There's a certain problem in my area. Most people around here have been playing for a really long time, and as such tend to be set in old rules.
The problem I have is that people tend to associate the way that a certain mechanic works on one card and apply that to all cards with that mechanic.
For example, when I cast Death Grasp for 800 targeting a Hill Giant (in my big mana deck), people tell me that I'll only gain 3 life, thinking of Drain Life.
Or when they Twiddle an attacker to untap it, assuming that it will deal no damage a la Maze of Ith.
These are just a few examples.
What is the best way to convey the idea that card-specific traits are not shared to every card with similar mechanics? A lot of the time, they tend not to believe me.
If the card does NOT say there is a limit on the amount of life you will gain, then there IS NO limit.
If the card does NOT say the Combat Damage is prevented, then it is NOT prevented.
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One additional suggestion: have patience. Mistakes like this are fairly easy to make when you aren't a "serious" player. If you want them to better understand how to play, you'll be more successful if you politely and kindly point out their error.
Spock is not portrayed correctly. If Vulcans are above petty emotions, what motivates him to join the most elite starship crew in the galaxy? I, on the other hand, have transcended the weakness of emotion and achieved a blissful lack of caring. Apathy is my strength, our strength, which prevents us from being all-to-human. In this spirit, may Meh be with you, always.
I would strongly suggest having access to Oracle handy when you do this, whether it be a printed copy (how many trees have to die for one copy?) or online. This way they can't pull out an argument like "Well, I heard they errated Death Grasp to be just like Drain Life anyway!"
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I am no longer on MTGS staff, so please don't contact me asking me to do staff things. :|
I like to have Oracle on a Palm Pilot (especially when I'm judging) then there can be no arguments
That's quite possibly the best use of a Palm Pilot I've ever heard.
No, I'm not being sarcastic. Having an easily searchable database of all the current card wordings at the playing table when questions come up is utterly fantastic.
If I ever get back into judging, I'm totally getting a device that will allow me to do that.
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I am no longer on MTGS staff, so please don't contact me asking me to do staff things. :|
As I also play with people used to the older cards, if the card in question isn't too new, I tend to use Crystalkeep as well, even though it's no longer updated because it shows the rulings on the cards.
Magicthegathering.com's Gatherer also does the same sort of thing, though sometimes, cards are mysteriously not in the database (ie: Aggravated Assault) or the rulings are out of date (ie: Crimson Kobolds's ability IS a Characteristic Setting Ability, which was listed incorrectly as not being one until recently. It's correct now, but I'm sure there are others that still need to be fixed.)
Obviously, if you can get the Oracle for your Palm or Pocket PC, if you have one, that's the way to go. As for printing it out, if you make it into a PDF and print six sheets per page double-sided, it's a lot more manageable. The font's kind of small, but it's still readable to anyone under 60.
Obviously, if you can get the Oracle for your Palm or Pocket PC, if you have one, that's the way to go. As for printing it out, if you make it into a PDF and print six sheets per page double-sided, it's a lot more manageable. The font's kind of small, but it's still readable to anyone under 60.
Dont say Oracle.
Im my playgroup, a guy that has been playing since 4th made a regeneration deck... The point of his deck was to regenerate your creatures and tap them (because old rules make regenerated creatures get tapped)
He coudnt understand the fact that they no longer get tapped.
On a similar note, I told him about hte new Legend rule, he said "WTF?", i told him all cards had their Oracle updated, he asked wtf is oracle. :/
Heres what you should do. Tell them to log into this site, and read what we are saying
Works for me!
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I think assaulting another player should have a range of penalties. (A light slap is a game loss, a kick in the nuts is a DQ, ghetto-stomping someone is a Ban for Life.) There could be article all about it, like "when to mulligan"
Actually, his deck wouldn't work under old rules either. Both then and now, regeneration only taps a creature when the creature actually was going to die.
The problem I have is that people tend to associate the way that a certain mechanic works on one card and apply that to all cards with that mechanic.
For example, when I cast Death Grasp for 800 targeting a Hill Giant (in my big mana deck), people tell me that I'll only gain 3 life, thinking of Drain Life.
Or when they Twiddle an attacker to untap it, assuming that it will deal no damage a la Maze of Ith.
These are just a few examples.
What is the best way to convey the idea that card-specific traits are not shared to every card with similar mechanics? A lot of the time, they tend not to believe me.
-Goblinboy
If the card does NOT say there is a limit on the amount of life you will gain, then there IS NO limit.
If the card does NOT say the Combat Damage is prevented, then it is NOT prevented.
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us...
very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
Rules Q&A FAQ: Chances are good, your Questions have already been Answered.
Tag your cards: [card]CARDNAME[/card] = CARDNAME
Before you create a Rules Question thread; READ THIS
Freedom is not free.
Have you thanked a Veteran today?
Just a thought...
Rabit
It's wrong that you have to be worrying this way in the first place.
Spock is not portrayed correctly. If Vulcans are above petty emotions, what motivates him to join the most elite starship crew in the galaxy? I, on the other hand, have transcended the weakness of emotion and achieved a blissful lack of caring. Apathy is my strength, our strength, which prevents us from being all-to-human. In this spirit, may Meh be with you, always.
That's quite possibly the best use of a Palm Pilot I've ever heard.
No, I'm not being sarcastic. Having an easily searchable database of all the current card wordings at the playing table when questions come up is utterly fantastic.
If I ever get back into judging, I'm totally getting a device that will allow me to do that.
Rabit
Magicthegathering.com's Gatherer also does the same sort of thing, though sometimes, cards are mysteriously not in the database (ie: Aggravated Assault) or the rulings are out of date (ie: Crimson Kobolds's ability IS a Characteristic Setting Ability, which was listed incorrectly as not being one until recently. It's correct now, but I'm sure there are others that still need to be fixed.)
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Dont say Oracle.
Im my playgroup, a guy that has been playing since 4th made a regeneration deck... The point of his deck was to regenerate your creatures and tap them (because old rules make regenerated creatures get tapped)
He coudnt understand the fact that they no longer get tapped.
On a similar note, I told him about hte new Legend rule, he said "WTF?", i told him all cards had their Oracle updated, he asked wtf is oracle. :/
Heres what you should do. Tell them to log into this site, and read what we are saying
Works for me!
-Goblinboy