The Kaijudo Code
An Article by Lee Sandow
No, I’m not here to simply tell you the Kaijudo Code, I’m here to review it and discuss how it actually can make you a better player. I can hear you now, “The code is some TV show nonsense. It makes no difference in my game.”, and I have to disagree with you. I’m not saying you should walk around reciting the Code at tournaments (In YGO, I’m sick of hearing “Heart of the cards”), but simply bear the code in mind. It does work wonders. For those of you that do not know the code…
I make no excuses.
My actions are my voice.
I have no enemies.
My opponent is my teacher.
I need no deceitful tricks.
My character is my sword.
I think not of quitting.
My courage is my secret weapon.
I know not of defeat.
My experience becomes my strength.
So, how does this apply to dueling? I’ll break it down one line at a time…
1) I make no excuses. How many times has your opponent blamed their loss on a bad hand, or you getting a good hand, or (heaven forbid) you cheating? It’s happened to me in every game I’ve ever played (Monopoly and connect four included), and it is annoying. So please, I beg you, don’t do it. Even if you did lose because you had a bad hand, complaining about it won’t help you at all. Besides, it makes you look immature and like a bad sport. If you lose a duel, or even a match, blaming something for your loss just makes you look like a sore loser. No one likes sore losers.
2) My actions are my voice. If you act mature and sportsman-like in a duel, people will get that impression about you. This line simply reminds you that your opponent will judge you by your behavior as much as by what you say, so act mature and your opponent will respect you for it.
3) I have no enemies. Sure, that guy with the (insert deck type here) deck always beats you, but that doesn’t make him your enemy. Simply look at all the other duelists as people, and remember. This is JUST A GAME. This line leads very well into the next line of the code, which is…
4) My opponent is my teacher. So you lost to the Barkwhip deck. Did you notice why you lost? Did you notice something later that had you seen it at the time could have helped you? This line means learn from your loses/mistakes. And if your opponent offers you friendly advice after a game, listen to them. Learning from different perspectives and angles will make you a much better duelist.
5) I need no deceitful tricks. Cheaters never prosper. Nor do dishonest (but not directly cheating) players. If your opponent is playing a card wrong (so that it helps you), correct them. After all, you ARE that duelist’s teacher…
6) My character is my sword. This is quite a bit like number two, but with slight differences. This one simply tells you that when fighting your opponent, good character can go a lot further than being a negative person ever would. There’s a life lesson in this folks…
7) I think not of quitting. So you are getting your butt kicked. Badly. You might want to give up, but PLEASE don’t. There are many reasons that you shouldn’t. A) It cheapens the win for your opponent. B) Your next card might have turned the duel around so you could have won. C) You learn as much from your defeats as you do your wins. Quitters look like losers, much more than you would have if you’d simply been out-dueled. Play the game to the end, learn from your opponent, and HAVE FUN. This kind of ties in to number eight…
8) My courage is my secret weapon. This is more of a life lesson than a duel tip, but still, determination can get you a LONG way. Not surrendering is a sign of your character, and will earn you the respect of your fellow duelists.
9) I know not of defeat. This doesn’t mean you are not allowed to lose a duel, a match, a tournament, or anything like that. Losses happen, and they are OK. The key word in that sentence is loss. A loss is where you lost to a more skilled/more lucky/other duelist, and losses are nothing to be ashamed of. Defeat is when you lose faith in yourself and you quit trying. Once you have reached that point, you lose your entire caliber as a duelist, and you won’t have any fun. Which is what this game is all about.
10) My experience becomes my strength. This is the single most important lesson on the entire Kaijudo Code. So long as you learn ONE thing from each duel, even the ones you lose, you are a winner. Experience can only make you better, and further your career as a duelist. Strength does not only lie in the cards, but it resides within your soul as well. As it grows, so does your deck, your confidence, your character, and your courage.
The code is an important list of lessons that can make you a better duelist, and a better person as well. I’m not saying you need to keep on a piece of paper in your pocket all the time, but simply bearing it in mind as you duel will help you succeed. I hope this article will help you in your future duels, and that perhaps you’ve learned something from reading it.
Do you agree with my view of the code? Do you think I’m just plain crazy, and deserve to be shot? Did I miss something? Let me know.
I look forward to hearing from you.
*Lee Sandow*