-mashing in MKW... I was referring to the overabundance of irritating items that level the playing field.

[Turtlekid1]

Oh, silly me... I was thinking of SSBB at the time.