I think it's time to start merging shards and change payouts.

I just can't get behind the blank participation reward.

Maybe a compromise :
- each hour becomes a universal payout
- best 2 out of 3 gives you your reward mailed out at personal reset time.
- if no 2 match, rounded down average of the best 3
- rank doesn't count if you did not battle that hour, to avoid going to sleep at 1 and waking up to top rewards.
- keeps competition alive because you still need to battle for the top spot at the top of an hour and more then once.
- maybe go from 5 to 8 battles but for refreshes keep it at 5.