Subject: Top reasons that the Dojo is killing Magic. Date: Sun, 3 May 1998 13:39:08 -0400 From: "Nicol Bolas" Newsgroups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc Hello. I found myself reading through yet another post, when the voices in my head started kicking in again. The poster was discussing why he hates The Dojo, and I had to agree with him on his points. I also want to take the time to add to this list. Top reasons why The Dojo is killing Magic: 1)The death of Deck building skills: Today, it seems nobody builds their own decks anymore. Preparing for a tournament now seems to be equivalent to checking out the Dojo for the popular deck of the day, and either playing it or preparing against it. Nothing more. Also, how many games have you been in that your opponent can drop a Mountain, and before he's doing anything else, you know he's playing sligh? Or Birds w/5CG? You get the Idea. Today's t2 environment isn't coming up with much new and innovative, but is filled with copies or near-copies of Dojo decks. 2)Too much credit given to the originator: I fully agree that the originator of a given deck should be given credit for making the deck, but there are problems. Let me explain. A short time back, I came up with my own version of the Hermit Overkill deck. I had never been on the Dojo until then, so it was shocking to see everyone on line talking about the Hermit/Grave/misery combo. I inquired who else made up the deck, and lo and behold, they referred me to the Dojo. I went on (for the only time EVER) to check out if the deck was there, and to compare the two (There are remarkable similarities---and differences). However, every time I play the deck, I get subtly accused of copying a Dojo deck. This, IMO, takes what little incentive there is to build new, original decks, because if somebody else posts it before you complete it, you're instantly accused of copying them. 3) Tournament Nausea (as I call it): I can explain this really simply. You're in the 6th round of a tournament, and find yourself saying " . Another sligh deck. " I think you get the idea. 4) Predictability: Once you've figured out what deck your opponent is playing, it's relatively easy to virtually call out what his/her next play is going to be. You know, 2nd turn Squandered Resources, 3rd turn Nat. Bal, etc.... Takes away from the whole surprise factor, and totally screws up the strategy of the person playing the deck. 5) Lack of Strategy skills: Give a newbie a sligh deck, and it won't take him/her long to figure out what to do. Granted, the player is doing little more than following directions like a mindless zombie, but s/he'll win. Most dojo decks come not only with a complete deck/sb list, but also a clear set of directions on exactly how to play the deck, what to play when, etc. The players don't even have to figure out how to play the decks on their own. They just read the instructions, then become yet another mindless zombie. 6) Subtle influence on the secondary market: Rares that are contained in the Dojo decks tend to go up slightly. I was not able to get rid of a single Dream Halls until Turbo Zvi or whatever the name of it is was posted. Rathi Dragons started trading/selling when someone suggested putting one into a Sligh SB. The rising popularity of Bottle Gnomes can even be attributed to the Dojo, IMO. Well, these are just my opinions. I'm sure I can think of other reasons, but I'll leave that up to the rest of you. -- Well, just my .07/.07 - Nicol Bolas NICOLBOLAS@prodigy.net - "I'm living in my misery Emotion stripped to bone I see inside the heart of me It's still not black enough for me...."