What's Wrong with this Format?

[Zero]

What's wrong with the format? Skill is not as important as other factors. Ness covered this perfectly in many other posts, but I'll abridge it. This is clearly an RPS metagame. There is little room for creativity (unlike what some people may think) as there are too many showstoppers in the format. Cards have too many magic numbers now. Can't attack for 1 energy or take a hit from a Reshiram? You aren't a good card, then. Yanmega and Reshiram are both very bad for the format right now. Yanmega instantly creates a speed race for prizes and reshiram is such a consistent 120 that decks that can't trade KOs can't do well against it. Did I mention these decks are EASY TO PLAY?! You'd have to be dumb as a brick to misplay in most games (save for a few exceptions). Going first also leads to having a HUGE ADVANTAGE. People can win when they go 2nd, but they are more likely to win when they go first. Don't believe this? Watch a top 4 game of best of 3 and tell me how many times people choose to go 2nd. I would assume you'd count zero.


How do we fix this? We need a more diverse TSS line for sure. The decks are pretty cookie cutter right now. The invisible hand of the game will fix this problem soon with more sets. The more TSS we have, the more actual creativity can be done with decks. Don't believe me? Look at Jason's deck that he won worlds with (the Plox). The TSS line is unique and interesting (for the time). Next, something must be done about going first. I propose we just shift it back to not being able to play trainers on the first turn, but by now that won't help even. Being the first person to evolve is a huge advantage as you get the first prize. Next, we need more thought-provoking cards that can encourage skill over mindless repetative gameplay. This... I can't think of anything to do with. Just make better card designs. Most cards right now are fairly 1 dimensional (they have 1 or two purposes and they don't do anything but those one or two things). Garchomp X and Luxray X at least had multiple things you could do with them... that's my minirant for now.

 

[sillykyle]

If Yanmega is a very balanced card then why should it be able to attack for no energy cost by matching your hand size with your opponent and have free retreat? I just don't get why it has to cost $40 per copy to get ahold of when it should be a $15 to $20 at best especially in this economy. Luxray GL Lv. X went for more than that by $30 more and it was a $70 card at it's peak last format.

Claw Snag from Weavile is meh but it's not good enough in terms of hand disruption. Cards like Judge are good for hand disruption especially N in Noble Victories, then of course there's Sharpedo with Strip Bare but even then the odds of getting 2 Heads is very small. That combo with Sharpedo and Victini is okay but it's not even close to being a 50% chance I don't think.

Actually, it's a 43.75% chance iirc. So it is close to 50%.

 

[Zero]

If you want math, it is 25% + 75%*25% = 43.75% Law of diminishing returns for teh winz.

 

[Card Slinger J]

I know this doesn't get enough attention and we sort of take this for granted however, TPCi and PUSA need to bring back Scholarships on a Regional level to get more people into the Pokemon TCG otherwise with no replacement for scholarships that could kill the Pokemon TCG. Yeah I read Kenny Wisdom's http://google.com/ article about this and it brought my attention somewhat.

If scholarships really are the lifeblood of the Pokemon TCG then we need to keep it in the game. Parents who support their children playing this TCG is also the lifeblood of the TCG as well, now granted while I see the benefits of scholarships that hasn't really been my reason for playing the Pokemon TCG, I play to have fun which is what players do ya know?

 

[Zyflair]

... otherwise with no replacement for scholarships that could kill the Pokemon TCG.

Not happening. Pokemon TCG won't die for such a simple reason.

Also, if a person is playing just to get the scholarship, he/she is just deluded. Go play a different popular TCG game that isn't so luck-based. Or, wait, there isn't one.

 

[AmishEskimoNinja]

I actually loved this format before catcher came out. But now its significantly more difficult to get out stage 2's. You'd better go first and rare candy T2 or whatever you're building up WILL get sniped. The only reason I even run the intermediate stage 1 anymore is in case your opponent happens to be playing trainer lock.

The problem is the only forseeable way to counter catcher is trainer lock. I'd love to see an ability or a stadium that says your opponent can't play any trainers that target your pokemon.

 

[Celebi23]

I actually loved this format before catcher came out. But now its significantly more difficult to get out stage 2's. You'd better go first and rare candy T2 or whatever you're building up WILL get sniped. The only reason I even run the intermediate stage 1 anymore is in case your opponent happens to be playing trainer lock.

The problem is the only forseeable way to counter catcher is trainer lock. I'd love to see an ability or a stadium that says your opponent can't play any trainers that target your pokemon.

It may be harder to play Stage 2's, but at least it's also harder to lose to bad players off of Reversal flips. Catcher made the format so much better, not to say it's a good card for the game though.

 

[Card Slinger J]

Not happening. Pokemon TCG won't die for such a simple reason.

Also, if a person is playing just to get the scholarship, he/she is just deluded. Go play a different popular TCG game that isn't so luck-based. Or, wait, there isn't one.

Thing is the scholarship program that PUSA does for the Pokemon TCG mainly benefits players from the Junior and Seniors Division of the game itself which helps kids and their parents keep playing and earning money along the way. Parents being the "PokeMom's" and "PokeDad's" of the game itself.

This doesn't matter much with players in the Masters Division cause they already have the money to pay for their stuff and most of them are from high school or college (or already graduated with a Diploma or GED) with a full or part time job. But for mothers and fathers trying to help their kids playing the Pokemon TCG is the demographic in which getting rid of scholarships hurts in the longrun. Getting rid of scholarships on a Regional level would hurt the Pokemon TCG but it's tough to say If it would actually kill it.

 

[sillykyle]

Anyone who is only playing for the money should go play Magic. >.>

 

[Zyflair]

Thing is the scholarship program that PUSA does for the Pokemon TCG mainly benefits players from the Junior and Seniors Division of the game itself which helps kids and their parents keep playing and earning money along the way. Parents being the "PokeMom's" and "PokeDad's" of the game itself.

This won't apply to even a single percent of the children in those divisions. Going after scholarships with such a ridiculous entry fee (making the deck, driving to the competition) and spending the time to play there (not to mention having to get enough experience to prevent misplays) is like playing the lottery; only the people hosting it really win. Cutting off scholarships barley changes the scenario. You're still playing because the game's fun, not because you can earn money off of it.

 

[Domo]

Anyone who is only playing for the money should go play Magic. >.>

Haha!!! agreed, the game is made for fun.

Oh but lets also not forget almost everythging beeing week to fighting!!!! its sooo stupid!!! iether make weekness only like +20-30 or dont make it at all becaue its not fair that donphan can hit 120 for 1 energy on like half the cards and had 120 hp and any damage done to him is reduced by 20 i meen seriously its just insane.