I've submitted this idea on uservoice [here](http://warlight.uservoice.com/forums/77051-warlight-features/suggestions/2590117-multi-stage-manual-distribution), but would like to explain it a little more and hear what people think, so I'm posting it here as well.

Right now, there is a setting for maximum number of territories distributed per player in manual distribution. (MaxT/P) Currently, players are given all of the maximum number of territories in Turn 0. I would like to have the ability to change the number of T/P given at one time. This would require the distribution to be performed in multiple stages. ('Stages' in order to differentiate from 'turns'.)

Overall, the process would operate just as it does now, with players submitting rankings before being given territories. The change in setting would only require this process to be repeated several times before the game begins.

For a quick example, let's take a 3 player FFA, with a MaxT/P = 4 and the T/P per stage = 2. In the first stage, I will receive 2 territories, so I submit my rankings as normal. After all players have submitted, I can now see which territories I have received (maybe I got my 2nd and 6th picks). In the second stage, I can adjust my strategy, choosing to try to group or flank or make a back-up, etc. I submit NEW rankings, and after all players submit, the maximum of 4 is reached and the game continues as normal.

Inherent in this option would be the ability to see which territories are no longer available after all but the final stage. This of course changes the game style, but is no more drastic than light fog or a spy card.

The default for T/P/Stage could be set the same as the default for MaxT/P. This would mean all territories are given in one stage, the same as it is now.

I like to play 3v3 and sometimes 2v2v2 games, and I find that they are too often decided simply by the proximity of players to one another (a strategy in selecting territories, I know, but it makes many of the games boring). Having the ability to adjust your strategy during the selection process would make these games more interesting to play, in my opinion. I think it would also allow for more interesting games in which a high number of territories are distributed. (For example, MaxT/P = 40 T/P/Stage = 8)

Hopefully this makes sense. Let me know what you think. Again, I would just like this to be an adjustable number, so that we have it as an option. I'm not trying to weigh it against the current methods of distribution.

This.
This is the main reason I avoid manual distribution. Usually I'd go all in and write up half a page of (hopefully) constuctive criticism, but I honestly can not find a single point to improve here.

I support this 100%. Give this guy a medal if it gets through.

Bumping, because I really would like to hear some more opinions/garner more support.

As with all optional options, I support it, but only if Fizzer doesn't have something more important to do (and if it doesn't intrude on how the game works too much). I think, perhaps, this suggestion could do with the limitation you can only play on light or no fog, considering you pretty much know where the others are any way in anything more than 1 stage. In general, I like the idea. It allows all people to get more of what they want, and thus less random for everyone.

The extra information about which territories are no longer available does change the game, but remember that in my example (as well as in the 1v1 Auto Game settings) anyone receiving their 6th pick would already know exactly where the other players started. Also, in larger games, you would know someone was there, but you still wouldn't know who.

Well, you could just let the fog level apply normally during the second (and later) stages of distribution. With normal fog (or higher), that would mean you are potentially selecting territories which have already been given to other players; these would of course have to be ignored by the game, in a similar way to not getting territories in the current game because an opponent got them first.
A downside is that players will have to choose a rather long list of picks (*many* of them can be taken already) in order to prevent getting a random territory assigned.

But, in the case of getting your priorities, you wouldn't know where the others are. The strategy in not getting your priority picks is trading in the best spots for knowing where your opponents are (while they do not know where you are). With your mode, that advantage would be lost, and the one getting the worst spots is worse off. Unless it's forced light/no fog. Not really wanting to argue over the specifics right now, though. What is important is that Fizzer looks it over and if it is to his liking, he'll change it to the most balanced way.

@RvW That method had occurred to me, but I couldn't come up with anything like that simple enough for all levels of players to understand and use effectively. I also assumed it would mean a lot more coding to change, and thus went with the idea I proposed.

@Darkruler I guess my point was that it wouldn't reveal more information than someone could already potentially obtain. The change in game style would be exactly as you said, that now this information would be free for everyone.

I also agree with this 100%