Inflexibility, Rigidity And All That.

[The_Dark_Monarch]

Aaahhh...the Article Archive Forum. The last bastion of 'let's whine about the game and call it an 'Article' place left on Pojo. :)

Today, I want to talk about the inflexibility of playstyles, attitudes and the tendency towards 'over-reaction' in this game.

I have wanted to make this thread for a while now, but what finally spurred me into doing so, was reading the 'Tier List Prediction' threads in the Vet's Strategy Forum. A decision I am still regretting.

Whenever I see these kinds of threads, my immediate thought is: "we are only one day into a new format and already the hyping up begins".
Some people don't feel comfy unless the deck they are playing has a 'player's rating' attached to it, like some kind of electrical appliance.

I also wonder whether all the hype becomes a 'self fulfilling prophecy' after a while. There is no doubt that certain decks are better than others and certain players are more skilled, but where does one 'draw the line' in determining whether Gladiator Beasts will beat X-Sabers will beat Heralds will beat Gladiator Beasts?

From my perspective, it looks like certain Vets are becoming frustrated because they don't know what to run until such times as somebody wins a YCS/Regional giving them something to netdeck and a reason to go 'I told you so'. Meanwhile, all the quibbling over 'what is Tier 1, 2 & 3 under the new list' would be mildly amusing if it wasn't so damn pathetic.

I mean, far be it for me to go 'Tiers are for qweers....build something different and try it out for a while...' but that would rely on the huge assumption that certain Veterans are flexible in their way of thinking and approach to the game. Such a 'leap of faith' would ultimately result in a barrage of flaming along the lines of 'how can I run anything that has not won something?'

In no way am I advocating 'originality' or trying to tell people to run a sub-standard deck. I am just trying to tell them to use their own brains for once. I am sure that the person who topped a YCS with Heralds the first time did! The game needs more 'pioneers' and less 'settlers'.

This also extends into the Single Card Discussion Forums.
Sometimes, people ask for opinions on cards that are obviously 'sub par' or not very useful. I will be the very first to admit when certain cards don't quite 'make the grade' and say so and/or offer alternatives.

However, you will have those who say 'bad card is bad' and I mean, that's fair enough too...but then, they will not just leave it there...they will inevitably tell you how only noobs use it (or nobody does), how the card hasn't seen any play for years, how people deserve to lose if they run it, how the Opening Poster is an 'idiot' and re-iterate their initial opinion with 'yeah, the card is garbage'. I mean c'mon, how much worse than 'the card is bad' can one possibly get?

Anyway, my PC is about to freeze again, so I will end my little chat right here.

[Archiecomics12]

I totally agree man

[sxiphil]

"we are only one day into a new format and already the hyping up begins"

It's worse/better than that; it's been happening since before the list was confirmed. I usually shy away from the frequent "deck pimping" on the forums (around the ban list, new releases and in-between too); because of my waning interest in the game - and the point that almost no one really knows just how the game is going to pan out.

Good decks will stand out from the chaff as they always do (through proving themselves in large tournaments), and not though an online discussion board - where, lets face it, nobody really is 'that' informed, and the large gaps in their knowledge is often glossed over with personal bias, prejudices and assumptions.

[cocy965]

Aaahhh...the Article Archive Forum. The last bastion of 'let's whine about the game and call it an 'Article' place left on Pojo. :)

Today, I want to talk about the inflexibility of playstyles, attitudes and the tendency towards 'over-reaction' in this game.

I have wanted to make this thread for a while now, but what finally spurred me into doing so, was reading the 'Tier List Prediction' threads in the Vet's Strategy Forum. A decision I am still regretting.

Whenever I see these kinds of threads, my immediate thought is: "we are only one day into a new format and already the hyping up begins".
Some people don't feel comfy unless the deck they are playing has a 'player's rating' attached to it, like some kind of electrical appliance.

I also wonder whether all the hype becomes a 'self fulfilling prophecy' after a while. There is no doubt that certain decks are better than others and certain players are more skilled, but where does one 'draw the line' in determining whether Gladiator Beasts will beat X-Sabers will beat Heralds will beat Gladiator Beasts?

From my perspective, it looks like certain Vets are becoming frustrated because they don't know what to run until such times as somebody wins a YCS/Regional giving them something to netdeck and a reason to go 'I told you so'. Meanwhile, all the quibbling over 'what is Tier 1, 2 & 3 under the new list' would be mildly amusing if it wasn't so damn pathetic.

I mean, far be it for me to go 'Tiers are for qweers....build something different and try it out for a while...' but that would rely on the huge assumption that certain Veterans are flexible in their way of thinking and approach to the game. Such a 'leap of faith' would ultimately result in a barrage of flaming along the lines of 'how can I run anything that has not won something?'

In no way am I advocating 'originality' or trying to tell people to run a sub-standard deck. I am just trying to tell them to use their own brains for once. I am sure that the person who topped a YCS with Heralds the first time did! The game needs more 'pioneers' and less 'settlers'.

This also extends into the Single Card Discussion Forums.
Sometimes, people ask for opinions on cards that are obviously 'sub par' or not very useful. I will be the very first to admit when certain cards don't quite 'make the grade' and say so and/or offer alternatives.

However, you will have those who say 'bad card is bad' and I mean, that's fair enough too...but then, they will not just leave it there...they will inevitably tell you how only noobs use it (or nobody does), how the card hasn't seen any play for years, how people deserve to lose if they run it, how the Opening Poster is an 'idiot' and re-iterate their initial opinion with 'yeah, the card is garbage'. I mean c'mon, how much worse than 'the card is bad' can one possibly get?

Anyway, my PC is about to freeze again, so I will end my little chat right here.

just wondering?
but who are you to decide how we should act?

I for one personally pioneer, but if people want to jump on a band wagon cant you please just let them jump?

[The_Dark_Monarch]

just wondering?
but who are you to decide how we should act?

I for one personally pioneer, but if people want to jump on a band wagon cant you please just let them jump?
I am not deciding...I am strongly suggesting. lol
People can do whatever they want.

[GhirraKnight]

I agree 100% with what you said. I myself like to try out ideas but if I want to be a serious competitor, you either pioneer, which takes extensive playtesting and a lot of time or you netdeck. I don't hate netdecking. Playing what wins is a good way to play the game.

I think an important part of the game isn't necessarily what wins as opposed to who is playing the deck. Clearly today's YCS final showed that. Both were X-Sabers, yet Roy was clearly outplayed by Lazaro.

[JohanFortner]

I agree with much of what you say. Well said.

[Slashtap]

You are describing the vast majority but not true veterans.

Every decent player I know correctly predicted that Sabers and Glads would wreck and built intelligently without waiting for YCS results.

[The_Dark_Monarch]

You are describing the vast majority but not true veterans.

Every decent player I know correctly predicted that Sabers and Glads would wreck and built intelligently without waiting for YCS results.

Maybe I have just been reading all the wrong threads then.

I apologise for overgeneralising.

[gigaswornchaos]

monarch when i read your post all i hear is a bakura voice in my head

now on to the important part

you make a very good point i mean we need more creative people in this game unlike herp derp saberz but i myself am trying to build a high monster beat machina fudo build and it looks alright u just have to try things and if it doesnt work you tried

[The_Dark_Monarch]

monarch when i read your post all i hear is a bakura voice in my head

now on to the important part

you make a very good point i mean we need more creative people in this game unlike herp derp saberz but i myself am trying to build a high monster beat machina fudo build and it looks alright u just have to try things and if it doesnt work you tried

Thank you, mate!

Fancy a cuppa tea or a shag?

Bloody hell. I really should stop doing that now. lol

[gigaswornchaos]

Thank you, mate!

Fancy a cuppa tea or a shag?

Bloody hell. I really should stop doing that now. lol

can i have both at the same time 0.0

[Uncle Jinzo]

Good read... as usual. I only hope people really read it before jumping to conclusions... as usual.

Go Dinos! Yay, Juracs!

[romelako]

I don't think anyone is going to change their ways, though. People will continue to ridicule other people for being individualistic and throwing out card ideas that MAY actually work. Their ideas are invalid due to the sheer fact that that specific person didn't win a YCS or top a regionals.

I completely agree with everything stated in this article. This game needs more individualism--not so much netdecking and hopping on the band wagon.

[DavidAre]

Nice read
I think people really like the sense of security that something already proved have and if we add laziness, I don't have anymore to say <_<
The good thing is that one can find people that tries new ideas and goes with their deck tuned to try to win even if the odd are against them

[Starman_Omega]

Amazing article. Hit the nail on the head - this has been on my mind for a while now, so I'm glad some other people think the same way.

I'm honestly tired of getting spurred into running one of the T1 builds at locals, and heck, it's just not fun when they do that, so I end up doing it. Granted, I love playing Quickdraw, but... What really draws me into the game and what I find truly satisfying is winning with my own creation. Being able to apply my deckbuilding, theory-oh! and playstyle skills to find success consistently, and to actually call it mine.

[Uncle Jinzo]

Amazing article. Hit the nail on the head - this has been on my mind for a while now, so I'm glad some other people think the same way.

I'm honestly tired of getting spurred into running one of the T1 builds at locals, and heck, it's just not fun when they do that, so I end up doing it. Granted, I love playing Quickdraw, but... What really draws me into the game and what I find truly satisfying is winning with my own creation. Being able to apply my deckbuilding, theory-oh! and playstyle skills to find success consistently, and to actually call it mine.

100 points to you.

[Titus0]

Nice post. I'm not an advocate of originality (I just like dueling...regardless of the deck), but I agree with your point people trying to figure out the top decks and stuff like that.

What I mean is, if someone wants to play a good or proven deck, then they should just go for it, rather than trying to figure what will be good and building that. If they want to go for Quickdraw, they may as well roll with it. LS not gonna be as good as it used to be? So? If someone enjoys the deck, they may as well stick with it. That's my 2 cents.

[FlamingForce]

I totally agree. This same thing has been on my mind for awhile now and you really hit the nail on the head.

[The_Dark_Monarch]

Nice post. I'm not an advocate of originality (I just like dueling...regardless of the deck), but I agree with your point people trying to figure out the top decks and stuff like that.

What I mean is, if someone wants to play a good or proven deck, then they should just go for it, rather than trying to figure what will be good and building that. If they want to go for Quickdraw, they may as well roll with it. LS not gonna be as good as it used to be? So? If someone enjoys the deck, they may as well stick with it. That's my 2 cents.


Thank you for summing up in two sentences what it took me a whole article to say. lol

I also thank everybody for their comments.

[Titus0]

Thank you for summing up in two sentences what it took me a whole article to say. lol

I also thank everybody for their comments.
Haha, you're welcome.

[KishKosh]

Thank you. Finally someone who thinks right instead of "JEEZUS A NEW CARD CAME OUT LETS RATE IT FROM ONE TO YUGIOOOOOHHH".

Its supposed to be a game of fun not a game of *******g and moaning