if you didn't know, WizKids announced that instead of tournaments matches being a best-of-three, they will be a single game.
One game in 30 minutes versus three in fifteen is a big plus. I see the drawbacks - perhaps the dice just don't go your way in a single game. Still, a problem with tournament formats with any of these types of games is that the shortened timeframe forces players to play the game differently. It makes certain strategies clearly better than others, because they can fit into the timeframe. That complaint should be just about gone with Dice Masters.
It also prevents the metagaming of someone dragging something out to time. While this is something that is technically not against the rules, it's poor sportsmanship. Plenty of people do it and get away with it, but no more will that be possible.
What do you think?
Our local events are already 1 game per 30 minutes. I like it just fine. Yeah, there are games that just didn't roll my way that I felt I had the better team and strategy. But to have shorter events makes it worth it. I can't commit to 4-6 hour sessions, and most of the other players already are committed to playing HeroClix for a fair amount of time. If force to choose, I think most of them would choose Clix. Also I think the prospect of 3-4 total games is a little more approachable to new players.
ReplyDeleteI like them too. Why not. Those tourneys were going on way too long - I agree. And the last game when it went to turns was often a joke. Plus the 30 mins gives you a little longer to consider your plan of action during that one game. Heck the NCAA basketball tournaments are 1 game, why not Dicemasters?! If anything you can fit more rounds of play into the same general timeframe making 1 unlucky loss less of an issue.
ReplyDeleteYeah, in South Africa, so far at least, turnouts of more than 10 people are still kinda rare.
ReplyDeleteSo we usually end up playing 3 rounds of swiss, which is not ideal. I am hoping this change will make it 4 if not 5 rounds no matter how few people we are, which should help even out a lot of the problems we have been having.
I LOVE this format and quite frankly was surprised that it wasn't originally that way. Given the average length of time for a typical match, this just made more sense.
ReplyDeleteSaw your article, Stephen - nice write up!
DeleteWe ran things in this fashion since Month One. Nothing else makes sense! ;)
ReplyDelete