Subject: Re: Vampires and Klingons
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 12:35:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ryan Scott <rscot@BGNet.bgsu.edu>
To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com

Ryan Scott
rscot@bgnet.bgsu.edu

Sorry Mr. Wills, but I disagree completely with what you have to say.

I understand the amount of time and money you have spent on Magic: the
Gathering, as I have become the same way.  I have played magic since
revised on and off, and I am just now getting into the competitive
aspect of it.  Why?  Because the competition is secondary for me, and
most of my friends would say the same.

I respect what the Duelist is doing with their magazine.  I appreciate
the articles on strategy, but I am just as interested in the fiction,
and "Dominian FAQ."  As a roleplayer originally (AD&D for those
wondering,) I was introduced to the game by a fellow AD&D player.  I
was more interested (at first) in the artwork and the (at the time
just developing) story.  One of the best things about a new expansion
was the new storyline, and the new flavor text. (My favorite still has
to be "For the first time i his life, Grakk felt a little warm and
fuzzy inside.")  When Weatherlight and the Rath Cycle were released, I
was ecstatic about a series of expansions with an ongoing storyline.
That is what primariy interests me.

Now don't get me wrong, I love competition as much as the next guy.  I
have competed in many local type I and II tourneys, winning a
respectable amount of the time, and I went 5-1 at the Exodus
pre-release with a bad set of cards (two of my Tempest rares were
Starke of Rath and Pallimud when I had no worthwhile cards in red, and
I didn't play any of my Exodus rares.)  In addition, I am a collegiate
alpine ski racer.  I love competition.  But the competitive aspect of
Magic is not what endears it to me.  It is exactly the opposite.  I
like most in Duelist the fiction and the reports on other games.  I
think Duelist currently has a very good blend of articles.  I know a
great number of people that feel the same way.

As for "The Duelist Effect,"  let me just say that there is no reason
to chastise the Duelist for not creating it.  One of the reasons for
"The Dojo Effect" is the fact that anyone can post.  Should the
Duelist begin accepting open letters from every person in the United
States (and other places) that enters and wins a tourney?  Or that
even enters, loses, and wants some feedback on what he is doing
wrong?  Sorry, but it's impractical and illogical.  There is no way
that could happen.

Thanks for reading this everyone.  Feel free to E-mail me personally
to respond.  I want to hear what you have to say.

Ryan Scott
--R & B Newsstand
--Adventurer's Guildhouse