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Subject: My experience in the Advanced Format, by Jason Reeves


"Boo! Evil Ban List! It took away my staples! BOO! HISSSSS!!"
If I have said it once, I have said it..... once.

I disagree with all the power players that attempt to pass off cheap tricks and nearly uncounterable, overused strategy as true talent and problem solving. The fact that you can use Card Destruction to bring out that Black Luster Soldier early on in the game is so over used. Tsukoyumi and Magician of Faith combos, ooh thats an original idea. While we're at it, lets just break out the CED/Yata-Lock combo you invented last month, and curse those at Upperdeck for banning it so soon after "you" perfected it.

Just because you started winning games does not mean that you got better at playing the game. I HATE Cookie cutting netdeckers. Originality of design is one of the many lures this game has to offer. I applaud those that invent new and unique deck ideas, and then use them, regardless of how many times that stupid cookie cutting netdecker (which we will now refer to as CCND) breaks out the BLS and trounces all over your originality.

Some are tempted to go the way of the CCND, just to accomplish a win or 2, but again I applaud those that do not. I recently updated my deck to be compliant with the NEW Ban list. At first I was angry to lose my Pot and Graceful along with RoD, BUT I play tested it and found that the true fun of the game remains and is enhanced knowing that I have to play a better game, and not just rely on the best draw. I had to restructure my deck to fit around the holes that the ban list left. I discovered something interesting, there were no holes. Now I have more fun, and even play a ban list compliant deck (a RFG Gren Maju based deck) against Traditional decks and I have more fun now then before the Ban.

I agree with everything on the new ban list (except maybe bringing Dark Hole back, that one I can't wrap my brain around). I especially like the fact that Tribe is GONE! I hated that stinkin card.

In my time as a Yu GI Holic I have built and rebuilt 26 decks for myself and my family. I love my deck and this game more now (post-ban) than I ever have. Sure people will abuse the new sets like Cyberdragons and the like, but there are MORE ways to get around that than before.

I pray for the day when I can read of the Top 10 placers in the Shonen Jump Tournament and EVERY one of them is totally different. I used to read the winning decks and they all had a few things in common: Jinzo, Pot, DDuo, BLS, Tribe, Tsuko, Breaker, etc.

You would think that people with so much skill in playing Yu Gi Oh could have a little more imagination, and they may have originality. BUT if you want to win a tournament, you have to play to win, and to win, you must play Cookie Cutter (or a slight variation thereof). Unfortunately, those that do break from the mold find themselves at the losers bracket.

I seriously adore the new Ban rules, and anyone that whines about it saying "Oh no! Now I can't win! This sux! I quit!" wasn't truely playing the real game. The real game of Yu Gi Oh contains many parts to master: 1. DECK CONSTRUCTION, 2. Coolness Under Fire, 3. A Winning Strategy (not necessarily in that order). If you get a Coolness Under Fire from A Winning Strategy you copied from the web, I hope the ban list makes you understand where you as a player can expand your enjoyment by winning with an idea you yourself have either invented or ellaborated on.

Oh how the mighty have fallen. We shall weap for the loss of the BLS and hail the return of Hole of Darkness with much weaping and knashing of teeth.
But we will survive, and that which does not kill us makes us stronger.

Ok. I am through preaching *steps off his soapbox* Now if anyone does not like what I have said, or possitively disagrees with me, the soapbox is empty, and you are welcome to respond. If you flame, you only prove your own ignorance. An attack on someone personally without having known the person is a cowardly and weak attempt at boosting your own ego, so please, an educated response or even counter point is respected and welcomed, otherwise, you are a poo poo head.

Pippin1178 (Pojo CotD Pirates reviewer)
Jason Reeves
jreeves@dailyleader.com