And now for something completely different . . .

Anyone who reads this column regularly (and I really appreciate those of you who do) is probably used to seeing rather technical strategy articles. I’ve got a couple of weeks before my next series starts up, so I’ve decided to take it a bit easy on everyone’s brain and talk about something near and dear to my heart—drafting.

I know what you’re thinking. My entire last series was on the finer points of Sealed Pack play. How is this going to be any different? Simply put, I’m not breaking down how to draft this week. I’m breaking down why to draft. And I hope it’s a reason that really catches on.

I’ve always been a big fan of Sealed Pack play. In fact, even in those Other Games™ I was somewhat of a Sealed Pack specialist. I guess that the reason I’ve always liked it so much is that it’s a much less level playing field. I’m not saying that people are bad at Sealed Pack play, I’m just saying that more people are far more practiced at Constructed play. It’s easy to see what decks are going to be good in a format and test until you know exactly what to do in each situation. Things are relatively static in a Constructed format.

Sealed Pack, on the other hand, is much more variable. On the most basic level, it changes after each pick, since you now have new information to try to take into account. On a slightly higher level, each draft is a different card pool and a different group of players, which means different strategies to adjust to. And even in the really big picture, it’s always fluctuating. Cards change value frequently as people’s understanding of the format increases. Cards that were once unplayable become excellent as strategies change. It’s much harder to keep on top of the ever-changing tide of Sealed Pack play without a ton of practice. So I draft a lot. A whole lot.

Many people fear change. I love it, though, for the same reasons I like Modern Age formats. There is a period in time where things start fresh. It doesn’t matter how good everyone has gotten at a particular Draft format, eventually it will be over. Then, everyone has to feel the new format out. For a player that plays a lot and is a quick study, this is a big advantage. Everyone will eventually catch up, but there will be a time when you are miles ahead.

As I’ve said, the thing I enjoy so much about Sealed Pack play is the constant change. Eventually, things settle down and the formats even out. This is kind of like the calm before the storm. Things will eventually change up, but until then I have to deal with the stagnant format. The main reason I was playing was to figure out the format before anyone else, and that time has passed. Now I need a little more motivation to continue playing. That’s where all of you come in.

Just like a good sundae, drafting is even better with as much on it as possible. And I know a thing or two about sundaes. We originally got the idea for our draft variant from the sanctioned Draft events run at many larger events. We play for an ante.

Now, I know that Upper Deck doesn’t condone gambling, and frankly, I’m not condoning it here either. We play for packs, just like you would if you were playing in a side event at a PC. Everyone antes a pack at the beginning of the draft, and the winner takes all. It keeps things interesting, and you also get something for your efforts. It’s a great alternative to a normal draft.

I really like this variant. It’s not anything world-shatteringly different, but it is enough of a change to keep me on the top of my game. I am an extremely competitive person, and I assume many of you are also. However, winning is always sweeter when you have something other than bragging rights to show for it in the end. This ensures that not only do you get the thrill of victory, but if you do well, you can subsist on your draft winnings and not have to buy packs for another draft.

In my experience on the Pro Circuit, not quite as many players attend the final day of play as the first two days of play. This originally struck me as a little odd. I wondered why more people didn’t show up for what is arguably the most exciting day of the tournament. It is, after all, the day that the winner is decided, and the day that the money is given out. I eventually figured out that this might be due to the lack of extraneous gaming. Most of the people who show up to the first two days of the Pro Circuit are there to play Vs. themselves—either in the main event, or in one of the numerous side events held on the first and second day. This interactivity seems to be missing from Day 3, and I’m not sure why. Perhaps it’s because people aren’t interested in playing casual games for the moment, because they’ve been knocked out of the event. Maybe they need something a little more than a normal draft to draw their attention. Maybe this Draft format could be the remedy.

I am taking it upon myself to get as many people as possible to start showing up to Day 3 of the PC. As I’ve said before, I am a social gamer to the extreme. I just enjoy hanging out with my friends at these events. As a writer, I put in tons of hours during these events. To be honest, I didn’t know what I was getting into when I first signed up for this coverage gig. I figured I’d be able to write a bunch and have time to socialize between rounds. Yeah, right. I spend every waking moment moving somewhere and doing something. And I love it.

However, for a writer, Day 3 is a little less busy than the others. We cover the Top 8, decide a winner, turn in our closing stuff . . . and then we’re done, free to once more rejoin the normal world. Unfortunately, as I said, not quite as many people are around on Day 3 to hang out with. This makes me a sad puppy. I spoke to my friends to try and figure out why they don’t make it to the third day for more than a few hours. Their answer was very simple, and honestly, somewhat expected—there’s nothing for them to do.

Nothing to do? Nothing to do? What are they talking about? There’s . . . well, there’s . . . we could . . . uh . . . good point. There really isn’t anything for the highly competitive player to do. Sure, there are side events, but for a lot of players, smaller side events aren’t what they are looking for. There are also Top 8 matches to watch, but most people would rather play Vs. themselves than treat it as a spectator sport. I decided to find out what it was my friends wanted. When I suggested trying to get more people to play in these pack drafts, the idea really struck a chord with them, and I think I know why.

Gamers are like a family, and the Pro Circuit is like a family reunion. We have friends from all over the globe, and the only time we get a good opportunity to see them is when they come to these major events. How else am I going to get Gabe Walls, Neil Reeves, Jeroen Remie, Tim Willoughby, and The Knut under the same roof? These guys are good people and a real blast to hang around. The Pro Circuit brings us all together. It’s that way for a lot of players.

If there’s one thing gamers truly enjoy, it’s playing games with their friends. I know that there’s nowhere I’m more comfortable playing than my local store, and there’s no one I enjoy busting up more than my friends. I assume that you guys are much the same. I know that if I’m going to really enjoy myself playing games at the PC, I’d either better be winning it or playing games with my friends.

Most of my friends are as competitive as I am, if not more. One thing we’ve learned is that it’s hard being as competitive with your friends as you are with the complete stranger sitting across from you at the Pro Circuit. Our game is not as tight. However, by adding a little something extra to our team drafts, it’s a little easier to maintain our killer focus. Sure, it’s our friends we’re playing against, but we still want to remain the best at the game. In order to do that, we have to constantly work to improve ourselves. This pack draft format provides us with the motivation we need to keep us moving forward.

I hope you guys have taken this article to heart. It really is a shame seeing the drop in attendance from Day 2 to Day 3. I really hope that you guys take advantage of the fact that you only get to see many of your friends from the PC at the PC. You get only the time that you have in town together. It’s such a waste of a day to not enjoy it hanging out with these guys. After all, they’re family. Hopefully, this pack draft concept will give you something to get together for, something to do. Besides, if no one else wants to play you, I’m down for a good draft anytime. Just come find me, and have your packs ready. And don’t be a sore loser. Or winner.

Questions and comments can be sent to the_priceis_right@yahoo.com.