Board Game Arena

what appened? Why was the auction deleted in Arena mode? In a competitive way it is essential, now a big part of the game is in the hands of the fortuity

I 1000% (!!!) agree.
Without Auction mode there is absolutely no fun in playing any Barrage game in Arena mode. At least for me it's no point in playing a game - at least once I am beyond the beginner's stage (and Arena is for sure not a mode for beginners!!!) - if I know already before I've even played my 1st turn that I will for sure loose the game due to a subpar XO/countryboard combo, that could not be compensated by paying auction-VPs for it.

Whoever came up with this idea imho has clearly never played Barrage on an above average (i.e. competitive) level.

I will skip this season and hope that next season will see a return of the auction mode.

where do i find the rules for the auction

Pretty sure the gurus decide what the rule set is for arena mode, so if you'd like to see auctions again, your best bet is to play enough to reach guru status so you can vote at season's end.