http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_XBujSMz_I
People should watch this, I feel it's fairly relevant to this thread.
As for whether 'netdecking' is good/bad for the game, I would propose it's neither. It's simply a part of the game, and neither hurts nor particularly benefits the game.
The truth is, some cards are better than others. Some combinations of cards are better than others. Most good players will ultimately discover those combos. Some not-as-good players won't, but will hear about them from others and will build those decks. Some of those people won't be able to build a good list so they will just copy someone else's. Then sometimes, some good player somewhere will discover a combo that people didn't notice before, and they will do well. Then everyone will copy them. There's nothing wrong with that, that's how competition works.
This basically happens in any competitive game anywhere. In football, basketball, hockey, soccer - in ANY sport - there are sets of strategies that everyone uses. Sometimes people will discover something new that work; then everyone else copies it. That's how competition works. If people ever don't recognize the power of a new or unique strategy, or refuse to even considering using those strategies, they won't succeed. That's how competition works.
Or maybe look at video games, let's say Smash Bros. There are certain characters that are better than others. There are certain strategies that are better than others. If you don't use those characters/strategies, you are giving up a competitive advantage and are gimping yourself. Sometimes people will discover some new strategy, or will realize the power of a character people didn't notice before. Then everyone copies them. That's how competition works.
Heck, even look outside of games and sports. Let's say, advertising. There are certain things that just 'work' in advertising, and everyone does those things. Then sometimes someone will do something new that works, and then everyone copies it. If they didn't, they'd be giving up any competitive advantage and they'd fall behind. That's how it works.
Now, I'm not saying creativity is bad; in fact, a good rogue can ruin face, as Pooka mentions in that video I posted. A good tech that no one has thought of can also really help you. There is a LOT of room for creativity in the TCG, even outside of deck building. But even then, some ideas just don't work. Pidgeot, for example. It isn't good, particularly not now. Just because you like it Vaporeon, doesn't mean you will win with it. If you want to win, come up with a rogue idea that DOES work in the format, or play meta. Be creative with you build and tech, not necessarily the specific deck you play.
People should watch this, I feel it's fairly relevant to this thread.
As for whether 'netdecking' is good/bad for the game, I would propose it's neither. It's simply a part of the game, and neither hurts nor particularly benefits the game.
The truth is, some cards are better than others. Some combinations of cards are better than others. Most good players will ultimately discover those combos. Some not-as-good players won't, but will hear about them from others and will build those decks. Some of those people won't be able to build a good list so they will just copy someone else's. Then sometimes, some good player somewhere will discover a combo that people didn't notice before, and they will do well. Then everyone will copy them. There's nothing wrong with that, that's how competition works.
This basically happens in any competitive game anywhere. In football, basketball, hockey, soccer - in ANY sport - there are sets of strategies that everyone uses. Sometimes people will discover something new that work; then everyone else copies it. That's how competition works. If people ever don't recognize the power of a new or unique strategy, or refuse to even considering using those strategies, they won't succeed. That's how competition works.
Or maybe look at video games, let's say Smash Bros. There are certain characters that are better than others. There are certain strategies that are better than others. If you don't use those characters/strategies, you are giving up a competitive advantage and are gimping yourself. Sometimes people will discover some new strategy, or will realize the power of a character people didn't notice before. Then everyone copies them. That's how competition works.
Heck, even look outside of games and sports. Let's say, advertising. There are certain things that just 'work' in advertising, and everyone does those things. Then sometimes someone will do something new that works, and then everyone copies it. If they didn't, they'd be giving up any competitive advantage and they'd fall behind. That's how it works.
Now, I'm not saying creativity is bad; in fact, a good rogue can ruin face, as Pooka mentions in that video I posted. A good tech that no one has thought of can also really help you. There is a LOT of room for creativity in the TCG, even outside of deck building. But even then, some ideas just don't work. Pidgeot, for example. It isn't good, particularly not now. Just because you like it Vaporeon, doesn't mean you will win with it. If you want to win, come up with a rogue idea that DOES work in the format, or play meta. Be creative with you build and tech, not necessarily the specific deck you play.
