Misplay

Hello folks!

We both know that at some point of our playing days, we all have that not-so-good-tournament-performance. Some attribute this to their getting up at the wrong side of the bed. Some connect this to whatever feng shui they have for their decks. Some simply blame their sideboard card which fails to reach their hand in time. While others fault themselves because of their misplays.

Misplay, a lot of people define this as “making play X when play Y was the better play.” As pointed out by James Reed in his work, there are reasons why people misplays: (i) lack of knowledge, (ii) forgetting or overlooking cards or effects and (iii) Playing cards, attacking and/ or blocking (PAB) in an incorrect manner. Aside from having it during your game/ match, are you aware that misplay can also be committed even before and after the game/ match? This was mentioned in an article by Dan Barrett in which he discussed the seven (7) types of misplays. Number one (1), five (5) and six (6) talked about: (i) poor knowledge of the format/ metagame; (ii) poor deck choice; (iii) not having constructed your sideboard correctly; (iv) poor shuffling; (v) arriving late at your designated table; and (vi) deck registration error. Although Xrystina Marcos was talking about losing her game in her work, she mentioned one good definition of a misplay; and that is to be able to see what was wrong with my first and second line-of-play.

Our modern WMCQ is just three weeks away. Here are some of friendly reminders that might help you in reducing them, I hope.

1. You must carefully assess every card in your seventy-five (75). Because modern is so diverse, be certain that every card in your seventy-five are flexible enough that can deal with other archetypes.

2. It is utmost important that you must correctly write the card name and its numbers in your deck list. Abbreviation and/ or short cut are not allowed. Please do not forget to write your name and DCI number at the designated box.

3. There should be no discrepancies between players’ life points. Make sure to check this every time a damage or loss of life is being done. One life point could be the difference between winning from losing the game. To help you remember things, especially if there is a need for a review, please write down a word or an abbreviation of that card that causes the damage/ loss of life beside the life changes on your note pad.

4. Communicate well with your opponent. Make sure that both of you are on the same page to avoid any issues that might arise.

5. Armed yourself with the correct rules, interaction, and proper trigger resolution/ reactions of your cards. You can gain this through any of the following: (i) brainstorm or play test religiously with your group and discuss the different scenarios that you’ll encounter; (ii) play at your LGS or modern FNMs; (iii) simply ask any judge or get some tips from player/s who is/are on the same deck as you are.

6. When playing, make sure you’ll mentally double/ triple check each move you’ll do. Also before making a move, make sure to read each card on the table (especially those of your opponent’s) so that you will not miss any trigger that might hamper your plan. Exercise the same vigilant thinking in each spell you cast, before you could announce anything, check for any triggers that might affect you and/ or your spell. Please do everything at a reasonable phase.

7. Always be attentive at your opponent’s every move. Make sure he is doing everything proper.

8. If you find yourself in the middle of whatever argument with your opponent, do not settle things between yourselves. Call a judge for better enlightenment.

9. During combat, make sure you are fully aware of those creatures that have first or double strike, trample, lifelink, protection and other abilities inherent of the creatures involved. Make sure of your math is correct. Again, compute everything at a reasonable phase.

10. Getting to excited, nervous, cocky or other emotions within you can also be a contributory factor in helping you in committing misplays. So please control yourself of these factors.

11. If you commit a misplay in a game, do not overreact. Overreacting to it will put you in a quicksand thus making you prone to commit more misplays later on. Remain calm, assess the result of the situation and figure out if there is another way for you to win the game. (Reed)  

12. And lastly, some people commit this after the game, please do not forget your belongings especially your deck. This is the biggest misplay ever you will make.

Misplay will always be there for us to commit if we’re not that prudent enough. And if in case you just did one, do not overreact and do not waste time by blaming or debating yourself during the game. Just be calm, regroup and try to win the game with whatever left in you.

Thank you for spending your precious time reading this.

I hope you remember any of this when September 5th comes.

And in case you are looking for a great playground for a modern play test in preparation for your modern WMCQ, here:

All Fridays where a LGS host a modern FNM.

August 15

GPT at R4, Zapote Road, Alabang

PPTQ at Battlegrounds, Pasig

August 16

PPTQ at Comic Quest
*This will be at Alphaland Mall, Magallanes, Makati*

PPTQ at Tobey's Cafe, Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong

August 29

GPT Sydney at Xtreme Hobby Cafe, UST Sampaloc, Manila

Champion gets 10k pesos cash.

Have a great day everyone!

-Paeng