Advice needed on first Tournament Deck
Deck Help forum
Posted on April 16, 2012, 3:15 p.m. by Trmiller1326
Me and my friends have been playing Standard decks for a little while, and there is a local sci-fi con coming up next month. We all agreed to give it a shot, with our goal to just knock our opponent down to 19 life.
I decided my blue/white Spirit deck will be the deck I want to compete with. I just have to keep it to a budget.
My question is two fold:
I'm looking on advice on my deck deck:the-inbound-flight-advice-needed. I think the deck has some good synergy in it right now, but I would like to make it run a little easier. Also, I was wondering if I could get advice on what to expect at a tournament, etiquette, etc while there. I'm sure when you play a card like Pacifism you don't throw it on the players card, same with exile cards when using Oblivion Ring, etc.
Thanks to everyone in advance!
Epochalyptik is spot on. A few key things to remember when playing at a competitive (or professional) rule enforcement level:
- Be very clear with your actions. If a life total changes, announce it. If you are casting a spell, announce it and wait for your opponent to respond.
- Keep an eye on your triggers. If you miss one that helps you, you'll likely not get it after the fact. If you miss one that hurts you, you'll likely get a penalty (and the get the trigger). Note: you do not have to remind your opponent of their triggers, though. Remembering triggers is a skill, so pay attention.
- If you have a question, problem, anything, call a judge. Raise your hand high and keep it high. Need to ask if something is legal? Call a judge. Either you or your opponent make a mistake? Call a judge. Opponent playing a foreign card you don't know offhand and want to see what it says in English? Call a judge.
Epochalyptik says... #2
Tournaments observe higher RELs (rules enforcement levels) than FNM/casual play events. Expect the atmosphere to be more formal, but not rigid. You'll be penalized for infractions of the rules, so try to adhere to them whenever possible. Be sure to maintain awareness of the game state (life totals, triggers, state-based effects, etc.).
As for the Pacifism
/Oblivion Ring
comment, you just state that you're casting the spell and make note of all necessary information (modes, targets, values of X, etc.). Nothing is assumed to resolve, so give your opponent the time to respond. If you have a response yourself and your opponent begins to advance the game state without waiting, intervene by saying "I have a response." If you or your opponent violates the rules or you have a question, call for a judge.
Actual judges (mafteechr) will be better able to explain all the nuances of tournament etiquette than I can, but this is my understanding of affairs.
April 16, 2012 3:30 p.m.