Thoughts, comments, and updates

Well, since the new list came out, I began to wonder if people are "more geared" to the trio that was unaffected, listed below:

• Inzektors - fear of the Field not being safe.
• Wind-Ups - fear of the Hand not being safe.
• Rescue Rabbit - free negation

With that being said, I'm "more geared" to making archetype guides, so that if someone doesn't want to build one of the trio decks, they can always find an archetype guide of their choosing, so that six months from now, when the ban list actually hits the three decks, you wouldn't be affected by the ban list, and have something to fall back on.

In other blog posts that bloggers did, they pointed out how the "ban list was bad". Well, yeah, but who said that you had to stick around in real life and pay money for the game anymore. For me, I stuck with playing online for one reason: "To have fun and play the game the way it was meant to be"; however, there's a risk behind every idea which is: "People would most likely netdeck more and use the decks that top at the YCS."

Also, if I based my findings on real life actions, then I would have to take into account the budget and everything else that factors into real life actions, which one of those factors would be "stacking your own deck, so you'll get a good hand near 100% of the time". In my opinion, playing online is less biased and more reliable, because you wouldn't have the luxury of "cheating" by shuffling.

So, what am I going to do now? Of course, I could point out flaws that Konami has made within the ban list, OR I could do is make archetype guides with a sample deck list(s) attached to them.

Didn't I do something like this already? Yes, I have with the Cardfight!! Vanguard tutorial, but this time it would be "more geared" towards Yu-gi-oh! with these Archetype Guides.

Anyway, thoughts, comments, and discuss.

The Truth - Final Part - Missed Memories

PART 1: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2011/02/truth-part-1-past.html
PART 2: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2011/02/truth-part-2-present.html
PART 3: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2011/02/truth-part-3-decision.html

The reason why I didn't think about posting the last part after Part 3 is that if I do that, I wouldn't have updated the blog as much as I did with Yu-gi-oh! rather than a personal rant for you to tune into every single post. Let's just say that this is the last part of "The Truth". Instead of leading it down into paragraph form, I'm going to have a more direct approach and let some people know that I'm going to miss them as I transition into Duel Monsters Genesis.

...I think it's time to start:

Chocorrol and Cherry: It's been fun dueling against you two, because I know you guys won't be tempted by "winning" or "losing". It's all about playing the game at hand. Trust me, when I dueled with an extremely casual build, I wasn't constantly pressured by the constant temptation of every duelist that wants to win: "Just finish him and move on." Thank you for letting me duel under that environment, and I realize that casual dueling still exists in Duel Monsters Expert, but with that group hanging around, it's hard to notice, unfortunately. I enjoyed dueling both of you. Both of you, continue dueling and enjoy life to its fullest.

Behemoth: I'm sorry that I have to go, but it's time for me to move on with my life. I know that you were trying to get Duel Monsters Expert back to its former glory, but it's too far out of reach. I want to say this, "Thank you for caring about how Duel Monsters Expert use to be, and I know you will try to find some way to have it back to it's former glory in your own personal way", but it's an uphill battle from where you stand. A never-ending battle that you won't be able to escape on your own. So, I state this: "Stand strong, and fight for what you believe in." Farewell, Behemoth.

Echo: Yes, I was investigating you because I didn't know what was going through your head at the time. If you don't consider me to be your friend, so be it, but I enjoyed dueling against you in Duel Monsters Expert several months ago. I don't know what happened between that duel and now, but I see that you've gotten strong over that short period. Continue fighting those battles, and you'll find your sanctuary someday. I was happy that you were considering to remake your Cyber Angel/Girl deck, but when you drifted apart, I didn't expect you to state the things you did in that conversation. I'm sorry about what I stated to you in the past. There's nothing that I can do to change what I said, but I want you to know that I listened and thought about ways I can get help for you through other online means, since I couldn't be there in person. If you are reading this, Echo, I want to state this: "The times through the hardships that you had were emotional, but I wanted to stick with you until the end." You finally have friends that support you, and I'm glad. Farewell, Echo.

Ishtelte: I entered Duel Monsters Expert as a last hope to find out "The Truth", and instead of finding that truth, I found more turmoil than ever, but I stuck around to see what was happening. I needed to clear my conscious before I moved on. You are a hard worker, and one that I can safely state you can enter any job you want, and you'll do it with excellent efficiency. As for the duels, we fought each other and used our wits to find out much about the game at hand. It's been throughly entertaining, and you'll be able to continue to support Duel Monsters Expert. Thank you for listening to my side of the story. You are an asset that Duel Monsters Expert doesn't want to lose, in my opinion, so continue to enjoy that game to its fullest.

EHeroMatt: I'm glad that I was able to duel you, at least once. After all the hardships that you had, you were able to pull through every single time, outside of dueling and while dueling. Continue to grow stronger with each passing day, even if others will reject your existence. I hope that one day, you would be able to show a good example on how Duel Monsters Expert should be. This game isn't meant to be hostile. It's meant to be fun, without caring if you win or lose. Continue to follow what you feel, and someday, you'll be a good duelist that people look up to.

Duive: I know that you are thinking about quitting Yu-gi-oh!. I would suggest to not do so, and take some time off to clear your mind. You are a good duelist that people should look up to, and remember what I said about probability. If you aren't sure about getting a card properly, you can always try to find ways to bring out that card faster. I'm glad that I got to duel you. Continue to enjoy dueling, and when you don't, you can always find inspiration to continue by talking to your friends. It won't be everyday that you don't want to duel, so take it gradually, and duel who you know.

Any other Duel Monsters Expert player: Enjoy dueling and live life to it's fullest.

For now, this is goodbye, Duel Monsters Expert.

~~~

Sorry if I made anyone depressed while reading this, but I had some things left to say, before I moved on with the transition. Thank you for reading.

The Truth - Part 3 - The Decision

PART 1: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2011/02/truth-part-1-past.html

PART 2: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2011/02/truth-part-2-present.html

Now, you are wondering what I was talking about with their "ban list". Well, let me pull up their additions to the Konami ban list, so you guys can tell what cards that they have banned during one of their weekly tournaments. Here is their list that they made as an add-on to Konami's ban list:

TOURNAMENT BANNED ON DUEL MONSTERS EXPERT

Archlord Kristya

Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind

Black Whirlwind

Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier

Chimeratech Fortress Dragon

Dandylion

Dark Armed Dragon

Dragon Ravine

Dragunity Phalanx

Fabled Grimro

Fabled Kushano

Gateway of the Six

Gladiator Beast Heraklinos

Grandmaster of the Six Samurai

Infernity Launcher

Judgment Dragon

Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En

Machina Gearframe

Master Hyperion

Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon

Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter

Scrapstorm

Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier

XX-Saber Darksoul

XX-Saber Faultroll

TOURNAMENT LIMITED ON DUEL MONSTERS EXPERT

Blackwing - Blizzard the Far North

Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor

Bottomless Trap Hole

Celestia, Lightsworn Angel

Dimensional Prison

Elemental Hero Absolute Zero

Elemental Hero The Shining

Fissure

Gigaplant

Hammer Shot

Rekindling

Sakuretsu Armor

Scrap Chimera

Six Samurai United

Smashing Ground

Superancient Deepsea King Coelacanth

Swap Frog

Tyrant's Temper

Widespread Ruin

To tell you guys the truth, I never agreed to this list at all. Want to know why? Because a lot of the top-tier decks would be weakened, but they'll still be strong enough to take down nearly all decks. That's when the "What if?" decks came into play as I continued to give you guys more decks. Obviously, you guys aren't really affected by this list, so barely anyone was viewing those decks, but I think it's time to point them out in this discussion.

X-Saber: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-if-x-sabers-deck.html

Six Samurai: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-if-six-samurai-2.html (This is without Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan, so you can replace 3 cards with Kizan if need be.)

Blackwing: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2010/11/what-if-blackwings-1.html

Scraps: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2010/11/what-if-scraps-1.html

So, my thoughts were while making these decks: "Seriously, and they're ignoring all of this? Yeah, enough of this." Then I found out that they were having a no ban list tournament, so I logged on during one of those tournament days, and noticed hostility towards anyone running a Six Samurai deck. For example, it could be like the "What if?" I made below:

Six Samurai: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2011/02/tech-genus-1-what-if-six-samurai-3-and.html (Yeah, you would have to use CTRL + F to find "What if?" - Six Samurai 3.)

So, my thoughts are: "Why is there hostility? This is exactly what they wanted, yet they still complain." So, my solution was trying to make a ban list where casual players can even play in, but the administration shot it down almost instantly. So, I travel to Duel Monsters Genesis (yet again) to find a good duel, and hopefully I'll be able to enjoy Yu-gi-oh! to it's fullest there, for the time being.

~~~

Obviously, yet again, this does not apply to most of you guys, but you got to wonder: "Has this happened to me locally? Can I relate to this situation? Did I make the right decision?" and any other questions that are flying throughout your minds. Feel free to discuss below about the questions, but for now, I want to say this:

"Thank you for reading the three-part posts."

The Truth - Part 2 - The Present

Part 1: http://dangerascend.blogspot.com/2011/02/truth-part-1-past.html

Under my investigative patterns, I figured out that Duel Monsters Expert was changed from bad to worse with a certain group walking around and tossing that place into a negative environment. I'm beginning to wonder why, then it hit me. The environment I use to know was literally gone and was replaced with a competitive environment, and at the end of the tourney, it falls apart. So I thought to myself, "What happened?" Then, upon further analysis of the issue, it seems that a group of people really wanted to play competitive and leave everything else to dust. Which makes me disappointed is that the actual game itself is suppose to be a casual environment and Duel Monsters Genesis was in agreement because the one thing that was good about Duel Monsters Expert is when a non-top tier deck can reach the finals and potentially win. At Duel Monsters Expert's current state, that's no longer the case.

That's besides the point. I finally got a response from my friend, but the toll of that conversation really left me thinking: "Is it really worth it to continue caring about people? If the online conversation ends, would you left wondering under a number of reasons what happened?" I don't feel a bit of regret knowing the truth about what happened from his perspective, and if he wants to stop being friends, then so be it. I don't have to live with the regret of not knowing the truth upon why he stopped talking to me.

Besides that, I find it funny that their (Yes, Duel Monsters Expert makes their own ban list. I'll explain another time.) ban list is much more heavier on the meta and left the anti-meta alone. If people want to play to win, sure, but don't drag down everyone's self-esteem with it. As mentioned in Part 1, I explained that arguing and bickering consumed the place. Now, imagine Six Samurai running through the tourney. Would you think that'll stand for a second without anyone noticing? Yeah, I think not. Especially, since that group is in the tourney (most of them) are usually partaking in it. I remember one tournament I partook in with Eccentric Assault that anyone I faced down with a first turn Stardust Dragon/Buster called me cheap and takes no skill to utilize Stardust Dragon/Buster. Well, let me ask you this: "Is it worth it to live a lie where everyone else ran the same typical archetype, or would you rather play something crazy which makes you enjoy the game more?" I could no longer stay in a game where everything I did was get bashed on for what I play. That group was the cause of that pain. I couldn't even blog properly until 4 days later, because I thought about what you guys wanted to see, instead of what I want you to see.

So I started off making customs, then posting about single cards again, then eventually back to deck making. So, I started deck making in Duel Monsters Genesis under solitude, without anyone bothering me on how I "should play" an archetype. No, I don't need that advice, because I give you guys enough information to enjoy playing a game. I try the best I can so when I leave, I actually make something out of myself about what knowledge of the game I have. It's not like "Oh, everyone should know this, and if they aren't, then they shouldn't read about it." It's what I want you guys to read. When they heard that my blog was a hit, they simply remarked "Oh, 1,000 people misclicked on your blog."

Being able to enjoy part of this game is when you can mix and max, and see what you can get (as LFN mentioned in Part 1 comments). In Duel Monsters Expert, you have access to TCG cards, OCG cards, anime cards, manga cards, and customs. Unfortunately, with this group and the state that Duel Monsters Expert is in, barely a handful of people actually care about creating decks. Others focus on their real life builds, and when that occurs, most of the top decks become real life builds, so I wonder to myself: "Is it even worth it to make customs or look into anime/manga cards, because the majority of the player base is running real life decks. Why waste the memory? Because a handful of people still care about the game; however, whenever an anime, manga, or custom card is defined as broken, the admins of Duel Monsters Expert have to make a decision on banning it, limiting it, or semi-limiting it.

However, this morning, I was able to feel relaxed. I was able to play Duel Monsters Expert like I normally do, under two reasons:

1. I was able to play as "me", not someone that has to run a real life deck, so that it doesn't get destroyed in the process; however, their tournament ban list got in the way of that, and it gave them more power than they actually should need. However, thanks to a few people, I was able to come to my senses on a topic that I desperately needed to know. The topic was: "Was it worth it to continue playing Duel Monsters Expert? Was it the game itself...or a group of players that were playing a game just to win ruining it?" Obviously the answer I got was: "A group of players that want to "help" Duel Monsters Expert, but instead of insisting on trying to play the game for "fun", they insisted to play the game to "win".
2. Being creative and helping people with their decks through strategical means. Not blindly stating "You must run this card or you're a noob." The three components of any deck, regardless on how it looks, is as follows: Balance, Strategy, and Power. Yet, people insist that my opinion didn't really matter, but as you can see, if people can't learn a basic deck, then how can they even survive in a competitive environment? Just a thought for you guys.

With my thoughts now clear on what's actually going on, I must make a decision on what to do...

~~~

I still know that it won't affect most of you guys, but you got to wonder: "Has this happened to me?"

The Truth - Part 1 - The Past

Typically, I don't go out of my way to post something personal, but I need to get this off my chest.

~~~

Typically, in my dueling career, I faced off against a lot of people and earned some respect over time. Not to mention that in some instances, I used it to relax from everyday worries, and let my relaxation get me through to next week, but I don't know what to do now. I mean, I still like Yu-gi-oh!, but something drastically changed in Duel Monsters Expert so in the time frame, I don't know what happened.

I mean, some people have opened up to me via the web and I tried to help them try to enjoy Yu-gi-oh! not for winning, but to play the game itself, the way it was meant to be. I don't want to see people getting satisfied by victory and feeling like crap when they lose. It's the enjoyment of the game that's really important. If you can't enjoy it, then why play it?

Now, for the serious part, within dueling or tournament play, people decide to backseat coach during that duel. Please realize that you don't do this in tournament play, and it's not worth it to duel outside of tournament play if players constantly do that. So, I complained about it. Then, they single me out and say "I'm just being angry." Well, it's not exactly fair for the player that's trying to play the game himself, and yet, they still complained.

Also, with duels, I've noticed a lot more people bickering about the meta and anti-meta. Trust me, it's not worth bickering about because it's a game that's suppose to be fun. If it stops being enjoyable, quit and come back. They complained to no end about it, like how people brag in YCS, then cause a fight to break out. Guys, it's not worth it. This game is literally based on the enjoyment of the player. If you can't enjoy it, quit. Plain and simple.

You know that people are too stubborn to not listen, so I moved to a different place that plays Yu-gi-oh! for a while.

Besides the point, I try to teach someone and have him try to enjoy playing a card game to it's fullest. So, we exchanged e-mail addresses and we chat on Windows Live messenger. Eventually, he opened up to me, as he reached out for someone to care. So, I listened, and messaged him the words he needed to hear. No matter if it's an online relationship or a face-to-face relationship, keep true to yourself. Unfortunately, he started to drift away and I started to wonder "Why? You use to chat to me, frequently. What changed? What has happened in Duel Monsters Expert to cause such a change?"

So, I began my investigation...

~~~

I know most of this doesn't apply to you, because it's an online basis, but you got to wonder "Can this happen to me?"

Something I noticed...

Internet link that sparked this: http://decsilentenigmayt.blogspot.com/2010/10/this-game-is-going-to-shit.html

Discussion:

Whenever I notice around an online Yu-gi-oh! game where nothing is at stake, and everyone gets in for free, would they'll be people that understand the meaning of the words "competitive" and "casual". Just an annoying irk when I notice inside an online Yu-gi-oh! tournament, and it literally becomes a net-decking spree that everyone would push for the decks that they want most, and what they want least.

I am one of those players, that likes to switch between competitive and casual, but when people decide to go "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, THIS DECK SUCKS.", that's when it irritates me to no end, even when they didn't look at your deck. It's one thing that I want to test decks in tourneys. It's another thing when you know that people play with the decks that want them to "win" and "have fun". Man, it becomes ridiculous, and not worth it.

Now, you know that I make Yu-gi-oh! creations, but when I try to submit one of them to represent what somewhat resembles an icon, one of those idiots told me to weaken it, because someone was going to abuse it. Honestly, I can care less if they get abused. It just means, that someone's actually getting a use out of them, without my efforts going to waste. I shouldn't get the ridicule get to me, but yeah, it becomes ridiculous when people like that exist.

Now, let me ask you this: If I can't relax under good conditions of dueling because we all know that real life can bring a meteor down on our shoulders, should I pick out my opponents instead and try to have fun that way with creations? Or, should I stop caring in general, breakdown, and use what everyone else uses? Personally, I want to have fun, but at the same time, show people that they can be competitive in any situation. But with loud mouth players, it gets harder and harder each day...

Sorry about breaking down into a rant. I needed to relieve some stress that was overflowing and nothing more. Regardless, I'll continue to build decks and be creative, but at the same time, try to be competitive as much as possible. Hopefully, you have a nice day.