Cactus Game Design Message Boards

I have been thinking of ways to make Redemption more competitive and build relationship among players. My idea would take a lot of willing participation. What do you guys think about for the 2017 season we rank the top 10-20 or so current players. Then those players find a team mate that is not in that top 10-20 players to be there team mate for the 2017 season or 2017 national tournament. I think this would build redemption's competitiveness since the players that are teamed up with a top player  would learn some valuable techniques and strategies. Also it will encourage those players to become more involved, and it will make for an epic teams event at Nats. Finally it would ultimately make the main event(Type 1 2 player) more competitive in the future since they will hopefully be learning a lot from the top player they are teamed up with. I understand this is pretty unlikely to happen due to people not able to come to Nats, or just not wanting to take part in it. What are your thoughts? Is this something we would be willing to do?

I would be really interested to hear peoples thoughts that have made top cut the past couple years

This is a unique idea, though I do not agree with it as-is for a few reasons:

The way you have it worded might cause division as well as the good you are trying to accomplish. Teams to me seems like something you would want to be a well-coordinated brainstorm of two people. If I was playing to win, I wouldn't want to leave it up to someone who may or may not know all the nuances of gameplay and strategy.

I firmly believe that the best teacher for those kinds of players is actually playing against the top players, rather than having them hold their hands. More videos like the High level play ones (with less mistakes ) would help teach as well, without having to match players with someone they don't know/don't trust at the highest level tournament of the year, which also might be the only one they can make it to that year. Since Nats allows no mistakes, that might not be the best teaching environment during a game.

Knowing many high level players, I can say that most all of them are more than willing to offer advice/help newer players, or ones that want to step up their game. Asking is the greatest tool at your disposal, and we have come a long way recently with the Land o' Redemption's fantastic articles on the subject.

In the end, having a high-caliber partner for one category out of the year is no substitute for experience over time.

I agree with you when it comes to the resources that are available and how helpful they are. You can have a well-coordinated brainstorm of two people with this idea in place. I feel like there would be people outside the top 20 that understand the nuances of gameplay and strategy, but yes not as much as the people making top cut. Its not like i am saying take some rlk and team up with him. There are a group of great players, then there are a group of really good players. That will very easily make up the top 20. The people that are 21-35 i would assume its still players that understand the game pretty well. I could be wrong, but i would like to see a ranking just to make sure. They do not have to team up with someone they do not know, every player in the top 20 know someone if not more just one to team up with that are out  side the top 20. Also I agree having a quality player as a partner is not a substitute for experience over time, but the combination of the two is very helpful.  I speak from personal experience, I learned quite a bit by teaming up with a top player when i was even a beginner, so i know first hand of the benefits. I would not be the player i am today without that experience. I understand not wanting to do that for the most important tournament of the year from the top players prospective. On the other hand they would have the whole season to prepare. Also if this did happen it would have to be something all those players that wanted to do teams agreed to do, so then it would be fair across the board and wont run into two players in the top 5. Thanks for your input, this is just one of my crazy ideas.

What if we took a pole where we voted for the top 20 and did it a way people wouldn't know who each other voted for? Or would people's feelings be hurt?

I just want to point out that Brian put into practice what he suggested and partnered with a teammate who was ranked outside the top 40 in RNRS for TEAMS...

My teammate was ranked below me in RNRS too.

Lolol

In the end, having a high-caliber partner for one category out of the year is no substitute for experience over time.

Just as a crazy thought (my ), what if the more experienced players set up an "official" mentorship program?

The more experienced players would publicly offer up the time and experience as mentors.  Younger (and older less good ) players looking to up their game could then ask for a mentor for some one on one help.

This help could include playing games together, critiquing decks and plays, etc. If It helps I would be willing to organize some Lackey events where the mentees and their mentors could (metaphorically) site side by side and play against another mentor-mentee pair.

Just as a crazy thought (my ), what if the more experienced players set up an "official" mentorship program?

The more experienced players would publicly offer up the time and experience as mentors.  Younger (and older less good ) players looking to up their game could then ask for a mentor for some one on one help.

This help could include playing games together, critiquing decks and plays, etc. If It helps I would be willing to organize some Lackey events where the mentees and their mentors could (metaphorically) site side by side and play against another mentor-mentee pair.

Already waiting for things like these quite a long time now ...

Quote from: EmJayBee83 on August 08, 2017, 08:58:19 AM

Just as a crazy thought (my ), what if the more experienced players set up an "official" mentorship program?

The more experienced players would publicly offer up the time and experience as mentors.  Younger (and older less good ) players looking to up their game could then ask for a mentor for some one on one help.

This help could include playing games together, critiquing decks and plays, etc. If It helps I would be willing to organize some Lackey events where the mentees and their mentors could (metaphorically) site side by side and play against another mentor-mentee pair.

Already waiting for things like these quite a long time now ...

I have had several offer this through Skype and lackey or actually playing with cards through video.

As player #21+, I totally back Brian's idea!