Discussion Taking Notes in Battle

PMJ

PMJ

Silhouette Gloom of the Sundown Lands
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Do you take notes during a battle, or know someone who does? What are the advantages of doing so?
 
I've seen someone do it once. I think they said that they went back and analyzed it to make sure they made right plays and stuff like that. But it's kind of difficult to write down everything that happens in a game and keep up with all of the details. It makes much more sense if chess where you can just write down Nbd7 and Kf7# and keep track of the entire game state quickly.
 
I just started video recording games at league challenge and cities. Personally, watching tape of someone running a deck, is very eye opening. Especially if that someone is you. But note taking during tournament play is rare because they are timed games.
 
I didn't see anyone take notes at the tournament I went to. I could've because I had the stuff to do it but I chose not to because, "Ain't nobody got time for that." I don't really see a reason anyways.
 
Haven't seen this too much since Azelf LA (so people could know their prizes accurately). It's not too common as the TCG needs to be played at a much faster pace opposed to the VG as it takes much more time (imagine VG BO3 50 min +3 lol).
I do think it gives advantages only in a BO3 game scenario. For one, you know all the specific card counts. While some things are obvious, you might not immediately notice if your opponent runs 3 or 4 spirit link, how much energy was played, counts on Lysandre/Birch, etc. Knowing your opponent's deck is crucial late game when you have to think of the odds of them having specific cards.
At the same time, if you want to be the guy that takes games to time and accepts a lot of criticism, then do this. I don't think many people want to be playing against a person who not only knows your entire deck from playing it, but from writing it down as well. It can be shared all over and any any secret deck's chances of Top Cut are wiped out by that guy. Also, writing down everything can lead to misplays. If you are too focused on writing and not gamestate, you can miss things.
 
Before you start game two, look through your opponent's discard pile and keep a track of what's there. That's probably what I'd write down.
 
PMJ said:
Before you start game two, look through your opponent's discard pile and keep a track of what's there. That's probably what I'd write down.
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How would you do that though? Excuse me good sir, could I please write down the entire contents of your discard pile before you begin to shuffle and set up for game two? I guess you could just look through it real quick and right down what you remember.
 
Mora said:
How would you do that though? Excuse me good sir, could I please write down the entire contents of your discard pile before you begin to shuffle and set up for game two? I guess you could just look through it real quick and right down what you remember.
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I'd assume you'd be checking the important stuff - surprise techs, number of attackers, number of hard counters, special energy, etc.
 
bbninjas said:
you'd be checking the important stuff - surprise techs, number of attackers, number of hard counters, special energy, etc.
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That makes a lot of sense. Of course I would be the guy to write down everything in someone's discard pile card for card.
 
I don't think that's necessary. You can write down techs and other important stuff and then just remember the rest.
 
PMJ said:
I don't think that's necessary. You can write down techs and other important stuff and then just remember the rest.
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Thats too much to remember. Its much easier to just write what their deck has revealed and how many.
 
Players don't use notes often cause they don't usually have a problem recalling the contents of a deck or what was revealed. Many players can accurately guess the bulk of cards their opponent is running (or could run) even after the first turn, unless they are playing a rogue. If a card is worth writing down, it's worth remembering.

I can see notes being used to keep track of things as pertains to the specific game at hand. Sure you can look at the board, but you can also have your own record of how many Night Marchers are in a discard or how many damage counters an opponent has if you are running something like Dusknoir BCR. It can also be used for quick math and maybe getting into your opponent's head.
 
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