Switch in format tides

While the format hasnt changed much as in the decks that are topping are still the same big 2 or 3, there are some things i would like to point out just in case you haven't noticed. If you play tourneys weekly (no time LOL) or constantly read every Shriek decklist, you would probably have noticed this. Although there has been a major set released (REDU), it doesnt change much to the AE meta because it only introduces geargia and since there is no Birdman to self touch, its not hard to kill either.

1) the reduction of traps. With MST at 3 and people spamming it, everyone is reducing the number of traps in their deck or switching to chainable ones. For example, Jeff maxed out on Raigeki Breaks in his maindeck for Asia Championships. Decks that dont play Raigeki Break suddenly play it, and nobody plays more than 1 Call of the Haunted in Inzektors anymore. And if you are still setting Lair Wires and COTH then just seriously pray that you dont die.

2) With Raigeki Break and Torrential flying around, it is advisable to put Forbidden lance in everything as we see Hieratic Hanzo. Im surprised nobody mains it in Malaysia so i strongly urge players to do so. The standard number you would play is 1 or 2, but 3 in Hieratics probably. Since it kills Ninja Transformation, its too good not to main.

3) The format has become more skilled based if you have not noticed. But of course you cant say having Monster Reborn or Mind Control is not skilled because keeping and conserving it is skill, but topdecking it with Destiny Draw is lucksack.

Nationals is coming up soon, and i advise everyone to prepare for it by playtesting intensively. No matter how good you are, you may still lose out to someone who playtests 24/7 (no life but hardworking) 

At the same time, we need to decide each card to side in and out for of our sideboards with our decks long before we play the real match. This is so crucial and I cannot stress how important this is. Some players take ages to do so which could reveal to their opponent what they are trying to keep or what to side in. It only takes about 10 minutes on your own to think about it thoroughly. So dont be lazy. When you go into game 2, if you do the siding in less than 30 seconds, no one can see through everything. Anything that keeps you from being anxious and calm should be reduced to a minimum. 

And also, i advise players to discuss and chat with other players about card options, decklists, side options and even playtest together. The more better players you have access to, the better. I believe that when we do so, we are humbling ourselves and both players should help each other out. Having the insight of good players will give you an edge because you can see the game in different perspectives.

I apologize for the lack of posts, because most of the other bloggers are doing good jobs of posting news and stuff until I have nothing left to say =X

Forbidden lance

Is good in hieratics !

* Protects from torrential
* bottomless
* gemini spark
* thunder break
* ninja transformation art
* Its unpredictable
* Its a pseudo-Shrink which makes it very very versatile

Died to forbidden lance today during playtesting.

Definitely good to main 1 or 2, depending on the amount you have.

I'm speaking for Asia format of course.

Yugioh is getting slightly more exciting lately so probably more posts to come.

Why we should tech night shot

Cos everything's chainable true story And screw the new blogger dashboard layout

Congrats

To Soh Jun Yuan for winning the 2nd Asian Championship title again twice in a row.

Legend.

And to everyone else who participated.

Theory Oh VS Instinct/Preference

Often, we are faced with dilemmas in the sense that people are running a certain tech, or playing an archetype in a certain way (there is a limit to this statement) and we aren't and we are filled with worry because we feel like we are at a disadvantage if we do not do so.

So, if you ask me, this is what i would tell you to do:

1) Test it out. See if it works for you because player preference is important.

If it doesn't suit you, don't run it. Stop lying to yourself. For eg, people are running PWWB/Chain Disappearance in their Inzektor lists, and you don't feel comfortable with it. It is wiser that you keep to your own preference. Just cos Sam plays it, doesn't mean you have to !

So you are adapting a certain tech which seems strange but you fear its going to be criticised badly by other players. Here's where i tell you to not be afraid. It doesn't hurt to innovate and if your innovation works, then there's reward.

Most successful players are innovators. Sam chose to go with his own personal preference of PWWB over Thunder Break. Lazaro Bellido was a great innovator back when metagame.com and SJC were still around. Other innovators include Frazier etc.

The reason why personal tech and playing a deck your own way, is better is because it helps you to play the deck more smoothly.

Of course there is a limit like, playing a tier 1 archetype in a tier 2 manner, which of course i will condemn. What i'm talking about is how certain choices like Sangan, or a 3rd Gullho, 2 or 3 Car D, or the maining of 1 copy of the Neferti works for some people, while it doesn't for others.

Personal techs help you gain an edge in your matchups. Because these techs are unpredictable, thus you should always opt to main 1 or 2 personal techs, in your main deck or in your sideboard. Many players already know this, and have used it to their advantage.

That is why i urge players to try to adapt their own techs more in their builds, and to prevent your deck from being 100% conventional.

The moment you start playing your netdecked build, you will slowly start to notice different preferences in the deck, thus you should adapt it to your own playstyle.

For example some players will run a Tier 1 deck (like hero beat) in a more aggro manner by playing bubbleman and maxing Miracles, while some will be more control and main more tech traps, while some will want the deck to be extremely consistent and max out on all tutor cards.

There is nothing wrong in tech choices and we shouldnt be ashamed in the ones we make. Especially if they work for our meta, then we should just continue running them. Because everybody has to realize different countries have different metas.

Then again, at the end of the day, skill is more prevalent than card choices, and is still the determinant for victory (ceteris paribus), but personal card choices, combined with skill, will get you there faster.

Also shoutout to my friend, Kyde: http://digital-mortal.blogspot.com/ check it out !

Smoke Grenade

http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Smoke_Grenade_of_the_Thief

do you know what this does?

New article hopefully up tomorrow