How can I be the best? What's holding me back? Why can't I get that Regional invite/top/win? Why can't I top a YCS? What am I doing wrong?
Recently, I've been watching and reading interviews with "pro" players, and how they got to achieve the success they obtained. Between most of them is a common theme: They all playtest a lot, and they all theorize a lot. Let's analyze the common trends and discuss them:
1. Many of them play in a couple Local level tournaments every week, as well as playtesting with friends for numerous hours, every week. We're looking at people that consistently test 20-30, maybe 40 hours a week!
2. Many of them are part of a team, or sponsorship. It is easier for them to obtain the cards they need for playtesting, and tournaments. Having a team of trusted people also helps with the playtesting and theorizing.
3. Many of them travel to many different tournaments. Having a team, and going with multiple people, is really helpful from a financial standpoint. It's a lot cheaper to split a hotel room with 6 people than 3 people.
Expanding on the first point:
Most communities have two-three Local tournaments every week. For the competitive players, this gives people with more opportunity to test their ideas against a wider variety of decks. It also gives more opportunity to win prize support, which helps with getting the cards and other accessories to play the game. Local tournaments are a casual, yet serious environment, as people are playing for a prize and looking to experiment with deck ideas.
Don't forget about the extensive hours of playtesting. Some people might read this and think "That is way too much time spent playing a Children's Card Game" or "I don't have that kind of time". Allowing yourself the time for testing is important. You know the saying, "practice makes perfect"? In any game, this statement bears some truth. While I can promise no one will become perfect and win all their matches. practice provides the opportunity to practice your plays and combos, and test deck ideas. Doing this will allow you to be the most prepared for those tournaments: You'll have an idea of what to play, and you'll know the combos and how to play out of certain situations.
In relation to this, many "pro" players don't test against "helmet" decks. In this current format, the obvious "helmet" decks are Qliphorts, Yosenjus, Psy-frames, Paleozoics, and anything else that plays Card of Demise. I believe the reasoning for this is simple: What's the point testing against floodgates? If I'm playing against any of these decks, and they open Anti-Spell Fragrance and it shuts down my hand, what do you learn? Honestly, nothing. Everyone knows what each floodgate does to certain matchups. I understand playing a "helmet" deck once in a while, just to see how it goes. However, this playtesting is better spent with two combo/thought-involved decks going at it.
Expanding on the second point:
I've always said it: It's better to pool everyone's resources together than going solo. If each person had $300 to spend, a team will be able to obtain more than an individual.
In regards to playesting, most people will provide feedback as testing goes on. This feedback and constructive criticism can help so you don't make the same mistakes multiple times, or make the better plays going forward. Bouncing ideas off of your team will also help all of you. Coming up with better ideas and strategies can provide a whole team the edge in any tournament. As well, if someone comes up with a terrible idea, it's better that your team or friends tells you it's terrible, instead of finding out at a Regionals.
Expanding on the third point:
When I had a car, I drove all over the place for tournaments. I attended a bunch of Regionals, one YCS, and other special tournaments. Playing against the same 16 people every week will stop your growth at a certain point, for the most part. Reaching out and playing different faces, and making new acquaintances can assist your growth in the long run. Odds are you'll come across people as serious as you are. You'll battle other players that are hungry for success, and it will bring out your competitive nature and prompt you to play better and better. Each competitive player might have slightly different goals, but it focuses around the same common ground: Topping and winning bigger tournaments.
Reflection:
I've been a competitive player (on and off) for almost 7 years now. What accomplishments do I have: Multiple regional invites, 3 tops, and that's it. Honestly, it's terrible in my opinion. I know that I have grown a lot in that time, but it seems like I've stopped growing. Everything has become restrictive as well. Currently, I do not have a car, which impacts travel by a lot. The money going into the card game has decreased. My community as a whole has decreased. The amount of time I spend playtesting is pitiful, compared to the past, and I never playtested close to 20 hours at any point in my life. Writing this has actually been depressing...
Personally, I will make some changes to the way I do things, because I've been hungry for success more than ever. After losing on the bubble of YCS Toronto, I realize how much I've grown, but how much growth is still required. In the grand scheme of things, I suck at this game, but I want that to change.
For anyone with the same ambitions that I have, you'll get the most out of this post. Let me know what you think, and thanks for reading.
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