Let’s Build Something #13: Turn the Tide
NOTE: Normally I don’t write the Let’s Build Something series on The Spoils Web Blarg, but Ken asked me to fill in for him this week. The following is the article I wrote for his series.
With Shade of the Devoured Emperor as close to “around the corner” as it can be (test prints, w00t!), all the players I know are excited by the 130 new cards and the many ways those cards will shake up the tournament scene.
While adding 130 new cards is great, Shade is more than just the cards found within it. The release of Shade will mark a major turning point for The Spoils as a game, a turning point that will allow both Arcane Tinmen and Spoils players to really grow the game and raise it to the level it should be at.
How will Shade accomplish this, you ask? Good question.
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The Fifth Tuesday #4: How Do You Team?
Clans and Teams have existed in The Spoils since the rise of the forums. Whether it was Team Strike, Team Hopper, Team Covenant, or Team 6:32, the forums were alive with teams planning their next events or talking trash to one another.
Since Arcane Tinmen took over The Spoils, though, teams seem to have fallen out of the limelight. Teams certainly still exist, bu they aren’t as vocal or as prominent as they were in years past.
I’m not saying this is necessarily a bad or good thing as I really don’t know if it is either. What I am curious about, though, is how the teams that do exist operate. In short, how do you team (and yes, team is a verb now)?
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From the Judge’s Chambers #13: Playgroup Errors
Judging at Gen Con in 2010 was my first major judging experience. I had judged hundreds of local events and a handful of regional/state events, but nothing that would see players from all around the world traveling to one event. It was a bit daunting to think about, but I think I handled the pressure well and performed admirably.
One of the most important things I learned, though, is that there will be players in the tournament breaking the rules without knowing it. They aren’t doing it on purpose, and they usually aren’t “big” rules, but they are doing it nonetheless.
These players are breaking the rules because of what I call “playgroup errors.”
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What’s the Deal with Gold Summit?
Card gamers are a vocal group. We like to talk about what we like, what we dislike, what we would do if we were in charge, etc. We even talk about what we think is best for the games we love and what we would change to make them better. More often than not, the “changes” we discuss are the banning of cards.
The Spoils is no exception to this and the forums frequently see players discuss which cards they would like to see banned. While I am personally always against banning (I prefer errata), I still enjoy reading the discussions to see why people think a particular card is too powerful.
Lately, though, there has been one card that I see pop up on various proposed ban lists, but I haven’t really seen much discussion as to why this card should be banned.
It begs me to ask the question: what’s the deal with Gold Summit?
Research Investment
Today’s article will likely feel like a follow-up to my article from months ago titled Get Weird!, and it sort of is a spiritual brother to that article. It also isn’t an article about the card Research Investment, although I have to admit I may have used that title as a way to lure in some readers.
Instead, I want to briefly explain to you all why I think Spoils players (and card gamers in general) should do their very best to avoid net-decking at all costs.
The Dirty Dozen: Part Two
Two weeks ago I took a look at six of the rules I consider to be easily forgettable/not well known. This week, I round out The Dirty Dozen by taking a look at the second half of the Comprhensive Rules Reference and the various rules it has to offeer.
Without further ado, Part Two of The Dirty Dozen!
Christmas Ornaments
My favorite day of the year, Christmas, is just four days away and I couldn’t be more excited. My car is decorated, I have my Santa-suit hoodie, and my tree looks absolutely gorgeous.
Every time I look at my tree, though, I wish I could have something Spoils related hanging from it. Sure, I could probably steal one of my brother’s micromajig figures and hang that, but the little guy is so small I’d probably never notice him.
This got me thinking about what Spoils cards and items would look great as ornaments, and then it hit me: the Crests!
From the Judge’s Chambers #12: New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s Day is just two weeks away and that means it is almost time for a new New Year’s Resolution or two. Last year I set quite a few goals for myself and hit most of them, which makes me proud, and I’d like to repeat the experience this year.
Instead of informing you all of how many books I’d like to read or what kind of projects I’d like to accomplish, I’m going to share my Spoils related New Year’s Resolutions with you all. Obviously you may not care about what I’m doing, but maybe some of these will inspire you to set Spoils related goals for yourself.
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The Dirty Dozen: Part One
As the former Judge of Great Justice, I would frequently encounter players who were unaware of particular rules and had to be enlightened regarding their existence. Many times, multiple players would be unaware of the same rule, usually because it was one of the very specific rules that does not come up in actual gameplay too often.
Since this is the month of December, I’ve decided to take a look at the twelve rules in the Compherensive Rules Reference that, I have found, most players either do not know about, constantly forget, or frequently ask questions about. I’ve decided to name these rules the Dirty Dozen, and hopefully the existence of this article will help players all around the world understand The Spoils just a bit better.
Since there are twelves rules I am going to look at and I don’t want to entice any “TL:DR” responses, I’ve decided to break up the Dirty Dozen into two parts. This week I’ll look at the first six rules I’ve found, then in two weeks check back for the second half!
Holiday Gift Shopping
The holiday season is certainly upon us and, as usual, holiday shoping is a high priority for many of us. While some people may be craving the latest smart phone or a really fancy pair of boots, us Spoils players are probably itching to unwrap some Spoils goodies this holiday season.
If you happen to know a Spoils player you’d like to shop for this season, or would just like to treat yourself to a few Spoils related items, consider today’s article a buyer’s guide to The Spoils for the 2012 holiday season.