Subject: In The Dojo's Defense Date: Fri, 8 May 1998 10:52:36 CST6CDT From: "Dequan A. Watson" To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com Ok guys, here's the deal. First of all, any of you that have a problem with the Dojo need to talk to Frank ( yeah Frank, the guy that runs this Dojo joint). I'm sure many you have neve taken the opportunity to meet the guy. He is very open minded and really likes the game. i can personally assure you that he is in no way trying to destroy it. Frank's a great guy. People, you have to open your minds and quit taking The Dojo at face value. Sure they post decks and tournament reports. You can use those for whatever you want. personally use it for research. Yeah, I have gotten an idea or two rom the dojo when looking for a deck to play, but that is not all that is on the Dojo if you have looked lately. He has a section dedicated to other magic related websites, current issues people are posting about, deck ideas being tested, even notices for current upcoming tournament and much more. Have any of you actually taken time to write to any of the people that have posted deck reports or tourney reports ? I have. I think everyone needs to. Why? Because that is how you really learn about the deck. Anyone who knows from IRC ( PowrDragn is my nick there usually), knows that I have gone crazy looking for a person e-mail address trying to get a hole of them to ask them about a deck before they have even posted. I have written to several that have as well. I usually ask more about what type of deck they were prepared for and what the general field and playing style is there. If I find a similar field that they played against, then sure, I might play the deck. The bottom line is this: Why copy a deck from some one that played in Funktown,MD where everyone plays nothing but black and green beatdown when you live in Whatchacallit,TX where everyone plays blue control or prosbloom ? Get it? If you are just looking on the Dojo for decks you are only hurting yourself and helping everyone else. Remember the title? Decks to BEAT ( BEAT , as in the one definition meaning to overcome or defeat). Not Decks to PLAY. It's like people used to tell me growing up, you can only get out of something what you put into it. I actually listened to them and think they re serious. If you just log onto your computer and go straight to the dojo, copy a deck and build in the car on they way to the tournament, don't be upset with your results. The reports are there for a reason. It's a REPORT. READ IT!!!!! I think people just need to stop doggin' Frank. I think he has done nothing but advance the game. How many of you have been in the following tournament scenario? : Randomite: Man, this worked so well last night against my friends and you just crushed it :( Me: Dude, I have seen a deck similar to it on a website I go to a lot. Randomite: really? Me: Yes Then a take a pencil give them my e-mail address and the address to Frank's place, I mean The Dojo :) It has done more to make magic fun and competitive than hurt the game. Geez, now that I think about it, the only people complaining are the ones that want to just walk over people that aren't very good at the game to begin with. I personally try to help better others around me. I do this for two reasons. One: Why play Magic with people that aren't any good ? you get no fun out of it at all. Two: It betters the game. You get the confidence level of everyone else up and they want to go to tournaments and it makes you better. Success encourages success, so if they are opening new ideas and things, that helps you as well, and your game paly I might add. Well, I figured I have rambled enough. If you have something to say about all this, then just e-mail me at the following address DuQeR@aol.com thanx DeQuan Watson P.S. I hope I get to meet you in person someday Frank. You really seem like a nice guy all around form our internet conversations and seem like you are really enjoying Magic. Keep up the good work. And then DeQuan step forth......hrm....still no reaction :(