Showdown has two objectives at once
A lineup needs enough scoring potential to become optimal, but it also needs to retain enough of the prize when it wins. Because single-game player pools are small and obvious constructions attract many entrants, duplication becomes a first-class strategic concern.
Captain and FLEX must be evaluated separately
On multiplier formats, an expensive Captain consumes much more salary and changes what can fit in the remaining roster spots. Slot-specific ownership also differs. That means a player can be an excellent FLEX and a mediocre Captain — or the reverse — even though the underlying player projection is the same.
Track Captain ownership separately from FLEX ownership.
Track Captain exposure separately from FLEX exposure.
Consider the opportunity cost created by the multiplier salary.
Do not infer total player stance from one slot alone.
Unused salary can reduce duplication — but it is not a rule
Leaving salary on the table can make a lineup less obvious, but blindly forcing a fixed amount can destroy lineup quality. The correct question is whether the reduction in duplication risk is worth the projection or expected-value sacrifice.
How JARVIS analyzes Showdown
Slot-aware and script-aware
JARVIS separates Captain/MVP from FLEX/UTIL recommendations, tracks slot-specific ownership and exposure, and evaluates preferred constructions and game scripts. As field size grows, it increases the importance of duplication, Captain differentiation, ownership combinations, and lineup discoverability without hardcoding a magic salary or field-size rule.