Subject: Re: Stop Printing Deck Lists
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 18:01:13 EDT
From: DEF1AE@aol.com
To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com

Well, in response to Dorian's article dated 6/24......

I couldn't disagree more.  Printing the complete decklists does not "ruin"
magic.  The only point we can agree on is that deck building skills become
watered down.  And even that point is not entirely true.  Sure, people are
gonna copy decks.  But because I see the SAME decks at the dojo, I am prepared
for them.  This only raises the importance of deckbuilding skills.  It is
painfully obvious that you have to build a deck that can weather a good
portion of the field on its own, the rest through playtesting and
sideboarding.  You see, by posting the complete deck, you can understand not
only what's in it, but why it wins as well.  These principals can be taken
into consideration when creating your own masterpiece.  The dojo was created
as a reference guide, not a "copy zone".  I think it does a wonder to
metagaming for all magic players, new and old alike.  I admire the work and
thought that people like Donais, Zvi, Schuler, and others have put in.  I
strive to create decks that can stand up to them.  This is only possible
because their decks are posted completely.
     In summary, the dojo on RAISES the level of competition, and raises the
need for good deckbuilding skills in the game.  That does not ruin the game,
it only makes it stronger.  Use it as a reference guide, and your own skills
will become much more honed, and more importantly......you can keep an eye on
what everyone else is doing.

Thanks,

Tony Engel
Redmage of Team Shivan
http://users.netonecom.net/~shadow/