barzillai wrote:
I'm glad the article pointed out that map rolls, side rolls, and the occasional early disintegration had a large impact on the tournament. These things knocked many highly skilled players out of the top 8, which is the only reason I made it as far as I did. Basically, I'm a good enough player that I can only beat a top-level player if I'm playing on a map and side that grossly favors my squad, and that I'm familiar with - and even then I'm quite capable of losing, but at least I have a chance at winning.
But more important that the impact of these factors on who wins, is their impact on the level of enjoyment. The guys I played in the tournament were all good sports, even when they had to run their JWM squads from the bad side of Mustafar, but it just wasn't as much fun as it could have been.
I hope WotC puts some effort into reforming approved play, and I hope their goal is to make it more fun for everyone. In my opinion, that means that losing map or side should never hand a skilled player an auto-loss against a player of my calibre. I know it's a dice game and luck will always play a big role, but the map roll, side roll, a few key initiative rolls, and the occasional disintegration, all have the potential to turn an exciting and close game into a joyless rout. That's not good for anyone.
I also think that when the prize money gets too big, it brings out the worst in people - lying, cheating, stealing, that kind of thing. I think a $5K tournament is about perfect - big enough to prepare for and fight hard for, but small enough that nobody would quit their job if they won.
We are in Agreement Barillai. In fact the 2 games I lost I could have won on my map with ease. But to me that is the Problem with the Competative game and where it is at right now and with Korriban becoming legal appears to be where it is going. The thing I hate right now with a Passion is Map roll determining so much. Don't get me wrong I abused it as much as possible at Gencon but I had to to stay Competative. I do not like being able to look at someone's squad/Map and look at my Squad/map and Roll for map know pretty much how the game si going to turn out. And BTW the 2 games i lost on opponent's map wasn't by much. That is what was annoying to me to have totally outplayed my opponent and still losing. Now granted Dice Happen Like Aurra missing 7 of 8 against based JWM's but even that Game I win last init I have a Good chance of winning the Game. Basically here is what I want and whether you agree or not is a matter of choice. I want the shooter toned down. I want Beat sticks that can actually make it through the shooters and able to do something on the other side. It would force people to play melee Characters. and when that Happens I think the game becomes a whole lot more about skill. When you are moving your characters within 6 of your opponents Your moves mean lot more then when you mobile out shot and mobile Back. The next thing I do not like is how they have boosted lower costing Figs to be Dangerous and in some cases Very Dangerous. When did Vader, Luke, or even like Obi-Wan or Yoda have a tough time taking out mulitple Grunts? Now you put your 55 point Yoda in range of even 2 AA's with a Itorian (about 36 pts) and your in serious trouble. Not that swarm squads are easy to play but it is difficult when every figure on the field can hurt you.
That is it for my rant.