Subject: Re: Stop printing decklists
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 15:14:51 -0500 (EST)
From: "Leonard D. Blado" <BLADOLE@hsdvax.hsd.utc.com>
To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.COM

> I love to read about a new idea for a deck.. gets me thinking.. and
> thinking is good.  But to just be able to copy a complete deck without
> thinking about it, without even needing to play test it..  this is not
> good.  Magic should be a game to stimulate creative thought and
> problem solving skills.  Being able to play a "dojo" deck and win a
> tournament with it, without any thought, playtesting, planning or
> whatever is a very bad thing for the game.

        The problem here is that information wants to be free.  If
Frank doesn't publish deck lists, then someone else will.  Indeed, if
Frank takes the 'moral high ground' here, all he will accomplish is
to diminish the usefulness of the Dojo; after all, the real virtue
of the Dojo is found in the collation of information, not in the
information itself.  Anyone could simply browse the newsgroups and
mailing lists and pick up 90% of the information that appears on
the Dojo.  However, this takes a fair bit of time compared to simply
stopping by the Dojo.

> But the real problem is that the popularity of the Dojo is destroying
> the game that supports it.  Players should be thinking for themselves,
> but if they know that they will have to be able to play against Dojo
> decks, then they have to be able to take the time to build
> these decks and playtest against them (or play them if their "homegrown"
> decks are not good enough).  This has greatly increased the amount of
> time required to stay on top.  Now when a player prepares for a
> tournament, he/she has to prepare to play against all the
> local decks and all the Dojo decks (contributed worldwide and with
> corresponding skill).. Its no wonder that this is a daunting task
> scaring many away from tournament play.

        I suppose the publishing of deck lists is destroying Magic-
just like the publishing of openings destroyed Chess and the publishing
of bidding systems destroyed Bridge.  Fact is, both of these games
stratified into competitive and casual play, and Magic has as well.

        Really what all the anti-Dojo activism is about is the fact
that people want to be able to win tournaments without actually
working for the victory.  The proliferation of knowledge provided
by the Dojo ensures that even at small, local tournaments, you have
to be prepared to face tough competition.

        Much as I would love for more people to attend tournaments,
the fact is that unless you are either willing to put forth the
effort to win, or are willing to suffer the indignities of losing
to further your knowledge of the game, you have little reason to
go to *any* sort of tournament.

> If you print decklists, players will read them and the massive
> deck-copying will continue. Promote individual thoughts and creativity
> and exercise your editorial powers.   Please don't continue in this
> practice because it "ruins" the game for many.

        Actually, Frank already does promote individual thought and
creativity- by recognizing those who actually have individual thoughts
and are creative by publishing their decks and ideas.

        -Len Blado