Welcome to a part of the annual Final Fantasy rumble that I look forward to quite a bit. As huge as a 128 track field sounds, the cap is pretty limiting to represent the entire Final Fantasy series. Solution: a qualification round. This is a nice opportunity to hear a lot of solid underdogs that will never defeat the likes of Dancing Mad but deserve better than to be brushed off entirely. And it leads to some interesting choices, because in the absence of the 'stronger' tracks of the series, nobody is a shoo-in.

It's pretty simple. The 44 lowest-ranked tracks which failed to advance out of the round of 128 this year will face off against the 44 tracks that failed to qualify for the final 2016 roster. There is no standard criteria for voting, and like the round of 128, no two songs will ever face each other twice in qualifiers, so your favorite track that hasn't quite made it is bound to catch a break sooner or later, and a game will only be underrepresented next year if we collectively choose to go that route.

The qualification round will remain open until May 2017.

Tracks which did not appear in 2016 will always* win the tie.

If you wish to change a vote, please do so in a new post. I will be updating my spreadsheet as votes are cast, and I won't be looking back, so an edit will be missed.

Yoko Shimomura's Final Fantasy XV soundtrack will be incorporated later in the year. Consequently, these tracks will have to face higher-ranked opponents. (Basically the first FF15 track entered will have to overcome the 20th-highest-ranked loser from 2016. That's One-Winged Angel territory.) But they'll be given a chance, and it's up to you to decide how you want this tournament to shape up. In any case, they'll have higher odds on their side rolling into 2018.

Requests for additional tracks are welcome. All games are capped at 15 entries.

*As no Final Fantasy 2 songs earned an automatic pass into 2017, I will given them the tie-break advantage should none succeed in qualifying outright.

Group A
Maybe I'm a Lion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYDT_Y6Jj5c) (FF8) vs Sometime, Somewhere (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuqJ9m35Ulo) (FF11)
Illusionary World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq-ds_xRVTo) (FF4) vs Daughter of the Great Summoner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtnquQZfBks) (FF10)
Save Them! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGHbjU0Ahcw) (FF6) vs Ashe's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIcI70Ve-f0) (FF12)
The Mines of Narshe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXvJUjwPHmY) (FF6) vs Crystal Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuXLuao8CSo) (FF3)
Out of the Labyrinth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAQrvxE5wo4) (FF14) vs Tower of Mages (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b6Pkj_6zIY) (FF2)
Starlight Celebration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jkZrSW4bE4) (FF14) vs The Spy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txs-MnMiP2w) (FF8)
Dreams Aloft (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yUgppaSmKk) (FF14) vs Born Anew (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Pq5kGeuiE) (FF13)
Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xktPLOC6e6Y) (FF2) vs Prelude of Empty Skies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvtFC8f4fO0) (FF5)

Group B
Kingdom Baron (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET_R74tkmBk) (FF4) vs Saltswept (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDx8WvANmtc) (FF14)
Sealed Away (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi5N5071HN4) (FF5) vs Gustaberg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0rYk83Rt0A) (FF11)
Harvest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMw-DIa-pts) (FF5) vs Royal Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrqFc_V5sjc) (FF5)
Under Her Control (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKI8RFr0Ec8) (FF8) vs All the World Against Us (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OaOFvMxQ-o) (FF13)
Ahead On Our Way (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56KOtYxydrU) (FF5) vs Will to Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpDvovJK9u8) (FF13)
Succession of Witches (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAw0bObNKr4) (FF8) vs Kuja's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2spjqRmQGRA) (FF9)
Ancient Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLxGFQqcfME) (FF2) vs Theme of the Empire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3vT3hp0U5w) (FF12)
The Final Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECtR9P-4PzQ) (FF4) vs Battle Scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03-vzLP87lA) (FF2)

Group C
Final Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzXNx2XF6H8) (FF9) vs Steel Reason (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhr2mLhmdR4) (FF14)
Slam Shuffle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k_RlD4cxjk) (FF6) vs Eyes On Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qcW0oiLKHg) (FF8)
The Forested Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1VYCy3HW00) (FF7) vs In the Sky That Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKK29vI54Y) (FF13)
On the Other Side of the Mountain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQR6oko6YkE) (FF7) vs Ishgard Pillars (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGYGJELrCOs) (FF14)
The Hand That Gives the Rose (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6roTXrTziQ) (FF14) vs Desperate Struggle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xMJ5Uj_i7E) (FF13)
The Lunarians (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KtGh_F5FmI) (FF4) vs Taejin's Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGlpFn_wRGc) (FF13)
On Windy Meadows (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICxYi3O_SHc) (FF14) vs Fealty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXztvRR3sLk) (FF14)

Group D
The Skycity Bhujerba (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQNWafc6_9k) (FF12) vs Primarch Dysley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJF4U78svjs) (FF14)
Ru'Lude Gardens (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4EFhDquyFA) (FF11) vs Mysteries Abound (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5lxAsfxINI) (FF13)
Those for the Purge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu1IOVTMgK4) (FF13) vs Rebellion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWdY8WJ0Fk) (FF12)
Eternal Wind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VRWlmXuv8E) (FF3) vs Desert Moon Defied (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-94brHheDe4) (FF14)
Lake Bresha (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLyGnxAzdQU) (FF13) vs Fighting Fate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgE0VHiYV6Q) (FF13)
Signs of Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv9AMf_1aDQ) (FF12) vs Mystic Mysidia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PjIwF4w6XU) (FF4)
To the Place of Gods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ2rw-VDwfA) (FF12) vs Eternal Harvest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSKASbI7_eQ) (FF9)

Group E
The Forgotten Capital (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE8-z8wW-c4) (FF12) vs Between Ordeals (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93TJJpXzfgQ) (FF10)
The Hanging Edge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skzimlWx5DA) (FF13) vs The Day Will Come (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9Ky74AJvg4) (FF5)
Castle Pandemonium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=056K3TLNlcM) (FF2) vs Castle of Hain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMx0UeaGH4k) (FF3)
The Promise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4CM848e48A) (FF13) vs Fabul (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7Cxl9qVlXg) (FF4)
Tower of Bab-il (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8wF6e_6UKA) (FF4) vs Selbina (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiGxNFlOO5k) (FF11)
Dusk Vigil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0lXb7HQHi0) (FF14) vs The Federation of Windur (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58blCkjPmCs) (FF11)
Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNEdOk_w8Fg) (FF3) vs Rolanberry Fields (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUWw0qpwmqE) (FF11)

Group F
Melodies of Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94PdrQF1Ugs) (FF9) vs Otherworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpHbXjK7Y6I) (FF10)
Despair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joxCId9SvAU) (FF11) vs Suteki da ne (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gm3p7jq4fs) (FF10)
Eden Under Siege (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bzxejm082M) (FF13) vs Ship (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9lg6iTyWXU) (FF1)
Cursed Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNxkTLLKd1M) (FF5) vs Heaven's Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECG5u_eMWZw) (FF11)
The Royal City of Rabanastre (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aat2hwglybs) (FF12) vs The Boundless Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emK5wgrVp3A) (FF3)
Troops March On (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcMmm-B9Oy8) (FF6) vs Battle Scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjPF3AwVPM4) (FF1)
The Way to the Top (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqMVE9tHGS4) (FF3) vs Dear Friends (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1krzoWRlfXs) (FF5)

My picks for now:

Group A
Sometime, Somewhere (FF11)
Daughter of the Great Summoner (FF10)
Ashe's Theme (FF12)
The Mines of Narshe (FF6)
Tower of Mages (FF2)
Starlight Celebration (FF14)
Dreams Aloft (FF14)
Main Theme (FF2)

Group B
Saltswept (FF14)
Sealed Away (FF5)
Royal Palace (FF5)
Under Her Control (FF8)
Ahead On Our Way (FF5)
Succession of Witches (FF8)
Theme of the Empire (FF12)
The Final Battle (FF4)

Group C
Steel Reason (FF14)
Slam Shuffle (FF6)
In the Sky That Night (FF13)
Ishgard Pillars (Day) (FF14)
Desperate Struggle (FF13)
The Lunarians (FF4)
Fealty (FF14)

Group D
The Skycity Bhujerba (FF12)
Ru'Lude Gardens (FF11)
Those for the Purge (FF13)
Eternal Wind (FF3)
Fighting Fate (FF13) ~~ I want both of these tracks to win. :\
Signs of Change (FF12)
To the Place of Gods (FF12)

Group E
The Forgotten Capital (FF12)
The Hanging Edge (FF13)
Castle of Hain (FF3)
The Promise (FF13)
Selbina (FF11)
The Federation of Windur (FF11)
Battle (FF3)

Group F
Otherworld (FF10)
Despair (FF11)
Eden Under Siege (FF13)
Heaven's Tower (FF11)
The Royal City of Rabanastre (FF12)
Troops March On (FF6)
The Way to the Top (FF3)

Group A
Sometime, Somewhere (FF11)
Illusionary World (FF4)
Ashe's Theme (FF12)
The Mines of Narshe (FF6)
Tower of Mages (FF2)
The Spy (FF8)
Born Anew (FF13)
Main Theme (FF2)

Group B
Saltswept (FF14)
Gustaberg (FF11)
Royal Palace (FF5)
Under Her Control (FF8)
Will to Fight (FF13)
Succession of Witches (FF8)
Theme of the Empire (FF12)
Battle Scene (FF2)

Group C
Steel Reason (FF14)
Slam Shuffle (FF6)
In the Sky That Night (FF13)
Ishgard Pillars (Day) (FF14)
The Hand That Gives the Rose (FF14)
The Lunarians (FF4)
On Windy Meadows (FF14)

Group D
The Skycity Bhujerba (FF12)
Mysteries Abound (FF13)
Those for the Purge (FF13)
Eternal Wind (FF3)
Lake Bresha (FF13)
Signs of Change (FF12)
To the Place of Gods (FF12)

Group E
Between Ordeals (FF10)
The Hanging Edge (FF13)
Castle Pandemonium (FF2)
Fabul (FF4)
Selbina (FF11)
Dusk Vigil (FF14)
Rolanberry Fields (FF11)

Group F
Otherworld (FF10)
Despair (FF11)
Eden Under Siege (FF13)
Cursed Earth (FF5)
The Royal City of Rabanastre (FF12)
Troops March On (FF6)
Dear Friends (FF5)

You must have clicked this thread fast, because I edited that in like ten minutes. :P

Group A
Maybe I'm a Lion (FF8)
Daughter of the Great Summoner (FF10)
Save Them! (FF6)
The Mines of Narshe (FF6)
Out of the Labyrinth (FF14)
Starlight Celebration (FF14)
Dreams Aloft (FF14)
Prelude of Empty Skies (FF5)

Group B
Saltswept (FF14)
Gustaberg (FF11)
Royal Palace (FF5)
Under Her Control (FF8)
Ahead On Our Way (FF5)
Succession of Witches (FF8) - I want both of these to win.
Theme of the Empire (FF12)
The Final Battle (FF4)

Group C
Final Battle (FF9)
Slam Shuffle (FF6)
In the Sky That Night (FF13)
Ishgard Pillars (Day) (FF14)
The Hand That Gives the Rose (FF14)
Taejin's Tower (FF13)
Fealty (FF14)

I'll come back and do the other three groups.

Group A
Maybe I'm a Lion (FF8)
Illusionary World (FF4)
Save Them! (FF6)
The Mines of Narshe (FF6)
Tower of Mages (FF2)
Starlight Celebration (FF14)
Dreams Aloft (FF14)
Main Theme (FF2)

Group B
Kingdom Baron (FF4)
Gustaberg (FF11)
Royal Palace (FF5)
Under Her Control (FF8)
Ahead On Our Way (FF5)
Kuja's Theme (FF9)
Theme of the Empire (FF12)
Battle Scene (FF2)

Group C
Final Battle (FF9)
Eyes On Me (FF8)
The Forested Temple (FF7)
On the Other Side of the Mountain (FF7)
The Hand That Gives the Rose (FF14)
The Lunarians (FF4)
On Windy Meadows (FF14)

Group D
The Skycity Bhujerba (FF12)
Ru'Lude Gardens (FF11)
Rebellion (FF12)
Eternal Wind (FF3)
Fighting Fate (FF13)
Mystic Mysidia (FF4)
To the Place of Gods (FF12)

Group E
The Forgotten Capital (FF12)
The Day Will Come (FF5)
Castle of Hain (FF3)
The Promise (FF13)
Tower of Bab-il (FF4)
Dusk Vigil (FF14)
Battle (FF3)

Group F
Melodies of Life (FF9)
Suteki da ne (FF10)
Ship (FF1)
Cursed Earth (FF5)
The Boundless Ocean (FF3)
Battle Scene (FF1)
Dear Friends (FF5)

---------- Post added at 10:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:03 PM ----------

----------------------
???Melodies of Life (FF9) vs Otherworld (FF10)???
You monster...

The qualifiers above are closed so I can start moving this along, but I'll take any requests for FF15 tracks. Hoping to cover that ground in a few days and roll this out promptly.

---------- Post added at 01:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 AM ----------

Going to link some tracks skimming through as they tickle me

Valse di Fantastica (Altissia Theme) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRmQvnwzI-E)

---------- Post added at 01:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 AM ----------

Stand Your Ground (https://youtu.be/B_CsijQsYY4?list=PL6vLnPnyWpJs4W0C74YFJZc3YowAjfml D)

---------- Post added at 01:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 AM ----------

Reel Rumble (https://youtu.be/8D8NyTDc24c?list=PL6vLnPnyWpJs4W0C74YFJZc3YowAjfml D)

---------- Post added at 01:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 AM ----------

Urban Chrome (https://youtu.be/4At0XgVOigo?list=PL6vLnPnyWpJs4W0C74YFJZc3YowAjfml D)

---------- Post added at 01:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:15 AM ----------

Unsettling Aura (https://youtu.be/jWfjpzsTFUo?list=PL6vLnPnyWpJs4W0C74YFJZc3YowAjfml D)

---------- Post added at 01:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 AM ----------

Melancholia (https://youtu.be/XNWfX5h5xrc?list=PL6vLnPnyWpJs4W0C74YFJZc3YowAjfml D)

---------- Post added at 01:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:22 AM ----------

Sunset Waltz (https://youtu.be/ctLVoZpUFFI?list=PL6vLnPnyWpJs4W0C74YFJZc3YowAjfml D) -- remove, variation on first track

---------- Post added at 01:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:25 AM ----------

Dinner Car (https://youtu.be/zK3pU5_syKY?list=PL6vLnPnyWpJs4W0C74YFJZc3YowAjfml D)

---------- Post added at 01:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 AM ----------

Magna Insomnia (https://youtu.be/vqr0Ng9PeT4?list=PL6vLnPnyWpJs4W0C74YFJZc3YowAjfml D)

---------- Post added at 01:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 AM ----------

So that's 8 and 8 is what I was aiming for. Skimmed a 160ish track playlist and those were the ones that I liked.

---------- Post added at 01:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:43 AM ----------

If we go to 10 then One-Winged Angel actually comes into play as a qualifier and that just feels dirty :P

---------- Post added at 01:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:43 AM ----------

Ok I'm going to rand these and 100% if someone else has a track they like it can come along for the ride too

---------- Post added at 02:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:43 AM ----------

FF15 Qualifications
Breezy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB30RVWeuP8) (FF8) vs Valse di Fantastica (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRmQvnwzI-E) (FF15)
Airship (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-if85nnGWMg) (FF11) vs Stand Your Ground (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_CsijQsYY4) (FF15)
Eruyt Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOAD58HCB-c) (FF12) vs Reel Rumble (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D8NyTDc24c) (FF15)
Seymour Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIMRvdCt9jM) (FF9) vs Urban Chrome (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4At0XgVOigo) (FF15)
The Silence Before the Storm (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWoCTYqBOIE) (FF10) vs Unsettling Aura (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWfjpzsTFUo) (FF15)
Force Your Way (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZMWszd5SRk) (FF8) vs Melancholia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNWfX5h5xrc) (FF15)
Anxiety (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOqUMiEmVt4) (FF11) vs Dinner Car (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK3pU5_syKY) (FF15)
Martial Law (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjTw1Wcjzf8) (FF8) vs Magna Insomnia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqr0Ng9PeT4) (FF15)

---------- Post added at 02:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:04 AM ----------

I'll go with whatever Arthur picks because I'm pretty sure he's a big fan of Breezy and I'm pretty 50/50
Stand Your Ground
Eruyt Village
Urban Chrome
The Silence Before the Storm
Melancholia
Dinner Car
Same as the first match-up

FF15 Qualifications

Valse di Fantastica (FF15)
Airship (FF11) - I really like airship
Reel Rumble (FF15)
Seymour Battle (FF9) - found a typo, this is from 10, not 9
The Silence Before the Storm (FF10)
Melancholia (FF15) - this is why I love these rumbles, I would've never heard this otherwise
Anxiety (FF11) - this is another XI track that I really enjoy
Magna Insomnia (FF15) - if this comes up a toss up or if Arthur really loves Martial Law, just disregard my vote, because I'm pretty split between them.

FF15 Qualifications

Breezy (FF8)!
Airship (FF11) - Tough one
Reel Rumble (FF15)
Seymour Battle (FF10)
The Silence Before the Storm (FF10)
Melancholia (FF15)
Anxiety (FF11)
Magna Insomnia (FF15) - I like both, so let's give the new one a shot

Thanks!

Tracks are now all locked in and randed. Game should start as early as tomorrow if I'm not busy. :)

Re: typo, I punched those in pretty quick, should still be correct in the game proper