Subject: RE: Stop Printing Decklists
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 12:33:37 -0400
From: Jeff Fitch <phitch@hotmail.com>
To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com

    In the article Stop Printing Decklists Dorian Anders, makes some
very valid observations about the effect of printing decks in a whole
format. I see Dorian's point, but I disagree. I disagree, because right
now there are at least a dozen sites anyone with a computer and an
internet connection can go to to obtain information on any deck they
want. These sites include Library of Dominia, MTGPost, Crypt Magazine,
Vault Magazine, and so on. These are well established sites.
    The problem is that The Dojo just happens to be the most popular.
Personally, I don't copy decks straight off the dojo, I can't afford to,
but I like to look. I also like to know that people may take the time to
look at my decks, and give me feedback, on any ideas they may have. I
build good solid decks and I build decks that are awkward and hard to
understand.
    I like to post decks on The Dojo because I feel that there are some
people out there who may look at these decks, see a combonation of
cards, and something will click inspiring them to build the next great
Tourney deck.
    The problem with taking down or just not putting up whold decks is
you miss something. You don't get the insight into what the person was
really thinking when they built the deck. Anyone can write down this: My
deck is based on the Alluren+Man o War+Contemplation combo. Well thats
nice...what else is in this deck, what makes it work? Deck ideas take
shape in the minds of people who want to create a deck.
    The top pro players normally have no problem making a deck up and
then giving it out so other players may see how it works. If people stop
giving out decks, younger less experienced players miss out a lot. Now
instead of getting a deck idea off the Dojo, the go to a Magazine such
as Inquest, Scrye, The Duelist, or which ever one is available in their
country. They take and steal decks from there, and then we get letters
like Dorian's telling those magazines to stop printing Decks. Will they,
No.
    They know what sells, some people just don't know how to build good
decks. For instance take a friend of mine, Scott. Well Scott has been
playing for a while, yet he just can't build decks that win all the
time. He doesn't look on the Dojo that often. (Though he is writing an
article on why he loses) He doesn't care that he loses, Magic is Fun to
him, he enjoys playing the game, and knowing that if he doesn't win, he
can at least be happy he tried.
    I know that has nothing to do with the arguement but in a way it
does. Scott also enjoys it immensly when he does win. Now what if he
wants to go to tournament...he doesn't know how to build a type 2 deck,
he has an idea but needs a push. The Dojo can help him, hecan look at
someone elses deck and say, hey I can build a deck similar to that.
After a while, he will play it and understand how it works, he will want
to learn more about type 2 decks, and eventually build his own top notch
type 2 decks.
    This is why you muct keep putting up decklists, if you stop how will
people learn how to build decks, of quality like the pro's. Should we go
back to building decks based around hopefully getting out 1 of million
combo's. Decks are a part of magic itself, take them away and you have
nothing left.

Jeff Fitch
"I used to believe in things when I was your age." -Homer Simpson