Cactus Game Design Message Boards

Post here about thoughts/comments regarding the T3 format (60 card decks with equal good and evil, playing to 6 LSs). This can apply to people in or out of ROOT, as long as you've played games under the T3 rules. This is not a thread for people to say "that sounds awful, I'm never going to do that!" or "that sounds awesome, I might try that someday." The idea here is for people who have played games to give their input, which is why I am posting it in the ROOT forum (since all ROOT players used these rules this month).

I really enjoyed T3 and like the idea of not relying on speed to get to SoG NJ.

I would like to see the use of multiple generics implemented still.

I'm going to comment on this from the perspective of the Maryland playgroup that has been testing T3 since its conception, an idea that has evolved some as we've played.  We've also had one tournament for T3 already, and more will be coming soon once we can all get together.

First, we have been playing it as a MP category.  For one, very few of us enjoy T1-MP, and as others have pointed out there is ALWAYS a block to be had in this format (my brother won a Regional T1-MP with his only evil cards being Mayhem and Cupbearer, both used basically for souls and not actual blocking).

Second, we reduced the rescue limit from 6 to 5.  While this had been discussed a lot, due to the fact that it set it apart from the other types in a major way, we had an issue with time-outs, especially when we went to a MP category.  Even when we played 2P, two very good players who built formidable decks would time-out almost every game, and we didn't like this option for a tournament.  Given the increased number of blocks (and evil doms) when there are 3 and 4 players, the game is still not over with a SoG+NJ draw and we have found 5 souls is sufficient for a competitive game.

Third, we changed the deck size to 60-63.  The impetus was Haman's Plot.  Essentially, ripping a Plot would result in an illegal deck normally if the deck size was mandated at 60.  Alternatives were as discussed in this thread on the Type Three board I put up, but the best option that was agreed upon after play-testing was to change the deck size to 60-63 cards and use T2 rules on balancing a deck after a card is ripped.

On a side note there, I made another board for those play-testing the type as we were running it to discuss and post about tournament results (quiet given the holidays, will pick up soon).  The website is TypeThree.game-host.org.  If you want to sign up, just shoot me a PM afterwards so I can activate you (lots of spammers were joining ).  We have a points system to determine a 'season winner', and if anyone wants to hold tournaments by the rules we're testing, they are free to There will be trophies and prizes (paid for by me) in the end

Now, on to discussion of gameplay

I agree that the slower pace of the game is very much better by my standards.  Less frantic, more fellowship, and more strategic.  All reasons why I like playing this game in the first place, so it's not really a surprise I like T3.

Also, love that there are very few unblocked rescues, and A LOT of battles that are more than 1 card being played.  Actual strategy is involved!

Similar-sized decks and the mandated balance definitely help to keep games interesting and encourages better deck design all around.  Speed hasn't been killed in T3 (which I think is good), but it is certainly limited and I enjoy that a lot.

I really enjoyed the T3 format.  I've always like the interaction of the battle phase in Redemption, and the format caused there to be a lot more of that in these games.  Both players had REAL defense (as in designed to stop rescues instead of just drawing cards or creating LSs for the offense).  Both players also had REAL offense (as in designed to rescue all game long instead of just a gimmick that works when your opponent decks out).

This combination made games feel like the way Redemption was actually designed to be played.  It was fun

I wasn't around for the T3 ROOT, but if people still have their decks I would enjoy giving it a try. Shoot me a message to let me know when you would be available. I'll try to get a deck ready sometime this weekend.