What I'm thinking is that along with all the Stadium Challenges and stuff (everything Vince, Vergel, and Chad have said, I double), there needs to be a tournament that is actually focused on the new players. JAA's brought like a bajillion kids into our league. So, lets say we make something similar to a JAA, that goes on for 5-6 hours, running little 8 man tournaments only for new walk ins (similar to the way pick up tournaments were run at Nat's [which I also dominated]). They could all be given theme decks to use, which could then be returned. They win? They get a few packs.
Take all the BR's away, replace them with 20 or so JAA like things (placed in strategic locations for dwindelling player bases), and Bring in more invites via larger scale tournaments such as Stadium Challenges.
There, new players are happy. Veterans are happy.
Very nice suggestion.
I would also like to see an event just for new players.
JAA is what again? I know of Pokemon Rocks America, but I don't remember a JAA. Does it stand for Journey Across America or something?
If Battle Roads are really for new players, then they need to be held more than twice a year. Twice a year isn't going to draw in new players consistently throughout the year.
you don't have a single good thing to say about the event but you still want to win it, rather than leaving the entry-level OP event to the entry-level player? really?
jmho
'mom
Most entry-level players, aka new players, are going to lose to any experienced players. Are we as players supposed to bow out of these events when they come to our area just because they are meant for new players?
I still haven't won a single tournament, minus a CC that was never reported, so why can't I still play in the event?
Many players wouldn't 'bow out' to let entry-level players win an event. Why is that a wrong thing? Why do we have to allow new players to win a tournament when nobody let us win a tournament when we were new?
What will new players gain from the better players not playing? They will get destroyed the next time they play.
Battle Roads serve no purpose in my opinion. They are twice a year, for an entry-level tournament where experienced players win all of them. Very little k-value, so you have to go to 7-10 of them to really make a dent in your quest for an invite, and nobody really plays the promo card given out to winners.
Why even have a k-value on a tournament meant just for new players?
Swap out Victory Medal for an actual good card, like a Lv.X-bordered Cynthia's Feelings or something.
Modify the tournament in some way that it actually serves some use, because right now I don't feel it serves a purpose that is special to just it.
edit:
I also feel that many bigger tournaments should have a separate area just to learn the game. We have so many events throughout the year, and only 2-3 of them are new player friendly. Heck, go to a Battle Road, and you won't find an area to learn the game. You'll be expected to learn the game.
The game needs a learning station at every championship tournament in my opinion. In my short history judging for this game, 2-3 years now, I've encountered a few new players at Pre-Releases and City Championships that have had no idea how to play the game. Some of these people come from areas where there is no Pokemon League, or they know of none in their area. These people need a place where they can learn how to play the game that day. We can't expect them to go home, open up the rulebook and learn the game on their own.
Look at Japanese tournaments. I've seen pictures of many. Many of their tournaments have 3 areas. A learning area, a free play area, and a tournament area. I think this is a great structure. Regardless of who you are, there is an area just for you. If you know NOTHING about the game, you can go learn how to play it in the learning area. If you know how to play, but really just started, the free play area is better for you. If you've been playing for a while and think you have what it takes to do well, the tournament area is for you.
At our tournaments, we have 1 zone, the tournament zone. If you don't know how to play, sorry, go find a league, or a judge will sit with you the entire tournament helping you (which really is a waste of resources, judge being resources). If you have just played a little bit, you will get destroyed in regular battle with experienced players. Too many players walk away with a bad idea of the game because they get destroyed at a tournament. Our tournaments only cater to the experienced players, and yet we call tournaments like Battle Roads entry-level?
Battle Roads aren't entry-level. You have to know how to play. You have to have a complete deck of legal modified cards. Even then, you will most likely lose all your games to the experienced players in your area or those that do travel to multiple battle roads. My friend KingGengar went to 7 battle roads this spring. The TN/NC/SC area has some FANTASTIC PTOs that put on many events throught the year. To think that any of the Battle Roads would be empty of experienced players is a ridiculous thought.
The game is growing. Every year it grows. What tournaments we had 6 years ago might not be good now. We've seen that with the removal of Gym and Stadium Challenges. I think it might be time for a change once more.
