(ok this going to be a long post so bear with me I got alot to say)
Ok I think I will join the thread this now because I can relate to this subject to to the fullest degree. would have commented sooner but the Home PC was being fixed and had toused the time limited Local Library PC
Anyway I posted in thread like this mouth too ago and Qnetykz was the same guy that answered my question about how this lovey game's of are is. By the way dude you Again you just seem to come up with right and most logical answers IMO. and see you still doing it...so I will give my best shot here to do the same
I will Admit that I too had problems with seeing the same deck styles, I still do to a point but my problems lays with the copy of other decks idea for the sake of winning not the everyone that useing the same Core cards for decks. I been playing a very long time, I'm 28 been playing from Base set Etc. took a long lay off but not by choice then got back in a year ago and like many in this thread had problem because I was getting beat and saw the same card beating my rear end down and when you lose a lot its gets to you and things race through your mind and ya start acting like a sore loser because can't understand why there stale idea's win and your's don't..and hurts even more you have the money and resources to get cards you need and work hard and still lose.
I had very hard time excepting that fact "I" was reason for losing "I" was the reason why I was not having fun. I pointed the finger at the players better then me for the reason why I was losing and not myself.
Then I had a talk with good friends and players in my area, and with players like "qnetykz" and then at last I saw the truth. and I had become much better Player and Example for other players, Now I'm no Elite Player by any means I still lose as much as I win, After I lose I look what I did, what mistakes I made and fix my play and my decks, I play alot of rogue. and I"m one of those player that like play for fun at leagues, and play the good players to get better. its how you get better
The way look at things now and because Run my own league. I come to see the biggest challenge to any card game and qnetykz and other players touched on this is "DECKBUILDING" It it this most important and hardest thing pick up one and it can become very frustrating because of too reasons. 1. you have no money or resources or have no luck in trades to give yourself a chance to learn 2. you have the first thing and have nothing to show for it because you lack the common Sense and Patients to learn from your mistakes.. I was number 2 for a long time. If I didn't have good friends I still be acting like a small child. and now I've won respect because of the change of my mindset. believe me Guys and Gals I been there, you just have the will to fight through the frustration..
I'm no meta gamer now but I look at metagame differently now, I still don't like it, but it not going anywear, So I continue to my thing with my decks but look at thing this alot different from the norm, I take Meta game Idea's and still my own idea's and pokemon and still make my own decks useibg mix those idea's and mine. I look at meta game decks as "I know whats coming and that an advantage because I build my decks to fight them of the match up is right and my deck are to my own style" not "I hate them I will not play them because there better"
IMO I think the biggest issues are Deck-building, and if don't have the patients to do it, you start net-decking because you want win so bad and prove yourself. Its an EGO thing, human nature.
My other issue Is how People deal with success. I had to suspend one of my nephews from my league because of his unacceptable behavior, with help mosty me and my friends at league he got good but then he land few big wins over myself and other good players and then his head blows up.
To me if your a good player and your peers see that, there going to watch you and young players starting off will look up to you and copy you. it simple old saying of "monkey see monkey do" IMO when your good player, you have to be Humble about it, remembering who helped you get those cards, who teached you how deckbuild. ETC and passing that down new players.
Have a Humble and Respectful mindset is one things I talk about up and coming good players. but not just about this card game it about life as well.
I'tx ok to have some swagger in you step and confidants, you worked hard to get to your skill level "hours and money put into your hobbie" went into your play. but when you start disrespecting your opponent with non stop trash talk and you know let them know yourbetter then them. you beat them then rub in there face, or asking them hurry up so there can destroy you and gives you that look that you your 3 inches tall to them and there a pokemon GOD (trust me i speak from getting the look from people and not in playful way). you know that uncalled for, but worse is when they show that just just as good as them and hurts there ego to the point were winning becomes At as costs no losing to lower player and given them credit when it do and tell them "well played you got me"
My nephew had this happen to him and he been got caught cheating after his Excessive trash talking and Excuses didn't work on the better players at my league. and it hurt to see this good kid became a Egomaniac, and all did was make himself look bad
My point when you very good player you like a Pro Athlete or Movie or Rock star of pokemon. and other players like myself will look up to you and ask you for advice and want learn from you, If you act like a jerk and look down at people lower then you in skill and disrespect the players better then you talking too much junk, the lower skill players will be frustrated with you and better players will laugh at you. (I can bet Qnetykz you see what I'm tlaking about in many card games you judged over the years)
now I;m not talking about anyone are here, I am pointing what I've seen over the years and goes on's at my league, everyone at my league Respect each other, and our idea's and we respect when we are given constitutive criticism. unless were talking of our butts, but also have few problem players that had to deal with and it not easy when the game itself no matter up is in the the end "a game"
IMO I believe I think if your the best player at you league to the player that won states and has gone to worlds more then few times or the frustrated new player that just can't seem get bone thrown your way for once. no one likes a Egomanic or Poor sport. and there never and time for that type of behavior and it don't matter if you back every word that come our mouths, let your play do your talking, and keep the EGO or poor sportsmanship at the door. and lighten up
And thats my view of things. I don't think its the Originality that making players frustrated, other then mindless netdecking but it going to happen and can't control it, that frustration and Finger pointing comes from Deckbuilding and Lack of Respect and Poor sportsmanship.
and that's my view sorry this being so long.. thanks