Now, I really don't want this thread to erupt into a flame war, but I really felt like getting this out and seeing how many of you on Pokebeach have this issue too. This isn't a rant thread, but more of an experience thread.
As a Pokemon fan throughout the years, I collected the cards, loved building decks and not giving a care in the world about rotation because back then it didn't exist. Now with rotation in check, I notice a lot of players either hate it, like it, or are neutral about it. I'm one of the neutral folks, though I tend to stay out of sanctioned a lot. This is because I don't feel a need to get over-competitive with Pokemon, I don't see it as a "WIN AT ALL COSTS" kind of game, but quite frankly I think anyone who sees it as this isn't really playing for fun at all. That's my opinion and I'll leave that there for people like that to think about. Ever since rotation, I do still often mix old and new cards to make decks for fun, especially to use them in League (which often plays by unlimited) or even an unlimited format tournament that can occur. Here's the problem though, and I'm quite sure I'm not the only one out there with it...
Overly-competitive players who don't seem to quite get what being an actual Pokemon fan is about. I'd hoped that when I came back to league in a local town, that just this month began once again, I wouldn't experience this problem. I was wrong, and while I admit, the folks here are nicer, there's still the group of players who literally find my usage of older and newer cards in a deck, irritating and see a need to call it out, address it towards me, or even downright say I'm being completely cheap. Not only that, but half the time I will probably lose against another unlimited deck, but win against a limited format deck. It can easily be pointed down to "They're being a sore loser", which; yes, it's true. Their whining is just as annoying as their constant need to tell me what to do with my own deck. I'll play my way, they can play theirs. As long as it's under the rules, I don't see a need to harass someone unless they were breaking rules just to turn the game their way. (which sadly I've had happen) I have a low budget, like many of you who probably have this issue, and, not to sound mean, but players like us need to sometimes, spend money on more important things in life than just cards. Apologies if this seemed like a big rant, but this is basically explaining the situation from my point of view.
I'd like to know if any other players out there experience this kind of "bullying" at their league. Hopefully some of the prime examples of overly-competitive players reading this by now have realized that there's more to this lovely game than just winning and being at the top all the time.
I still go to league, I still enjoy playing with the fans who don't focus so much on winning all the time, but it's things like this that need to be controlled because it ruins the point of unlimited format-allowing leagues for everybody. I'm hoping some of you professors read this and take some time to look at your own league, it's players, and how it affects not only the old-generation of fans, but the younger generation as well. Have you noticed a decrease in players? Have you noticed a rise in an overly-competitive atmosphere? I think this thread just summed up the answer to your questions.
TL;DR version: Unlimited players, playing in an unlimited league, with decks they made to play for pure fun, don't need to be treated as a bad player or alienated just because they're playing with cards that are out of date. Control the criticism before it gets out of control.
As a Pokemon fan throughout the years, I collected the cards, loved building decks and not giving a care in the world about rotation because back then it didn't exist. Now with rotation in check, I notice a lot of players either hate it, like it, or are neutral about it. I'm one of the neutral folks, though I tend to stay out of sanctioned a lot. This is because I don't feel a need to get over-competitive with Pokemon, I don't see it as a "WIN AT ALL COSTS" kind of game, but quite frankly I think anyone who sees it as this isn't really playing for fun at all. That's my opinion and I'll leave that there for people like that to think about. Ever since rotation, I do still often mix old and new cards to make decks for fun, especially to use them in League (which often plays by unlimited) or even an unlimited format tournament that can occur. Here's the problem though, and I'm quite sure I'm not the only one out there with it...
Overly-competitive players who don't seem to quite get what being an actual Pokemon fan is about. I'd hoped that when I came back to league in a local town, that just this month began once again, I wouldn't experience this problem. I was wrong, and while I admit, the folks here are nicer, there's still the group of players who literally find my usage of older and newer cards in a deck, irritating and see a need to call it out, address it towards me, or even downright say I'm being completely cheap. Not only that, but half the time I will probably lose against another unlimited deck, but win against a limited format deck. It can easily be pointed down to "They're being a sore loser", which; yes, it's true. Their whining is just as annoying as their constant need to tell me what to do with my own deck. I'll play my way, they can play theirs. As long as it's under the rules, I don't see a need to harass someone unless they were breaking rules just to turn the game their way. (which sadly I've had happen) I have a low budget, like many of you who probably have this issue, and, not to sound mean, but players like us need to sometimes, spend money on more important things in life than just cards. Apologies if this seemed like a big rant, but this is basically explaining the situation from my point of view.
I'd like to know if any other players out there experience this kind of "bullying" at their league. Hopefully some of the prime examples of overly-competitive players reading this by now have realized that there's more to this lovely game than just winning and being at the top all the time.
I still go to league, I still enjoy playing with the fans who don't focus so much on winning all the time, but it's things like this that need to be controlled because it ruins the point of unlimited format-allowing leagues for everybody. I'm hoping some of you professors read this and take some time to look at your own league, it's players, and how it affects not only the old-generation of fans, but the younger generation as well. Have you noticed a decrease in players? Have you noticed a rise in an overly-competitive atmosphere? I think this thread just summed up the answer to your questions.
TL;DR version: Unlimited players, playing in an unlimited league, with decks they made to play for pure fun, don't need to be treated as a bad player or alienated just because they're playing with cards that are out of date. Control the criticism before it gets out of control.
