hobbygamers ~ View topic

Well, with a new block coming in and some guys beginning to play competitively, I propose that the org allocate some funds to acquire utility cards for general use. 'Utility,' in this sense meaning general purpose cards that fit in a variety of decks. As an example, Kitchen Finks is a great fit in aggro, control and midrange decks as it fulfills many roles. In the upcoming Shards of Alara, the tricolor taplands and the charms can be considered 'utility.'

I propose that we set aside a HGC card pool that contains playsets of these cards and allow any person in the org to borrow cards from it. We could probably set a log of who borrowed what cards and, in exchange, the people who borrow cards must donate some cards to expand the card pool. Or we could just let people borrow whenever they choose but the power level of the cards per person must be balanced. (For example, suppose a person who borrows a playset of Underground River, Adarkar Wastes and Kitchen Finks also wants to borrow a set of Wrath of God. But another person who has only borrowed a set of Mulldrifter also needs the Wrath. The other person should get priority as he has not borrowed 'powerful' cards in comparison to the other player.)

Implementation:

1. Drafting: Looking at the Eventide drafts, it showed that by organizing Limited formats, we can expand the players' card pools. Copies of Figure of Destinity, Stillmoon Cavaliers, and other sought-after cards emerged in HGC binders after such drafts. The benefit of hosting these events is that we can actually use the Limited-only cards once before disseminating them amongst the org. Now, my idea is that the org can shoulder half of the cost of running the draft but, in exchange, players can only keep part of what they draft as reward. For instance, the Top 4 players can choose and keep 50% of their drafted cards, while the next 4 get 25% and so on. Admittedly, this is a quite expensive method to expand the card pool...

2. Singles: This is the method that might be more effective in acquiring utility cards and the main reason I proposed this just before Shards of Alara is released. While the block is still fresh and new, the prices of cards are inherently unstable. I suggest that we take the time to acquire utility cards while the prices are still somewhat negotiable i.e. smackable. We can also acquire complete playsets of utility cards as compared to drafts that will probably yield only some usable cards and dozens of useless (Constructed-wise) cards. A thousand pesos from the org, for instance, will go a long way in acquiring decent cards while they are still cheap.

Benefits:

1. It provides greater incentive for MtG players to apply to our org, apart from a venue to play MtG. From the recent batch of applicants, I could not help but notice that only a few from the Phil. Science group actually applied. That's something, considering that out of a dozen only two or three actually applied. Well, why? IMO, it probably had to do with the perceived benefits from applying to the org. After all, why should they apply when they can just play in their own circles and just wander in our area when they need a trade/playtest? But by creating a collective card pool, maybe we can entice the more competitive players out there to apply to the org... which leads to the next point...

2. It encourages the more casual players to play MtG. Let's face it, MtG is expensive - with decent decks ranging from PhP 500 to PhP 1,000, and more competitive decks costing many times more. Now, with the proposal, more utility cards can be supplied to the players and, as such, people do not have to invest as much to make a decent caliber deck. We can make the org metagame thrive, as people do not have to invest in a single deck since they have the utility pieces for different decks.

3. It aids the competitive HGC players in their constructed tournament attempts. A great example of how the org card pool should work is when many HGC guys played in the FNM. The pooled resources helped the players to create optimized decks, and as such, led to players garnering decent standings in the tourney. In addition, it gained the org some free advertising among the non-HGC UP players, as the tourney progresses. (Many players were quite amused with the Deck ng Bayan story, for example.)

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Well, that's it. Admittedly, there are many flaws with the proposal but with people poking holes at it and dissecting it, it could probably be made into a decent project. So, feel free to criticize and/or refine this proposal. Very Happy

I actually see you point.
The ideas look good, though we need better (or rather easier) way of implementation.

Tiers. Set up the cards in tiers. That way, we can streamline the borrowing process.

Good idea, actually. I suggest that this be done. Perhaps alumni can also step in and take advantage of the pool as a sort of alumni benefits program? Very Happy

MEMCOM.

Ok, so possible problem solve. Very Happy

Hmm, seems like nobody disagrees. What say you Lord of Pwnage?

As I've said, I like the idea. Since Q suggested it, perhaps he'd like to take point on this one.

I don't particularly mind but I suggest someone nearer to UP (i.e. oghma) should carry it, in case of last-minute borrowings. I recommend we shell out/or acquire an old binder to simplify things.

One of them 9 pocket-binders would be useful.

Actually, after some thought, I think FINANCE should hold it instead.

Possible implementation:
*Cards are sorted into tiers. Each tier costs the same number of points to borrow from. The six tiers are:

Tier 0: Cards that no real Constructed player should ever have to put in his deck. Generally, Limited-format-only cards and crap commons are here. (Examples: Dawnfluke, Neck Snap, Mass of Ghouls)

Tier 1: Decent commons and uncommons that are the backbone of every basic Constructed deck. Price ranges from 1-10. (Examples: Oblivion Ring, Puncture Blast, Snakeform)

Tier 2: Somewhat powerful uncommons and commons that are used in tourney decks. Includes the crap rares that may inevitably enter the card pool. Price ranges from 10-50. (Examples: Cancel, Dream Fracture, Pollen Lullaby, Creeping Mold)

Tier 3: Cards that are generally used in multiple tourney decks, either as sideboard cards or maindeck. Price ranges from 50-100. (Examples: Shriekmaw, Firespout, Wall of Roots)

Tier 4: The utility cards that are the mainstay of tourney decks either as centerpieces or provide the foundation for such decks. Price ranges from 100-300. (Examples: Painlands, Loxodon Warhammer, Kitchen Finks, Troll Ascetic, Primal Command)

Tier 5: The power cards that define the metagame. Any serious Constructed deck contains one or more of these cards. Price ranges from 300-x, where x is the amount of money you are willing to spend to win at a card game. (Examples: Bitterblossom, Mutavault, Garruk Wildspeaker, Chameleon Colossus, Thoughtseize, Wrath of God)

*To be able to borrow from the card pool, HGC members must initially donate 4 points worth of cards. They are then eligible to borrow up to 8p worth.
*After donating the initial amount, people can donate more cards to the pool for a 1:1 limit increase. Ergo, the more one donates to the pool, the more cards he can borrow. (For instance, if you donate 10p worth of cards after the initial donation, you can borrow up to 18p of cards. 10p donated + 8p initial)

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Any thoughts? Other suggestions include requiring deposits and collateral so that the guys won't be tempted to run away with the cards and a log where we record the various borrowers. Oh, and the org should probably shell out for a big binder, as BJ said.

I'm liking it so far.

One question: What if I donated ex-standard cards which have only recently been converted to such (i.e. Time Spiral block cards), will they still count points?

It would be better to accept cards that would last until next year, so I think we shouldn't accept any TS and Coldsnap block cards. However, once a person has donated, the total points should be constant. I think as a general rule, cards from the oldest block will no longer be accepted in the pool, to prevent people from funneling soon-to-be-obsolete cards.

Otoh, I'm perfectly willing to accept Coldsnap donations... And Ice Age... And Alliances... Twisted Evil

hmm.. no love for non-standard players?

Laughing

just kidding, unless some of us actually join non-standard tourneys.

Guys, better get the contact number of Jay, one of our alumni, he has the org's card pool, if I am not mistaken he was the one in charge of the cards during BJ's reign as of sec gen.

Oh, I remember that pool. Mostly Vintage.

Basically, that one flopped. Crying or Very sad

We seperated the cards to those who paid for it.

I think you guys have a better chance of pulling it off, due to that tier system...

Goddess Joined: 30 Nov 2006 Posts: 1118 Location: denial

Actually, I think the card pool needs the clause that cards in the pool are org property. Donations are welcome, of course, but don't expect to see those cards again.

To start with we can use a bit of the org funds. Later on we sell cards in the pool and use the money from that to purchase new ones. Now I know we get diminishing returns on that, but hopefully, with enough contributions, we'll be able to sustain it at a functional level.

*Last edited by erwin on Sat Sep 27, 2008 6:17 am; edited 1 time in total*

I believe Q and mnightsilver had an idea of others renting the cards (with money of course), instead of borrowing them, in addition to the point system.
Don't know the exact details though, Q will probably post it here a few days from now.

EDIT: make that a few hours Razz

things suddenly got more complicated. Laughing

Definitely. It has to be a secure system, people will be playing around with other people's cards after all. Laughing

Here's the final proposal by the way. I'll bring a hard copy around the tambayan so people can take a look at it.

Card Pool Mechanics

Paperwork for the card pool. Put here for back-up reasons.