DarthPika's Guide to Becoming a Better Player. Pt.1 Basic Concepts and Strategy
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ShadowCard
Active Member
Picky picky picky.
Before you think I went through it with a fine-toothed comb, I wasn't looking for spelling and grammar errors because I was focused on content and determining what the article was about. So don't hold me to any such errors I didn't tell you about :wink: . The one section I said could use proofreading caught my attention because it sounded awkward to me. So, "consider rewording" is what I meant when I said to proofread it.
Put yourself in the shoes of a person who has been playing the game for a while. You're not dealing with a new player but instead probably someone who has been playing at league and local tournaments for a year who just can't seem to break 1-X or 2-X. This person knows how to play but has not realized the techniques of playing. What are you telling this player?
Kayle
Active Member
As one of those 'experienced' players, this is what I got out of the article (without going back and looking at it).
When making a deck, you need two things at the absolute core.
- A strategy. It can be as simple as "Get out Tyranitar and do lots of damage" or it can be complex such as "Use Baleful Wind to harass your opponent's hand and use Darkness Send + Poketurns to get your opponent's cards out of their deck until you've rendered them helpless, then clean up with Blaziken FB". However you swing it, make sure you have a strategy and know it.
- Cards that will set up your strategy consistently (Claydol/Uxie/Bebe's/Roseanne's, in this format).
When playing, you need to know the field intimately. You should know every card in your hand, you should know who has energies and why, you should probably have an idea what your opponent has in their hand (if they use search cards), etc. You should know the capability of all the cards in your deck.
Those are the key points I got from it; I knew the bit about deckmaking and I had an idea of needing to survey the field, though I loved his showing-not-telling and that'll probably really help in the future.
When making a deck, you need two things at the absolute core.
- A strategy. It can be as simple as "Get out Tyranitar and do lots of damage" or it can be complex such as "Use Baleful Wind to harass your opponent's hand and use Darkness Send + Poketurns to get your opponent's cards out of their deck until you've rendered them helpless, then clean up with Blaziken FB". However you swing it, make sure you have a strategy and know it.
- Cards that will set up your strategy consistently (Claydol/Uxie/Bebe's/Roseanne's, in this format).
When playing, you need to know the field intimately. You should know every card in your hand, you should know who has energies and why, you should probably have an idea what your opponent has in their hand (if they use search cards), etc. You should know the capability of all the cards in your deck.
Those are the key points I got from it; I knew the bit about deckmaking and I had an idea of needing to survey the field, though I loved his showing-not-telling and that'll probably really help in the future.
ShadowCard
Active Member
Kayle, I don't mean to test your knowledge of the article, but only one of the cards that you mentioned, that is Uxie, is discussed in the article. Did you actually learn those points and examples from the article or are you filling in blanks left by the article?
ShadowCard said:
ShadowCard, for what it's worth, I too thought the contribution could have used a bit of revision. However, I think you're being overly critical with an article that looks like it can help a lot of players out there. Whether or not this article was perfect, I think this is something that a lot of players need to hear. I know you're offering your criticism, but I'm personally just glad to see an article like this make its way to the Front Page for beginning players. Besides, I think this provides a good foundation from which Darth can build a great series of articles. This doesn't look like the place to explain how and when to play a Warp Point or what key cards every deck should have (isn't there already an article for that?), and I don't really mind the links - at least he put some.
All I'm saying is that it looks like Darth didn't have all the time in the world to make this article perfect, but he's bringing something new to the table that is beneficial for many players, and he did it in time for CC's. I applaud him for his honesty, his will to help, and his ideas, not his misuse of the word "to."
Kayle
Active Member
The strategy examples were just that. Examples.
I was filling in blanks myself, however, I think it's actually better to leave deciding what cards are good up to the player. Telling people that Bebe's and Roseanne's are staple supporters doesn't teach them the game, it just teaches them the format - which wasn't the goal of the article...
I was filling in blanks myself, however, I think it's actually better to leave deciding what cards are good up to the player. Telling people that Bebe's and Roseanne's are staple supporters doesn't teach them the game, it just teaches them the format - which wasn't the goal of the article...
DarthPika
New Member
Tim,
I wanted to get this article up before CCs, even if it was a bit unfinished. Also, please keep in mind that this is pretty much a summary of the topics that I will cover in the articles yet to come. If I didn't go very far in depth on something(such as consistency), it's because I don't want to spend a lot of time on that one topic in THIS article. I simply wanted this article to be the one to cover the basics, and keep them basics. I did go a little more in depth on topics that I think people should start applying to thier play styles as soon as possible, but I'm not going to spend half the article going over deck building when there are many others that are available. That being said, I do plan on one article covering deck building/consistency/etc... I just felt that it deserved it's own article, since it's such a compicated process, and I really wanted to make sure that ever possible aspect of it is covered.
I'll probably fix up this article a little as well when I have the time. I know it's not perfect, but it's certainly more of a help to someone than it would be if I put it up after CC's have already started. By having it out now, people can start learning how to play better at CC's and have better chances of winning, instead of doing badly and then reading how they could have done better, wishing that they had seen this sooner.
I wanted to get this article up before CCs, even if it was a bit unfinished. Also, please keep in mind that this is pretty much a summary of the topics that I will cover in the articles yet to come. If I didn't go very far in depth on something(such as consistency), it's because I don't want to spend a lot of time on that one topic in THIS article. I simply wanted this article to be the one to cover the basics, and keep them basics. I did go a little more in depth on topics that I think people should start applying to thier play styles as soon as possible, but I'm not going to spend half the article going over deck building when there are many others that are available. That being said, I do plan on one article covering deck building/consistency/etc... I just felt that it deserved it's own article, since it's such a compicated process, and I really wanted to make sure that ever possible aspect of it is covered.
I'll probably fix up this article a little as well when I have the time. I know it's not perfect, but it's certainly more of a help to someone than it would be if I put it up after CC's have already started. By having it out now, people can start learning how to play better at CC's and have better chances of winning, instead of doing badly and then reading how they could have done better, wishing that they had seen this sooner.
thelastgym
New Member
good thread
im getting back into it after quiting for like 2 months lol
i finnally figured out that im the only good senior left in my division and i dont become a master till nect year
so im goin to try to go to worlds this year lol
im getting back into it after quiting for like 2 months lol
i finnally figured out that im the only good senior left in my division and i dont become a master till nect year
so im goin to try to go to worlds this year lol
ShadowCard
Active Member
Note that I never said that this is a bad article. I said it is average and can definitely be improved. Average articles will be helpful to players both new and experienced. Whether or not the article is better than average needs to be a different set of standards: examples, explanations, strong points, positive use of quotes and links. What kind of quality are front page articles held to? Is average enough? Should this article have been placed into the Strategies board first to get ideas about how to better it?
There was a rush to get this out before CCs, okay, but don't throw up random pictures and not tell why they are there, don't leave me wondering why there are no examples of consistency and use of logic (which DarthPika later explains it).
DarthPika, you addressed my criticism very maturely and explained where my expectations and your intentions did not meet. Like I said above, that is the kind of thing you address in an introduction. You don't write reports without an introduction for class, do you? :wink: I am very impressed with your responses. You already knew what to say--you've said it on page 2 in responses to me--so you just have to use those responses into your articles. Since this is your first article and under the conditions you mentioned (CCs deadline), perfection isn't expected. For later articles, hopefully my comments will help you raise the bar for featured articles :thumb:
EDIT: Adjustment for quotes from a deleted post.
There was a rush to get this out before CCs, okay, but don't throw up random pictures and not tell why they are there, don't leave me wondering why there are no examples of consistency and use of logic (which DarthPika later explains it).
This is great, it explains what the article is going to do. It should be stated in the article's first section. Knowing now what you have said on page 2, I know what to expect from this article. The article is basically missing its introduction. DarthPika, add what you said here as an introduction :thumb:
That is excellent. Make sure you include what you said here in this article. :thumb:
DarthPika, you addressed my criticism very maturely and explained where my expectations and your intentions did not meet. Like I said above, that is the kind of thing you address in an introduction. You don't write reports without an introduction for class, do you? :wink: I am very impressed with your responses. You already knew what to say--you've said it on page 2 in responses to me--so you just have to use those responses into your articles. Since this is your first article and under the conditions you mentioned (CCs deadline), perfection isn't expected. For later articles, hopefully my comments will help you raise the bar for featured articles :thumb:
EDIT: Adjustment for quotes from a deleted post.
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spazcrackers
New Member
One of the most informative and useful articles I've ever seen on here. This is a great learning tool for beginning and intermediate players;I look forward to your future articles!
-spaz
-spaz
pokemonforever
New Member
The only thing I enjoyed more than this article was reading the comments that ShadowCard made. Honestly, if I didn't see that, I would have felt as if I was in a different dimension.
All in all, well done. I am surprised to find that you wrote an article. Quite impressive. I hope over time you revise this prior to and after City Championships. ShadowCard does make several good critiques particularly on the image usage and concepts clarification. But it is sufficient enough to guide players into playing more strategically rather than building randomness.
I suppose what ShadowCard is trying to say, should you need seek editors he's willing to help. And I'm willing to add my inputs to the article as well, even if my strategies are (what I personally consider) outdated.
All in all, well done. I am surprised to find that you wrote an article. Quite impressive. I hope over time you revise this prior to and after City Championships. ShadowCard does make several good critiques particularly on the image usage and concepts clarification. But it is sufficient enough to guide players into playing more strategically rather than building randomness.
I suppose what ShadowCard is trying to say, should you need seek editors he's willing to help. And I'm willing to add my inputs to the article as well, even if my strategies are (what I personally consider) outdated.
mud mud mudkip
New Member
one of my friends got 3rd in worlds and he should of been in top 2
This is a great article for both beginners and seasoned players! Too many times players get caught up in their own deck and do no realize how important it is to react to what your opponent is doing - like half-time adjustments during a football game!
Luxray GL has been teched into many decks with its Bright Look power and Flash Impact attack. I have seen it used effectively with PL Manectric in several deck structures. Perhaps this is a sign that the Fighting Decks need a revival?
Thanks for taking the time to share!
Luxray GL has been teched into many decks with its Bright Look power and Flash Impact attack. I have seen it used effectively with PL Manectric in several deck structures. Perhaps this is a sign that the Fighting Decks need a revival?
Thanks for taking the time to share!
DarthPika
New Member
*Update on future articles*
I still want to write more articles like this one, explaining more advanced aspects of the game. However, I've been extremely busy lately and haven't really had much time to play pokemon. Since I really don't feel like I'm at the top of my game right now, I hardly feel qualified to talk about in depth strategies until I take the time to brush up on some of the finer points of this game.
I can't guarantee that I'll be able to complete anymore articles anytime soon, but I'll definitely try to get another one out before CC's start. I'm thinking that I might ask the mods if I can run a poll to see what kind of article people would find the most helpful.
I still want to write more articles like this one, explaining more advanced aspects of the game. However, I've been extremely busy lately and haven't really had much time to play pokemon. Since I really don't feel like I'm at the top of my game right now, I hardly feel qualified to talk about in depth strategies until I take the time to brush up on some of the finer points of this game.
I can't guarantee that I'll be able to complete anymore articles anytime soon, but I'll definitely try to get another one out before CC's start. I'm thinking that I might ask the mods if I can run a poll to see what kind of article people would find the most helpful.
DarthPika
New Member
*Small update*
I've been unable to do much of anything non college related for the past semester (applying to 4yr colleges is hell for music comp majors...), so I haven't really had time to work on any more articles. I still hope to write them, but they will probably won't be out for a while, as I need to catch up on what's going on in the game. Just a bit rusty after not having played since last spring.
Hope you all have a good CC season!
I've been unable to do much of anything non college related for the past semester (applying to 4yr colleges is hell for music comp majors...), so I haven't really had time to work on any more articles. I still hope to write them, but they will probably won't be out for a while, as I need to catch up on what's going on in the game. Just a bit rusty after not having played since last spring.
Hope you all have a good CC season!
Guys, this is enough. We don't need comments like this from the peanut gallery. This topic has gone completely off track, and is becoming nothing but flames. We will not hesitate to hand out points if needed.
i've deleted *25* posts which were originally between this one and darthpika's update post.
since this has completely degenerated and is hopelessly off-topic...locking.
darthpika: when you write a new article, please link back to this one for reference.
'mom
since this has completely degenerated and is hopelessly off-topic...locking.
darthpika: when you write a new article, please link back to this one for reference.
'mom
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EeveeLover
Member Services Administrator
Just as a side note...
And people wonder why members are not willing to waste their time writing articles in the attempt to help others out.
Geez...
And people wonder why members are not willing to waste their time writing articles in the attempt to help others out.
Geez...
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