I will chime in with what I know, then make my own comments. Map issues: Taris, Teth Monastary, and Echo Base Outpost will all be removed from legal DCI play. Slow play: A regular, finished game has always given the winner 3 points. However, under the new policy, a game which has gone to time, with neither player attempting to play for the conclusion of the game, will only net 2 points. Of course, this is a judge's discretion whether or not the game should be a 3/2 point victory, if there are instances which need to be taken into consideration. Gambit: A miniature may only accrue Gambit points if, were that piece to be defeated, it would give the opponent 5 points. Basically, free pieces, or any piece not worth at least 5 points, cannot gain Gambit.
Maps: Yes, this may seem like a big deal, but, minus big events, Regionals or Gencon or other major locations' events, this is not so big. These maps are all easily abuseable, but if a bunch of gamers at a store do not mind them being used, then I doubt anyone will care. This change primarily makes a big difference for large events. There are stores out there where people allow custom maps to be used in DCI tourneys, and the whole group agrees with no problems. If someone really enjoys using these particular maps, then I would venture to say they enjoy abusing them, and they need to play on maps where they do not start off with the immediate advantage.
Slow play: I will address this from two different perspectives. As a gamer who loves the game, I am personally not bothered by it. I have always played this game to PLAY THIS GAME. Do I enjoy winning? Of course! Do I play the game to always win, hell no. I play this game because I enjoy the game. To me, that means, "Let's sit down, engage our pieces, and have a blast!" Personally, most of my games over all of my career have always finished, but that is a great deal due to my play style. Now, as a major event judge, I am torn. I think it adds a new level of fairness to the player who really wants to win by finishing, but each judge may look at a situation differently and might decide to give a full 3 point win instead of a 2 point win which the next judge might decide. It could lead, in a few cases, to even more issues, but, honestly, if it is the third round after an hour, then it should be an easy thing to say, "Okay, this is a two point win." However, if I have been called over multiple times by the winner saying his opponent is stalling, then it will be a 3 point win for sure. It is a great thing, but will put a bit more responsibility on the judges, which is fine with me. I do not look forward to using this rule at all, but it will not be something I will shy away from, either.
Gambit: Wow, this is something that I cannot be happier about. For me, it came into my mind as being necessary at Gencon this past year, when the map being used was Taris, and the only reason one person ever got Gambit was due to his Lobot Reinforcements running out at the end of each round. Legal, yes. Cheesy, pretty much. However, some of this can be blamed on the map being used, but it still put into my mind: wow, he's gaining points by losing a free piece each round. (if the culprit reads this, I am not pointing fingers, just remembering).
Anyway, those are my opinions.
_________________ That's right, it's always the one in the middle you would least expect to be the most dangerous!
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