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Friday, December 12, 2014
Editorial: House Rules
What are your thoughts on house rules?
I use them in one case - because my wife loves Carcassone, and I don't, so we play with a hand of tiles because I know that she likes it and it adds enjoyment for me. But in general, I don't like house rules and I think using them is actually indicative of a game that you don't like. In fact, my example above is case-in-point - we use the house rule because I don't like the game! Happy wife, happy life after all.
But is that a problem? It shouldn't be, because we have MANY AMAZING games out there! They don't all have to be perfect for me, or you, or anyone.
I agree with your stance on house rules totally. The only MDM house rule my girlfriend and I use is the 2/7 rule. When drafting a team, if you take a 2 cost character your next character must be a 7 cost. This evolved from our 2-7 draft where we got 6 characters that couldn't have the same purchase cost. Since I know the combos and she is learning the game, this adds lots of discovery and balance for our experience levels. I can't wait for more videos!
ReplyDeleteGreat video,I totally agree due to the fact that my fiance and I are wanting to get into weekly tournaments locally but we have yet to find a shop as we are new to the CCG scene. This video to me is really helpful because now i know not to go somewhere that might have ridiculous house rules as my fiance and I love this game a ton and want to play it to its truest form.
DeleteKudos on that draft idea dusten. I cant stop running my 2-4 cost Bolt energy characters against my fiance. Its like my only way to stand a chance sometimes, but i do see the fairness and i think that we will try the 2-7 draft house rule of yours.
DeleteYears ago, game publishers did not issue erratas, or change rules until a new edition of a game was released. House rules made more sense then.
ReplyDeleteComputer gaming has some great examples. As online PvP gaming has become more popular, I think we as gamers demanded more from the content producers to be proactive and fix or balance known issues.
The same is happening in pen and paper rpgs, eurogames, etc. I believe most game producers recognize the benefit of keeping rules as a living entity, like Privateer Press with Steamroller for Warmahordes, or Wyrd with Gaining Ground for Malifaux.
The internet has allowed for us to share our universal gaming experiences with one another, now we can see outside of our local universe to see if something is a "real" or only a perceived issue. This makes the prospect of house rules kind of obsolete (in my opinion) and it allows for game manufacturers to keep the game updated.
I remember using house rules, but I tend to stay away from them presently. I would rather teach people published rules and play with things as written than try to correct what I believe to be wrong. Especially when I can use my smartphone to find out what the larger community believes or what the game manufacturer has said about something.