namely, tactics and the desire to "let the NPCs suck up just so that one of the players wins"
I don't have such motivation. I saw the neutrals as nothing but a threat to the team, and I agreed several days ago that they shouldn't have been brought out.
It's ironic, of course, that the main rage-fest isn't happening because one player cut off another, but... because the players are too principled and loyal to the alliance. 😁