Some people just want to play Magic. Maybe they hear about this "GPT" and decide to show up and play, even though they have no intention of going to the GP. And that's fine. It's their choice to play. No TO is going to deny entry to a player if that player has no intention of going to the GP. The store only holding one event won't stop that problem from happening.
I completely understand that this happens and I have nothing against it. The number of people doing this is relatively small in my opinion and won't have a huge impact on the tournament and the people there for say, the GP byes. The TO making two events actually one has a really big impact. Now, instead of a small 20 something person tournament for some byes you have a 50+ man tournament. This doesn't benefit the players, just the store.
And the combined events serve a second purpose: It keeps them in the store longer. If the start times are offset by a few hours, players who are doing poorly in the GPT will drop and join the SCG IQ. That's a bonus for the store owner, since that player would likely drop and not hang around. But by giving them an incentive to hang around, they have the potential for more business.
I've seen stores do two events at once that start about 30 minutes to an hour apart. This doesn't allow for someone to drop and join the other event. I like the idea of having them start further apart, giving people that chance to drop and join the other. This is also clearly better in my opinion instead of one big event that is both a PPTQ and a SCG IQ. It's a win for the store as you said, it keeps people there longer. And it is a win for the players as I'm sure each event size will be smaller. I could very well see the numbers looking something like the following. GPT only 20 people. GPT+SCGIQ 50 people. GPT and SCGIQ same day, separate tournaments 30 people each.
I'm curious to hear your opinions on this subject.
I've noticed recently that stores are starting to run one event for two different things. I've seen a Grand Prix Trial/TCG Gold as well as a PPTQ/SCG IQ.
I understand why the stores do it since I'm sure it draws in a bigger crowd. You know what also draws in a bigger crowd? Holding two tournaments the same day and time. This just seems like the lazy way of doing it. All it does is hurt the players.
There was a Vegas GPT last month. Being that this is Minnesota, one would think this tournament wouldn't be that big. Which is why I'm sure they decided to combine it with something else. The problem is, instead of having only people that are actually going to Vegas playing, you have a ton of people that aren't. What are the odds that the top 8 people aren't even going to Vegas? Pretty high I'd say. Now, the GP byes are wasted.
I haven't been to a PPTQ/SCG IQ, but I don't care one bit about the SCG IQ. I would just want the PTQ invite. I'm sure there are lots of people out there that are just the opposite. Again, not holding two separate tournaments is hurting the players.
Now I know there are stores out there that don't combine and in fact run two separate tournaments. I commend them. They will either do one Saturday and the other Sunday or run them both at approximately the same time, usually with slightly different starting times.
I personally would like Wizards to not allow such practices.
Why are they using data from top 8 in one tournament, 16 in another and 32 in another? Why not top 32 in all three? Smells of cherry picking numbers to skew results, even if that wasn't the intent.
I need your opinions on a logo I'm doing for a friend.
My friend is working on getting his own Magic site/store set up. I have some experience with Photoshop, so I offered my assistance with making a logo as the one they currently have is hideous in my opinion. The person making his website made the current logo. I am making my logo in illustrator so I can resize the logo without losing quality. First time really using it as I've normally just needed Photoshop.
Here is the current logo on the site:
A few problems I see with this logo. It doesn't look professional. It is image based and not vector based. This is a problem when you want to resize the logo whether it is for a business card or a 10 foot banner. Most memorable logos are simple. Minimalist you may say. Going that route makes it look more professional as well, in my opinion at least.
Here is the first concept I came up with:
When he told me the name of his site, this general image is what came to mind.
I wasn't happy with it and decided to change it up with my second concept design:
I think this looks a lot better. The logo is more "balanced".
Made a small addition:
I added the ".com" as that seems the "thing to do" and I think it looks nicer as well. Also frees up from having to put the website typed out on business cards, etc. as it is right there in the logo.
I had one last idea:
I wanted to find a way to add some color to the logo to liven it up a bit. I wanted to work in the five colors of magic. I have 4 of the colors here as white doesn't look good as one of the cards, even though magic white is more of a light tan. I tried to get as close the mana symbol colors as possible.
I am torn between mono-color and multi-colored versions of Concept 3. I personally lean towards the multi-colored version. My friend likes it all black. He does have the final say and all since it is his site.
I want to touch up the corners of the four cards in the "library" a bit, but otherwise I'm quite happy with how it turned out.
What do you think? Anything you would change? Your brutal honesty is greatly appreciated!
In your situation I think watching as many games as you can stand on MTGO is the best and easiest way to go. I do it quite often myself. Beats watching most TV shows.
It gets to a point where you can predict with a high degree of accuracy what cards they have and how they will play them. Helped me a TON for an extended PTQ. I knew what deck they were playing when they played their first land. And this was without ever playing the format myself (nowhere to play). I only missed top 8 due to one little play mistake (sacking Lotus Bloom for blue instead of red, counted wrong). Which was due to not actually playing the deck before, not lack of knowledge of the format. That isn't really an issue in your case.
If they do reprint them. Especially if they do it over the whole block. It will depend entirely on whether or not they are reprinted as rare or upgraded to mythics. I predict that if upgraded to mythic, they will probably see a price increase while in standard. Otherwise they would go down in price somewhat, then even more once they leave standard.
This is the latest email that I got from the CEO of WLG.
This has gone from ridiculous to just insane.
He is demanding 1) I return the money from previous sell orders to them that are 13+ days old. 2) I apologize to them via admitting I was somehow at fault therefore giving them a legal out 3) Get off my high horse and other derogatory remarks ...
If this last email doesn't prove what type of people they are then I don't know what will. I mean, he even mentions my mother ... who the heck does that?
Probably just stating the obvious, but... No refund until you have the cards in your hands. If that is in fact the route you are planning to take.
You mill till a nacromoeba. Let it enter play. Do it again. If you hit Emrakul, no biggy. Let it get shuffled, then keep going. This goes extremely quick as you are only waiting for one card to be in the graveyard.
This part is the sketchy part. Now you need Dread Return, Sharuum and Blasting Station in the yeard at the same time without Emrakul.
I use the Academy Rector and Goblin Bombardment method. This way you only need Academy Rector and Dread Return in the Graveyard without Emrakul. Sure it is only one less card needed, but it makes a world of difference.
If we can find a way of only needing one card in the graveyard at each stage to "go off" I think this would be a much more acceptable deck to run in tournaments.
I've noticed recently that stores are starting to run one event for two different things. I've seen a Grand Prix Trial/TCG Gold as well as a PPTQ/SCG IQ.
I understand why the stores do it since I'm sure it draws in a bigger crowd. You know what also draws in a bigger crowd? Holding two tournaments the same day and time. This just seems like the lazy way of doing it. All it does is hurt the players.
There was a Vegas GPT last month. Being that this is Minnesota, one would think this tournament wouldn't be that big. Which is why I'm sure they decided to combine it with something else. The problem is, instead of having only people that are actually going to Vegas playing, you have a ton of people that aren't. What are the odds that the top 8 people aren't even going to Vegas? Pretty high I'd say. Now, the GP byes are wasted.
I haven't been to a PPTQ/SCG IQ, but I don't care one bit about the SCG IQ. I would just want the PTQ invite. I'm sure there are lots of people out there that are just the opposite. Again, not holding two separate tournaments is hurting the players.
Now I know there are stores out there that don't combine and in fact run two separate tournaments. I commend them. They will either do one Saturday and the other Sunday or run them both at approximately the same time, usually with slightly different starting times.
I personally would like Wizards to not allow such practices.
Source: http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2013/05/more-information-on-magic-2014-duels-of.html
How about trying to fit this in a Canadian Thresh style deck? The Stifles will certainly help against opposing wastelands.
About freaking time with the sideboard changes. Only change I don't care for is the indestructible change.
My friend is working on getting his own Magic site/store set up. I have some experience with Photoshop, so I offered my assistance with making a logo as the one they currently have is hideous in my opinion. The person making his website made the current logo. I am making my logo in illustrator so I can resize the logo without losing quality. First time really using it as I've normally just needed Photoshop.
Here is the current logo on the site:
A few problems I see with this logo. It doesn't look professional. It is image based and not vector based. This is a problem when you want to resize the logo whether it is for a business card or a 10 foot banner. Most memorable logos are simple. Minimalist you may say. Going that route makes it look more professional as well, in my opinion at least.
Here is the first concept I came up with:
When he told me the name of his site, this general image is what came to mind.
I wasn't happy with it and decided to change it up with my second concept design:
I think this looks a lot better. The logo is more "balanced".
Made a small addition:
I added the ".com" as that seems the "thing to do" and I think it looks nicer as well. Also frees up from having to put the website typed out on business cards, etc. as it is right there in the logo.
I had one last idea:
I wanted to find a way to add some color to the logo to liven it up a bit. I wanted to work in the five colors of magic. I have 4 of the colors here as white doesn't look good as one of the cards, even though magic white is more of a light tan. I tried to get as close the mana symbol colors as possible.
I am torn between mono-color and multi-colored versions of Concept 3. I personally lean towards the multi-colored version. My friend likes it all black. He does have the final say and all since it is his site.
I want to touch up the corners of the four cards in the "library" a bit, but otherwise I'm quite happy with how it turned out.
What do you think? Anything you would change? Your brutal honesty is greatly appreciated!
It gets to a point where you can predict with a high degree of accuracy what cards they have and how they will play them. Helped me a TON for an extended PTQ. I knew what deck they were playing when they played their first land. And this was without ever playing the format myself (nowhere to play). I only missed top 8 due to one little play mistake (sacking Lotus Bloom for blue instead of red, counted wrong). Which was due to not actually playing the deck before, not lack of knowledge of the format. That isn't really an issue in your case.
Probably just stating the obvious, but... No refund until you have the cards in your hands. If that is in fact the route you are planning to take.
This isn't 100% accurate.
You mill till a nacromoeba. Let it enter play. Do it again. If you hit Emrakul, no biggy. Let it get shuffled, then keep going. This goes extremely quick as you are only waiting for one card to be in the graveyard.
This part is the sketchy part. Now you need Dread Return, Sharuum and Blasting Station in the yeard at the same time without Emrakul.
I use the Academy Rector and Goblin Bombardment method. This way you only need Academy Rector and Dread Return in the Graveyard without Emrakul. Sure it is only one less card needed, but it makes a world of difference.
If we can find a way of only needing one card in the graveyard at each stage to "go off" I think this would be a much more acceptable deck to run in tournaments.