New ranking method

[toxictaipan]

I guess the biggest question I have is this.

If you (players complaining about Donk losses) went first and had the opportunity to donk the opp, would you take it? Or would you feel bad about a 'cheap win' and play it out?

Would it matter what level the event - say a BR vs. top 2 @ Worlds?

Now, answer honestly.

The obvious answer to all of those questions is, "Yes."

Here's the only question that matters when it comes to donking: Is donking healthy for the game?

I'd say no. If the outcome of a game was meant to be determined in only a few turns, we wouldn't have 6 prize cards to draw. I don't know how they do they Pokemanz in Japan, but here in America, we play with 6 prize cards. The game isn't supposed to be so blindingly quick. I understand the format is different in Japan and they have extremely packed venues and whatever, but they already cut cards from the American sets. So how about strategically cutting the cards that cater to Japan's speed-reliant format and actually letting us sit down and play a game of Pokemon? I don't know about you, but sitting down for 3 minutes just to get donked in one turn isn't very fun for me. Doesn't seem fair that I have to go through that just because Japan needs quick games.

 

[AdrianIsBack]

Why all the arguement over donking all of the sudden? This has been part of the game for years, everyone understands that sometimes it just happens, and yes while it does suck to get donked. It is simply part of the game an aspect of the game. It sucks getting trainer locked, it also sucks starting with a pokemon and 6 energys or some other useless combination of cards in hand. So should we change the rule for when players have bad hands? Should they be allowed to search their deck for any card they want to help balance that unlucky situation? Of course not. Dont fix something that has nothing wrong with it. Donking is part of the game, and we all know there is a luck factor and this is part of it.

 

[Top Cut Comics]

Below you will find my solution to offset donks....

This idea would also allow more table time even if you took a T1 KO.

Currently the rule book states…..

You win the game if any one or more of these things occur:
• You collect all of your Prize cards (collect Prize cards as your opponent’s Pokémon are Knocked Out).
• Knock Out your opponent’s last Pokémon in play.
• Your opponent is out of cards in his or her deck, when he or she goes to draw a card at the beginning of the turn.

Let’s take a look at the second bullet point. It is saying, if you cannot promote another pokemon from your bench into the active spot at the beginning of your turn, you lose the game. This is where I think we are being limited. Other games allow you to continue playing with no cards on the field and I believe it could also work here.

Here is the ruling change I would suggest to help the game.

You win the game if any one or more of these things occur:
• You collect all of your Prize cards (collect Prize cards as your opponent’s Pokémon are Knocked Out).
• Your opponent does not have an active Pokemon at the end of their turn.
• Your opponent is out of cards in his or her deck, when he or she goes to draw a card at the beginning of the turn.

Seems like a simple fix to increase playing time for all involved. This would allow new players to compete with experienced players without having a game decided by the opening coin flip. All the current rules would remain the same. No need to alter the current trainer rules, as now player one would get a chance to play the game. This is what we are looking for after all. This rule could apply throughout the entire game. Think of the options this would bring to building decks. What a fun time it would become.

So with a rule change, I have thought about how it would affect the game as a whole. There are certainly some questions that would arise with a change of that nature. I will list the ones I thought of and would be willing to talk through some I did not think about.

First, If I have no pokemon in play at the beginning of my turn and I play a Pokemon Collector. Does one of the pokemon go DIRECTLY into the active or on the bench then promoted?

Now I am not a part of the rules team, But, I think I could handle this one…. I would have to say benching your poke FIRST would be required in order to PROMOTE it active. This would allow coming into play powers to activate prior to having it become your active.

Lastly, If my opponent does not promote a pokemon and ends his turn, what happens??? YOU WIN!!!

Let’s face it, if player 2 takes a KO turn one, he/she is still facing a huge uphill battle. But at least it’s a battle!!! Table time increase the overall enjoyment of the game. It would also encourage people to practice, scout, and get creative with their deck choices. I want to make something very clear here…. I do not intend this to be a bashing session for players who run auto-pilot decks. There is no bashing anyone for wanting to win. It has been proven that these style of decks win tournament. Why not run them???

Jimmy

 

[yoyofsho16]

Building something like uxie donk really take no skill, Ive build mine in like 10 minutes and it worke perfectly and playing it is, well, you gotta do it a few times so you notice some things but afterwards its autopilot because its always the same

But it's risky... I mean you run into a bunch of basics and you're pretty screwed. Or, run into a Spiritomb and you're sorta screwed. It's a risky deck to play, so I feel like things are balanced. Playing it is a meta choice, punishing people for not playing more basics/Call Energy. I mean you have to take donks into account before running cards like Unown Q. By playing that card, you risk a really bad start, so I mean you COULD have prevented an Uxie donk by eliminating the card and therefore any chance at starting with a 30 HP basic. It's a meta deck like anything else would be.

 

[Box of Fail]

This system will lead people to play fewer basics, more unown qs, and fewer basic search cards, knowing that the donks will barely scratch their point totals. Ultimately, more people will get donked.

A donk is a win like any other. We all moan and groan about it, but donking is good for the game in at least three ways (and I can find more if necessary):

1. It allows new players with Machamp decks to feel good about beating worlds players, and ensures that top cut is not strictly determined by who 'deserves' to be in it.

2. It punishes players for playing certain top decks such as Gyarados, and rewards people for playing SP

3. It adds to the stress of an event, especially a big one. While an announcer is describing the rules, at least one player will be practically having a heart attack over a possible donk.