raw19
Active Member
I do remember. [Life-Story Alert] I remember when I first got started on Pokemon. It was around the same time I first started going to Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournaments at a card shop I'd found out about at College. I noticed people were playing Pokemon TCG and I remembered collecting the cards back in High-School, though never actually PLAYING the game.
I didn't have a lot of money back then to buy random booster-packs, so I would buy theme-decks to play with. Even back then, I noticed things, That my deck had too much energy and too many basic pokemon, some of which weren't very useful at all. So I would buy or trade cards that looked good and put them in my deck to make it better. I thought to myself, "This card has a really nice effect and seems like it'd fit the theme of the deck. I'll try it out."
I entered them in random League Tournies, but didn't do too horribly well. I would wonder where I was going wrong and then I would hear things, off-offhandedly, like how having a high number of supporters in one's deck was a good idea, as 'Draw Power and search is always good'. Little things like this would get my attention and I would take this advice; which ultimately improved my gameplay. My advice didn't always come from a 'Prime and Trustworthy' source, but when I listened to and actually took advice it was nearly always because someone had said exactly what was good and explained why it was good, and when I thought about it it made total sense to me.
Not just then. I'm not a Pro by any lengths, but I'm competitive and far from a newbie to this game. Everything you mentioned is STILL fun to me and take precedence in a LOT of my decks. In my opinion, consistency is fun, makes sense, and wins games. But, it also makes you a lot more predictable, making it easier for your moves to be countered. But, if your deck contains a bit of a luck factor, to the point where even you don't know how things will turn out most of the time, then it's almost easier and certainly more fun when you get an edge against your rival from a great topdeck or a lucky coinflip.
IMO playing the same way the Top players play, using all the same strategies and cards the Top players use, may net you more prizes and win you more games, but it won't necessarily increase your overall fun and enjoyment in the game. Some enjoy being random and unpredictable and being severely non-competitive when they play. I feel one should play the game in the manner they most enjoy, and shouldn't be, say, belittled or looked down upon for not being as cutthroat as the more competitive and Pro players. If you're playing Pokemon, not cheating, and having fun, let it ride.
I don't post a whole lot myself, but that's usually because I can't think of anything to say. I try to speak when I have something to say, like now. It may be me adding in my 2 cents, it may be supporting another's idea, or it may be me giving advice.
Very few people I know enjoy the company or opinions of overly rude people, even if their advice is sound. Age regardless, I find one is more then likely to dismiss the content of something if the presentation left much to be desired, so to speak. I.E:
"This deck idea sucks and everyone who disagrees is a noob. Where's your card draw? How are you getting your energy? What's your counter to this? Take out these jank cards, change the line-up, and then post this again, because right now it';s ridiculous. I know this is a 'Fun' deck, because if you came to a tournament with this I'd so laugh in your face before I stomped you."
Yeah, they're so going to take your advice because you took the time to break everything down, in a nice civilized manner, without making them think they fail at life. I try to be more like so:
"Hmmm, Truth be told, I fear you'd have a hard time fighting against the 'Top Tier' decks with this one, just because they're so much faster. Though, I like this. You may want to exchange Cheerleader's Cheer for Looker's Investigation, since it not only lets you draw more cards overall but it'll work well with..."
Civil, helpful, and to the point without making them automatically defensive. 9 times out of 10 at least. It shouldn't be that serious that one feels the need to snub and dismiss, and personally, I like to comb through the first few pages of the Deck Help section, find the threads there with slim to none replies, and give what advice I can. People post there for help (often enough) and it makes no sense to ignore them if one's decently knowledgeable of the subject. No one likes to be ignored. I haven't gotten any infractions in such things yet, though I do admit that some mods are a bit strict. I've gotten a few infractions on things that I felt merited a friendly reminder at worst.
I'd beg to differ. For me, half the fun of going to a big event is because it's so big. The more the merrier I say. If 9 out of 10 are playing the exact same thing then it gets quite tedious, but otherwise I hope more people learn to play and show up, to keep things as diverse and interesting as possible. Especially if they're quality. People come and go all the time, so I think a never-ending stream of quality players is mos def a good idea.
If you take anything from post/rant then take this. I don't really think a sub-forum for 'adults' only is necessary, nor do I think we should straight-up ban Seniors/Juniors/Noobs from posting. Nor should we outright hate those in charge.
I feel 3 things:
- The Mods should pause, think-twice, and decide if this post/member REALLY deserves an infraction for what he just did/said, and/or if this thread is REALLY off-topic in a way that a meaning-full and relevant discussion isn't still being made, albeit if it now only loosely reflects the threads title. One can easily follow the spirit of the law, even if it's not to a 'T'.
- The kids were here first and this game was made for them first, so let's respect that. Rather then silence them in the boards, let them speak! Let them get it all off their chest! But, if you're more knowledgeable of the subject at hand, then make it obvious without being off-putting. I.E., look at someone's deck-list and offer suggestions, letting them know EXACTLY why you are saying they should add/remove something, so that even a day 1 player can look at the post and think, "that makes perfect sense! I understand!" ..........Without being snide, sarcastic, and impatient about it. It should really only take a few extra minutes of one's time.
- When the Mod's see a truly engaging, thought-provoking thread or article, assuming they already don't, they should sticky it and make it stand out. Even if it's something that seems silly, if it makes one stop, sit, and really think about it, it should be easy to notice and view. That way the more new players can easily tell who it is around here that actually knows what they're talking about and they'll know exactly who it is to listen to in the future, should said people happen to post in their threads.
Just my opinion, for now. And, at risk of infractions for inside jokes, I now return you to your regularly scheduled program. :redface:
