Why do you still even post? Didn't you stop reading FT by now? The only thing I see you doing is complain complain complain about the things that always have been like that in FT as it's what makes FT FT.
Also when was Mavis supposed to have used it before? To guess which random match ups would be decided for the battle portion? Or which kind of random event the organization would come up with? If there was already any reason for her to try to predict it all, what use would it have? She used the previous four days to collect information to formulate her strategy, the less information she has, the less accurate her strategy would be. Also now Lucy's fate depends on this battle, the previous days there wasn't really much pressure on her to be actively involved in the matter. So making the comment "why didn't she use it before" is nothing more than simply ill-will from your part.
Secondly the reason as why they had to wait was already stated: they had to be calm. If they would rush into the battle to eager, then the strategy could very well fail even before it could start. By waiting they could anticipate the movements of the other guilds and as such increasing the change of their strategy succeeding. Also it could be considered a psychological move as why didn't Rufus just attacked them instantly when they started? He knew where they were, still he waited till they started to move before attacking. Also don't forget FT was the primary target of the other guilds, so waiting till they first eliminating each other and then go in for the kill isn't that of an unusual tactic.
Either way this is FT, it was never a complicated manga. Stuff like this happens all the time and that's one of the reasons FT has charmed so many people: due to it's simplicity. So really stop with those negative comments each week as if that's the only thing you can do, why are even reading the manga? Seriously.
Yeah, me too. Also why did she say 'thieves'? Because they were 'stealing' their prisoners? ~_~
Not to mention Mirajane, Tigerlily, Happy and Charle all have the ability to fly and Wendy & Natsu together can pack quite the punch. So they could just fly somewhere and/or blow a hole in something to escape.
Why do you even care if I have another opinion than you have, it's not like I post every week check my latest posts and their dates then you know that what you're saying isn't true.
They had to be calm.. yeah like those 3 minutes are going to make a difference. the main goal is winning this round as a fail safe in case Natsu doesn't succeed. Payback vs. Sabertooth would be a nice bonus.
By waiting they gave all the points of Mermaid heel and Quatro Puppy to their opponents for free. Now that the easy guys are out they have to catch up by beating the tough guys.
Even IF FT would've run into stronger opponents in the process that would've been the case anyway. In fact Mavis' strategy forces them to take down most of the stronger ones without losing too much of their own.
After all the rounds in the tournament, the humiliation of Raven Tail by Laxus, Erza and that monster tower, Natsu vs the two dragon slayers alone, do you really think the other guilds would be coming for fairy tail first ? If the other guilds have been watching the tournament then they wouldn't maken FT their primary target, those are the guys you want to fight last.
What would be the difference if Rufus fired his magic right from the bat or after those few minutes that FT sttod by idle, Mavis already told them it was coming so if he fired it at the start then they would've dodged it as well.
Why didn't Rufus target the members of Mermaid Heel, Quartro Puppy and Blue Pegasus, with the exeption of Bacchus and Kagura I think those would've been sure hits and points.
With the same ease as Kagura/Sting/Jura and all the others took out the weaklings Fairy Tail could've done the same. At the end of this chapter they would be in first place pretty solid and it wouldn't even matter if they lose some of the fights anymore.
Before you say that it would result in bad match ups for FT, Mavis could've given them global directions of places to avoid or where to go to.
