It's now time for one of my favorite parts of the annual game: the qualification stage for next year. It's an opportunity to hear some lesser known but still impressive tracks from the series, and it's a chance to decide who will and will not be surfacing for the competition this time a year from now.

Qualifications were never intended to be a highly competitive event, and I don't share them with my off-site voters. Everyone is welcome to vote, but I'm not going to push for participation. I don't see only having 3 or 4 voters as an issue here, so basically don't feel obligated to participate and burn yourself out from the main event. For whatever it's worth, I like to consider a whole range of reasons--to bring back my favorite tracks, certainly, but also to give less common fair an occasional shot in the main game, to ensure comprehensive representation (FF1 and FF2 must qualify a track in order to appear in 2018), in general just to keep it interesting from my perspective. You can vote for as many or as few entries as you wish. Have fun:

The qualification round will remain open until mid-April 2018.

Tracks which did not appear in 2018 will always win a 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.

I won't be taking suggestions for additional tracks this year, as the game is at close to maximum capacity and I like the idea of allowing at least a few (12 as it stands) losers to automatically qualify. Additionally, I will not guarantee that a FF1 and FF2 track advances. If they don't get in, they don't get in. 2017 losers will always be listed first and paired with tracked that did not appear this year. As with the round of 128, no two tracks will ever face each other twice in qualifiers.

Group A
Dusk Vigil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0lXb7HQHi0) (FF14) vs Ship (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxCceBT3f5k) (FF1)
Otherworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXDxYIWAT7Y) (FF10) vs Sealed Away (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi5N5071HN4) (FF5)
Slam Shuffle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSsAAJyqM5o) (FF6) vs The Way to the Top (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHi4PhLZC28) (FF3)
Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lViSeukzQOQ) (FF1) vs Stand Your Ground (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_CsijQsYY4) (FF15)
Attack (Raid) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNIslB7GoXU) (FF10) vs The Spy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txs-MnMiP2w) (FF8)
To the Place of Gods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ2rw-VDwfA) (FF12) vs Mystic Mysidia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PjIwF4w6XU) (FF4)
Eden Under Siege (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn5ZAuqobcs) (FF13) vs All the World Against Us (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OaOFvMxQ-o) (FF13)

Group B
Cloud of Darkness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQYh5TB-trI) (FF3) vs Castle Pandemonium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=056K3TLNlcM) (FF2)
Battle Scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03-vzLP87lA) (FF2) vs Rebellion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWdY8WJ0Fk) (FF12)
The Hanging Edge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdsMe2fHZpE) (FF13) vs Desperate Struggle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xMJ5Uj_i7E) (FF13)
Gurgu Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYdSH34z5hg) (FF1) vs The Boundless Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emK5wgrVp3A) (FF3)
Kefka (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAFSOssA5GI) (FF6) vs Martial Law (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjTw1Wcjzf8) (FF8)
Those for the Purge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu1IOVTMgK4) (FF13) vs Out of the Labyrinth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAQrvxE5wo4) (FF14)
Melancholia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNWfX5h5xrc) (FF15) vs The Forested Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1VYCy3HW00) (FF7)

Group C
Auron's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOu3KIDHqxc) (FF10) vs Kuja's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2spjqRmQGRA) (FF9)
Vivi's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLa0bQflIVo) (FF9) vs On Windy Meadows (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICxYi3O_SHc) (FF14)
Ru'Lude Gardens (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4EFhDquyFA) (FF11) vs Force Your Way (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZMWszd5SRk) (FF8)
Troian Beauty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwhWgiOnJd8) (FF4) vs Dinner Car (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK3pU5_syKY) (FF15)
Chasing the Black-Caped Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti_iazvRLD4) (FF7) vs Valse di Fantastica (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRmQvnwzI-E) (FF15)
Matoya's Cavern (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR06uwC4e20) (FF1) vs Fabul (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7Cxl9qVlXg) (FF4)
Steiner's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeciA7yViqM) (FF9) vs Eyes on Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qcW0oiLKHg) (FF8)

Group D
Ahead On Our Way (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56KOtYxydrU) (FF5) vs Taejin's Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGlpFn_wRGc) (FF13)
Royal Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrqFc_V5sjc) (FF5) vs Ancient Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLxGFQqcfME) (FF2)
In the Sky That Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKK29vI54Y) (FF13) vs Maybe I'm a Lion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYDT_Y6Jj5c) (FF8)
Theme of the Empire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3vT3hp0U5w) (FF12) vs Illusionary World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq-ds_xRVTo) (FF4)
The Hand That Gives the Rose (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6roTXrTziQ) (FF14) vs Kingdom Baron (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET_R74tkmBk) (FF4)
Daughter of the Great Summoner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtnquQZfBks) (FF10) vs Will to Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpDvovJK9u8) (FF13)
Aetherial Slumber (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWHw8_hbq3E) (FF14) vs Tower of Bab-il (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8wF6e_6UKA) (FF4)

Group E
Rabanastre Downtown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMgLuY6bNds) (FF12) vs The Federation of Windur (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58blCkjPmCs) (FF11)
The Invincible (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKMo6r5vCK8) (FF3) vs Heaven's Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECG5u_eMWZw) (FF11)
The Lunarians (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Su7_VJwdoQ) (FF4) vs The Final Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECtR9P-4PzQ) (FF4)
The Forgotten Capital (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE8-z8wW-c4) (FF12) vs Final Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzXNx2XF6H8) (FF9)
Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xktPLOC6e6Y) (FF2) vs Between Ordeals (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93TJJpXzfgQ) (FF10)
Magna Insomnia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqr0Ng9PeT4) (FF15) vs Unsettling Aura (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWfjpzsTFUo) (FF15)

Group F
Dear Friends (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1krzoWRlfXs) (FF5) vs Save Them! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGHbjU0Ahcw) (FF6)
Sprouting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJTXozr0-Bg) (FF10) vs Mysteries Abound (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5lxAsfxINI) (FF13)
Walking the Snowy Mountains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlQSTxrQ7e0) (FF5) vs Eruyt Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOAD58HCB-c) (FF12)
Ashe's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIcI70Ve-f0) (FF12) vs Eternal Harvest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSKASbI7_eQ) (FF9)
Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNEdOk_w8Fg) (FF3) vs Born Anew (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Pq5kGeuiE) (FF13)
The Nightmare Begins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwBjCKWaO_0) (FF7) vs Suteki da ne (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gm3p7jq4fs) (FF10)

Group G
Ishgard Pillars (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGYGJELrCOs) (FF14) vs Rolanberry Fields (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUWw0qpwmqE) (FF11)
Off the Edge of Despair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oPqxoGzorI) (FF7) vs Battle Scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjPF3AwVPM4) (FF1)
Breezy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB30RVWeuP8) (FF8) vs Crystal Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuXLuao8CSo) (FF3)
Tower of Mages (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b6Pkj_6zIY) (FF2) vs Desert Moon Defied (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-94brHheDe4) (FF14)
Despair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joxCId9SvAU) (FF11) vs The Day Will Come (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9Ky74AJvg4) (FF5)
Castle of Hain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMx0UeaGH4k) (FF3) vs Harvest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMw-DIa-pts) (FF5)

Group H
Steel Reason (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhr2mLhmdR4) (FF14) vs Urban Chrome (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4At0XgVOigo) (FF15)
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTu1lzfLolA) (FF12) vs On the Other Side of the Mountain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQR6oko6YkE) (FF7)
Saltswept (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDx8WvANmtc) (FF14) vs Melodies of Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94PdrQF1Ugs) (FF9)
Anxiety (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOqUMiEmVt4) (FF11) vs Lake Bresha (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLyGnxAzdQU) (FF13)
Gold Saucer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMaGq6vn7hg) (FF7) vs Primarch Dysley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJF4U78svjs) (FF13)
Battle 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EVIF1Udqr0) (FF3) vs The Prelude of Empty Skies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvtFC8f4fO0) (FF5)

I chose:

Group A
Dusk Vigil (FF14)
Otherworld (FF10)
Slam Shuffle (FF6)
Main Theme (FF1)
Attack (Raid) (FF10)
To the Place of Gods (FF12)
Eden Under Siege (FF13)

Group B
Castle Pandemonium (FF2)
Battle Scene (FF2)
Desperate Struggle (FF13)
Gurgu Volcano (FF1)
Martial Law (FF8)
Those for the Purge (FF13)
Melancholia (FF15)

Group C
Auron's Theme (FF10)
On Windy Meadows (FF14)
Force Your Way (FF8)
Dinner Car (FF15)
Valse di Fantastica (FF15) ~~ How many times over the years have I found out by random juxtaposition that two tracks are variations on the same theme? Hah!
Fabul (FF4)
Steiner's Theme (FF9)

Group D
Ahead On Our Way (FF5)
Royal Palace (FF5)
In the Sky That Night (FF13)
Theme of the Empire (FF12)
Kingdom Baron (FF4)
Daughter of the Great Summoner (FF10)
Tower of Bab-il (FF4)

Group E
Rabanastre Downtown (FF12)
Heaven's Tower (FF11)
The Final Battle (FF4)
The Forgotten Capital (FF12)
Main Theme (FF2)
Magna Insomnia (FF15)

Group F
Save Them! (FF6)
Sprouting (FF10)
Eruyt Village (FF12)
Ashe's Theme (FF12)
Born Anew (FF13)
The Nightmare Begins (FF7)

Group G
Ishgard Pillars (Day) (FF14)
Battle Scene (FF1)
Breezy (FF8)
Tower of Mages (FF2)
Despair (FF11)
Castle of Hain (FF3)

Group H
Urban Chrome (FF15)
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison (FF12)
Saltswept (FF14)
Anxiety (FF11)
Gold Saucer (FF7)
The Prelude of Empty Skies (FF5)

Group A
Dusk Vigil (FF14)
Sealed Away (FF5)
Slam Shuffle (FF6)
Stand Your Ground (FF15)
The Spy (FF8)
To the Place of Gods (FF12)
Eden Under Siege (FF13)

Group B
Cloud of Darkness (FF3)
Battle Scene (FF2)
The Hanging Edge (FF13)
The Boundless Ocean (FF3)
Martial Law (FF8)
Those for the Purge (FF13)
Melancholia (FF15)

Group C
Auron's Theme (FF10)
On Windy Meadows (FF14)
Force Your Way (FF8)
Troian Beauty (FF4)
Valse di Fantastica (FF15)
Matoya's Cavern (FF1)
Eyes on Me (FF8)

Group D
Taejin's Tower (FF13)
Ancient Castle (FF2)
Maybe I'm a Lion (FF8)
Illusionary World (FF4)
The Hand That Gives the Rose (FF14)
Will to Fight (FF13)
Aetherial Slumber (FF14)

Group E
Rabanastre Downtown (FF12)
Heaven's Tower (FF11)
The Lunarians (FF4)
Final Battle (FF9)
Main Theme (FF2)
Unsettling Aura (FF15)

Group F
Dear Friends (FF5)
Mysteries Abound (FF13)
Eruyt Village (FF12)
Ashe's Theme (FF12)
Battle (FF3)
The Nightmare Begins (FF7)

Group G
Ishgard Pillars (Day) (FF14)
Off the Edge of Despair (FF7)
Breezy (FF8)
Tower of Mages (FF2)
Despair (FF11)
Harvest (FF5)

Group H
Steel Reason (FF14)
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison (FF12)
Saltswept (FF14)
Anxiety (FF11)
Gold Saucer (FF7)
Battle 2 (FF3)

Alright, getting in for another year.

Group A
Dusk Vigil (FF14)
Otherworld (FF10)
Slam Shuffle (FF6)
Stand Your Ground (FF15)
The Spy (FF8) ~tough one.
Mystic Mysidia (FF4) ~another tough one.
Eden Under Siege (FF13)

Group B
Castle Pandemonium (FF2)
Battle Scene (FF2)
Desperate Struggle (FF13)
The Boundless Ocean (FF3)
Kefka (FF6)
Out of the Labyrinth (FF14)
Melancholia (FF15)

Group C
Auron's Theme (FF10)
Vivi's Theme (FF9) ~tough one
Force Your Way (FF8)
Troian Beauty (FF4)
Chasing the Black-Caped Man (FF7)
Fabul (FF4)
Eyes on Me (FF8) ~romance wins out.

Group D
Ahead On Our Way (FF5)
Royal Palace (FF5)
Maybe I'm a Lion (FF8) ~tougher than i expected
Theme of the Empire (FF12) ~another tough one.
The Hand That Gives the Rose (FF14) ~ravana ftw!
Daughter of the Great Summoner (FF10)
Tower of Bab-il (FF4)

Group E
Rabanastre Downtown (FF12)
Invincible (FF3)
The Final Battle (FF4)
Final Battle (FF9)
Between Ordeals (FF10)
Magna Insomnia (FF15) (does magna sound a bit like the intro to lost odyssey?)

Group F
Save Them! (FF6)
Sprouting (FF10)
Eruyt Village (FF12)
Ashe's Theme (FF12) ~tough.
Battle (FF3)
Suteki da ne (FF10)

Group G
Ishgard Pillars (Day) (FF14)
Off the Edge of Despair (FF7)
Breezy (FF8)
Tower of Mages (FF2)
The Day Will Come (FF5)
Harvest (FF5)

Group H
Steel Reason (FF14)
On the Other Side of the Mountain (FF7) ~tougher than expected.
Melodies of Life (FF9)
Anxiety (FF11)
Gold Saucer (FF7)
Battle 2 (FF3)

Group A
Ship (FF1)
Sealed Away (FF5)
Slam Shuffle (FF6)
Stand Your Ground (FF15)
The Spy (FF8)
Mystic Mysidia (FF4)
Eden Under Siege (FF13)

Group B
Cloud of Darkness (FF3)
Battle Scene (FF2)
The Hanging Edge (FF13)
Gurgu Volcano (FF1)
Kefka (FF6)
Those for the Purge (FF13)
Melancholia (FF15)

Group C
Kuja's Theme (FF9)
On Windy Meadows (FF14)
Force Your Way (FF8)
Dinner Car (FF15)
Valse di Fantastica (FF15)
Fabul (FF4)
Steiner's Theme (FF9)

Group D
Ahead On Our Way (FF5)
Royal Palace (FF5)
Maybe I'm a Lion (FF8)
Illusionary World (FF4)
The Hand That Gives the Rose (FF14)
Daughter of the Great Summoner (FF10)
Tower of Bab-il (FF4)

Group E
The Federation of Windur (FF11)
Heaven's Tower (FF11)
The Final Battle (FF4)
Final Battle (FF9)
Between Ordeals (FF10)
Magna Insomnia (FF15)

Group F
Dear Friends (FF5)
Sprouting (FF10)
Walking the Snowy Mountains (FF5)
Eternal Harvest (FF9)
Born Anew (FF13)
The Nightmare Begins (FF7)

Group G
Rolanberry Fields (FF11)
Off the Edge of Despair (FF7)
Breezy (FF8)
Tower of Mages (FF2)
Despair (FF11)
Harvest (FF5)


Group H
Steel Reason (FF14)
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison (FF12)
Saltswept (FF14)
Anxiety (FF11)
Primarch Dysley (FF13) - stupid Gold Saucer :P
The Prelude of Empty Skies (FF5)

I relistened to block H and I'd go for the same ones now, except for replacing anxiety with lake bresha. But i think the only reason i changed is because it works well for the game. in fact i think i like it the most out of all the songs in the first half of the game (except maybe for primarchs theme)

Dilemma:

FF1 is currently eliminated from 2018.

1-vote paths to resolve this:

I, Arthur, or Pianist moves from Dusk Vigil to Ship.
Arthur or Pianist moves from The Boundless Ocean to Gurgu Volcano.
Arthur, Pianist, or feral moves from Off the Edge of Despair to Battle Scene.

I will definitely move my vote if needed. Before doing so I wanted to throw the options out there to see if anyone had a particular preference.

I'll switch from The Boundless Ocean to Gurgu Volcano.

Dilemma:

FF1 is currently eliminated from 2018.

1-vote paths to resolve this:

I, Arthur, or Pianist moves from Dusk Vigil to Ship.
Arthur or Pianist moves from The Boundless Ocean to Gurgu Volcano.
Arthur, Pianist, or feral moves from Off the Edge of Despair to Battle Scene.

I will definitely move my vote if needed. Before doing so I wanted to throw the options out there to see if anyone had a particular preference.

Wow, way to not pay homage to the original game :P haha. i had no idea that would happen. that's eye opening for me

Group A
Ship (FF1)
Sealed Away (FF5)
Slam Shuffle (FF6)
Main Theme (FF1)
The Spy (FF8)
To the Place of Gods (FF12)
All the World Against Us (FF13)

Group B
Castle Pandemonium (FF2)
Battle Scene (FF2)
Desperate Struggle (FF13)
The Boundless Ocean (FF3)
Kefka (FF6)
Out of the Labyrinth (FF14)
Melancholia (FF15)

Group C
Kuja's Theme (FF9)
On Windy Meadows (FF14)
Ru'Lude Gardens (FF11)
Troian Beauty (FF4)
Valse di Fantastica (FF15)
Matoya's Cavern (FF1)
Eyes on Me (FF8)

Group D
Ahead On Our Way (FF5)
Royal Palace (FF5)
In the Sky That Night (FF13)
Illusionary World (FF4)
Kingdom Baron (FF4)
Will to Fight (FF13)
Aetherial Slumber (FF14)

Group E
The Federation of Windur (FF11)
Heaven's Tower (FF11)
The Final Battle (FF4)
Final Battle (FF9)
Main Theme (FF2)
Unsettling Aura (FF15)

Group F
Dear Friends (FF5)
Mysteries Abound (FF13)
Eruyt Village (FF12)
Eternal Harvest (FF9)
Battle (FF3)
Suteki da ne (FF10)

Group G
Ishgard Pillars (Day) (FF14)
Battle Scene (FF1)
Breezy (FF8)
Tower of Mages (FF2)
The Day Will Come (FF5)
Harvest (FF5)

Group H
Steel Reason (FF14)
On the Other Side of the Mountain (FF7)
Saltswept (FF14)
Lake Bresha (FF13)
Gold Saucer (FF7)
Battle 2 (FF3)

Group A
Ship (FF1)
Sealed Away (FF5)
Slam Shuffle (FF6)
Main Theme (FF1)
Attack (Raid) (FF10)
To the Place of Gods (FF12)
Eden Under Siege (FF13)

Group B
Castle Pandemonium (FF2)
Battle Scene (FF2)
Desperate Struggle (FF13)
Gurgu Volcano (FF1)
Martial Law (FF8)
Out of the Labyrinth (FF14)
The Forested Temple (FF7)

Group C
Auron's Theme (FF10)
On Windy Meadows (FF14)
Force Your Way (FF8)
Troian Beauty (FF4)
Chasing the Black-Caped Man (FF7)
Matoya's Cavern (FF1)
Steiner's Theme (FF9)

Group D
Ahead On Our Way (FF5)
Ancient Castle (FF2)
Maybe I'm a Lion (FF8)
Theme of the Empire (FF12)
Kingdom Baron (FF4)
Daughter of the Great Summoner (FF10)
Tower of Bab-il (FF4)

Group E
Rabanastre Downtown (FF12)
Heaven's Tower (FF11)
The Final Battle (FF4)
The Forgotten Capital (FF12)
Main Theme (FF2)
Magna Insomnia (FF15)

Group F
Save Them! (FF6)
Mysteries Abound (FF13)
Walking the Snowy Mountains (FF5)
Ashe's Theme (FF12)
Battle (FF3)
The Nightmare Begins (FF7)

Group G
Ishgard Pillars (Day) (FF14)
Battle Scene (FF1)
Crystal Cave (FF3)
Desert Moon Defied (FF14)
The Day Will Come (FF5)
Harvest (FF5)

Group H
Steel Reason (FF14)
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison (FF12)
Melodies of Life (FF9)
Anxiety (FF11
Gold Saucer (FF7)
Battle 2 (FF3)

Just finished plugging all these in, get hyped for 2018

Arthur, FF1 ended up getting two other tracks in with the late votes if you wanted to switch back to Boundless Ocean over Gurgu Volcano. Just throwing it out there. Going to rand it all with Gurgu winning if I don't hear anything in a week or so.

I'm ready! Yeah, if FF1 can be represented otherwise, I wouldn't mind having Boundless Ocean in there. I've always liked the water themes from FFIII. In fact, many, many years ago when Agent0042 created a FFS blog, I did a write-up about them...

I'm getting old.