DISCLAIMER: I am sick and tired of people lobbing personal attacks directed at players throughout the world. I have apologized publicly to Dave Mattison for my earlier comments on his posting, and will again. My comments in this article, which mention Dave Mattison, Dave Bachmann, and Mike Long, are in no way meant to criticize them as individuals. Just to critique words that have been written in postings referring to M:TG.
On to the article...
Can't We All Just Get Along?
No offense to Dave Mattison, and I know most of why he writes things like I do is to get a reaction, but I have real trouble with one of his statements in his article posted on the "jo" entitled 'Ten Habits to Improve your Game'. I am still amazed that in order to be a good player many believe you can't "laugh, smile, or comment". I think part of the game is the socialization that takes place at tournaments and competitions... believe me, one look at some of these players and you can conclude that many probably don't say one word in their respective schools or jobs, so they NEED this outlet! But whatever the reasons are, I will write my take on NOT how all players should act, but how I do. Hopefully that will help make sense to myself why I am so irritated as of late.
I remember going to the Stronghold Pre-release in Syracuse, NY (which was poorly run, but that is another issue altogether) and playing in all the side events during the day. In particular, I recall playing next to a gentlemen who possibly had one of the foulest mouths and attitudes I have ever seen in any organized competition, sport or non-sport (Magic is not a sport BTW... that is another issue too!) I guess my biggest problem was that there were two "judges" sitting right next to him and didn't say a thing. I think one of the neatest things about M:TG that there are such a variety of ages in players and despite of this, the playing fields are usually equal. Yet when there are a group of 10 and 11 year olds watching and hearing what this asshole was saying during his match, and two "judges" were mearly watching and letting it happen, what kind of message does this send? First of all, it makes normal players like myself get upset that this is what people think of when they think of Magic: The Gathering. I mean seriously, do you ever stop to think what the outside world says about the conglomeration of people that play this game? We need all the help we can get shattering the stereotypes of this perception. NO ONE will ever take the Pro-Tour seriously if this type of behavior is to be allowed. What's worse is that the kid was 18 years old and one of the biggest geeks I have ever seen. (HINT: Try soap next time).
I am all for a little trash talking now and then. Personally, I mostly direct the trash to myself for stupid plays, but this type of behavior is just inexcusable at any type of event. Reading some of the comments over the past couple of months have been really disconcerting.
To take a quote from a recent Dave Bachmann article on "alternative" strategies in MTG: "My (Dave's) favorite way (to distract your opponent) is being very talkative during the match by singing, rapping, or just talking about random stuff to get your opponent confused".
I don't know if I will begin to just shout gibberish to get my opponent "unfocused"... For someone that was featured in the latest issue of the sideboard, this is a tad surprising. Is rapping a real strategy that we should encourage young players to practice during their matches?
I can see it now:
"Ok Johnny, here is a nice stompy deck and the lyrics to Busta Rhymes 'Fired Up'... make sure you memorize them by tomorrow, and sing them during your opponents upkeep and attack phases."
I think I can cut Dave some slack, however. And this next statement is in no way a personal attack on what could be a great guy, but Dave is still only 17 years old. There is a little growing up and maturing that most players on the tour still need to do. Again, us older players were all there once, and if Dave's approach was intended to be done with humor as the desired outcome, NOT distracting your opponent, it actually makes for a fun experience. Zach Anderson of Team TOOL is probably the funniest person in the world to play because of what Dave is talking about, but it is in a non-malicious manner (NOTE TO ZACH: Take your Ritalin at least 15 minutes before our next match). Find us at Origins 98 and you will concur with me, guaranteed.
Also in Dave B.'s article, he comments on Mike Long's approach: "He talks a lot of trash and that can be helpful against amateurs and people without a sense of humor". Again, players need to have a sense of humor, so this would be OK... Yet Dave also says "Mike does things such as sit on the top of his chair". I think that technique just makes you look like an idiot playing a card game on top of your chair, so it personally wouldn't fit into my style of play (which lately has been make stupid plays and lose...).
Now, another area where we as players seem to have some problems is with whom is "right" with their opinions on the game. I have seen disagreements erupt to the downright physical. It is rather funny to see out-of-shape 19 year olds try to throw a punch, but I shouldn't encourage their behavior.
It's so comical that when I play in these little tourneys such as the Stronghold Prerelease mentioned earlier, I always hear the players chatter "Well, I talked to Beth-mo and she said..." or "Mark Rosewater and I go way back, and he says this..." I mean, really, what is the point. I'm sure that if you ask these "celebrities" what they say to all of these leaderless apostles looking for some direction from them, it would be probably for them to get a life and to start thinking for themselves.
I saw a wonderful post in the magic listerve commenting about InQuest's Stronghold ratings... I'm not sure exactly what it was, but it went something like "WHO GIVES A CRAP WHAT INQUEST SAYS!" I agree. The best decks come when people try to show that no one really knows what they are talking about. To exchange information and critique it based on the content of the writing is a real positive thing, and I see the Dojo as being the best positive example of this. But to break it down to personal insults makes you look and sound like the high-school age player that you are.
Maybe this will help:
Just because John Finkel says that Wall of Blossoms is a good card doesn't mean that I will put 4 in my green decks (although you should). Or since David Price thinks that Avenging Angel is a piece of poop outside of Tempest constructed (which it is). Both of these cats are nice guys and good players. But I will not change what I do just because the winds are blowing east this morning instead of west. BTW: In tribute of Jon winning ptny, I dyed my pit hair orange. Thanks Jon.
Zach Anderson (of the award winning Team TOOL) has finished a great piece on the lack of originality in current competitive deck construction. How many pro-tours has he won? None. But guess what kiddies, he is right.
Ok, I know this article went in two different directions, but I feel that it needed to be said. The theme of all players just getting along is an ideal one at best, but one that we should strive towards in order to protect the integrety of a game which we undoubtedly all enjoy.
-d.
Team TOOL
//teamtool.hypermart.net
teamtool@hotmail.com